By Joe Platania

1. Can the offensive line get younger?
The most talked-about position unit this off-season carries 15 players into camp, nine of whom have two years of experience or less. However, four of the six with longer tenures are currently penciled in as starters. These include left tackle Jonathan Ogden, left guard Edwin Mulitalo, center Mike Flynn and right guard Keydrick Vincent. The offensive line has allowed more than 40 sacks in seven of the last eight seasons, so it is crucial for youngsters such as guard Brian Rimpf, tackles Adam Terry and Tony Pashos and second-round draft pick Chris Chester to infuse new blood into a unit that could be winnowed down to eight or nine players when the season starts.

2. Who will play free safety?
Strong safety Ed Reed will need a partner in the back when the Ravens go to a 4-4-2 alignment, which they did frequently in 2005. In a one-deep, non-passing situation, this won't be as big of a need. However, there is no shortage of candidates for the position; vying for the spot are fifth-round pick Dawan Landry of Georgia Tech and second-year special teamer B.J. Ward, though the leading candidate could be former Raven Gerome Sapp. Also, whoever loses this battle shouldn't be discouraged as another battle is shaping up for the nickel cover spot.

3. Any more help at receiver?
A solid, defined pair of starters in Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton gives the Ravens an identifiable tandem for the first time in several years. However, veterans Clarence Moore and Devard Darling face serious challengers for their spots in Furman product Brian Bratton, fresh off a full NFL Europe season, and undrafted free agent Tres Moses, who impressed during minicamps. Also, smooth and speedy fourth-round pick Demetrius Williams was projected as a second-round pick by many pre-draft experts, so the Ravens feel they have a steal in the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Oregon product.

4. Has the defensive line gotten bigger?
Yes, in both size and numbers. Even though most fans don't begrudge nose guard Kelly Gregg his 310-pound frame because of his huge heart, it was necessary for the Ravens to bulk up here to erase the stigma of getting blown off the ball during their 2003 playoff loss to Tennessee. They did so by adding 340-pound first-round pick Haloti Ngata and mobile 6-foot-5, 10-year veteran Trevor Pryce. When you add former Buffalo backup Justin Bannan and fast-developing Aubrayo Franklin, this unit looks better and deeper than it has since the 2000 Super Bowl season.

5. Will McNair really make a difference?
Steve McNair will need as many repetitions as possible during training camp. It's taboo to hit the quarterback this time of year, so head coach Brian Billick will be especially vocal in keeping his always-hungry defenders off the former Tennessee Titan. It's also a given that Kyle Boller will continue to work hard and prepare as a backup. Keep in mind that Boller has more mobility than both the aging McNair and younger Drew Olson, the UCLA-bred undrafted free agent.

Issue 1.14: July 27, 2006