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Ravens D tops the charts among all league units
May 3, 2007
By Pete Prisco
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
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Best unit in football.
Since the New England Patriots landed receiver Randy Moss in a trade last week, that's all anyone is saying about the Patriots offense.
Can you imagine Tom Brady throwing to Moss? Not only that, but the Patriots added Donte' Stallworth and Wes Welker to the passing game, so the presumption is this unit has ascended to the top among all 64 -- we don't count special-teams -- in the league.
But are they the best unit in the NFL?
They're close, but the answer is no. The best unit in the NFL is the Baltimore Ravens defense.
The Ravens ranked first last year in total defense, and they have 10 of 11 starters back and are still led by one of the best defensive minds in football in Rex Ryan.
The Ravens head into the 2007 season needing to replace only Adalius Thomas -- who signed with the Patriots -- and they're excited about replacement Jarrett Johnson. The Patriots offense and others have a chance to unseat the Ravens defense, but as of right now, Moss, Brady and that gang are still behind a unit that played at the highest level in 2006.
1. Baltimore Ravens defense
The skinny: Ryan's unit finished as the top-ranked defense in the league last season, and returns everybody except Thomas. But the Ravens feel that Johnson is a capable replacement. This is a star-studded group with Trevor Pryce, Terrell Suggs, Bart Scott, Ed Reed, Chris McAlister and, of course, Ray Lewis.
Key addition: Nobody. They just need to get Johnson to play close to the level of Thomas.
Player needed to make unit special: Corner Samari Rolle didn't play all that well last season. He has to revert close to his former self for this defense to move to an even higher level.
Still an area of concern: Age. With Rolle, Lewis, McAlister and Pryce getting up in years, it's starting to become an issue.
2. New England Patriots offense
The skinny: This is an offense that finished 11th in the league last season in total yards, despite not having any real go-to players in the passing game. The Pats were 12th in passing, but had just eight passing plays of 40 yards or more. Now they've added a bunch of receivers, the biggest threat being Moss. But don't forget that Stallworth can run, Welker is a crafty intermediate route runner and Kelley Washington has had some success with the Bengals. Brady should be one happy man, and we're not just talking about Gisele.
Key addition: Moss. He will revert back to his Pro Bowl form. This will be one of those deals we'll look back on and wonder how it got made.
Player needed to make unit special: Running back Laurence Maroney. He played well as a rookie, but then was bothered by an injury late in the season and his production tailed off. If he can be a 1,400-yard rusher, this will be an offense that is really scary.
Still an area of concern: It's being a nitpicky, since the line is so well-coached, but the talent up front isn't as good as some teams. If there is a little chink in the offense, the line might be it. Again, that's nitpicking.
3. Indianapolis Colts offense
The skinny: The Colts won the Super Bowl last year, and the starting offense is back intact. Not only that, but they've added a speed receiver in Anthony Gonzalez, who should excel in the slot. Second-year back Joseph Addai, who was good as a rookie, will be even better now. He has to be with Dominic Rhodes gone.
Player needed to make unit special: You hate to put it on a rookie, but it's Gonzalez. When Brandon Stokley was lost last year with an injury, it forced the Colts to use fewer three-receiver sets. That's a staple of their offense, which is why Gonzalez makes a lot of sense.
Still an area of concern: Backup running back. Losing Rhodes will force the Colts to rely on a more inexperienced player. The good news is that means Addai will get more carries. He's ready for it.
4. San Diego Chargers offense
The skinny: The Chargers return the entire starting offense from a unit that ranked fourth in the league in total offense. With LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, this is a star-studded unit. New coach Norv Tuner is considered an offensive wizard.
Key addition: First-round pick Craig Davis has to help the deep passing game. They love this kid. We shall see.
Player needed to make unit special: Quarterback Philip Rivers. He showed well in his first year as a starter, but watch for even better play from him this season.
