Ravens Fantasy Preview

[The Lung]

From: http://fantasy.sportingnews.com/nfl/experts/george-winkler/20090721.html

Ravens: Defense never rests

WHAT'S NEW

Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan left to become head coach of the Jets and took linebacker Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard along with him. But Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed and the same aggressive defensive philosophy all remain in Baltimore. Make no broken bones about it, the Ravens will keep trying to win games by punishing their opponents.

But with an offense like this one, the Ravens are almost forced to win with defense. Joe Flacco was the team's starter from the get-go as a rookie and flashed a strong arm and poise under pressure. However, there were 11 games when he failed to throw for more than 200 yards. Now, Flacco might have to get along without veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason, who is considering retirement.

That leaves Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams as the team's most accomplished wide receivers, along with injury-prone tight ends Todd Heap and L.J. Smith. Unless Baltimore adds to its receiving corps or a surprise player emerges, there isn't much for fantasy owners in regards to the Ravens' passing attack.

Baltimore's running game, on the other hand, is where a fantasy star could emerge. Unfortunately, coach John Harbaugh preferred a matchup-based approach last season where he used Willis McGahee, Ray Rice or Le'Ron McClain according to when the situation called for it. The plan worked well for a team that ranked fourth in rushing last year, but it drove fantasy owners nuts trying to figure out which guy would have the big week.

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