The defending AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens were one Lee Evans touchdown reception from a Super Bowl birth last year. Many remember the wide left kick off the foot of now Redskins kicker Billy Cundiff that sealed the Ravens one-game short fate, but if Evans could have held on…
The 2012 Ravens have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. Fifth-year quarterback Joe Flacco directs an offense led by running back Ray Rice, a fellow five year vet. Defensively, the Ravens continue to follow the no holds barred tone of middle linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed. However, questions about the potential return of edge-rusher Terrell Suggs abound. Medical experts question whether Suggs will be able to play in 2012 following a torn achilles tendon some say he ripped while playing basketball. Suggs and his agent say he hurt it during conditioning drills and eschew doctors claims— the man says he will be back by November.
Suggs availability makes for good headlines, but the Ravens allowed the third fewest points per game last season and the addition of Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw eases the absence of Suggs— however long that may be. Three other questions pose greater interest:
- Will the Ravens score enough? Last year the Ravens scored the 12th most points per game. A clip of 23.6 points per game is good, but it was the lowest of last season’s final four teams. The Super Bowl-winning Giants averaged 24.6 points, no less than two more touchdowns and a safety more over a season, but a bit more offensive firepower could be all that stands between the Ravens and a Lombardi trophy. The offensive line looks strong as ever and Flacco has proven himself to be an above average quarterback. The biggest question is the weapons he has around him. Rice is superstar, but the 2010 arrival of receiver Anquan Boldin never amounted to the game-changing acquisition originally hoped for. Speedster Torrey Smith was a revelation last season, totaling 50 receptions for 841 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games of action. Smith is one hell of a deep threat, and so is newcomer Jacoby Jones. Tight end Ed Dickson helped Ravens fans forget Todd Heap with 54 receptions and could improve in his third season. The name to keep an eye on is Bobby Rainey. The Western Kentucky product is a Ray Rice clone. Rainey has 10 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns this preseason, ranking him second among Baltimore pass catchers. His 17 carries for 46 yards are not eye-poping, but do not be surprised when Rainey makes tacklers miss on checkdowns. The undrafted free agent amounted 2056 total yards last season as a senior. Rainey could well be the difference between a good offense and a great one.
- Can they sweep the division again? Do not count on it. Last year was a magical season, with Baltimore going 8-0 at home and 6-0 against playoff teams. Two dates with Pittsburgh within three weeks will be tough, and do not be surprised if Baltimore splits. Opening and closing games with Cincinnati will be interesting, but the Bengals’ 9-7 record last year was a product of winning all the games they should. Remember, they were 0-4 against Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Another 6-0 run will be a stretch, but 5-1 is well within reason.
- Will the ball slip again? Both on paper and on the field, the Ravens have it all. As last season taught, sometimes it all comes down to execution. The Ravens are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, again. The ghosts of Billy Cundiff are out and rookie kicker Justin Tucker is in. The Texas product is perfect in preseason with a 53-yard boot to boot. But just ask Lee Evans about the difference between preseason and postseason. Evans and his hands find themselves in free agency this year.
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