I don't know if this needs to be under another thread and if so, move it to that. I didn't see another thread that this specifically fit under.
I am going to attempt to make a very early prediction at who will be starting at each spot for this upcoming season.
QB: Joe Flacco.
I think it goes without saying that Joe is our QB. He will get the job done this season and step up big time I believe.
RB and Back-up RB: Ray Rice.
Ray Rice is a focal point of our offense. He will do a great job this season but I believe the yards will dip just a touch.
Bernard Pierce.
He will be a great complementary RB to Rice and will have similar stats to what Ricky had.
FB: Vonta Leach.
Not really gonna do stats for him but he will be a decent receiving option just like he was last season. He deserves to go to the pro bowl.
WR: Anquan Boldin.
He will step up the production next season and I believe he could possibly have 1,000 yards but I won't go that far. He will be among the top of our receivers in production.
Torrey Smith.
He will step up big time this season and I believe it will translate into big numbers, even exceeding 1,000 yards possibly. He will be a focal point of the offense.
Tandon Doss.
He will be used effectively, but I see similar numbers to what T.J got us when we signed him to be the #3. Solid, not great but when he steps into the #2 role in a year or 2, he could be very, very good.
TE: Ed Dickson.
He will be a very solid option this season and will be playing a good amount of 2 TE sets with Pitta. We now see why they were both drafted back to back rounds.
LT: Bryant Mckinnie.
He is a big hulking LT and will be more in shape because of the workout clauses in his contract. It has already been reported he looks a lot better than he was last season.
LG: Kelechi Osemele.
I have him pegged to start for one reason. I honestly don't feel as though Baltimore wants to start Jah Reid at guard so they can move Oher to LT next season and start Reid there. I expect KO to have a solid season.
C: Matt Birk.
Solid and effective and knows what he is doing. Gets blown back sometimes but overall, dependable.
RG: Marshal Yanda.
Is this even a question? Pro Bowl worthy and earned every penny he got. Arguably the most consistent lineman we have.
RT: Michael Oher.
I believe Michael is a pro bowl caliber RT, and a mediocre LT. He could get better at LT, but I like him a lot on the right side.
Defense:
LE: Pernell Mcphee.
A lot of people argue Art Jones will start and he might, but I think Harbs and company like what Pernell brought to the table last season in limited snaps. Imagine what he could do in starting snaps.
NT: Terrence Cody.
Big bodied and tenacious. I really liked when we drafted him but love his play now. He shed some weight and it truly shows He deserves his playing time.
RE: Haloti Ngata.
Again, not a shock. He is by far the best in the business at plugging holes and moving lineman on his way to the backfield. Only reason he is listed at RE is because of our 3-4 defense.
Weakside Outside Linebacker: Courtney Upshaw.
I believe he will stand tall and earn the starting spot. He plays similar to Suggs (Who plays the SAM I believe) but will be put at the Will linebacker. I think he has a stellar season.
Weakside Middle Linebacker: Jameel McClain.
Not a shock as he stood tall when he took over for Ray Lewis during his injury. I was glad to see him get extended and expect a good season.
Strongside Middle Linebacker: Ray Lewis.
No explanation needed. He is the heartbeat of the Ravens defense.
Strongside Outside Linebacker: Paul Kruger.
I had Upshaw beating him out for the spot to replace JJ but now both will start. Time to show us what he is made of and I believe he has a solid season and the questions of him being a bust go away.
CB: Lardarius Webb.
I feel like he will get a pro bowl this season. He deserved it last season but he is gaining experience at corner (remember, he played safety in college).
Jimmy Smith.
He will surpass Williams for the starting job, but I feel like they are all starters. They will all be heavily used and I still wouldn't be shocked if Williams was still starting.
Cary Williams.
May start, may be the Nickle. Either way, he will be used a lot.
Free Safety: Ed Reed.
If Ray Lewis is the heart of this defense, Reed is the brain. Both essential to keep things going. He has a knack for being where the ball is and is very cerebral in his approach.
Strong Safety: Bernard Pollard.
Is there anyone who doesn't love this guys approach to the game. He plays tough and will say stuff that noone else will, which I love.
Kicker: Billy Cundiff.
People will not forgive him for his missed kick but I choose to. He missed the biggest kick of his life and he knows it, but now he needs our support I think he goes back to his old form, and has a great season.
Punter: Sam Koch.
One of the best at what he does and that's a big part of Baltimore winning games. The field position battle is big in regard to football and he sets the tone.
Kick Returner: Asa Jackson.
He was drafted for a reason; to spell Webb from returning. He will get it because Reed doesn't hold onto the ball well.
Punt Returner: Laquan Williams or Asa Jackson.
Both very solid at this and one will win it. Webb may still take a few.
