Questions abound in Baltimore as the rumors swirl about what the Ravens are to do in order to make themselves a better team next season. Here are some questions that should be answered in the upcoming months of the off season.

1. What is the plan for the draft?

The Ravens have several options for the draft. However, if all follows the same trends as previous years, the Ravens won’t have a specific plan. Instead, they’ll roll with a list of players they want, categorizing them into rounds, and take the best available player when the time comes. Ozzie Newsome and Eric DeCosta have been playing this game for a long time, and have proven their understanding of finding talent, both obvious and hidden, and putting it to use to help the team.

DeCosta recently interviewed with the website www.ravens24x7.com, answering questions regarding college players that the Ravens could have a possible interest in. While the majority of the interview was not very interesting, here is a good excerpt involving the potential to draft a wide receiver.

AW: Is this a deep wide receiver draft?

DeCosta: “That’s going to be our hope. We try to slot guys into different rounds so we have some flexibility so we’re not committed to one specific player. I think with the influx of juniors there’s going to be six, seven, eight receivers that get into the mix that we haven’t studied as closely. So, between the seniors and juniors, our hope is that we have guys in every round and we have the flexibility to move up, move back to get the guy that we want.”

DeCosta leaves open the opportunity that the Ravens could go for a wide receiver in the draft, merely stating that if one is available, they would take it. Despite the ambiguity of the answer, DeCosta is certainly considering the fact that Baltimore may have to give up a draft pick if they are looking to acquire wide receiver help via a trade. Whether or not the Ravens are looking to take that route is uncertain, although the answer above certainly could lead some to believe that a wide receiver is not necessarily the first priority on the draft list.

B. Is Ed Reed returning for another season?

At the end of the loss to the Colts, Reed made it public that he was considering retirement, ending a career of one of the most dominating safeties to ever play the game. Over the past two years, Reed has faced injury during every game, struggling through a neck injury that doesn’t seem to want to go away. Most recently, he has had nagging hip and groin injuries, limiting his playing time in 2009. It is completely merited to claim that retirement may be the best possible option.

However, Reed has never been one to give up on his team. According to Ray Lewis, at least, Reed owes the Ravens another year because of how close they are to obtaining another Super Bowl ring. Reed has factored in as one of the biggest playmakers on the Baltimore defense, posting outrageous interception numbers throughout the last decade. Here is what Lewis had to say about Reed’s decision to question continuing as an NFL player (source:BaltimoreRavens.com.)

“For me personally, Ed can’t leave me… you know that,” Lewis said. “We shouldn’t quit. We got to ride this thing out. Going through the emotions, the ups and downs of the season, bottom line, you go through all types of crazy emotions, but I think once he setles in, Ed is who he is.”

While Reed didn’t have much of a response, one can assume that Lewis’ ability to persuade will have an impact. Ed, who has been a pivotal part of the Ravens’ defense since 2001, is a fan favorite as well as a future Hall of Famer.

III. Speaking of Ed Reed, what about Derrick Mason’s return?

Mason, who once again said that he may or may not be back for next season, is most likely waiting on the Ravens to decide if they actually want him to come back. His decision will be detrimental on a possible trade for a younger, faster wide out, as well as whether or not the team goes for a wide receiver in the draft. Mark Clayton and Kelley Washington will also need to be resigned in order to stick around Charm City (let’s hope that Kelley is given the money he is deserved and returns). Mason merely wants to be involved, but must also understand that his role will be diminished if he were to return. He can’t truly expect to come back to the Ravens, still as their number one starter; The need to upgrade is far too glaring.

V. Will Joe Flacco continue to develop?

One thing Ravens fans need to understand is that Joe Flacco will only be entering his 3rd year in the league. Not only is he young, he has not had an outstanding set of wide receivers to work with, his starting tight end has been hurt for the majority of his career, and only recently has the offensive line been upgraded to allow him decent time to get the ball off. While the Ravens look to upgrade the receivers and offensive line, Flacco should see some immediate results. We have all been spoiled with the overall success Flacco has found in his first two years as a professional, and if the Ravens’ front office keeps doing what they do best, we should see nothing but more great things to come from a quarterback with such high expectations.

5. Are Lardarius Webb and (potentially) Fabian Washington good enough to solidify the cornerback position for the Ravens?

The answer is a resounding “yes”. Washington was better than any of the other Ravens cornerbacks during the beginning of the season last year, and unfortunately saw his season come to an end when he suffered an injury. However, Domonique Foxworth took it upon himself to step up in a role that many, including me, questioned his ability. Either way, the Ravens should be in good hands. If Washington is to leave via free agency, Foxworth should have no problem stepping into the shoes of a number one cornerback, mainly because he had adequate experience this year filling the role. Webb flashed signs of becoming another shutdown corner, giving the Ravens hope that their secondary, along with a returning Reed and Landry, or, at worst, a Tom Zbikowski and Dawan Landry tag team.

Email me at RavensGUFS@yahoo.com with questions that you think the Ravens face this off season.