Still an area of concern: The receivers. Even with Davis on board, there are still questions about the go-to guy. It takes time for a rookie receiver to make an impact, so Vincent Jackson has to come up big.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars defense
The skinny: This is a unit that ranked third in the league last season, despite losing its best pass rusher (Reggie Hayward), starting middle linebacker (Mike Peterson), starting weak-side linebacker (Pat Thomas) and starting strong safety (Donovin Darius) for most of the 2006 season. Those four are all expected back healthy in 2007. Coordinator Mike Smith is the most-underrated coach in the league.
Key addition: First-round pick Reggie Nelson is a playmaking safety in the Ed Reed mold. He should be an immediate starter.
Player needed to make unit special: Defensive end Bobby McCray. He had 10 sacks in a situational role last year, but he has to prove he wasn't a one-year wonder.
Still an area of concern: Pass rush. With Hayward coming off a torn Achilles tendon and the right end spot still unsettled, that's a worry. They have to find a way to get more pressure on the quarterback.
6. Oakland Raiders defense
The skinny: It might seem crazy to see this unit here but Rob Ryan has the makings of a nice group. The Raiders ranked third in the league last year, and should be even better as young players like safety Michael Huff improve.
Key addition: They hope third-round pick Quentin Moses can impact their pass rush. There isn't a lot different on this unit from last season.
Player needed to make unit special: Huff. If he can become a Pro Bowl player, their secondary will be one of the best.
Still an area of concern: They need to get more than 34 sacks this season. Maybe Moses will help make that happen.
7. Chargers defense
The skinny: This defense finished 10th last season in yards given up and seventh in points allowed, which is good, but the unit's reputation is a lot better than that. The problem is the pass defense. The Chargers ranked 13th last season, and seventh against the run.
Key addition: They traded up to get safety Eric Weddle in the second round. He better be an impact safety right away for the pass defense to improve.
Player needed to make unit special: Corner Antonio Cromartie can become an elite corner. If he does, it will really help the pass coverage.
Still an area of concern: Inside linebacker. They let Donnie Edwards go, which means Matt Wilhelm takes over at one of the inside linebacker spots. He has to play well or the run defense will fall off.
8. New Orleans Saints offense
The skinny: The Saints were the fifth-ranked scoring offense last year, and top-ranked offense in terms of yards. With Reggie Bush a year older and Drew Brees more comfortable with the offense, they should be even better. Plus, Sean Payton is the best play-caller in the NFL.
Key addition: First-round pick Robert Meachem is another weapon that Payton can have at his disposal. This team needs Meachem's speed.
Player needed to make unit special: Bush. He will get more touches and he has to have more home-run plays.
Still an area of concern: Despite having Deuce McAllister and Bush, the Saints were only 19th in rushing last season. That has to improve.
9. Chicago Bears defense
The skinny: This unit carried the Bears to the Super Bowl, finishing fifth in the league in total defense and third in scoring defense. The Cover-2 scheme has a new coordinator with Ron Rivera gone. Bob Babich takes over, moving up from linebackers coach.
Key addition: The Bears added strong safety Adam Archuleta, a guy they think can become their John Lynch. Good luck. He was awful for the Redskins last year.
Player needed to make unit special: Dusty Dvoracek. They drafted him in the third round and he missed the season with an injury. With Tank Johnson facing suspension and Tommie Harris coming off injury, they need him to step in and play well at defensive tackle.
Still an area of concern: The Lance Briggs situation. Will he or won't he play for the Bears?
10. Cincinnati Bengals offense
The skinny: The Bengals were eighth in scoring offense last season and they should be near the top again. With Carson Palmer another year removed from that torn ACL, he should be even better.
Key addition: Second-round pick Kenny Irons could provide the big plays from the running back spot that this team has lacked.
Player needed to make unit special: Palmer. He's already good, damn good, but he needs to get in the Peyton Manning class. If he does, watch out.
Still an area of concern: Third receiver. With Chris Henry suspended for the first part of the season, they need a young player to emerge from a group of question marks.
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