September 8, 2012; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (21) scores a touchdown ahead of Southern Utah Thunderbirds defensive back Tyree Mills (6) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. The California Golden Bears defeated the Southern Utah Thunderbirds 50-31. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1, Pick 32: Keenan Allen, WR, Cal: When I look at the Ravens roster, I don’t really see any glaring holes outside of ILB. I think the Ravens are in a pretty good position coming into the draft to take a guy that slides down the board for one reason or another. Keenan Allen was once considered a top ten lock and was regarded as the clear cut top WR in the class. a late season knee injury and stellar combine performances by Cordarelle Patterson and Tavon Austin have made Allen a forgotten man. Allen is still an incredibly talented pass catcher and is a prototype possession receiver. His knee was a fairly minor injury and shouldnt be a major concern, Allen would be an absolute steal. Many fans are expecting a defensive pick here, but I am not so sure. I the defense is going to struggle in 2013, the addition of a rookie isn’t going to change much. The offense, in this scenario, would have a greater burden than ever placed on it. Joe Flacco needs all the weapons he can get. If your offense can score 30+ points per game, then the defense can get away with just being ok. A rookie wont fix a bad defense, but a rookie can bolster an already formidable offensive depth chart.

Previous Pick: Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia

Nov 17, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA Wofford Terriers fullback Eric Breitenstein (7) gets tackled by South Carolina Gamecocks safety D.J. Swearinger (36) and linebacker Shaq Wilson (54) during the second quarter at Williams Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2, Pick 62: D.J. Swearinger, S, South Carolina: Same pick as last time here. I really like Swearinger and the release of Bernard Pollard has made me even more sure that Swearinger would be a good pick here. Swearinger is a bulldozer on the back end of a defense. HE. WILL. LAY. YOU. OUT. period. Swearinger is likely to draw some flags for helmet to helmet hits on the next level. Swearinger is a day one starter at SS and he could eventually move to FS as a replacement for Michael Huff in a couple years. he has some limitations, he isn’t a centerfield type player and he isn’t much of a ball hawk, but he does have big hitter ability, he is very good in man coverage on TEs and slot WRs and he is an excellent run defender. He also was a 3 year starter and played a ton as a freshman, He has a great level head and is a high character player.

Previous Pick: D.J. Swearinger, S, South Carolina

November 17, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Jon Bostic (1) points during the second half against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 23-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3, Pick 94: Jon Bostic, ILB, Florida: In a draft full of Alec Ogletrees and Manti Teos, no one seems to talk about Jon Bostic. In My Opinion, Bostic is the 3rd best linebacker(3-4 ILB) in this class. Much of that grade is based on potential, but Bostic is a good good prospect. He sheds blocks well and is excellent dropping into space to defend intermediate passes. He needs some serious coaching up, he has a bad habit of giving up on plays, he bites on play action quite a bit and can sometimes hesitate when shooting gaps in the run game even when he reads the play correctly. none of those issues aren’t fixable and Bostic looks like a steal to me. He would be best suited to be a situational guy early on, but he could start from day one if needed.

Previous Pick: Da’Rick Rodgers, WR, Tennessee Tech

Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Harding defensive lineman Ty Powell (37) and Connecticut Huskies defensive lineman Trevardo Williams (54) pose for a photo after finishing their on the field workouts during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4, Pick 129: Ty Powell, ILB, Harding: No reason not to double dip at ILB here. Powell is a very talented small school player who has the flexibility to play at all four LB positions in a 3-4. He needs some work and he is a bit of a project player, but he has sky high potential and could be a major defensive asset down the road. this is right about the right range for him and the Ravens will have a very good player on their hands to mold into whatever they want him to be. He could easily be moved over to a rush OLB position. He has the size and speed to handle inside and outside assignments. Ravens scouts were present at Hardings pro day to watch Powell, as were scouts from several other teams. Powell is definitely a player to watch and he may well be long gone by this pick, but for now this is where he lands.

Previous Pick: Kwame Geathers, NT, Georgia

Round 4, Pick 130: B.W. Webb, CB, William & Mary: B.W. Webb came on the radar in a big way during the senior bowl. He looked like a very very good athlete with good size and speed for a CB. He is extremely raw. He has the basic groundwork of good football ability, but he needs a lot of coaching. given the right opportunities, Webb could be a full time starter in a year or two. picking and developing guys like Webb is what keeps great teams great, and what separates them from teams like cleveland.

