Forget a face-lift; Ravens only have time for cosmetics

They have to mask problems because some of them can't be fixed until next season, or years later

It could be worse. The Ravens could be the Tennessee Titans or the Washington Redskins.

But in retrospect after six games, the Ravens (3-3) are right near reasonable projections unless you're drinking the purple Kool-Aid.

The Cincinnati Bengals game at home got away from them, and it's an uphill climb to get to the postseason, but what did you expect playing the San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings on the road?

Right now, the Ravens are an average team, and no one knows exactly where they're headed with 10 games remaining. But at least they have two weeks to fix recurring problems before the Denver Broncos come to town.

Or, to put it in better terms, they have time to mask some problems because some of them can't be fixed until next season, or even years later.

Fans are still clamoring about the Ravens finding a big-time receiver, but that's not the No. 1 concern. Actually, finding a player to stop the other team's top receiver is the major priority.

It's a glaring weakness, and barring a major trade, which is unlikely, the Ravens have few options. They've already benched starter cornerback Fabian Washington and nickel back Chris Carr, and that hasn't worked. They can't get solid enough play out of safeties Ed Reed and Dawan Landry to hide mistakes on the back end, so it now comes down to pressuring the quarterback.

To get more pressure, the Ravens might want to use more of a three-man front on passing situations and use the fresh legs of outside linebackers Antwan Barnes, Paul Kruger and Jameel McClain.

Maybe they spice up their looks by moving around a bit more so teams won't slide their protections toward ends Terrell Suggs or Trevor Pryce. Right now, almost anything has to help because not a lot is working.

In the future, it could be a time for a change in philosophy, especially if the Ravens are going to run a 4-3 defense. In the past, the Ravens had selected players to funnel all the action to Pro Bowl middle linebacker Ray Lewis.

That was good when Lewis was in his prime, but Lewis is no longer that dominant force. So instead of drafting or signing only run stoppers, maybe the Ravens should draft good, athletic defensive linemen who can stop the run and get pressure on the quarterback as well.

It's a pass-happy league, and there are some good, young quarterbacks surfacing. The Ravens made the same adjustment with their offensive line a couple of years ago, and the offense has significantly improved.

The secondary is a mess. At times, the Ravens need a GPS to know where they're going. None of their cornerbacks has a physical presence, and the best of the bunch is Lardarius Webb, whom the Ravens are slow to play because he is a rookie.

Landry is slow and hesitant, which is not unusual for a player returning from a serious neck injury the season before. With Reed, it's hit or miss with his gambling, and it's costing the Ravens.

The rest of the team's problems can be worked out. They have a kick and punt returner in Webb, even though the Ravens didn't want to use him because of the money they invested to sign Carr during the offseason.

But with Webb in place, the Ravens should be solid on special teams, especially with punter Sam Koch.

The problem, though, could be kicker Steve Hauschka. He might be good someday, but he won't get over the 44-yard potential game-winner he missed Sunday until he converts on another attempt that decides a game.

Until then, he is an unproven commodity, unlike the player he replaced. Pssst, its Matt Stover.

The Ravens need a big-play wide receiver like Joan Rivers needs another face-lift. If the Ravens want to open up their passing game, they have to let second-year quarterback Joe Flacco throw more into tighter windows across the middle as he did Sunday.

Before then, Flacco usually stayed to the outside with comeback routes, which the Bengals took away a week ago. Throwing those types of passes over the middle is exactly what Brett Favre, Tom Brady and Carson Palmer did the past three weeks to beat the Ravens.

Can all this be accomplished in two weeks?

Probably not.

And whenever the Ravens play a top-notch quarterback, they're going to struggle. But if they make a few more plays here and there, that should keep it interesting for the rest of the season.

And if not?

Oh well, it's still better than being in Tennessee or Washington.