Super Bowl XLVII is close at hand but despite its proximity, i've decided to discuss the Baltimore Ravens biggest team need rather than the actual matchup.
Don’t worry; there will be plenty of Super Bowl XLVII discussion all this week here at Fantasyknuckleheads.com.
The Baltimore Ravens face a plethora of challenges once Super Bowl XLVII concludes.
Ray Lewis—the biggest headline here—is set to retire which will afford Baltimore some play money.
How the Ravens allocate it is left to be seen.
But aside from the departure of the great one, the Baltimore Ravens have all sorts of free agents to tend to including both TEs Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta, CB Cary Williams, DT Ma’ake Kemoeatu and both safeties James Ihedigbo and Ed Reed.
And that’s where are story begins with the expected departure of longtime Raven, Ed Reed.
It isn't that the Baltimore Ravens want Reed to leave, just that they won’t be able to afford him.
The truth is, however, Baltimore will be better off letting him test the FA market.
He will not be retiring reports Jeff Zrebiec on Twitter. Perhaps Reed winds up in Indianapolis or New England?
The time to turn the corner is now and I believe the Ravens target a safety before finding a replacement for Ray Lewis, which could be taken care of later in the draft.
With that said, I believe the Ravens could turn their attention to Florida’s Matt Elam.
The face of the Baltimore Ravens defense isn't necessarily the players on the field, but rather their philosophical approach.
This is a physical, aggressive and highly instinctive group of players, so the brass needs to find a candidate with the same mentality and build.
Just the kind of player the Ravens need!Like Matt Elam.
Elam is the perfect type of player for the Baltimore Ravens.
He showed he can play as a terminal threat in the box while also effectively contributing as a lone-safety in coverage—a growing need for NFL teams.
I think if Baltimore is going to grow from this point on and build effectively for the future, they need to begin with a player like Matt Elam.
Out of every team I have covered thus far, this is one decision I feel completely confident about and I really hope the Baltimore Ravens prove me right here.
So what about the Ravens Nation? I would love to hear your input, so please let me know below. Up next is the Cincinatti Bengals.
And be sure to follow the rest of my coverage of the NFL below.
| NFC North 2013 Team Needs: | GREEN BAY PACKERS MINNESOTA VIKINGS CHICAGO BEARS DETROIT LIONS |
| NFC East 2013 Team Needs: | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES DALLAS COWBOYS WASHINGTON REDSKINS NEW YORK GIANTS |
| NFC South 2013 Team Needs: | ATLANTA FALCONS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS CAROLINA PANTHERS TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS |
| NFC West 2013 Team Needs: | ST. LOUIS RAMS SEATTLE SEAHAWKS ARIZONA CARDINALS SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS |
| AFC North 2013 Team Needs: | BALTIMORE RAVENS CINCINATTI BENGALS CLEVELAND BROWNS PITTSBURGH STEELERS |
| AFC East 2013 Team Needs: | NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS NEW YORK JETS MIAMI DOLPHINS BUFFALO BILLS |
| AFC South 2013 Team Needs: | INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HOUSTON TEXANS JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS TENNESSEE TITANS |
| AFC West 2013 Team Needs: | DENVER BRONCOS SAN DIEGO CHARGERS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS OAKLAND RAIDERS |
