The AFC North blog is continuing its series on projecting the starting lineup for each team in the division. The last team to cover is the Baltimore Ravens:
OFFENSE
QB Joe Flacco: Only Tom Brady has more playoff wins by a quarterback in his first four years than Flacco.
RB Ray Rice: Has 31 games of 100 total yards since 2009, two more than any other NFL running back in that span.
FB Vonta Leach: Lead blocker for NFL leading rusher in 2010 (Arian Foster) and the league's second-leading one (Rice ) last season.
WR Anquan Boldin: Caught 57 passes last season, his fewest catches since the 2004 season.
WR Torrey Smith: Five of his seven touchdown catches were for 25 yards or longer.
TE Ed Dickson: His five touchdown catches ranked second on the team.
LT Bryant McKinnie: Allowed the most sacks on the team last season (8.5).
LG Kelechi Osemele: Second-round pick is competing against Jah Reid for Ben Grubbs' old spot.
C Matt Birk: Has started 96 straight games, second-longest active streak among centers.
RG Marshal Yanda: Graded out as the NFL's third-best guard behind Evan Mathis and Carl Nicks, according to Pro Football Focus.
RT Michael Oher: Has committed 30 penalties, including 18 false starts, in his first three seasons.
DEFENSE
LDE Art Jones: Battling Pernell McPhee for the spot left by Cory Redding, who signed with the Colts.
NT Terrence Cody: Ravens ranked second against the run in Cody's first full season as a starter.
RDT Haloti Ngata: Went to third Pro Bowl after 65 tackles (led Ravens' defensive line), five sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
LOLB Courtney Upshaw: First-round pick is the leading candidate to take over for Jarret Johnson.
LILB Ray Lewis: In Lewis' 16 seasons, the Ravens have held teams to less than four yards per rush every year.
RILB Jameel McClain: Free agent re-signed with the Ravens for $10.5 million over three seasons.
ROLB Paul Kruger: Logical replacement for this spot until Terrell Suggs recovers from his Achilles injury.
LCB Lardarius Webb: Best season in NFL led to a six-year, $50 million deal from the Ravens.
SS Bernard Pollard: Fourth-leading tackler in the regular season had 12 stops in the AFC title game.
FS Ed Reed: Three interceptions were his fewest ever in a 16-game season for eight-time Pro Bowl safety.
RCB Jimmy Smith: Last year's first-round pick expected to surpass Cary Williams for the other starting cornerback spot.
OFFENSE
QB Joe Flacco: Only Tom Brady has more playoff wins by a quarterback in his first four years than Flacco.
RB Ray Rice: Has 31 games of 100 total yards since 2009, two more than any other NFL running back in that span.
FB Vonta Leach: Lead blocker for NFL leading rusher in 2010 (Arian Foster) and the league's second-leading one (Rice ) last season.
WR Anquan Boldin: Caught 57 passes last season, his fewest catches since the 2004 season.
WR Torrey Smith: Five of his seven touchdown catches were for 25 yards or longer.
TE Ed Dickson: His five touchdown catches ranked second on the team.
LT Bryant McKinnie: Allowed the most sacks on the team last season (8.5).
LG Kelechi Osemele: Second-round pick is competing against Jah Reid for Ben Grubbs' old spot.
C Matt Birk: Has started 96 straight games, second-longest active streak among centers.
RG Marshal Yanda: Graded out as the NFL's third-best guard behind Evan Mathis and Carl Nicks, according to Pro Football Focus.
RT Michael Oher: Has committed 30 penalties, including 18 false starts, in his first three seasons.
DEFENSE
LDE Art Jones: Battling Pernell McPhee for the spot left by Cory Redding, who signed with the Colts.
NT Terrence Cody: Ravens ranked second against the run in Cody's first full season as a starter.
RDT Haloti Ngata: Went to third Pro Bowl after 65 tackles (led Ravens' defensive line), five sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
LOLB Courtney Upshaw: First-round pick is the leading candidate to take over for Jarret Johnson.
LILB Ray Lewis: In Lewis' 16 seasons, the Ravens have held teams to less than four yards per rush every year.
RILB Jameel McClain: Free agent re-signed with the Ravens for $10.5 million over three seasons.
ROLB Paul Kruger: Logical replacement for this spot until Terrell Suggs recovers from his Achilles injury.
LCB Lardarius Webb: Best season in NFL led to a six-year, $50 million deal from the Ravens.
SS Bernard Pollard: Fourth-leading tackler in the regular season had 12 stops in the AFC title game.
FS Ed Reed: Three interceptions were his fewest ever in a 16-game season for eight-time Pro Bowl safety.
RCB Jimmy Smith: Last year's first-round pick expected to surpass Cary Williams for the other starting cornerback spot.
- ESPN AFC North Blogger
- A University of Maryland graduate
- Lives in the Baltimore area with his wife
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jamison Hensley
Hensley joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun for 11 years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he lives in the Baltimore area with his wife and son.
You must be signed in to post a comment