The 2009 NFL Draft has come and gone with Ozzie Newsome adding six new players to a team that reached the AFC Championship game last season, despite a passing offense that ranked 28th in the league.
Not one was a wide receiver.
Despite fans and national pundits clamoring for the Ravensโ need to improve the receiving corps of Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, and Demetrius Williams, Newsome did not find a receiver to his liking. However, the Ravens did succeed in upgrading their passing gameโnot to mention the entire offenseโby drafting offensive tackle Michael Oher from Ole Miss with the 23rd overall pick.
Not expected to be on the board at No. 23, the Ravens not only drafted a great story but a huge, young upgrade at right tackle. While not a flashy pick (Iโll refrain from using the term โsexyโ since itโs become the overused adjective of the weekend), Oher will provide a bigger boost to the passing game than any rookie wideout would have.
A rookie receiver rarely makes a dramatic impact in his first seasonโjust ask Pro Bowlers Roddy White (29 catches in 2005) or Wes Welker (0 in 2004).
Though Hakeem Nicks or Kenny Britt could blossom into stars one day, itโs unlikely to happen in 2009. If the Ravens are looking to improve their Super Bowl chances this season, upgrading the right side of the offensive line was a far better choice.
The biggest key to improving the passing game is maximizing the development of the Ravensโ second-year quarterback. Giving Joe Flacco more time to throw will bring far more success than simply adding another receiver to the mixโunless that receiver had been Anquan Boldin, but the salary cap made that next to impossible.
Last season, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron regularly had to use max protection, leaving only two receivers running routes on passing plays. In the process, it virtually eliminated Todd Heap from the passing offenseโa major weapon in the Ravensโ arsenal. The selection of Oher will minimize the need to keep Heap at the line of scrimmage to pass block.
Injuries have affected Heapโs ability to create separation in the open field, but he can still be an effective receiverโdonโt forget, he still made the biggest catch of the year in the Tennessee playoff game.
Allowing Heap to focus on his pass-catching ability would go a long way in taking attention away from Mason in the intermediate passing game. His best days are certainly behind him, but a healthy Heap can still be an above-average tight end in the NFL.
The other factor in improving the passing game will be the contributions of Williams and Marcus Smith. Weโve seen the vast potential of Williams since his rookie season in 2006 when he caught 22 passes and two touchdowns.
Injuries have been the biggest hurdle for the 6-2 receiver. Ifโand clearly, itโs a major ifโWilliams can remain healthy, he represents a deep threat in the passing game and a bigger impact than any other rookie receiver the Ravens could have realistically chosen in the late-first round.
Smith could also provide a boost to the passing game. Despite failing to catch a pass last season, the 2008 fourth-round selection possesses good size (6-1, 215 pounds). The appeal of a newly drafted receiver is understandable, but reading Smithโs draft profile from last year would probably excite fans just as much as any receiver in the middle rounds of this yearโs draft.
Before labeling Smith as a bust and writing him off, letโs see how a full offseason working with Flacco can help in his development.
Newsome claimed for weeks that he was comfortable with the receivers currently on the roster, and he appeared to be telling the truth. Upgrading the position should continue to be a priority between now and July, but itโs clear the Ravens did not feel the receivers in this draft were really an improvement over anyone they already had.
The real concern lies beyond this season. Mason, Clayton, and Williams are all unrestricted free agents following the season. Itโs unlikely that Mason will return, considering his demands for a new contract and the teamโsโ silence on the issue, but Clayton and Williams will need to prove their mettle this season to factor into the teamโs future plans.
Regardless of what happens with the teamโs wide receiver situation beyond this year, Oher is a safe bet to anchor the right side of the offensive line for the next ten years, providing the protection for Flacco to take the next step in becoming an elite quarterback.
Perhaps the Ravensโ franchise receiver of the future is already on the roster; White certainly looked like a bust until Matt Ryan turned him into a Pro Bowl receiver last season. Maybe Flacco does the same thing with Clayton, Williams, or Smith this season.
One thing is certain: the Ravens are building for long-term success on the offensive lineโa strategy that will leave the team competitive for yearsโeven if they lack star power at wide receiver.
Keep in mind, before the acquisition of Randy Moss and Wes Welker, the New England Patriots and Tom Brady won with pedestrian receivers because of a dominant offensive line. Dynamic receivers are entertaining, but line play wins championships.
Certainly, wide receiver will continue to be a position to try to improve, but Oher was a better investment for Flaccoโs growth than the gamble of a rookie receiver.
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Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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