The Ravens have begun another passing camp at The Castle, and the team hopes it will find some answers heading into training camp.
Decades ago, training camp was the time for experiments. But offseason mini- and passing camps are for experimentation and installations, and training camps have become more for fine-tuning and building team chemistry.
So, with that in mind, here's a look at the Top 10 questions or issues facing the Ravens before they open the season in early September at home against the Kansas City Chiefs:
1. Can receiver Demetrius Williams become the deep threat the Ravens desperately need?
Williams has all the tools, including good size and outstanding speed. He has shown increased toughness with catches over the middle the past two seasons. The problem is that Williams has done it in practice and not on the field. Last year wasn't his fault because rookie quarterback Joe Flacco relied on Derrick Mason as his primary weapon. But before Williams becomes an offensive threat, he has to become less of an enigma. A week ago, he played well in a minicamp. A week later, he was a no-show.
2. Will there be a sophomore jinx for Flacco?
No, but he'll struggle more in 2009 because there is more game tape on him than in 2008, and opposing teams will find more weaknesses. Two areas Flacco has to improve are throwing intermediate-to-long passes in tight windows over the middle - which the Ravens have been working on in passing camp - and becoming more of a leader, because it's the nature of the position. It's his offense now - the Joe Show.
3. Can Greg Mattison be as effective as Rex Ryan as the Ravens' new defensive coordinator?
Is water wet? Is the sky high? The linebackers and linemen adore Mattison because he interacted with them the most last season. The defensive backs are still getting acquainted. Mattison is an old-school coach. He isn't going to change a lot of philosophies and schemes from a year ago. Plus, as long as Ray Lewis is a starting inside linebacker, the Ravens won't be dropping out of the top 10 overall defensive rankings anytime soon.
4. Who are some sleepers on the roster?
The Ravens like tight end Davon Drew, the fifth-round pick out of East Carolina. He'll take a year or two to develop, but he could become a starter. Two others to keep an eye on are cornerback K.J. Gerard and fullback Jason Cook. Gerard (6 feet 1, 187 pounds) is a rookie free agent out of Northern Arizona. He had 19 career interceptions, and the Ravens like his nose for the ball. Cook (6-0, 235 pounds) is a free agent out of Mississippi. The Ravens need a fullback to back up Le'Ron McClain, and Cook could become McClain's lead blocker in short-yardage situations.
