Ravens Will Try to Find Pass Rusher When 2011 Free Agency Begins
Count me among the people who have the Baltimore Ravens as a big winner in this year's NFL Draft. They landed the steal of the first round when they drafted Jimmy Smith 27th overall, and I think they upgraded their offense in a big way when they took Torrey Smith, Jah Reid, and Tandon Doss.
Basically, a team that was 12-4 last season pretty much went ahead and jumped into the Super Bowl discussion.
However, don't hand them the Lombardi Trophy quite yet. They still have pieces to add. Like, for example, a pass rusher. They had a franchise-worst 27 sacks last season, and they didn't do much with the draft to solve that problem.
Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post reported on Tuesday that the Ravens are well aware of this, and that they aim to solve the problem through free agency. General manager Ozzie Newsome said the team will take the opportunity to add players "very seriously."
As for who the Ravens might target, Wilson identified linebackers like Mathias Kiwanuka and Manny Lawson, and defensive ends Cullen Jenkins and Shaun Ellis. Certainly hard to argue with that list.
Obviously, this is all just talk, as the Ravens won't be able to make a move until the lockout is lifted for good.
If the Ravens do end up finding their man (or men), they are going to be extraordinarily dangerous. Despite struggling against the pass in 2010, they still finished third in the league with an average of 16.9 points allowed per game. They went and got themselves a shutdown corner, and his job will be made much easier if they can get some consistent pressure on the quarterback.
As of right now, I already think the Ravens are one of the NFL's elite teams. It sounds like they could be the elite team by the time the season rolls around.
Carla Campbell Penélope Cruz Kristen Bell The Pussycat Dolls Isla Fisher
No comments:
Post a Comment