32 in 31: Baltimore Ravens

Another year of 32 for 31, Sports News on Tap takes the month of August to preview the National Football League. We spend every day of the month looking at a new team and how they will fare in 2013. 

The Super Bowl champs are back to try and defend their title with some familiar faces, but mostly a new
version of this team. With Ray Lewis retiring and Ed Reed going to Houston, the Ravens are now Joe Flacco's team without question. This is his squad and his opportunity to make his case for being one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League. But as we have learned throughout the years, it is hard to defend the crown as Super Bowl champs.

In the last five years, there has been a true variety of how teams do after winning the Super Bowl. The Green Bay Packers nearly went undefeated, but suffered a loss in the divisional round to the eventful Super Bowl champions, New York Giants. Those same Giants missed the playoffs last year and the same fate happened to the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers after their Super Bowl win.  A Super Bowl champion has not won a playoff game the year after since the New England Patriots repeated as champs in 2004 and 2005. It is not easy having the target squarely on your back.

OFFENSE
The Ravens were dealt a seismic blow when they lost Dennis Pitta for the season with an injury. Pitta became Flacco's go-to man in redzone situations as well as being a safety valve when he could not find someone deep. They lose Anquan Boldin meaning Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones need to be more than just vertical receivers. For Jones, that is highly unlikely but people should expect Smith to be a fringe Pro Bowl player at his position.  While much is made about Flacco and how good he is, people forget about Ray Rice. He is a top-tier running back in the National Football League who can do it all on the football field. Sometimes the Ravens offense tends to bury Rice and that is still something they need to improve on this season. Baltimore is a better team when Rice and Flacco are working as duel threats, not just Flacco chucking deep balls down the field.

DEFENSE
Personally, I believe the defense will be at the same standards they were for many years now. There was statistical proof last season the Ravens were a better defense when Ray Lewis did not play a snap. While he certainly carried the emotions for the 2012-2013 Baltimore Ravens, he did not really have the same impact as he had before. It is likely rookie Arthur Brown will play a major role in Lewis' absence and they add Elvis Dumervil on the outside with Terrell Suggs which will be just plain scary. Ed Reed might be another story. He still made plays at his old age, and would always be good for a couple returns during the season. In other words, he is a playmaker.  The Ravens look to move on with free agent Michael Huff from Oakland and rookie Matt Elam from Florida whom seems to fit perfectly with Baltimore's tough nose defense.

SPECIAL TEAMS 
Jacoby Jones is obviously the highlight of this group. Jones is a complete threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. Justin Tucker succeeded as a rookie, but there is no guarantee he will be the same player this year. Sam Koch is solid as their punter.

KEY ADDITIONS 
LB Elvis Dumervil, DE Chris Canty, QB Caleb Hanie, S Michael Huff, DE Marcus Spears - They did not do much in the offseason yet Dumervil is still a very large fish that could have a huge impact.

KEY DEPARTURES
LB Ray Lewis, S Ed Reed, WR Anquan Boldin, C Matt Birk, LB Dannell Ellerbe, NT Ma'ke Kemoeatu, LB Paul Kruger, S Bernard Pollard, G Bobbie Williams, CB Cary Williams.

RAVENS DRAFT PICKS 
S Matt Elam, LB Arthur Brown, DT Brandon Williams, DE John Simon, FB Kyle Juszczyk, OT Ricky Wagner, DE Kapron Lews-Moore, OT Ryan Jensen, WR Aaron Mellette, CB Marc Anthony - I would keep my eye on Wagner and Simon. Wagner might have been a higher pick if he had better workouts.

GAME TO WATCH 
Thursday November 28th - vs. Pittsburgh 7:30 pm - We will get there tomorrow, but I expect Pittsburgh to be pretty damn good this year. This could decide the division and it is on Thanksgiving night. I love it so much.

PREDICTION
12 to 14 wins - I think the Ravens will be most like the Green Bay Packers after their Super Bowl win and take the top spot in the AFC. I worry a bit about the new parts on defense and Pitta's injury does not help their cause either although Flacco might be an MVP candidate this year. Yes I am going to drink battery acid for several days now.

Charlie.