2001 RAVENS
	Ray Lewis and the Ravens gave up just 165 points.
	Head coach: Brian Billick (3rd year). 2000 record: 12-4. AFC Central finish: 2nd. 2001 preseason: 0-2. Season opener: Sept. 9 vs. Bears. Schedule | Depth chart

After an extremely smooth and encouraging offseason and early training camp, the Baltimore Ravens had the worst possible scenario happen when starting running back Jamal Lewis went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and was lost for the season, canceling all bets and removing the Super Bowl favorite prefix from the Ravens' name. Last year Baltimore was so dependent on Lewis, who rushed for a team-record 1,364 yards in his rookie season, that it almost forgot about throwing the ball -- tossing it only 76 times in the postseason. Now to give the offense a fighting chance, Ravens head coach Brian Billick will have to prove his offensive genius that once guided the Vikings to the most prolific point-scoring season of all time.

"Obviously, our (pass/run) ratio is going to change now without Jamal in there," Billick said. "We'll throw it a little more."

The Ravens brought in free-agent quarterback Elvis Grbac for just that reason. In order for the Ravens' Super Bowl hopes to stay alive -- as well as their playoff hopes, for that matter -- Grbac will have to earn his money.

Keeping the load from entirely resting on Grbac's shoulders is defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis' record-setting defense. Lewis was not hired as a head coach following the Ravens' 34-7 Super Bowl victory -- despite directing a unit that gave up a 16-game, NFL record-low 165 points. So he returns to lead the most impervious defense in the league into battle.

Many of the Ravens' top players are aging, which means the 2001 season could end up being their final window of opportunity. Everything lined up right for Baltimore last season. For the Ravens to have another Super Bowl shot this season, they'll probably have to work a lot harder.

Offense
Quarterbacks: Grbac is a huge upgrade over the departed Tony Banks and Trent Dilfer, Baltimore's quarterbacks last season. Grbac's 4,169 passing yards and 28 touchdowns earned him a Pro Bowl berth last season. He'll be at the helm of a potentially potent passing game this season and should have the skill and moxie to make it work. Backing him up is veteran Randall Cunningham and second-year pro Chris Redman. Redman is listed as the No. 2 guy so he can get more practice reps as he's groomed for the future. If Grbac goes down for an extended period of time, however, it will be Cunningham's ship to sail. Cunningham knows the offense well from his days in Minnesota when Billick was his offensive coordinator.
Grade: B-plus.

Running backs: It doesn't get much uglier than this. When Lewis went down with a season-ending knee injury, it left the Ravens without another running back that had even played in a regular-season game. Jason Brookins was on three different practice squads last season, but he looks like he could be a solid, Leroy Hoard-type back. Veteran Terry Allen was brought in and may start, but he's 33 and playing on two reconstructed knees. Fifth-round draft choice Chris Barnes has been a disappointment so far. The team may trade for a young back near the end of the preseason. The FB position is strong and diverse with Obafemi Ayanbadejo and Sam Gash. Gash is the starter and is a mauling blocker, while Ayanbadejo is a versatile fullback. He can also be a third-down back.
Grade: D-plus.

Receivers: This may be a shocking area of strength for the team, and Brandon Stokley may be the biggest shocker of all. He has caught everything in sight in training camp, runs great routes and has excellent speed. Stokley is a strong candidate for a 1,000-yard season. Qadry Ismail occupies the other starting spot, and at the age of 30, he seems to have become more of a possession receiver. The third wideout is Travis Taylor, a first-round pick last season who is probably the best athlete on the team. He should make some huge plays this season. Rounding out the lot are Patrick Johnson and Jermaine Lewis. Johnson, formerly a second-round pick, has the physical ability but seems to drop the ball more than he catches it, while Billick doesn't seem sold on Lewis, who could start on a lot of teams, because Lewis is only 5-foot-7. The tight end situation is excellent with Shannon Sharpe, who led the team with 67 receptions last season, and first-round draft pick Todd Heap.
Grade: B.

		The Ravens' biggest key now is finding a running game and being able to offset Jamal Lewis' 1,364 rushing yards last season. They must take pressure off the passing game of Elvis Grbac and a group of receivers that hasn't worked together much. Baltimore can't be forced to win games through the air. The offense must allow the defense to play the number of snaps they played last year, which was 139 fewer than San Diego, or equivalent to around 2½ games. That's the most important thing to the Ravens is to find that attitude they had with a running game. Not many people talked about it, but it was so integral to them winning a championship.

Offensive linemen: Offensive tackle Harry Swayne was cut after Erik Williams was signed. Sammy Williams will start at right tackle until Erik Williams gets into playing shape, probably Week Three. The Ravens hope Leon Searcy will be back by the fifth or sixth week. The situation should improve in the weeks and months to come when left tackle Jonathan Ogden comes back from a sprained ankle. Normal right guard Kipp Vickers slides in for Ogden, who should be ready for the season opener. Rookie free agent Bennie Anderson will play right guard for the time being. Center Mike Flynn and left guard Edwin Mulitalo are both good pass blockers and excellent run blockers.
Grade: B-minus.

Defense
Defensive linemen: Tackle Tony Siragusa is a man. A lot of man. Listed at 340 pounds, Siragusa, along with Pro Bowl tackle Sam Adams, clogs the middle very well. The pair also does a good job pass rushing. Tackles Lionel Dalton and Larry Webster do a better-than-average job as reserves. Ends Rob Burnett and Michael McCrary are an excellent pair of pass rushers who combined for 17 sacks last season. Seventh-round pick Dwayne Missouri figures to make the roster as a speed rusher.
Grade: A-minus.

Linebackers: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (minus one) play in the Ravens' linebacker corps. Middle linebacker Ray Lewis may be the best player in football, creating mayhem against the run in addition to being very effective against the pass. Strong-side linebacker Peter Boulware is more of a pass rusher than anything else. He's good against the run. For the first time in three years, though, Boulware will have two healthy shoulders to play with. He may be primed for a big year. The weak-side linebacker is Jamie Sharper, who is great against the run and the pass. The backups are young, but Cornell Brown and fourth-rounder Edgerton Hartwell are keepers who could start on some teams.
Grade: A-plus.

Defensive backs: Cornerback Duane Starks hurt his knee in the preseason, and the team is hoping he can return by the start of the regular season. If he does, the Ravens have one of the top three or four cornerback tandems in football with the physical Chris McAlister manning the other corner. Nickel back James Trapp is a good one, and second-round pick Gary Baxter can play either the nickel or safety. Free safety Rod Woodson, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season, still may be one of the best at his position. Corey Harris comes in for the departed Kim Herring on the strong side. Backup safety Anthony Mitchell gives the unit excellent depth.
Grade: A.

Special teams
Few NFL placekickers are as reliable as Jeff Stover, a steady force last season with 35-of-39 field goals. Kyle Richardson is a very effective punter inside the 20, and he was particularly good in last year's playoffs. Jermaine Lewis, who is as quick and fluid as any returner in the league, will be the main man handling both kickoffs and punts. The Ravens are hoping some of their younger players can fill the significant coverage void resulting from the departures of solid veterans such as O.J. Brigance, Billy Davis and Keith Washington.
Grade: A.

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

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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