To feel the full effect of the Ravens' offensive makeover, it's best to look at it from Kyle Boller's perspective from last year to this one.
The wide receiver to his right has gone from a former quarterback out of Grambling (Randy Hymes) to a 90-plus-catch Pro Bowl performer (Derrick Mason).
His teammate in the slot has gone from a possession receiver (Kevin Johnson) to a potential playmaker (Mark Clayton).
His tight end has gone from a former probation officer (Darnell Dinkins) to an elite target (Todd Heap).
Now, the expectation is, Boller will go from an inconsistent quarterback to a legitimate one.
He has the experience, having started 25 games the past two seasons. He has the coaching, working under quarterback guru Jim Fassel since last season.
And after an expensive offseason, he has the supporting cast. The Ravens invested more than $30 million in bonuses to sign Mason, draft Clayton and extend Heap's contract. The time has come to reap the dividends.
"It's on my shoulders," Boller said. "It's my job to get the ball into their hands."
Mason led all wide receivers with 96 receptions last season and caught an NFL-best 70 percent of the passes thrown his way.
Clayton is considered the most polished receiver in this year's draft and made some dynamic moves in the open field during the preseason.
Heap, Boller's favorite target who was limited to six games last season, is running at full speed again after offseason ankle and shoulder surgeries.
If all goes according to the Ravens' plan, this new-look attack will lift the passing game from the bottom of the NFL rankings for the first time under Boller.
"It's a world of difference from last season," coach Brian Billick said. "Hence, the expectations are different as well."
Defenses have approached the Ravens the same way for years: take away the run and make them beat you with the pass. With Jamal Lewis carrying one of the NFL's most dominant run games, teams stack the line of scrimmage and dare the Ravens to throw.
That's why the Ravens have to give the passing game some punch, a big-play combination that has been so desperately lacking.
Billick estimates that an offense needs to generate a big play in the passing game (25 or more yards) once every 10 throws. The upper-echelon teams average more than 50 big plays each season, while the Ravens produced about half that many.
