evan mathis

Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec breaks down the offense, defense, special teams and intangibles heading into the Ravens' game against the Broncos in Denver.

Even as the NFL shades every year closer toward offensive coordinator Marc Trestman's traditional aerial attack becoming the league norm, the Ravens will use the return of one of the game's best offensive lines and running back Justin Forsett to try and replicate the sucess of the ground game from 2014.

Long before he carved out a reputation as an offensive mastermind and became known as one of the foremost innovators in the NFL, Chip Kelly introduced the Johns Hopkins football team to what became known as the "whistle ball."

Torrey Smith and Marlon Brown both started for much of their rookie seasons. The Ravens don't necessarily need Breshad Perriman to do the same.

The upgraded charge against Ray Rice shouldn't change things too much as the Ravens knew they were going to need to add a running back. However, they better hurry.

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Jameel McClain was standing on the edge of the field, watching backup Dannell Ellerbe take the majority of the workload opposite middle linebacker Ray Lewis during a 44-13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Catching up with offensive lineman who considered joining the Ravens

From contract negotiations with quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice to a potentially season-ending Achilles injury to star linebacker Terrell Suggs to coach John Harbaugh's comments on the New England Patriots to mercurial safety Ed Reed's controversial radio interviews, the Ravens have made plenty of off-the-field news this offseason.

Now that Ravens reporter Matt Vensel has had a couple of days to defragment his brain after a hectic NFL draft weekend, he figured he would hand out superlative style-evaluations of the Baltimore Ravens' eight-player draft class. These are just the opinions of one man (though it's a man who spent much of the past two months researching draft prospects).

The Ravens could use their 29th overall draft pick in next Thursday's first round on a guard or they could just as easily sign one of the available free agents at the position. Reid, however, isn't spending a whole lot of time thinking about either scenario. He's too busy trying to earn the position for himself.

The Ravens have said all along that they would be patient in free agency and not panic to fill any perceived holes.

Wide receiver and return specialist Ted Ginn Jr., who visited with Ravens' officials last week in Owings Mills, has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the San Francisco 49ers.

Defensive end was in Owings Mills yesterday, meeting with team officials

Don't be surprised if the Ravens give second-year player Jah Reid an extended look at left guard.

The Ravens said they wanted to upgrade the offensive line in the offseason, but so far they haven't. It's still early, but it looks like the team has pretty much committed to the same bunch of characters from a year ago.

As the Ravens wait to see if free agent left guard Evan Mathis will accept their offer, they filled another hole on their offensive line by re-signing veteran center Matt Birk to a three-year deal.

Preston: Ravens would really feel loss of McClain

Free-agent guard Evan Mathis, who visited the Ravens on Thursday and stayed overnight in the Baltimore area, will fly back to Arizona to make his decision, according to multiple reports. Mathis said the Ravens, who lost Pro Bowl guard Ben Grubbs on Thursday, offered him ¿a nice deal.¿

News comes as Ravens meet with Mathis at team facility

The Ravens were several hours into trying to recruit Ben Grubbs' potential replacement when they learned Thursdaymorning that their Pro Bowl left guard had reached a long-term agreementon with the New Orleans Saints.

Which remaining free agents might fit with the Ravens?

Interest in Winston may not bode well for McKinnie, could Mathis visit spur Grubbs' decision

The Ravens saw two starters leave in free agency Wednesday and could lose guard Ben Grubbs as well. Outside linebacker Jarret Johnson signed with the Chargers, and defensive end Cory Redding landed with the Colts.

The Ravens will host guard Evan Mathis on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. Mathis started 15 games at guard for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011.

Carl Nicks is now the highest paid guard in the league, and Grubbs will want a contract near same level

The Ravens would like to improve their offensive line during the offseason, but the best move they could make in free agency would be re-signing Ben Grubbs, who could soon be one of the top guards available.