Don Pierson

Unfinished business is on the Ravens' minds after they let a 13-3 season ignominiously disappear in a 15-6 home loss to the Colts. When the Ravens open training camp, it will feel more like a continuation of last season than the start of something new.

To erase the bad taste, the Ravens will have to win home field advantage again and then figure out how to score more than six points in the playoffs. Nobody scored fewer in the postseason. When you have the league's No. 1 defense, it's especially disappointing to hold a high-powered offense like the Colts to 15 points and still get beat.

To begin the offensive push, coach Brian Billick at least had the advantage of having quarterback Steve McNair around for an entire offseason. Last year, his arrival was held up until June 8 when a long-anticipated trade with Tennessee was consummated.

Second, the Ravens replaced departed running back Jamal Lewis with Buffalo's Willis McGahee, who is faster and should be more explosive once he adapts to the nuances of a new offense. The Ravens still like Musa Smith, but he has to stay healthy. Replacing fullback Ovie Mughelli is a challenge, so the Ravens hope fourth-rounder Le'Ron McClain develops as fast on offense as last year's fifth-rounder, safety Dawan Landry, did on defense.

The Ravens were 31st in the league in average gain per rush last year, 25th in rushing yardage. To make McNair more effective, they must get the running game back to its 2000 championship level.

In wide receivers Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton and tight end Todd Heap, McNair has good targets. His previous relationship with Mason in Tennessee wasn't enough to overcome McNair's late start last season, and the offense already looked better in mini-camps this spring than it did last year, with fourth-year receiver Devard Darling and second-year prospect Demetrius Williams both making pushes for more playing time.

In fifth-round quarterback Troy Smith, the Ravens hope they discovered a sleeper, and the Heisman Trophy winner has already displayed some of the talent that will make his summer competition with Kyle Boller interesting.

The Ravens lost right tackle Tony Pashos but left tackle Jonathan Ogden is on board for another year and top draft pick Ben Grubbs looks ready to replace departed Edwin Mulitalo either next to Ogden or Pashos' replacement, Adam Terry. The Ravens also have hopes for third-round guard Marshal Yanda.

One of the reasons the Ravens are so high on youngsters is they saw rookies Landry and Haloti Ngata start right away for the league's best defense in 2007. That defense is going to have to absorb the loss of playmaking linebacker Adalius Thomas, who left in free agency for New England. It's not like the linebacking cupboard is bare, with Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs returning along with Thomas' replacement, Jarret Johnson, holdovers Gary Stills, Tim Johnson and Dennis Haley and fourth-rounder Antwan Barnes.

Lewis remains the emotional and spiritual leader of the team. Entering year 12, Lewis is only 32 years old and would like to win another championship before he's done. At 34, McNair has less time to get that final yard and win his first title.

Hotseat
Entering his fifth season, Jarret Johnson has missed only one game in his career as a backup but started only 15. Nevertheless, the Ravens think enough of him to believe he can step in for departed Adalius Thomas, who led the team with 11 sacks. Although not quite the playmaker Thomas is, Johnson's non-stop motor and reliability should make him a good fit on a talented group of linebackers. He has the versatility to play all four positions and the experience to know the schemes without skipping a beat. The Ravens are also hoping for a healthy year from third-year linebacker Dan Cody, who could fill some of the big play gap left by the departure of Thomas.

Overheard
The Ravens want to see more from cornerback Samari Rolle and hope Ronnie Prude, Derrick Martin and Evan Oglesby can challenge for more than nickel and dime playing time. Likewise, rookie return specialist Yamon Figurs was drafted to compete with B.J. Sams, who is coming off a broken leg. The special teams are a little better than average and Figurs is faster than Sams.

Outlook
The Ravens have a chance to match their 13-3 season, but nothing much will matter until they can win a playoff game. The schedule is favorable, with pivotal games back-to-back to start December against New England and Indianapolis, both at home. They should be able to stay ahead of the competition in the AFC North for another year at least, as Pittsburgh makes a coaching transition and Cincinnati's defense lags.

Prediction
First.

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