NFL Team Preview: Baltimore Ravens look to put injury-filled season behind them
The Ravens are looking to bounce back from an injury-filled season that left them 5-11 in 2015.
NFL goal posts.
By the time the Ravens lost quarterback Joe Flacco to a knee injury in November, Baltimore’s 2015 season was already a disappointment with a record of 3-7 (they would win only two more games the rest of the season). Though there are still questions surrounding Flacco’s health, it would appear to be a good sign that the Ravens felt comfortable enough to offer him a three-year extension this offseason. By drafting offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley out of Notre Dame in the first round of this year’s draft, the Ravens are clearly making it a priority to protect their franchise quarterback. Justin Forsett hopes to chip in at running back, as he is also coming off of a season-ending injury that hurt Baltimore down the stretch. On the other side of the ball, the defense somehow ended up with the second-best defense in the final half of last season. With a presumably healthy Flacco and strong offensive line, Baltimore has a chance to top the tough AFC North.
Camp Report
Steve Smith told NFL Radio that the rehab process of his injured Achilles last season has been a tough process, and he admits that he doesn’t have the desire to play much longer in the NFL.
“There were times that I was like, ‘Man, is this worth it? Will I be able to come back even close to where I was when I got hurt?’ Because when I got hurt, I think I was doing pretty good.
“Can I continue the standard four more years? No,” Smith said. “And I’m not seeking it, I don’t desire it. Will I miss football? I will miss football a great deal. I’m 37 years old and there is a standard in myself that I hold. But there is also 52 other guys that are expecting Steve Smith Sr., to make a play, to come down with a catch, to run that ball down. And so that pressure that I’ve (felt) over a 16-year career, I’m like man, give it to somebody else.”
Fantasy Studs and Sleepers
Stud: Joe Flacco, QB. Another no-brainer, Flacco is one of the most best quarterbacks in the league when he’s healthy. Low risk, high ceiling for the proven quarterback.
Sleeper: Benjamin Watson, TE. Coming off a career year in New Orleans, Watson has a chance to get a lot of balls thrown his way as several of the wide receivers are coming off of injuries.
Catch all 32 NFL training camps on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Channel 88.
Music, Sports, News and more
All in one place on the SiriusXM app