2003 RAVENS
	Ray Lewis played in only 5 games last season.
	Head coach: Brian Billick (5th year). 2000 record: 7-9. AFC North finish: 3rd. Season opener: Sept. 7 vs. at Steelers. Schedule | Depth chart

The Ravens made it through the first year of their rebuilding project with a bunch of not-ready-for-prime-time players. Head coach Brian Billick showed just how smart he is by getting the most out of this talent-thin team in 2002. He could coach Baltimore back into the playoffs with the addition of free agents cornerback Corey Fuller and offensive right tackle Orlando Brown and rookie linebacker Terrell Suggs, who is capable of providing fireworks.

Offense
Quarterbacks: Ravens quarterbacks have been on a disappointing carousel for years. But Baltimore hopes 2003 first-round pick Kyle Boller can stop the spinning. Boller has an incredibly strong arm, toughness and a feel for the game — three traits no Ravens quarterback since Vinny Testaverde has had. Billick surprised many observers when he named Boller his starting quarterback to open the season, instead of Chris Redman. Redman missed 10 games with a back injury last year — a season when Ravens officials had hoped he would show signs of being a franchise quarterback. During his six games as a starter, Redman showed he was just like his predecessors at the position — functional but no fun. Now he'll have to wait for another chance. Grade: C.

Running backs: Jamal Lewis came out and ran over his doubters last season. Returning from a terrible knee injury, Lewis looked better in 2002 than he did before he got hurt. In his second season back from the injury, Lewis looks ready to chase down the best runners in the league and surpass them. Blessed with good speed and incredible strength, Lewis finds holes well and can pile up the yards with his workhorse style. He's also a good target out of the backfield. Backup Chester Taylor is a little shiftier than Lewis and will be the Ravens' third-down back. Rookie Musa Smith is slated to be Lewis' primary backup, but preseason injuries have slowed his development. Third-year pro Alan Ricard is the starter at fullback.
Grade: B-minus.

Receivers: Every year, the Ravens say wide receiver Travis Taylor is poised to have a breakout season. Last year, he got close to having one, showing the elusiveness and toughness the Ravens saw when they made him a first-round pick in 2000. Taylor, however, did his best work with departed quarterback Jeff Blake. It will be interesting to see if he will continue making plays with Redman back at the controls. Looking to fix their shortcomings at receiver, the Ravens signed Marcus Robinson and Frank Sanders in the offseason. Neither, however, looks like they did in their Pro Bowl-alternate days. Robinson has had trouble catching the ball, and Sanders looks even slower than he used to. The wild card in this group was 6-foot-3 Randy Hymes, the former rookie free agent who started at the end of last season, but he was placed on injured reserve. With Taylor being more of a revved-up possession receiver than a true downfield threat, the Ravens' chief big-play guy is tight end Todd Heap, who may be the most athletic man at his position in the league. The Ravens like to split him out wide and throw him the ball vs. smaller cornerback.
Grade: C.

Offensive linemen: Stoic left tackle Jonathan Ogden is a surefire Hall of Famer. He's a very good pass blocker and also Baltimore's best run blocker. Blessed with an NBA center's size, Ogden often looks like a superior species when he's blocking smaller defensive ends. The Ravens brought back Orlando Brown to be the other bookend. Brown missed three seasons with an injured eye. If he can return to his old self, the mammoth Brown could be the basher Baltimore needs. Inside, center Mike Flynn and left guard Edwin Mulitalo give solid effort and are good run blockers and right guard Bennie Anderson, formerly of the XFL, is tough and physical.
Grade: C-plus.

Defense
Defensive linemen: It's an odd group for a 3-4 line. Nose tackle Kelly Gregg doesn't have the physical attributes to be a dominating player, but he just makes plays. Long overlooked, the Ravens finally had to admit the former wrestler was their best option in the middle. Defensive end Adalius Thomas started last season at outside linebacker. He's small for a 3-4 end but has the speed and athleticism to be an effective pass rusher. Tony Weaver is the other end. The second-year player showed blinding flashes of potential last season. He has the strength and agility to become one of the best in the league at what he does. Marques Douglas is the top reserve on the defensive line. He was having a good season last year until he tore up his knee.
Grade: C.

Linebackers: All-star right inside linebacker and resident nightmare Ray Lewis returns from a shoulder injury that cost him most of last season. Lewis is more aggressive than ever. With good speed and incredible ability to read offenses, Lewis plays on a different level than any other NFL defender. His partner inside is Edgerton Hartwell, who plays like a poor man's Lewis. He has great strength and is good at working toward the ballcarrier. He could become a star this season. Outside, the Ravens still have super pass rusher Peter Boulware, who gets after quarterbacks in ultra-aggressive fashion. While he's not good in coverage, Boulware is an excellent run defender. His partner on the outside is first-round pick Suggs, who has the resumé to be like Boulware. Suggs is learning a new position (strongside linebacker) and is the question mark in this group. He could, however, make this the best linebacker corps in the NFL.
Grade: B.

Defensive backs: Cornerback Chris McAlister is big, tough and mean. He's also got the cover skills to be a Pro Bowler and to make a name for himself as one of the NFL's best. McAlister, who does have trouble on vertical routes, gives receivers fits with his bump-and-run technique and blows up running backs. Free-agent import Fuller will man the other side. Not known as a top cornerback, Fuller plays a heady game and has the NFL experience to know what to expect. Last year's starter at cornerback, Gary Baxter, has been moved to free safety -- his original NFL position. Baxter has great speed and athleticism for the safety position and will hit. With Baxter and starting SS Ed Reed, Baltimore may have one of the best and most athletic safety tandems the NFL has seen in years.
Grade: B.

Special teams
Placekicker Matt Stover is still one of the league's clutch kickers, and with the Ravens' offensive woes, one of Baltimore's most valuable players. He's the top player in special-teams coach Gary Zauner's arsenal. Zauner uses innovative schemes to get the most out of players and has turned the unit into an asset for Baltimore. Zauner turned rookie Lamont Brightful into a touchdown-producer last season. Veteran Wade Richey was signed to kick off.
Grade: C.

Jaymes Powell covers the Ravens for the Carroll County (Md.) Times.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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