The Ravens begin a three-day mandatory minicamp Tuesday. Here are five questions to ponder heading into it.
Will any of the wide receivers gain an edge?
This will be a heated competition throughout the summer. The void left by the departure of Anquan Boldin has created opportunity. Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones are competing to become Joe Flacco’s favorite target. Tandon Doss, David Reed, and Deonte Thompson are battling for bigger roles and playing time.
Nothing will be etched in stone over the next three days. But Flacco will have a chance to build chemistry and timing with his targets. Meanwhile, general manager Ozzie Newsome wants to determine if the Ravens are deep enough at receiver, or if he needs to acquire a veteran receiver before Week 1. This minicamp will give Newsome better insight.
Could the Ravens’ defense be faster and better?
It’s risky to say the Ravens will improve defensively after losing Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Dannell Ellerbe, Paul Kruger, Bernard Pollard, and Cary Williams from last year’s unit. But it could happen.
The addition in free agency of Elvis Dumervil, a proven pass rusher, was crucial.
The Ravens are younger in the secondary with the new safety tandem of Michael Huff and Matt Elam. BothTerrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata could be more productive after playing through injuries in 2012. Marcus Spears and Chris Canty have added depth to the defensive line. Down the road, the Ravens expect a lift from three players not healthy enough to practice at this minicamp – rookie linebacker Arthur Brown (sports hernia), cornerback Lardarius Webb (knee surgery), and linebacker Jameel McClain (spinal contusion).
The Ravens won a Super Bowl, but their defense was not elite last season. During this minicamp, the Ravens will continue building the foundation for a defense that will be different, for better or for worse.
Will the offensive line gel as well as it did during the playoffs last season?
It was welcome news for the Ravens when Bryant McKinnie re-signed. McKinnie’s return at left tackle allows Kelechi Osemele to remain at left guard. Osemele has star potential as a guard, and with McKinnie, Osemele, Marshal Yanda (right guard) and Michael Oher (right tackle), the Ravens look pretty much set at four offensive line spots. Gino Gradowski and A.Q. Shipley figure to battle for the starting center job, but if this unit can build offseason chemistry, the Ravens’ offensive line may be a strength.
Will the Ravens show more two tight end formations?
Using Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson together gives the Ravens another option if the wide receivers struggle. Why not use minicamp to explore expanding their roles?
Will Courtney Upshaw win his weight battle?
Upshaw reported to voluntary minicamp about 12 pounds overweight, and coach John Harbaugh certainly noticed. If Upshaw wants more reps at outside linebacker, he can start by being in better shape at this minicamp.
Video: Courtney Upshaw talks about needing to drop some weight
