Sun columnist Mike Preston answers selected questions during the NFL season. His Q&A sessions will resume later in the year.
Anthony, Clarksville: Since the Ravens' season is officially over, are you going to ask Coach Billick for a ride on his boat? It is time for you two to bury the hatchet, at least for this year.
Mike Preston: Anthony, I think you're either related to Billick or he put you up to this. He knows I can't swim. You guys are setting me up. He wants to push me overboard. I could die. Worse yet, we might get shipwrecked, and we'd be stuck on the same island alone together.
Seriously, Brian and I have the ideal relationship. He is a coach who tells me how to write, and I'm a writer who tells him how to coach. Perfect.
Stuart, Lindenwold, N.J.: With the Ravens having one loss too many for the playoffs, which loss was the worst? Also, do you think this offense may (gulp) take a step backward if the players have to learn a new system?
Mike Preston: The Bengals loss was the absolute worst. The Ravens had a 20-3 lead after three quarters, and gave up three fourth-quarter touchdowns at home. They lost to a Bengals team coached by former Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis and owned by Mike Brown, who has no love for former Ravens majority owner Art Modell.
As far as taking any steps backward, the Ravens can't because this offense has been running in reverse for so long. It's been like watching the Keystone Cops, only in reverse. It will take some time for adjustment with a new offensive coordinator coming in, but I think Billick will make the transition as easy as possible. A lot depends on if Billick and the new coordinator have similar ideas and schemes, and on how they translate terms and verbiage to the players.
Michael, New Orleans: Mr. Preston, do you think any other coaches will be fired, David Shaw or Johnnie Lynn? Shaw can't develop a wide receiver nor help Boller, and Lynn can't get [Gary] Baxter and [Chris] McAlister to play.
Mike Preston: Cavanaugh is gone, a good move for everybody -- the team, Matt, the fans. It was time. In fact, it was about three years overdue. I think receivers coach David Shaw is next on the hit list. He has virtually nothing to show on his resume here, and with such promising young receivers on the squad like Devard Darling and Clarence Moore, the Ravens really need a talented assistant at this position.
As for Johnnie Lynn, he needs more time. It's hard to come in the first season after replacing Donnie Henderson and try to make a huge impact. Sometimes it's better to just observe, feel these guys out and then get more involved the next season. With McAlister signing this season and Baxter hopefully getting a deal in the offseason, both will come in with clear minds and play better in 2005. Lynn, though, could use a little more fire in his approach, maybe throw around a few more expletives every once and a while.
Another key is that Billick has to bring his offensive coaching staff together. He really never gave running backs coach Matt Simon and offensive line coach Jim Colletto a shot at the offensive coordinator's job. They weren't happy.
Joshua, Baltimore: We all know that the offense needs help. I am encouraged by the play of "Your Man Kyle," [Randy] Hymes and [Clarence] Moore, but let's be realistic. If the Ravens are looking for a new coach on offense, who's out there?
Mike Preston: Word has it that Minnesota offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is the top man on Billick's list, even though Jim Fassel will also be given major consideration pending his head coach search. There are other quality candidates like New Orleans receivers coach Mike Sheppard and Eagles senior assistant Marty Mornhinweg. This is a great opportunity for this organization.
With Cavanaugh here, I never thought "My Man" Kyle would develop much past where he is now. There has not been a great history with quarterbacks under the guidance of both Billick and Cavanaugh. But now I have more optimism about "My Man" Kyle. He has the physical tools and works hard, but I'm still concerned about his accuracy because you can't coach that. But at least there is hope some of the other offensive problems can be resolved enough to give "My Man" Kyle a more level playing field and a better chance of winning.
Michael, Towson: Is there any way in the offseason for the Ravens to sign a defensive player and trade him to a team in order to get a quality wide receiver?
Mike Preston: There is always a way, but I wouldn't bet on it. This is the NFL, not MLB. Trades don't happen often. I think the Ravens go via the draft to find a quality wide receiver because there doesn't appear to be a lot on the free agent market. If Darling and Moore get into the weight room and they get some quality coaching, they'll be decent. They won't have the impact of a Randy Moss or Terrell Owens, but not many do.
