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Ray Lewis, 36, and Ed Reed, 32 (will be 33 on September 11), are still playing at elite levels despite their suggestive ages.

Both players have a profound affect on Baltimore's defense, both on and off the field.

Lewis has been known to mentor young Ravens defenders and help the coaching staff mold them into the next best complement to no. 52.

Prime example: Adalius Thomas. Thomas came to the Ravens in 2001, and by 2006 had recorded 38.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, six interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.

Thomas fled Maryland for New England after the 2006 season, but failed to muster up the same intensity on Sundays with the Patriots, and was released after the 2009 season.

Quite simply, guys just play stronger, harder and better next to Ray Lewis.

The day Lewis retires from football will be the day Baltimore's defense suffers its biggest blow in the franchise's short history.

It's the same story with Reed. His play-making abilities and leadership in the secondary both excite and improve the defense.

In fantasy football, excitement and improvement aren't worth much, but Reed's eight interceptions are.

Reed and Lewis will keep the Ravens' defense up to the Baltimore standard in 2011, making them an easy no. 1 option for defense and special teams on your fantasy roster.

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If Joe Flacco is a quiet guy, his game is an absolute blabber mouth.

Flacco torched opposing defenses last season, racking up 3,622 yards and 25 touchdowns through the sky.

Flacco completed over 62 percent of his passes, 306 completions on 489 attempts in all.

The former Delaware quarterback ranked seventh in the league in 2010 in passing yards and quarterback rating (93.6), which has increased in every season since 2008.

Perhaps one of the most underrated aspects of Flacco's game, his brain, is the biggest reason for his NFL success.

Flacco threw only 10 interceptions in 2010, less than Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Mark Sanchez and Peyton Manning.

Flacco threw 24 in his first two seasons as Baltimore's starter, but has also seen his touchdown total increase significantly in every season since 2008.

Flacco threw for 14 scores in 2008, 21 in 2009 and 25 last season.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Joe Flacco, I give you growth and development at its finest.

Now realize that Flacco will be heading into his second year with Anquan Boldin, will have Ray Rice to throw and hand off to, and has the experience and mettle to complement his big arm.

Baltimore's defense is no longer the only feared squad on Sundays, the Ravens revamped offense will make Flacco a fantasy king this season.

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Ray Rice terrorized the NFL in 2010, rushing for 1,220 yards on the ground, and catching 63 passes out of the back field for another 556 yards.

Rice's 63 receptions were the second-most of any Ravens receiver, behind only Anquan Boldin.

Rice ranked tenth in the league last regular season in rushing yards, but surprisingly had the third-worst yards per carry average (4.0) of any back in the top 10 in rushing.

Rice was also tied with Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew and Kansas City's Jamaal Charles for the lowest touchdown count (5) of any running back in the top 10.

It is possible however that Rice may feel the effects of his 307 carries last season.

The number was the seventh-highest for any running back in the league, just 27 carries behind league-leader Michael Turner of the Atlanta Falcons.

Rice failed to produce huge running plays out of the Baltimore back field in 2010, tallying just four plays of 20 or more yards all year, but more than made up for it with his elusiveness as a receiver.

Few backs in the league will produce as consistently in the running, and passing game like Rice has and will in 2011.

Rice was targeted as a receiver 82 times last season, catching 63 as mentioned earlier.

The reality is that Rice was a critical part of Baltimore's offense in 2010, and that he will be called on even more so in 2011, making him a fantasy must-have, and a lock for the fantasy running back top five.