Ravens Fantasy Preview

[The Lung]

From: http://fantasy.sportingnews.com/nfl/experts/john-borneman/20080723.html

Ravens: Run, Willis, run
July 23, 2008

John Borneman
Sporting News

WHAT'S NEW

How quickly things change in the NFL. In 2006, the Baltimore Ravens went 13-3 and made the playoffs as the AFC's No. 2 seed. In 2007, they struggled through a dismal 5-11 campaign before firing head coach Brian Billick.

With training camps starting up this week, new Ravens' head coach John Harbaugh will look to make some positive changes for this Baltimore team. The "Club Billick" atmosphere that veterans enjoyed in years past appears to be gone. In its place is "Camp Harbaugh," which brings an increased focus on hitting drills (and late-night hotel checks).

But it'll take more than an early curfew to resuscitate a Ravens' offense that has little to offer fantasy owners aside from running back Willis McGahee. The team's quarterback will come from the three-headed monster that is Kyle Boller, Troy Smith and untested rookie Joe Flacco. But winning that battle is like being the tallest person in a room full of Hobbits -- it just isn't that impressive. Fantasy owners can hope that tight end Todd Heap recovers from his hamstring injury to become a dominant tight end again or that wide receiver Mark Clayton gets over his unreasonable fear of painted grass and scores a few touchdowns this season, but the success of both players is ultimately tied to the development at the quarterback spot.

Harbaugh has said he'll rely on the running game this season, and he's implemented a strict coaching style in an attempt to make the team more disciplined.

So, yes, it looks like Baltimore is in for a long, difficult and exhausting training camp under Harbaugh. Interestingly enough, that's the same way your fantasy football season will end up if you load your team with Ravens.

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