Baltimore Ravens 2004-05 another Super Bowl within reach!

Journeyman · Aug 1, 2004

Projection (12-4) AFC Champion

By no choice of their own, the headlines in Baltimore center largely around what hasn't happened rather than what has. Eager to bolster their pedestrian passing game, they supposedly traded for non-free agent Terrell Owens only to be dissed by the volatile playmaker. Owens quickly announced his extreme displeasure while orchestrating a deal with the Eagles, netting the Ravens a 5th round pick for voiding the trade. Soon after they lost out on the star receiver they slapped the franchise tag on All Pro corner Chris McAlister, looking to sign him to a long-term deal. McAlister responded by demanding top tier money. He has yet to sign the franchise offer or any for that matter and may not be around when camp starts. Lastly comes the Jamal Lewis saga, arrested in connection with cocaine distribution dating back to the summer prior to his rookie year. No trial date has been set but he may be able to void it until February. Aside from the chaos the moves were minimal. Though the talent is unquestioned the distractions may weigh heavy on the Ravens.
Off-Season Movement
Out with the old: WR Marcus Robinson (Min), CB Tom Knight (TB)
In with the new: WR Kevin Johnson (Jac), CB Dale Carter (NO)

2004 Ravens Draft Selections
Rd Pick Name Pos Col
2 51 Dwan Edwards DT Oregon St
3 82 Devard Darling WR Washington St
5 153 Roderick Green OLB C Missouri St
6 187 Josh Harris QB Bowling Green
6 199 Clarence Moore WR N Arizona
7 244 Derek Abney WR Kentucky
7 246 Brian Rimpf OT East Carolina

Journeyman · Aug 1, 2004

The security of the Ravens’ 2004 offense is in familiar hands.

A year after leading the NFL in rushing, Baltimore’s offensive line – the bedrock of its smash-mouth identity – returns in full this fall.

During the 2003 regular season, the Ravens relied on the octet of Jonathan Ogden, Edwin Mulitalo, Mike Flynn, Bennie Anderson, Casey Rabach, Orlando Brown, Ethan Brooks and Damion Cook.

For one of the five other linemen currently on Baltimore’s roster to make the team, he’ll likely have to beat out an incumbent. After the group’s success last year – 167 rushing yards per game, most points in team history – the Ravens decided not to mess with success.

“You don’t have that much in the NFL nowadays, with all the free agency,” said offensive line coach Jim Colletto. “In the old days, the line stayed together for eight, nine, 10 years. To have that group back, all together again, is good.”

The team re-signed unrestricted free agents Flynn and Brown this spring. Combined, they have started 160 regular season games, 121 of which for the Ravens.

Flynn, the seventh-year center, is the offensive line’s version of a point guard, recognizing defenses before the snap and dishing the ball to quarterback Kyle Boller. Instead of testing the free agent waters, Flynn agreed to a five-year deal with the Ravens two days before his previous contract expired.

“[When I was rookie], I was just happy to make the team,” said Flynn, who started every game last year. “It has been a long way. A little bit has to do with being in the right place at the right time. A lot of it has to do with the way that I work, and the guys around me.”

While Brown decided to see what the market had to offer, he was compelled to return to the Ravens, the team that gave him a second chance after an eye injury kept him out of action for three seasons.

Brown and Flynn will join Ogden, the perennial Pro Bowler that has 124 career starts of his own, and Mulitalo in a starting lineup that was the biggest in the NFL last year.

Ogden has started 58 consecutive games for the Ravens at tackle and is widely considered the best lineman – if not overall player – in the National Football League. Working in tandem with Mulitalo, the burly guard, Ogden solidifies the left side of the offensive line.

Mulitalo has also been a steady force on the Ravens’ line since entering the league in 1999. He has missed just four starts in the last four years and helped pave the way for 11 of Jamal Lewis’ 12 100-yard games last year.

While all eight linemen return from a year ago, it is not clear if the Ravens will use the same game plan. Swing tackle Ethan Brooks, who was a starter in 2002, alternated regularly with Brown during games early in the 2003 season, but Brown is expected to get the vast majority of snaps this year.

Also, the team’s starter at right guard is still uncertain. Since earning a starting job as a rookie free agent in 2001, Anderson has laid claim to the position, but fellow fourth-year guard Rabach is expected to push him in training camp.

During the team’s spring practices, the versatile Rabach took snaps with the first team at three different positions, but it is unlikely that he will supplant either Flynn or Mulitalo. The Ravens may want to get a feel for who is best suited for the long term, as both Rabach and Anderson are unrestricted free agents after this season.

There is also competition expected for the team’s eighth – and possibly ninth – roster spot. Last year, Cook made the team as a utility lineman. He entered the league as a tackle, but the Ravens projected him as a guard in 2003.

This year, his metamorphosis continues. Colletto wants to see how Cook handles snapping the ball. This may be the result of the team’s recent addition of linemen through the draft.

Tackle Tony Pashos missed all of his rookie year with a hand injury, but he had a solid spring in NFL Europe. If his quickness improves, he could push Cook for a roster spot.

Brian Rimpf, a rookie out of East Carolina, is in a similar situation. The Ravens thought of him highly enough that they took him in the seventh round of last year’s draft, but, short of injury, he’ll need to beat out a returning player to make the team.

Rookie free agents Brendan Darby (San Diego State), Eric Dumas (Maryland) and Lenny Vandermade (USC) will need great training camps to figure into the Ravens’ plans.

Journeyman · Aug 1, 2004

Week 1 Sep 12, 2004 @Cleveland
Week 2 Sep 19, 2004 Pittsburgh
Week 3 Sep 26, 2004 @Cincinnati
Week 4 Oct 4, 2004 Kansas City
Week 5 Oct 10, 2004 @Washington
Week 6 Bye Week
Week 7 Oct 24, 2004 Buffalo
Week 8 Oct 31, 2004 @Philadelphia
Week 9 Nov 7, 2004 Cleveland
Week 10 Nov 14, 2004 @NY Jets
Week 11 Nov 21, 2004 Dallas
Week 12 Nov 28, 2004 @New England
Week 13 Dec 5, 2004 Cincinnati
Week 14 Dec 12, 2004 NY Giants
Week 15 Dec 19, 2004 @Indianapolis
Week 16 Dec 26, 2004 @Pittsburgh
Week 17 Jan 2, 2005 Miami

RobFunk · Aug 1, 2004

wow. . you said 'octet' . .no, I agree though there will be very good. appreciate the info. they werent exactly chopped liver last season, either.

Journeyman · Aug 1, 2004

It looks like Jamal will just have to play '04 with the drug trial looming...the good thing though for the Ravens is it appears the trial won't be during the seaon...

Lewis knew for quite some time he may someday be indicted on this, so don't go thinking he can't play with the pressure of going to jail ....He will not be going to jail anyway...expect another 1600+ yards from this runaway locomotive (if he stays healthy) The Ravens line is 100% back for another year.