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If you asked me at this time last year if I would be living in Baltimore and covering the Ravens I would have said, "Shut the front door!" Well, here I am. Living in Baltimore, which I love, and covering the most exciting team in the NFL. Please note, I say this having not covered or been around any other NFL team but the Ravens. Ha.
In any event, be sure to tune into 105.7 The Fan from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. tonight, then 1300 ESPN when the Gameday team hosts the Ravens-Jets Pre Game Show live from Dave and Busters in the Arundel Mills Mall. Even better - stop by and say hello!
In the meantime, I've been with the Ravens since the All Star Break - here are my thoughts on the team:
Offense
On behalf of the Ravens media, it's safe to say we will not be asking Joe Flacco if he is more comfortable entering his third year in the NFL. As he told us on Thursday, he is sick of answering those questions. But with veteran QB Mark Bulger by his side this preseason, it's also safe to say the 25-year-old Flacco learned a new thing or two from his more experienced counterpart.
Flacco will also be looking down field more than last year due to the additions of wide receivers Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but don't think Ray Rice will not get his share of carries. Rice, who comes out of preseason more rested than last year, has added about seven pounds of muscle; and unlike Flacco, admits he is more comfortable in his third year in the NFL. Rice will also be returning to his home state - he's from New Rochelle, NY - and has left 30 tickets for friends and family that will be sporting #27 Rice purple game shirts.
Taking a look at the offensive line, after suffering a concussion, Oniel Cousins will not start at right tackle. Marshal Yanda will move from guard to tackle and Chris Chester will take over for the injured Cousins and Jared Gaither, who is still out with a back injury, with Tony Moll as his backup. Michael Oher will make his regular season debut at left tackle but could move to right if needed.
Todd Heap is the healthiest he's been in years and should be a threat at tight end, while rookies Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta both had a solid camp and preseason.
Defense
The secondary has been thin, and now Ed Reed (PUP) will miss the first six weeks of the season; but Tom Zbikoswki has filled in for adequately in Reed's absence at free safety. Dawan Landry has also been impressive at strong safety and with a healthy Lardarius Webb and Fabian Washington and the addition of Josh Wilson from Seattle, the secondary may have some question marks, but it might not be as bad as it seems.
Special Teams
Punter Sam Koch and kicker Billy Cundiff, who beat out Shayne Graham for the job, have been close to perfect throughout training camp and preseason play, and new long snapper Morgan Cox has been solid as well. We'll see Jalen Parmele (RB) and David Reed (WR) returning kicks and the speedy Zbikowski (FS) and Chris Carr (CB), who have impressed the Ravens' coaching staff since Day 1 of camp, on punt returns.
My prediction: Ravens 17, Jets 13
