Offensive Tackle

The Ravens explained Tuesday that veteran offensive tackle Willie Anderson decided to retire because his legs could no longer carry the workload. There are no such questions about Michael Oher. The Ravens' first-round pick worked at right tackle with the first team, the second team, the third team ... Throughout team drills of Tuesday's passing camp, Oher continually showed why the Ravens aren't sweating Anderson's departure. He looked strong, athletic and surprisingly polished. "I won't say [the NFL]

The Ravens did the unexpected Saturday - something team officials never envisioned before the start of the NFL draft - when they moved up to select Mississippi offensive tackle Michael Oher with the 23rd overall pick. While many predicted the Ravens would target other positions in the first round - tight end, wide receiver, cornerback and inside linebacker - they reacted aggressively to grab Oher, trading a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots to jump three spots. Oher (pronounced oar)

The NFL draft is full of suspense for the Ravens on Saturday because of their position in each round. Because they are drafting so late, much of what they do will be decided by who picks in front of them. But the Ravens are right in planning to choose the best player available. If you listen to many fans, you would think the Ravens are only one player away from the Super Bowl because they reached the AFC championship game last season. That's so far from the truth. Because of parity and how quickly things change in the NFL, you're never one player away from the Super Bowl.

Logic dictates that the Ravens need to select a wide receiver in the first round of Saturday's NFL draft, but if the team took an offensive tackle with that pick, it might be a better choice. One of the team's priorities, if not the top one, is to improve a passing offense that lacked big plays and was ranked No. 28 in the NFL. It's no secret that Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton, the Ravens' two top receivers a year ago, are possession types and unable to stretch defenses. Most Ravens fans believe a receiver like Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey, Florida's Percy Harvin or North Carolina's Hakeem Nicks would significantly improve the team.

During the past couple of weeks, Ravens right offensive tackle Willie Anderson seemed to be headed the way of veteran cornerbacks Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle. Thank you for your services, but we're moving in another direction. But Anderson said there was a communication problem between the Ravens' coaching staff and him about whether he was going to retire after last season. That didn't seem to concern Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome. When Newsome inquired about signing former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Marvel Smith or the New Orleans Saints' Jon Stinchcomb, he had only one plan in mind.

It appears the Ravens are close, possibly one player away, from a Super Bowl after a strong 2008 season that included reaching the AFC championship game. But appearances can be deceiving. The Ravens, though, are smart enough to realize it. "We're not content," said Eric DeCosta, the director of pro personnel. "We do have holes. We're not one player away. That was obvious in the Pittsburgh game [the AFC championship]. "We have a lot of question marks, but we have good leadership and we already have a good plan in place.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh sounded more optimistic about offensive tackle Adam Terry's availability for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles than fellow lineman Jared Gaither's. Speaking yesterday at the training facility in Owings Mills after Sunday's 30-10 loss to the New York Giants, Harbaugh said he was awaiting results of a magnetic resonance imaging exam on Gaither's right shoulder, which he injured in the fourth quarter. "No result on that yet, but we're hopeful," Harbaugh said of Gaither, who did not return to the game Sunday.

Averaging 33 1/2 points in their past four games - the most in the NFL during that span - the Ravens have shown they can be a potent offense. Starting Sunday against the New York Giants, their offense can prove it should be mentioned among the top units in the league. Over the next six games, the Ravens will face five defenses ranked in the top 11: the Giants (No. 3), Philadelphia Eagles (No. 9), Washington Redskins (No. 4), Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 1) and Dallas Cowboys (No. 11). "It's going to be a huge challenge," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of going head-to-head with the Giants' defense.

Minutes after the Ravens' 29-10 thumping of the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Jared Gaither had already steeled himself for his positional meeting with offensive line coach John Matsko yesterday. "I have a lot to improve on," Gaither said. "I've got a lot to get better for next week." The successor to all-but-certain Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden, Gaither has played well in his first season as the starting left tackle. But his progress nearly unraveled Sunday. Gaither (Maryland) was flagged for two false starts, one holding penalty and going downfield as an ineligible receiver once.

Star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman pulled the plug on his 2008 season yesterday when he told the San Diego Chargers he will have surgery on the two torn ligaments in his left knee. The loss of Merriman, whose hard hits earned him the nickname "Lights Out," is a big one for a team that has Super Bowl expectations. Merriman's decision came two days after he had only two tackles in a shocking 26-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers and barely resembled the player who had an NFL-high 39 1/2 sacks in the previous three seasons and played in three straight Pro Bowls.