2006 Baltimore Ravens Preview

2006 preview of the Baltimore Ravens football team from Maddux Sports. Don't forget Maddux's expert advice once the NFL Season rolls around for Winning NFL Picks and be sure to bookmark the free NFL spreads feed covering 16 quality sportsbooks up to the minute odds for your convenience.

former Oiler/Titan quarterback and 12-year vet Steve McNair (476 ATT, 292 COMP, 3,161 YDS, 16 TDs, 11 INT) signed this summer with the Ravens, which is about a 14-point up tick in QB rating over former starter Kyle Boller. McNair is an athletic performer with solid skills.

However, he’ll be challenged by a porous offensive line that allowed Raven quarterbacks to be sacked 42 times and knocked down or hurried many more. That type pressure makes it tough for any QB to have an effective passing game.

McNair’s primary receivers are wide men Derrick Mason (86 REC, 1,073 YDS, 12.5 AVG, 3 TDs) and Mark Clayton and tight end Todd Heap (75 REC, 855 YDS, 11.4 AVG, 7 TDs). It is a sound trio.

The running game is very strong with Jamal Lewis (269 ATT, 906 YDS, 3.4 AVG, 3 TDs) as RB number one and Mike Anderson (239 ATT, 1,014 YDS, 4.2 AVG, 12 TDs), late of Denver, as RB number two. Wow, that’s a powerful tandem!

The Ravens should do better than a 38.1% Red Zone conversion rate (Ranked 28th). On defense, they appear to be extremely sound and look to be at least as good as they were in 2005, when they were ranked 5th.

The linebacking group, which includes the fiery Ray Lewis and the versatile Adalius Thomas, is solid and the secondary looks equal to or better than last season’s mix. Strong safety Ed Reed is one of the best in the NFL.

Although the line lost two players—Maake Kemoeau and Anthony Weaver-- to free agency, they seem to have located some good replacements, including vet Trevor Pryce and top draft pick Haloti Ngata. And they still have maximum power pass rusher Terrell Suggs on the line.

2006 Baltimore Ravens Predictions

With McNair at the helm and the team’s various upgrades, Baltimore has a chance at a winning season and making the playoffs. However, they must find a solution to their offensive line problems. They play San Diego, Denver on the road and Carolina in October. If they can give those three teams a game, the Ravens are for real.

Baltimore will be improved and we have them pegged to finish second in the tough AFC North Division this season.

For more info on the Ravens AFC North division rivals check out the Bengals, Steelers, and Browns team previews from the MadduxSports.com experts.

For more info and news on the 2006 Baltimore pro football team visit the Ravens team page at NFL.com.