Baltimore Ravens 2010 Season Predictions

The Baltimore Ravens enter the third year under head coach John Harbaugh, and it looks as though this team is primed to make a big time run at the Super Bowl. The Ravens earned a wild card spot for the second straight season after going 9-7, but after shocking the Patriots in the first round, the Ravens were no match for Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, losing 20-3 in the divisional round. The Ravens didn't make a ton of moves this off-season, but managed to get better in a lot of areas. Here is a look at what the Ravens bring to both sides of the ball in 2010, plus my prediction on where they finish the year in the AFC North.

Offense: Despite the improved play of second year quarterback Joe Flacco, the Ravens still finished the year in the bottom half of the NFL in passing. That all figures to change in 2010, as the Ravens went out and signed Donte Stallworth and traded for Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Throw in the return of longtime Raven Derrick Mason and tight end Todd Heap, and the Ravens look to have the best passing attack in franchise history.

Even with all the attention given to the passing game this off-season, the Ravens still figure to pound the football with Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. The two backs helped the Ravens finish the year fifth in rushing with nearly 138 yards per game. Rice has emerged as the go to guy averaging nearly 128 yards per game from scrimmage, but McGahee still has a nose for the end-zone, finishing the year with a team best 14 touchdowns.

The offensive line remains very good and very young. The only player with more than three years of experience is veteran center Matt Birk. Left tackle Jared Gaither has the talent to be a star in this league if he just puts in the time. If Gaither slips up look for right tackle Michael Oher to take over on the left side. Marshall Yanda and Ben Grubbs form a very solid duo at the two guard spots.

Defense: Despite the departure of defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, the Ravens finished 2009 ranked third in total defense, allowing just over 16 points a game. The only starter not back for the 2010 season is defensive end Dwan Edwards, but the team addressed this issue by bringing in Cory Redding, who figures to split time with Trevor Pryce. At the other end spot the Ravens have one of the most dominating 3-4 lineman in all of the NFL in Haloti Ngata, who only figures to get better after making his first Pro Bowl appearance last year. In case nose tackle Kelly Gregg is unable to stay healthy in 2010, the Ravens drafted Alabama tackle Terrence Cody.

The Ravens continue to get outstanding play from their linebackers, and the big reason for that is they have one of the best defensive players of all time in Ray Lewis holding down one of the two inside spots. It's hard to believe that Lewis is entering his 15th season in the NFL after the way he performed in 2009. The Ravens are hoping that outside linebacker Terrell Suggs lives up to his big contract this season, after putting together a very disappointing season in 2009. Jarret Johnson looks like the next star at outside linebacker for the Ravens, while undrafted Dannell Ellerbe has been a great find playing next to Lewis in the middle.

The Ravens got a bit of a scare from safety Ed Reed, as the Pro Bowler nearly retired this past off-season, but is back and figures to be a huge part of the defense this season. The Ravens are hoping that Fabian Washington will be ready to go by training camp and team up with Domonique Foxworth to form a solid starting two at corner. Dawan Landry returns as the other starting safety, while Chris Carr figures to play mainly in nickel packages.

Prediction - 1st AFC North: With the improvements this team made on offense, I feel that they will have what it takes to win the North in 2010, but they will get all they can handle from the Bengals and Steelers.

Article Source

Everyone has lost data. Some by way of computer crash, some by way of deleting something by mistake. Most of us don't have the time, storage space, or expertise to back up our own data. We would like an easy way to do it. We would like for our data to be as safe as it would be on our own computer. There is a place online where you can back up your data. Your data will be secure, and the backup with be free! Back up your media, photos, and files - do it now!