Ravens upgrade skill positions with early draft picks

With the 27th pick in the first round and 26th (58th overall) in the second, the Ravens selected Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith and Maryland wide receiver Torrey Smith as their first two 2011 draft picks.



Jimmy Smith, who many considered to possess top 15 talent, fell to the Ravens at 27 largely because of the well-publicized failed drug tests and alcohol related arrests during his college career. The Ravens were trying to trade down from the 26th to the Chicago Bears' 29th pick but a lack of communication between the Bears and the league prevented the transaction from happening. As a result, the Kansas City Chiefs picked at the 26 and the Ravens picked at 27.

Jimmy Smith is expected to develop into a formidable corner, under the tutelage of Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and other veterans, in the next few years.



The acquisition of Torrey Smith was not nearly as complicated. Titus Young was the only receiver drafted in the first 25 picks of the second round. Leaving Leonard Hankerson, Torrey Smith and Greg Little as the assortment of talent the Ravens could choose from. When it was the Ravens' turn, there was no hesitation or confusion. 

The Ravens will likely insert T. Smith into the growing passing offense and be the deep threat Joe Flacco urgently needs.

According to the media, what are the Ravens' options?

With the Carolina Panthers' number one draft pick selection only six hours and 20 hours away, the anticipation by fans and media alike has birthed multiple mock drafts and predictions. The Ravens hold the 26th overall pick in the first round and seemingly have several players worth taking.

On NFL.com, the most recent mock drafts, done by various analysts, predict one of four different players being selected by the Ravens in the first round. Brian Baldinger of NFL network predicts offensive lineman Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State, to be the Ravens first pick. Baldinger cited Joe Flacco's high sack numbers this past season and the absence of a reliable tackle as his motivation for this prediction. Charles Davis, another NFL network analyst, predicts the Ravens to pick Maryland wide receiver Torrey Smith in the first round as an attempt to meet the long-lasting need of a play making wide receiver.

Fact is, the Ravens need another cornerback to join the group just in case any corners last season's roster set to be unrestricted free agents do not come by. This is why several have guessed cornerback Jimmy Smith to be announced as the 26th overall pick next Thursday. The 6' 2" Colorado product possess some of the characteristics desired in an ideal corner in today's game, large size, agility and quick speed. He finished his senior year with no interceptions but was targeted only 20 times in man coverage. The catch is his questionable character. He has a history of failed drug tests and carries a cocky aura into interviews.

The Ravens will be taking a well-documented risk if they draft either a receiver or corner in the first round (the Ravens have done it three times). Mark Clayton (22nd, 2005) and Duane Starks (10th, 1998) were drafted in the first round with expectations of becoming highly productive starters. Clayton never became the pro bowl receiver needed to give the offense another passing weapon to compliment Derrick Mason and Todd Heap. Starks had four productive seasons with the Ravens, in his best boasted six interceptions and a Super Bowl ring. However, he never played like a first-round drafted cornerback. Chris McAllister would be the only one of the three considered a success. However, his bad attitude and inability to recover from a knee injury led to his release in 2009.

Rest (Steelers) vs Momentum (Ravens).

All week, various personalities have argued about what is more beneficial to have in the playoffs, momentum or rest? The Ravens must face the well-rested number two (Steelers) seed in the AFC playoffs and the outcome of this game may answer that question.

The Ravens are coming off of a convincing 30-7 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and are as confident as ever in their chances against the 2010 AFC North champion, Pittsburgh Steelers,. Joe Flacco had an exemplary performance, throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions. The defense forced five turnovers, three of which were interceptions.

The Steelers did not play last week due to a first round bye given to the first and second seeds of each conference. The last time the Steelers took the field was two weeks ago in their week 17 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. In that game, the Steelers embarrassed their 5-11 opponent, putting up 31 points in the first half and making the Browns' defense appear extremely vulnerable and helpless.

Although the Steelers used the Browns to show the maximum of their potential, this performance holds little merit because the Steelers played against an inferior team and the performance was two, long weeks ago. The men in "black and yellow" may have used this time off to prepare for a playoff debut of new offensive wrinkles and new blitzes.

The injury report also speaks for itself as well. Ravens cornerback Chris Carr and offensive center Matt Birk are both listed as questionable for this afternoons contest. Only defensive lineman Aaron Smith, listed as doubtful, has a significant chance of not playing. Safety Troy Polomalu clearly rested up during the bye as he has been upgraded from questionable to probable from week 17 to today.

Familiar running attack poses serious threat for Ravens

Chiefs running backs Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones have combined forces to create the number one rushing attack in the league this year. The two are a key matchup for the Ravens defense.

Thomas Jones' 245 carries lead the team in that category but it was Jamaal Charles that lead the team in rushing yards with 1467. Charles is dangerous not only in the backfield but also in the slot. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis has allowed Charles to move into the slot rather frequently. As a result, Charles is third on the team in receptions and fourth in receiving yards. His versatility is very similar to what Ray Rice has brought to the Ravens offense.

This game really could have been on Sunday at 1pm...

The Ravens defeated the Cleveland Browns 16-0 on Monday Night Football in a nationally televised uncaptivating game. The birds won but not in the dominating fashion I and many others expected. This can be partially accredited to the seven penalties for fourty-three yards Baltimore committed.

Also the Ravens scored all of their points in the third quarter. At half time neither team had put up any points. The closest attempt came from a field goal attempt that Steve Hauschka missed. Because of this, I would not be surprised if the Ravens bring in the someone to try out for that position.

We saw the offense start slowly again. The Browns defense was getting major pressure of Flacco from almost every angle and as a result Flacco could not throw the deep ball that he wanted.

In the second half, we saw the Ravens energized by a touchdown drive that ended with a 13 yard touchdown run by Ray Rice. From there, the defense did there part by creating turnovers and robbing the Browns offense of any dignity they thought they brought of the locker room. Dawan Landry had a 48 yard pick-six. The second interception thrown by Brady Quinn was intercepted by Chris Carr and led to one of the only two kicks made by Hauschka on the night(had an extra point blocked).

I was glad to see the Ravens get their hands on the opposing quarterback. They had four sacks, two from linebackers. Jarret Johnson has become the pass rusher that Terrell Suggs was supposed to be. Speaking of Suggs, he came out of the game earlier because of an injury.

This allowed Paul Kruger to get some signficant time in at outside linebacker and from what I saw I was not impressed. His first instinct seems to be bull rush but he cannot succeed by that being his only way of rushing the passer. I saw him try a spin move one time and it did not help his cause. I will say he has potential to develop into a Jarret Johnsonesque player but he needs a lot more time.

Overall, I learned that the Ravens are not the team they came into the season as. In the Chiefs game I saw a team with enough offensive fire power to compensate for their defensive shortcomings. But on Monday the offense could not take advantage of the opportunities their defense gave them. I think the next two games are going to be VERY difficult for the Ravens. The undefeated Colts and the Steelers will not be as easy to shut out.