Three games last season convinced the Ravens they needed to change the
approach that won them their first Super Bowl championship five years ago.

Late last season, in need of a drive to make the playoffs, the Ravens scored a total of 20 points in losses to the iron of the AFC, New England, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. Those defeats made clear that their defense alone was no longer enough to win. After starting off 7-3, the Ravens lost four of their final six games as their offense sputtered into dormancy.

Not even a defense that's nearly as stingy as the record-setting one that brought them their lone Super Bowl championship was enough to get them into the playoffs. This prompted coach Brian Billick to explore the free-agent market wholeheartedly. Billick came away with three major additions within 10 days after the signing period began, two on offense. Then he grabbed the draft's most NFL-ready wide receiver in Oklahoma's Mark Clayton, re-emphasizing his new focus on producing points and helping young quarterback Kyle Boller.

Defensively, Baltimore was sixth in the league in yards and points allowed yet still failed to reach the postseason because the offense scored the second fewest touchdowns in the league with 24. To put that in perspective, their defense scored nine times on its own.

The passing game was next to last in the NFL (144.5 yards a game) and much of the blame for that fell at the feet of Boller, but he had few weapons beyond running back Jamal Lewis to rely on. That is no longer the case, so much more is expected of him. Thus far Boller is a career 54 percent passer averaging 152 yards throwing a game. That has to change and newly named offensive coordinator Jim Fassel worked all summer with Boller to add an attacking mindset to the passing game. Part of the reason he and Billick feel they can do that is the signing of division-rival Tennessee's top receiver, Derrick Mason, plus the addition of Clayton. Mason caught 96 passes last season, only 25 fewer than the Ravens' entire receiving corps, finishing second in the AFC in receptions and turning them into 1,168 yards and seven touchdowns.

Last year's starting wideouts, Kevin Johnson and Travis Taylor, combined for 69 catches 794 yards and one touchdown. Fassel believes Mason and Clayton, who averaged 13.3 yards on his 66 catches at Oklahoma, will add spice to the passing game, as will the return to health of tight end Todd Heap, who missed 10 games with an ankle injury and when healthy is a very productive receiver as well. Yet none of this will mean a thing unless Boller makes better decisions and passes more accurately. To give him more time, the Ravens signed free agent guard Keydrick Vincent from the Steelers to solidify an already productive line and he has shown he fits right in with the Ravens' power running game and solid pass protection.

The fact that Jamal Lewis doesn't have a Federal drug trafficking trial and impending imprisonment hanging over his head this season should ease his mind and perhaps allow him to get back closer to the player he was when he rushed for 2,000 yards. If he again rambles anywhere near that, Boller should have play-action opportunities to go deep and this year he has threats on the receiving end so all he has to do is prove he can get them the ball with accuracy and the Ravens will be soaring.

HOT SEAT: Brian Billick. The Ravens coach was supposed to be an offensive genius when he came to the Ravens from his previous job as the Vikings' offensive coordinator, but his team has won with defense and struggled at quarterback. Billick is the one who pushed GM Ozzie Newsome to give up a No. 1 pick to grab Boller with the draft's 19th pick three years ago so he will live or die with him. Thus far the offense is on life support. Baltimore tied the Redskins for second fewest offensive touchdowns scored last year (24). The Ravens ran for 11 scores, threw for 13 while the defense and special teams scored nine times on their own. Billick has to find a way to get the offense to be more offensive or his bosses may find his continued presence offensive.

OVERHEARD: Some people hinted linebacker Ray Lewis had lost a step last season, but the Ravens don't believe it. They've switched to a 4-3 defense based on the theories of Buddy Ryan's 46 defense that produced one of the stingiest defensive groups in league history in Chicago in 1985-86. Now it is Ryan's son, Rex, who is calling that defense and it's perfectly suited for Lewis because he is a traditional middle linebacker with defensive tackles protecting him and allowing him to run freely to the ball. The Ravens expect he will again be the intimidating force he has been for most of his career in this new look. If he isn't, he knows his detractors will be watching.

OUTLOOK: Bright if Boller lifts his game a notch or two. He has more weapons than ever and a new coordinator ready to let him loose. If he can double his 13 touchdown throws of a year ago the Ravens are in the playoffs.

PREDICTION: Third.

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