Baltimore Ravens: Five Positional Battles To Watch During Training Camp

(Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images)

As the Baltimore Ravens walked off the field following a heartbreaking 23-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game, every player and coach knew changes would be coming.

Change is a reality of the NFL—and the 2009 Ravens will look much different in several key areas.

Key departures include linebacker Bart Scott (New York Jets), center Jason Brown (St. Louis), safety Jim Leonhard (Jets), cornerback Chris McAlister (unsigned), offensive tackle Willie Anderson (retired), tight end Dan Wilcox (unsigned) and defensive end Marques Douglas (Jets). 

In addition to selecting six players in this year's draft, the Ravens added cornerbacks Domonique Foxworth (Atlanta) and Chris Carr (Tennessee), center Matt Birk (Minnesota), tight end L.J. Smith (Philadelphia), quarterback John Beck (Miami) and receiver Kelley Washington (New England). 

With so many new veterans and rookies in the fold, training camp in Westminster, Md. figures to host several key positional battles as the Ravens prepare for their opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 13. 

The following is a look at five key positional battles—to watch during training camp at McDaniel College.

1.  Inside Linebacker

The departure of Scott leaves a gaping hold next to Ray Lewis at the other inside linebacker position.  Scott did the dirty, physical work of taking on blockers, leaving the veteran Lewis free to pursue the ball carrier.  The younger Scott was also stronger in pass coverage than Lewis.

Conventional wisdom points to second-year player Tavares Gooden as Scott's replacement in the starting defense, but this may not be a foregone conclusion.

The 2008 third-round pick is a health risk after spending most of last season on injured reserve with a hip injury.  He also had a history of concussions and shoulder problems at the University of Miami. 

At the team's mandatory minicamp earlier this month, Gooden appeared bigger and faster, a good sign for coordinator Greg Mattison's defense. He has reportedly been spending time at Lewis' home, watching film and gaining wisdom from the 34-year-old linebacker.

If Gooden does not get the nod on the inside, another option could be second-year linebacker Jameel McClain.  The undrafted free agent from Syracuse emerged last year to grab a spot in training camp and worked his way up the depth chart, earning significant playing time as the season progressed. 

McClain finished the season with 16 tackles and 2.5 sacks and was a strong contributor on special teams.  

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