Ravens Success Dependent On Reed

If the Baltimore Ravens expect to get to the Dallas on February 6, 2011, they'll most likely have to do it without the services of S Ed Reed, their playmaker and perhaps their best defensive player. Reed is recovering from offseason hip surgery, and he has stated that he is nowhere close to being ready to start the season. Reed is expected to be placed on the physically unable to perform list, and if he is still on that list when the regular season starts, he has to miss the first six games. Reed told reporters he won't rush coming back, choosing to be 100% healthy.

LB Ray Lewis and WR Anquan Boldin have both talked about getting to the Super Bowl, and many analysts agree with the notion that they will be Super Bowl contenders. That is doomed is Reed isn't playing the entire season healthy. Lewis simply isn't enough to get the job done defensively. Reed is the defensive player who does the most, catching interceptions and always looking to make a play once the ball is in his hands. The Ravens have been known for their stout defense since winning Super Bowl XXXV back in 2001.

The Ravens have offensive weapons with Boldin, QB Joe Flacco, and RB Ray Rice. However, Flacco is still learning the ropes of the position at the NFL level. Also, Boldin is now on a team who likes to run the ball more than throw. In other words, this team has more question marks on offense than most teams. This is the primary reason why their defense needs to be reliable. With Reed out, everyone will have to step up their production. The play from the corners the past couple of seasons haven't been so stellar, which is why Reed's speed from the safety position is very important.

The Ravens can still get this done without Reed. However, I cannot foresee that happening because of Reed's impact on that defensive unit. Reed has to get healthy before the regular season starts. If not, the Ravens will be in trouble. In their first six games, they have to see teams like the New York Jets, New England Patriots, and Cincinnati Bengals, who all made the playoffs last season. That is in addition to playing division rivals Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers. A promising start to the season can easily turn into a 2-4 start, which will leave the Ravens in a bunch of trouble.

Russell Arrested

Former Oakland Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell has been arrested and released from jail after being caught with codeine syrup in his home in Alabama. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, in an offseason which has been horrible for Russell. In May, Russell was released by the Raiders, after a couple seasons of erratic play and a non-chalant work ethic. Russell was drafted with the first overall pick by the Raiders in the 2007 NFL Draft, and has not lived up to his contract.

Russell even held out of training camp his rookie season to get the contract he wanted. That makes it even worse for him, as he failed miserably to live up to the contract. Russell was so terrible that he couldn't even last the duration of his rookie contract. Only one other top pick has been released that quickly, and that was QB Steve Emtman, when the Indianapolis Colts released him three seasons after he was drafted first overall.

Russell has also played so terribly that there probably isn't a team that's interested in signing him as a backup. Former overall top pick QB David Carr was released by the Houston Texans after several unproductive years with them, but he has been able to latch on to other teams as a backup quarterback. Russell may never get the chance to play in the NFL again. Even QB Ryan Leaf was able to go to a second team before his career was over. Russell will have to prove that he is willing to condition and work hard to get his body right. Also, more importantly, Russell has to work on his accuracy, which was a major problem.