Following a very lackluster training camp and preseason, the biggest concern in Owings Mills back in September was the performance or lack thereof of the Ravens’ offensive line. Coupled with the uncertainties at quarterback after the season ending labrum injury to Kyle Boller and the viral illness of Troy Smith, the team’s early season forecast consisted of little more than gloom and doom.

Yet almost immediately, offensive line coach John Matsko’s unit began to gel once the regular season clock started to tick.  And despite injuries to RG Marshal Yanda, the move of Jason Brown to center and the retirement of Jon Ogden, and nagging injuries to Adam Terry and Willie Anderson, the offensive line has been one of the most consistently reliable groups on the squad.

Word is that the team is extremely pleased with the efforts of Jared Gaither and Chris Chester.  Gaither is fresh off face to face encounters with two of the league’s most dominant pass rushers, James Harrison and DeMarcus Ware.  Gaither did not allow a sack to either of these Defensive Player of the Year candidates who together have tallied 36 ½ sacks on the season.  Gaither has also been effective as a run blocker and when you consider his overall performance, it’s difficult to build a case that suggests the Ravens have actually missed future Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden.

Outside of his on-field efficiencies, Gaither has surprised the coaches and front office with his work ethic and willingness to fight through the pain of an AC joint separation.

Chris Chester was labeled by many (this writer included) as a second round bust after two seasons littered with subpar performances. But the third year player has proven his critics wrong in ’08 while subbing for the injured Yanda.  His experiences this season bode well for the team moving forward as they look to build youthful, quality depth.

Speaking of depth, it’s clear that the Ravens have very little of it at the wide receiver position.  The third receiver on the team’s depth chart at the moment is Marcus Smith.  Smith looks rather clueless on the field yet they will need him to step up given the shoulder ailment of Derrick Mason.  Mason will undoubtedly tough it out and give the team all he has but despite his warrior-like mentality and willingness to sacrifice for the team, Mason will spend time on the sidelines mending during the game or games ahead and that means Cam Cameron’s offense will need at least marginal productivity from a less than impressive backup group of receivers that in addition to Smith includes Yamon Figurs, Marcus Maxwell and Terrence Copper.

Figurs perhaps more than the other backup receivers has been a big disappointment.  Outside of one TD catch against the Texans, the second year WR/KR has done next to nothing in a limited offensive role. Moreover he has been very timid as a return specialist and seems more likely to cough up a fumble than provide a game changing return.  He has hardly been the Ravens’ answer to Devin Hester that the team’s front office expected. Figurs’ performance has inspired many to beg for a replacement and the most popular candidate is Jim Leonhard particularly when his success as a punt returner is taken into consideration. But don’t look for the Ravens to cave in to the clamoring for Leonhard.  The responsibilities of playing safety and returning punts is physically demanding enough particularly at this late juncture in the season.

As expectations go, Willis McGahee has fallen far short in ’08.  However the team is hopeful that McGahee’s success against the Cowboys proves to be a springboard going forward for the second year Raven and for Cameron’s offense. With Ray Rice expected to return to the line-up this weekend, the combination of McGahee, Rice and team rushing leader Le’Ron McClain could be a formidable one-two-three punch in the post season should the Ravens make it past week 17. That said, don’t be surprised to see the club rest Rice. Recently acquired RB Jalen Parmele was active for the Cowboys game and could be the team’s emergency go to guy this Sunday.

Jameel McClain has been very productive in a limited role during the season’s second half.  The undrafted free agent has shown an ability to make impact plays and the coaches have been very impressed with the former Syracuse Orangeman’s ability to absorb the playbook.  McClain’s development and the promise of injured rookie Tavares Gooden will more than likely pave the way to Bart Scott’s departure.

One Ravens’ LB who could be labeled as a bit of a disappointment thus far is Antwan Barnes.  Making matters worse for Barnes is the possibility that he may have suffered a season ending chest injury against the Cowboys.  Stay tuned for more on Barnes’ injury as the week progresses.

Injuries have certainly affected the team’s secondary.  Starters Chris McAlister and Dawan Landry have combined to play in just 8 games this season while Samari Rolle and Ed Reed have struggled the entire season with their own nagging injuries. Fabian Washington hasn’t exactly been the model of health either and when the secondary’s depth has been tested they’ve managed to survive yet there’s no denying that chinks in the armor exist.  Opponents that can field formidable Nos. 3 and 4 receivers stretch Rex Ryan’s backfield.  Moreover when opponents line up their top receivers in the slot drawing man coverage from the nickel or dime back (i.e. Corey Ivy and Frank Walker), lopsided mismatches result as evidenced by the success of Reggie Wayne and to a lesser degree Terrell Owens.

One of the team’s emerging weapons is punter Sam Koch.  Koch is fourth in the league in net punting average and second in punts inside the 20. His contributions will become even more relevant if the Ravens play beyond this Sunday as they face potentially more threatening elements and tougher opponents on the road.

Some recent sports talk radio suggested that the Ravens will have cap space in 2009 approaching $27M to address the team’s needs at WR, DB and offensive line.  The accuracy of such suggestions is a bit questionable.

At the moment, the team appears to have around $10 million of space after they tender all of their restricted and exclusive rights free agents.  They could free up more room by jettisoning Chris McAlister ($8M), Samari Rolle ($4M) and Frank Walker ($1.6M). Unless McAlister is a willing participant in the salary haircut line, don’t expect him back.  A case could be made for Rolle and/or Walker albeit at reduced rates. This will make for some interesting offseason debate.