Will the Ravens have a bounce-back season in 2016? One ESPN writer thinks so, but the power rankings of the company show skepticism. Would Flacco have dove for Newton’s fumble in his position? Forsett is determined to show that age is just a number. Taking a look at both the 10 best cornerbacks and 11 Ravens who are pending unrestricted free agents. Ravens rank 16th in ESPN power rankings.
Our 2016 NFL crystal ball:Â Ravens have a bounce-back season
John Graziani of ESPN predicts a bounce-back season for the Ravens in 2016, and he thinks they will do so with the Rookie of the Year. He doesn’t know who that will be, but he says that Ozzie at pick no. 6 is “money in the bank.” If it’s the player whom many have mocked to the Ravens, OT Ronnie Stanley, I can’t see that happening, so I’m guessing he thinks the pick will be at a sexier position.
As Sarah Ellison of Ravens media said in her Late For Work blog today, hopefully the pick is on the defensive side of the ball.
Would Joe Flacco have Dove for the Fumble?
At a crucial point in Sunday’s Super Bowl, Cam Newton seemed to hesitate and stopped himself from diving for a loose fumble. Chris “Braven” of Baltimore Beatdown asked the readers of Beatdown whether they thought Flacco would have done all that he could to try to recover or do the same thing that Cam did. The overwhelming number of voters think Flacco would have dove for it. I’m with them. As Chris points out, he did stay on the field with multiple torn ligaments in his knee.
I’m still angry with James Hurst for that.
Forsett will be determined to show that his age is just a number
Clifton Brown of CSN Mid-Atlantic discusses Justin Forsett, who has turned 30, and how he will set out to prove next season that running backs can still be effective at that age. Cliff Brown says there were four other 30-year-old running backs who were on pace for 1,000 yards on the season, but they were injured. That, however, is part of the problem: the increased risk of injury.
Top 10 Cornerbacks About To Hit Free Agency
The Ravens’ secondary this season was weak this season for the Ravens. The cornerback position was only half the culprit, but with Lardarius Webb‘s future up in the air due to his sizable Cap number and his heavy use at the safety position late in the year, CB is in greater in need of an upgrade than safety. Pro Football Focus writer, Matt Claassen lists the 10 best cornerbacks heading into free agency. Some names that fit the Ravens’ right player, right place mold are Prince Amukamara and Leon Hall.
For these 11 Ravens, free agency is now less than a month away
Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun takes a look at 11 of the Ravens’ pending free agents and gives the outlook for their respective offseasons. Among the players who he expects to return are Albert McClellan, Shareece Wright and of course, Justin Tucker. He is less optimistic about most of them returning, which includes Chris Givens, Courtney Upshaw, and unfortunately, Kelechi Osemele.
Ravens rank 16th in ESPN Way-Too-Early Power Rankings
The power rankings reflect both skepticism and optimism about the 2016 season for the Ravens. On one hand, there is no way the Ravens would be ranked in the top half (even if it is just barely) if it wasn’t for their sterling reputation as a perennial playoff contender. On the other hand, we would consider this a slap in the face most years. Yitzi Weiss of Baltimore Beatdown says betting against the Ravens “is not something I would do right now.” Time will tell, but I understand why the opinion is split.
I know I wouldn’t put them below the Redskins, though. Even if it is just one spot.
