If I were the GM- Baltimore

The Ravens had a terrific start to 2009.  They surprised opponents by opening up their offense, and airing out the ball.  They hit a skid in the middle of the season, when teams had film on their offense, and were game planning against the weaknesses in their offense.  Then, they returned to Baltimore football- pounding it inside and playing good defense.  It led to their upset victory over the Patriots in the first round of the playoffs.  It is also important to note the Ravens are first of the final eight teams.  And with the new rules regarding free agency, they will be very limited in terms of signing free agents.  These teams are restricted to signing players that were either cut, or after they lose a player to another team.

On offense, there is a lot to like.  Joe Flacco took some steps forward in his development in only his second season.  He has the makings of a special player.  Their running game is deep and talented with Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, and fullback Le'Ron McClain.  Matt Birk anchors a good, tough offensive line, which includes Michael Oher and Chis Chester, and Ben Grubbs.  As usual, they fielded a talented defensive unit.  Led by future Hall of Famer linebacker Ray Lewis, this is a scary front seven for most offenses.  Lewis and Terrell Suggs get the pub for the front seven, but I'm more impressed with their line of Haloti Ngata, Trevor Pryce, and Kelly Gregg.  All three players are capable of commanding double teams, allowing Lewis and Suggs to make plays at on behind the line of scrimmage.  There's a question if star free safety Ed Reed will retire.  I don't think he will, but it is a concern, considering his injury history.  And I hope he returns to play, because he's so exciting to watch.  In fact, they are deep at the safety position.  Strong safety Dawan Landry is a nice player, and back up Tom Zbikowski has a nose for the football.

There are two clear weaknesses to the Ravens, and it's on the outside on both sides of the ball- wide receiver and cornerback.  Their number one target, Derrick Mason, is a free agent, in his mid-30's, and could possibly retire.  (In fact, he did briefly retire prior to the 2009 season, so it's not out of the realm of possibility.)  At this point of his career, he should be a number two receiver, albeit a very good one who takes pressure off a stud wideout.  They signed Dante Stallworth to improve the position, but he hasn't played in over a year, and has a history of injuries, so he's no guarantee either.  (However, I like the move.  Low-risk, high-reward, based upon his attempt at redemption from that horrific tragedy in the last offseason.)  If they want Flacco to improve further, they need improve his targets.  At cornerback, they need to improve it.  I like Chris Carr more as a return man than an every down corner.  As well as Domonique Foxworth played in the playoffs, I see him as a number two corner- not a number that can take away the opposing team's top receiving threat.  The tight end position could be improved.  Todd Heap is a nice player, but he's aging, and has had a long injury history.  Their linebacking corps is talented, but aging.  It's a position they should be able to infuse some youth into- Lewis and Suggs can't play forever.  And this draft is full of talented linebackers, and hybrid defensive end/linebacker types that should fit their 3-4 scheme well.  And there isn't a lot of depth on the line, as much as I like the starters, teams can never have enough depth.

Since their hands are basically tied, they'll need to fill their needs via the draft.  Players they should consider are wide receivers Arrelious Benn, Golden Tate, and Demetryious Thomas, cornerbacks Devin McCourty or Kareem Johnson, or tight end Jermaine Gresham.