EVERYONE wants to put the pressure on Kyle Boller because he's the quarterback. He will play a major role this season, but a bigger key will be the play of the interior lines.
The Ravens got a lot of flash in the offseason. They added a big-play receiver in Derrick Mason and drafted another possible one in rookie Mark Clayton. They signed cornerback Samari Rolle to replace Gary Baxter, whom the Ravens allowed to slip away to Cleveland.
Are the Ravens better than a year ago?
There is no doubt. But once all the smoke clears from the offseason drama and the November and December cold has set in, the Ravens will only go as far as the offensive and defensive lines take them.
As the team opened training camp practices yesterday at McDaniel College, both units remained suspect, and it will be that way for the remainder of the season. The offensive line has some age and has been hit hard by injuries during the past two seasons.
The defensive line is light and has melted down in stretch runs in 2003 and 2004. Championships are won in the trenches. Just ask New England. The Patriots have quarterback Tom Brady, but they also control the pace of games because they dominate on both sides of the ball.
Or maybe you can talk to the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not a lot of flash there, either.
With the 2005 Ravens, we're just hoping that there is enough glue to hold the offensive line together and the defensive line stays on an eating binge for the next six months.
"We're like fine wine. We just get better with age," said Orlando Brown, the Ravens' right offensive tackle.
The Ravens like flash, and the lights, cameras and action that come with it. The Ravens wanted receivers Terrell Owens and then Randy Moss. They brought back "Prime Time" Deion Sanders even though he was Part Time in 2004.
You can't argue with their bringing in Mason and drafting Clayton. It gives the Ravens and Boller two more weapons. The additions should open up the middle of the field for tight end Todd Heap and the running game for halfback Jamal Lewis.
But if this offensive line can't get it done, then Boller can't pass, Mason can't catch and Lewis can't run. The Ravens upgraded at right guard by signing free agent Keydrick Vincent during the offseason, but that might not be enough.