Previous Pick: N/A

Aug 31, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Rajion Neal (20) attempts to break a tackle by North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Earl Wolff (27) during an NCAA football game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

Round 5, Pick 165: Earl Wolff, S, N.C. State- I am a big fan of a few N.C. State players this year. Wolff is one of them. Wolff is a combo safety. He is capable of playing SS, but is more comfortable in coverage as a deep centerfield type player. He isn’t a big playmaker, but he is always in the right place to break up plays. he has almost no ball skills, but he is a very solid player. Wolff is a solid depth player and a possible eventual starter.

Previous Pick: Xavier Nixon, OT, Florida

April 7, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp (in back) watches as tackle Xavier Nixon (73) gets ready to block during the first half of the Florida-Spring Game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Round 5, Pick 168: Xavier Nixon, OT, Florida: Like I wrote last time(with the 165th pick), Nixon is a very good buy low prospect. He is maddeningly inconsistent, but he has first round talent if he could put it all together and play smart football. With a year of good coaching Nixon could be a steal left tackle in this league.

Previous Pick: N/A

Nov 24, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Tyler Bray (8) during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won by a score of 37 to 17. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6, Pick 199: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee: I campaigned last year for the Ravens to take a mid round QB prospect to turn into trade bait down the road, so this year I am at it again. Bray has first round talent, but his head is in the wrong place. He has the best arm in the draft, but questionable commitment to the game. So lets put him around a coach like John Harbaugh and see if we can’t spark a fire in him and ignite some passion in him. If Bray can get focused long enough to have a few good games in relief of Flacco in blowouts, then the Ravens can turn him over for a high pick or two and wash their hands of him.

Previous Pick: N/A

Dec. 26, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers tight end Jack Doyle (82) dives for a ball but is unable to make the catch in the fourth quarter of the 2012 Little Caesars Bowl against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6, Pick 200: Jack Doyle, TE, Western Kentucky: You can see my notes from the last mock, but it basically comes down to this. The Ravens have two TEs worth playing time on the roster, both are set to be free agents after the season. the Ravens need to draft a player to step up when they inevitably lose one of those players(likely Dickson). Doyle is a good player, but he needs some coaching. He has a tone of size and athleticism.

Previous Pick: Jack Doyle, TE, Western Kentucky

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad offensive lineman Garrett Gilkey of Chadron State (65) against the Senior Bowl north squad during the second half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The South squad defeated the North squad 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6, Pick 204: Garrett Gilkey, OG, Chadron St.: Gilkey is yet another small school player with big upside. He could end up being just a special teamer, but he could end up being a good offensive lineman. He can play either guard spot and possibly right tackle. He is best suited at RG. The Ravens have yanda at RG, but they value flexibility on the OL, and Gilkey, playing 3 positions, has it.

Previous Pick: N/A

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad wide receiver Tavarres King of Georgia (12) against the Senior Bowl north squad during the first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7, Pick 239: Tavarres King, WR, Georgia: King is a serviceable player at WR. He is probably going to be a career special teamer, but he has some decent potential as a possible slot WR in the NFL. King isnt a slam dunk pick, but he is a good special teams guy and a solid depth player.

Previous Pick: Tavarres King, WR, Georgia

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad defensive lineman Montori Hughes of Tennessee-Martin (54) against the Senior Bowl north squad during the first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7, Pick 248: Montori Hughes, NT, Tennessee Martin: I originally had the Ravens going after Georgia DT Kwame Geathers in the 4th round. After watching more of Ty Powell, I could no longer place him ther over Powell. Couple that with the Ravens spending spree on the defensive line, and the fact that Haloti Ngata wants to play nose tackle more, and the Ravens dont seem to be in the market for a NT. That said, Hughes is a pretty good player and in the 7th round, you are just trying to find guys that have solid potential and he certainly fits that definition.

Previous Pick: N/A

Dec 30, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback Michael Huff (24) during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens have agreed in principle to a 3 year deal with free agent safety Michael Huff. Financial information is not yet available.

This deal is hardly a surprise. The Raiders cut Huff a month ago and the Ravens were among the first teams to be linked to him. The two have been heavily rumored to have mutual interest ever since. if you have been reading my blog I have been talking about this deal as if it were already done for the better part of two weeks now.

