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Sunday, July 28, 2013

Ravens Roster - Who Needs To Step Up?



After re-shuffling the roster this off-season, the Ravens were dealt a tough hand losing Dennis Pitta for the season with a dislocated hip. Ozzie Newsome continued his usual wizardry, filling the void quickly with Visanthe Shiancoe, who spent his previous years with the Vikings and Patriots.

Newsome's focus was on the defensive side of the football this off-season, with numerous quality  acquisitions and talented draft picks. Despite the fresh faces, some of the homegrown talent needs to up their efforts and help bolster this Ravens squad. Baltimore is looking to become the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since the Patriots in 03’ and 04’. Here's a look at three vets who need to step up their game this season.

Jimmy Smith

Smith's development has been stunted his first two seasons after  dealing with various lower body injuries. Nevertheless, Smith had a very productive postseason that culminated with this game saving coverage against Michael Crabtree in the Super Bowl. Cary Williams landed in Philly, leaving the number 2 corner spot up for grabs behind Lardarius Webb.  Smith has the physical tools to excel as an elite shutdown corner, with a 6’2 frame and long arms. With two years of NFL experience under his belt, look for Smith to become a reliable and consistent option in Dean Pees defensive game plan.

Haloti Ngata

With Pro-Bowls, All-Pros, and Super Bowl achievements under his belt, some would wonder why Ngata makes the list. It’s simple – Haloti's dealt with various nagging injuries that have slowed him down considerably the past two seasons. Ngata showed a lack of explosiveness prompting many analysts to downgrade his stock as an elite defensive lineman. With a full off-season of rehab and training, Ngata is primed to get back to his normal All-Pro form and hopefully a team defensive ranking back within the top 5.

Ed Dickson

Despite Pitta’s injury, Dickson would still have made this list. A shoulder injury in training camp hampered Dickson and his production for the majority of last season. The skilled pass catching tight end now has a grand opportunity for the upcoming season. Dickson should produce a 50+ catch campaign as Jim Caldwell runs a tight-end friendly system. In his contract year, Dickson is looking to become the reliable passing threat that the Ravens had hoped when they drafted Dickson in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft.

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