2011 NFL Preseason: 5 Things We Learned About the Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have provided their fans with a lot to like in the first half of preseason. Even with the ever-important dress rehearsal game just a day away, we can still assess plenty about a Ravens team looking to soar in the direction of the Super Bowl.

The loss of aging but reliable veterans has made many questions arise about what we can expect to see in Baltimore.

Who will emerge as Joe Flacco's reliable third-down target now that Derrick Mason is gone? Can the offensive line stay intact? Can Kelly Gregg's big shoes be filled by an even-bigger Terrence Cody?

Perplexing scenarios still remain, but here are a few things we do know, at the very least.

1. Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss Must Produce

For a team that is poised to make a Super Bowl run, not enough can be said about the loss of Derrick Mason. He remained one of Joe Flacco's most-targeted receivers—and with other weapons like Anquan Boldin, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Todd Heap and Ray Rice available, that's saying something.

The acquisition of Lee Evans this season will certainly help, but is it enough? He can certainly stretch the field and reel in a big pass every now and then and can open things up for other receivers underneath. But that means nothing if no one can step up and benefit from that.

This will be the task of rookies Tandon Doss and Torrey Smith. If the Ravens want to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, having depth at the wide receiver position is essential. We all saw how that benefited the Green Bay Packers in last season's Super Bowl, and you can bet that the Ravens were taking notes.

(And don't be surprised if David Reed forces himself into the mix as well.)

2. Jah Reid Isn't the Answer at Right Tackle

At least not now.

The rookie out of Central Florida has loads of potential. General Manager Ozzie Newsome would not have traded into the third round of the draft to grab him if he didn't see that.

And based on previous drafts, we'll give Newsome the benefit of the doubt for the time being.

But as it currently stands, Reid is just another example of how the lockout can have a detrimental effect on this year's rookie class. Reid has struggled greatly in a shortened camp and had a dismal preseason debut against the Philadelphia Eagles. It's a tall task for any rookie to have Jason Babin in his face, but there wasn't much positivity to be taken from his performance regardless.

At the very least, Reid will now be in a position of less pressure. Pending a physical, the Ravens will add former Minnesota Vikings tackle Bryant McKinnie to the offensive line. Reid is the odd man out in this equation, but in the short and long term, the chance to develop comfortably is always for the better.

3. Le'Ron McClain Will Not Be Missed

The under-the-radar signing of Vonta Leach won't be ignored for long.

Leach being named one of Pro Football Focus's top blocking fullbacks indicates that Arian Foster can attribute much of his success to the punishment Leach routinely gave to run-stuffers.

Early indications show Leach continues to play at a high level and could be the X-factor who transforms Baltimore's rushing attack from a good one to a dominant one.

4. Ray Rice Will Have Another Huge Season

Speaking of the run game...

Ray Rice, as expected, had a very involved role in the Ravens offense last year, notching over 1,700 yards from scrimmage from 370 touches.

What wasn't stellar, however, was his massive drop-off in his yards per carry average. Rice plummeted from his electric 5.3 yards per carry average in 2009 to a mortal 4.0 in 2010.

His offensive line definitely had more struggles that season and still faces uncertainty going into 2011. The additions of Vonta Leach and Bryant McKinnie should improve his snap-by-snap performance, and the departures of Derrick Mason and Todd Heap should make Rice very attractive as a checkdown option for Joe Flacco.

Whether or not he has another season like 2009 remains to be seen, but he will surely have the opportunity to do so.

5. Sergio Kindle Is Ready to Go

Last season, Sergio Kindle faded into obscurity after a non-football related skull fracture sidelined him for all of 2010.

It's strange, but it may have been a blessing in disguise. Now, pressure is on Kindle to perform, but he is in the ideal position to do so.

After finally receiving a clean bill of health, he will have a great advantage playing with the safety net of Jarret Johnson and Terrell Suggs. This will give defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano the freedom to ease Kindle into the system at his own pace, likely showcasing him with the blitz.

So far, it's worked out. Kindle has been swarming to the ball with passion in his first two games and appears to be far removed from an injury that delayed his first professional season. The possibility of adding yet another pass-rusher to an already stout defense may once again make the Ravens defense the talk of the league.