The addition of Huff makes 2 excellent adds in the past 4 days for the Ravens, The first being Elvis Dumervil.

Huff is expected to start immediately at Free Safety and at least partially fill the void left by Ed Reed. While there is no arguing about Huff and Reed being equivelent over the course of their careers, one can make a strong argument that Huff is a far superior player right now than Reed is.

The one major advantage that Huff has is his versitility. The Ravens have clearly placed a high value on versitility this offseason. Huff has started at LCB, RCB, SS, FS and slot corner in his years in oakland. He has played at a high level at every position. The Raiders chose to re-sign Huff instead of make a run at keep Nmadi Asomogah a few years ago.

Stay tuned to Ebonybird.com for more details as they become available.

The Wizard, Ozzie Newsome.

The Baltimore Ravens were huge underdogs against the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers in last season’s playoffs, but as you all know….the Ravens beat all three teams.  You would think that after winning the Super Bowl, Baltimore would get the benefit of the doubt.  Nope….the National media will NEVER learn….don’t ever bet against the BALTIMORE RAVENS!

After two weeks of free agent losses, I heard it all…. ”it’s going to be a bad year in Baltimore” , “the Ravens are going to finish last in the AFC North” , “the rebuilding process has started in Baltimore” , “the Ravens are a sinking ship” … Well, where are all of the nay-sayers now?   As I stated last week, “Ozzie Newsome has a plan” and yesterday, with the signing of Elvis Dumervil, you saw first hand why the Baltimore Ravens are the reigning Super Bowl champions

Ozzie Newsome is the best GM in professional sports, period!  The man has ice in his veins, and is nothing less then a a genius.  Was it tough to lose Anquan Bolden, Ed Reed, Paul Kruger, Dannel Ellerbe, and Cary Williams?  Sure, but a smart GM doesn’t let emotion get in the way.  Signing players to outrageous contracts is the “norm” for many teams, but not for the Baltimore Ravens.

Ozzie Newsome, and the Ravens, are the NFL’s version of “MONEYBALL.” Ozzie understands that the Ravens are like a mathematical equation.  You lose 11 starting players, and all 11 players had a certain value in the team’s “success equation” last season.  Now, it’s about finding a group of players whose collective value is greater then the players you have lost…it’s that “simple”.  They may not have the biggest names, but they understand and fit into your system.  They fill your team’s needs, make up for your teams losses, and hopefully, you can find a bargain or two, to stay below the salary cap.

Ozzie Newsome places a “price tag” that he’s willing to pay each player on the Ravens.  Once Ozzie determines that the perceived value of the player is less then the cap space he’s taking up….bam, said player is a former Raven.  In the salary cap era, you can’t keep every player. After winning a Super Bowl, every team has their sights set on your free agents.   It’s a business, and no one understands this better than Ozzie Newsome.

Yesterday was a great example of Ozzie being a great GM.  He loses Paul Kruger to the Cleveland Browns for a 5 year/$40 million contract.  Then yesterday, he signs Elvis Dumervil to a 5 year / $35 million dollar deal(base salary of 5 year/ 26 million).  Dumervil has 63.5 sacks in six seasons, while Kruger has only started 7 NFL games in four seasons, and has 15.5 sacks in his career.  Is Kruger a bad player?  No, but the guy probably wasn’t worth the $40 million dollar contract he got, especially when you consider that the Ravens got a better player in Dumervil for $5(or $14) million dollars less.

The teams that make the biggest splash in March, usually are not the ones playing deep into the postseason.  The Philadelphia Eagles learned this two years ago as their “dream team” never made it to the playoffs.  I suspect the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns will learn the same lesson this year too.  Those teams are getting the headlines now, but the Ravens get the headlines when it counts most….in the playoffs.

The Wizard of Oz isn’t done yet though.  FS-Michael Huff is coming in next and he would fill the hole vacated by Ed Reed.  Then the Ravens have to 12 picks in next months NFL draft.  This bodes well for Baltimore.  With their draft history, the Ravens will surely find 1-2 starters and the rest of the picks will help fill the depth charts with younger, faster (and cheaper) talent.

My advise to the National media…..bet against the Ravens???  NEVERMORE!