It was, oh, 8 months ago that we made a post here called “Fill in the Blank.” The task: who are the team’s missing links? So let’s see what we’ve got here now…

The original post looked something like this:
Backfield: McGahee, McClain and ____1____ (QB?)

Wideouts: Mason, Clayton, Heap and ____2____

Offensive Line: Yanda, Grubbs, ____3___, Brown/Chester, ____4____

Defensive Line: Ngata, Gregg, ____5_____

Linebackers: Suggs, Lewis, Scott, ____6____

Defensive Backs: McAlister, ____7____, Reed, ____8____

And now we know…

1. Joe Flacco - That threw most of us for a spin, I think. McNair’s retirement was a bit unexpected, and with Boller, Smith and (at the time) McNair on roster, even if this team had been looking for a rookie quarterback, I doubt anyone was expecting a rook to start.

2. Demetrius Williams - Little surprise here, I think, because it’s the same fella as last year. Really, though, between Ray Rice, Daniel Wilcox, and Lorenzo Neal, it appears we’ll be seeing less of Williams and more ‘funny looking’ offensive sets. Yamon Figurs pushed Williams a bit for the spot as #3 receiver, but Williams has shown some growth as well.

3/4. Well, this is just totally messy. Things on this offensive line are all over the place. Adam Terry is now sitting on the right side, with Yanda moved from tackle to guard. Grubbs has bumped both Brown and Chester at the left guard position, and Brown won the battle with Chester to be the team’s new center. So (3) is Brown. And on that far left side, I think we all saw Ogden leaving and now we’re seeing Gaither, a behemoth of his own, take over. Man, offensive lines are hard to track… especially on this team.

5. Trevor Pryce - Well recovered from injuries and with some help backing up from Marques Douglas. Nothing special here.

6. Jarrett Johnson - Dan Cody was released last week after the team was unimpressed in his first fully healthy spring. Antwaan Barnes will probably see some significant playing time as well, but for now, the spot seems to be Johnson’s. Really, though, in this Ravens’ D, we know we’ll be seeing plenty of everyone.

7. Samari Rolle - He’s still around, to the chagrin of many fans, I know. But in his defense, he’s certainly a better option that Corey Ivy and Frank Walker. And, with Pryce back to rush the passer, hopefully we’ll be seeing less of Bart Scott’s pathetic attempts at ’support’ in pass coverage.

8. Dawan Landry - With pressure. Landry is holding his ground at safety. But Ed Reed is hurt and may not play, giving veteran Jim Leonhard some playing time and perhaps the opportunity to prove he deserves to bump Landry. Further, Tom Zbikowski is waiting for his turn as well. Landry may be on thin ice this season; while he’s shown the ability to make the big play, he has also had trouble with lapses in judgment. Both Leonhard and Zbikowski have caught the eye of fans and coaches.