It’s been a wild start to free agency in the NFL and for the Baltimore Ravens.

It all started with a huge bombshell, at least from the fans perspective, that four longtime veteran contributors would be released. Sure we’ve been hearing about Willis McGahee for almost two years now and most weren’t surprised considering he was due 6 million dollars this season. But then the names slowly spilled out over the Internet – Kelly Gregg, Todd Heap, and Derrick Mason would join McGahee on the cut list.

Shock. Horror. Sadness. Disgust.

These are but a few of the emotions that fans have flooded talk radio and blogs with in every corner of cyberspace that covers the Ravens. Some openly questioned Ozzie Newsome’s sanity, while others had to decide what new jersey to purchase before Week One. Of course we all know that emotions can cloud your judgment and I’m here to say that things will be alright in Ravenstown.

You know why?

Because Ozzie Newsome has been preparing for this.

Let’s face it Ravens fans, last year was the year to win a Super Bowl. The team went all in. And if not for a few plays and an inability to get past the Steelers in crucial moments then maybe Baltimore would have faced off against Green Bay.

They came close but they blew it!

Now with a new CBA and a new salary cap (let’s not forget there was no cap in 2010) the time has come to pay up, re-organize and move ahead.

I, like many of you will miss all four players and what they meant to the franchise. However the time to get younger and faster is now. So instead of mourning for those who will no longer don the purple and black, I’d rather get excited about the numerous possibilities for new stars to emerge on this team.

It’s time for players that we’ve acquired through the last five drafts to step forward and make a name for themselves at M& T Bank Stadium.

Let’s start with the offense and Todd (one last time everyone) HEEEEAAAPPPP. How do you replace a guy who generated his own fan chant after each catch? It’s not easy but Ed Dickson could be ready to break out as a reliable target this season. He showed some flashes of athleticism against strong competition spelling Heap a few games last year and there’s always Dennis Pitta who also provides a huge target across the middle too.

Kelly Gregg (a.k.a Buddy Lee – Man of Action) carved out a solid career for himself in Baltimore and won fans over with his relentless attitude. But the Ravens have a crop of young players hungry for playing time. Terrence Cody looks slimmed down and ready to take over the starting spot. And don’t forget Arthur Jones who could also get a chance to contribute.

Derrick Mason, a player who once grabbed a touchdown while playing with one arm. How do you replace such grit and determination? It's not easy to replace that kind of veteran savvy but Baltimore has a crop of younger options such as Torrey Smith, Tandon Doss and David Reed to infuse much needed speed into the offensive attack.

Scan the rest of the roster and you see nothing but opportunities for young players to make their mark.

Jah Reid will get a chance to win the Right Tackle job but third-year man Oniel Cousins will attempt to challenge him. Sergio Kindle looks ready and has been flying around on the practice field. Is he ready to fulfill the promise of becoming a sack happy compliment to Terrell Suggs? Or might Paul Kruger finally find his stride?

Dawan Landry moved on to Jacksonville but Baltimore has two choices in Tom Zbikowski or Haruki Nakamura to fill the void. Even former Texans’ thumper Bernard Pollard has a chance to crack the line-up.

While I see opportunity I’m sure others see unproven commodities and that’s a fair point. But with about a month away before the regular season is set to kickoff,  now is the time to be optimistic.

So while we try and adapt to life without some of our old favorites this season let’s see what new heroes develop to add to our jersey collection.

And lastly, if you are unsure about what this season will bring I leave you this quote from a man who knows something about being a winner – McDonald’s whiz, Ray Kroc.

“The two most important requirements for being a major success are first, being in the right place at the right time and second, doing something about it.”