Four Breakout Players for 2009

With the start of Ravens training camp a little more than seven weeks away (July 29th), I’m going to predict four Ravens’ players – two offensive players and two defensive players – that I expect to have breakout seasons in 2009.

The four players I’ve selected should benefit from their own development as a player as well as those around them – it is a team game, after all – and/or their likelihood for an expanded opportunity to make an impact compared with last year.

I know that making predictions in June means ridicule will likely come my way between now and February 7th (date of Super Bowl XLIV in Miami).

In any event, here they are:

Ray Rice, RB

In 2008, Rice finished with 454 rushing yards on 107 attempts trailing both Le’Ron McClain (232 attempts, 902 yards) and Willis McGahee (170 attempts, 671 yards).  The trio of McClain/McGahee/McRice had a combined 2027 rushing yards last season.

With Lorenzo Neal gone, McClain will move back to fullback on a full-time basis.  In other words, that will be mean less carries for McClain in 2009.

Even if McGahee is the starter when the season starts, can he stay healthy?  (Knock on wood, he can.)

In either case, Rice has added some bulk and has been running with the first team even when McGahee has been at practice.

The Ravens led the NFL in rushing attempts (37 per game) in 2008.  In other words, even if McGahee and Rice are engaged in a platoon, there will be plenty of carries for Rice.  Expect a significant bump from the 107 he received last year.

Coach John Harbaugh said of Rice: “Now, people see him as a third-down back because of the success he had last year, but I don’t think we have any question that he can be an every-down back.”

Mark Clayton, WR

While the Ravens led the NFL in rushing attempts, only two teams (Oakland and Carolina) threw fewer passes than Baltimore (27.1 per game).

However, the Ravens are likely to throw more often with their franchise quarterback no longer being a rookie.

In the last six games of the season, Clayton had 20 receptions for 460 yards.  That compares with 21 receptions for 235 yards in the first ten games of the season.

The ability of Flacco to get the ball downfield will benefit Clayton – and Demetrius Williams, as well.

Clayton’s 17 yards per reception was seventh in the NFL in 2008.

Tavares Gooden, LB

If you asked Tavares Gooden who should be on this list, he’d certainly say his own name.  At the team’s mini-camp last month, Gooden compared himself to Bart Scott, who followed Rex Ryan to the Jets.

“I was brought in here to do a job; that’s what I’ll do. I won’t disappoint. … I’ll fit the role of a new and improved Bart.”

Gooden saw his season end Week 6 last year with injuries.  But he has beat out Jameel McClain for the other ILB spot and has exceptional speed for an ILB.  Just ask him, he’ll tell ya…

“God gave me a good set of wheels,” Gooden said. “I’m able to run with receivers, faster than receivers. It’s a blessing, man. You can’t coach speed. I don’t know when the Lord is going to take my speed. I hope I have it for my whole career.”

Dawan Landry, S

The Ravens lost safety Jim Leonhard to the Jets via free agency.

But it was Landry who began the season as the team’s starting strong safety.

However, an injury in Week 2 cost Landry his season.

The 220-pound safety makes his presence known with his hard hits.

In his rookie season (2006), Landry had 69 tackles, five interceptions and three interceptions.  In 2007, he had 83 tackles with only one sack and no interceptions.

After his injury-shortened season, Landry has regained his starting job and will soon remind us – and AFC North foes – why his teammates call him “Wop!”

Now that you know my foursome, who are your breakout players for the upcoming season?

Tags: Dawan Landry, Mark Clayton, Ray Rice, Tavares Gooden