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For the first time in several years, the Baltimore Ravens enter training camp with a definitive and, more importantly, a promising number one quarterback. Sophomore Joe Flacco prepares to take the snaps after a fine rookie campaign where he threw 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions (with 13 of those touchdowns coming in the last 11 games).

He led the Ravens to the AFC Championship game last year and will be looking to build on the experience. However, it may be hard for Flacco to gain much in the air as Derrick Mason is still retired, having announced his plans a couple of weeks before training camp.

Derrick Mason has been Baltimore's top receiver since coming to the club in 2005-2006 and the quarterback's favorite target the last three years. Mason caught 80 passes last year while Mark Clayton was 2nd on the team with 41 receptions. There is still hope that Mason could return to the club as his reasons for retiring were not clear.

The Ravens have not made significant adjustments at the receiver position to be able to be feared by opponents. Tight End Todd Heap is coming off a letdown season and is now dealing with a back injury.

One piece of good news for Flacco is that his offensive line should be as shielding as ever, as the team strengthen their stand by drafting Micheal Oher in the first round as well as signing Matt Birk. Flacco may not have too many quality targets to throw to, but at least he'll have time in the pocket to find them.

The running game is interesting; entering training camp as the number one, Back is yet to be determined. Ray Rice might hold a slight edge, but Willis McGahee has something to prove, coming off a disappointing campaign that saw him rush for just 671 yards in 13 games. McGahee is entering camp as healthy as ever and is determined to get his mojo back. With those two competing for playing time, the Ravens could be in the envious position of having two very capable Backs carrying the ball. McGahee's health is something to watch as he hasn't played a full season since 2005-06 with the Bills.

Of course, the Ravens built their teams around defense and once again the Ravens should form one of the top defensive units in football, led by Linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. It helps those guys that the Ravens also have an excellent Defensive Line which might even have improved this off season. And while there were many changes to their Defensive Backs, they remain very quick, led by Ed Reed who is as good a Safety as it gets in the NFL. Once again, Baltimore should punish the opposing offenses and keep their scores to a minimum.

The Ravens also have a relatively soft schedule on paper with dates against Kansas City, Denver, Detroit and Oakland. Depending on what kind of season the Browns have, they too could be soft opponents for the Ravens who will face them twice. The same can be said for the Bengals.

If Derrick Mason remains retired, then Flacco will have his work cut out for him. But if he's to prove that last year wasn't a fluke, he'll be expected to step up and work with what he's given. With the team's strong defence, great offensive line, as well as potentially explosive running game, Flacco and the Ravens should be in line for another trip to the playoffs and go deep once again.