PLEASE NOTE:The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed on BaltimoreRavens.com represent those of individual authors, and unless quoted or clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of the Baltimore Ravens' organization, front office staff, coaches and executives. Authors' views are formulated independently from any inside knowledge and/or conversations with Ravens officials, including the coaches and scouts, unless otherwise noted.
Tonight's preseason kickoff against the Carolina Panthers ends nearly seven long months of waiting.
So since we expect you to be overrun with excitement (like us), here's a guide to help you focus.
Pay particular attention to these players tonight. They could play a big role this season, and we'll get our first look into how much they've progressed this offseason.
#64 Oniel Cousins, RTCousins is in line to be the starting right tackle tonight with **Jared Gaither** sidelined by back spasms. Cousins' development is crucial considering he could see a lot of time this season with Gaither's status in “limbo.” Due to an offseason throat procedure, Cousins has only a week of camp practice under his belt. He may be a little raw, but watch to see if Cousins' dedication this offseason has paid off.
#9 Marc Bulger, QBBulger should see a lot of time in the first preseason game with starter **Joe Flacco** expected to play a quarter or less. The Ravens' No. 2 has quickly adapted to the Baltimore's offense in training camp. We'll see if that chemistry is there when facing an opposing team. It will be Bulger's first game playing for anybody other than the St. Louis Rams.
#41 Travis Fisher, CBIt's unknown whether cornerbacks **Fabian Washington** and **Chris Carr** will play, but the Ravens may opt not to risk it. That means we should get a good look at Fisher. The free agent addition is currently the first cornerback off the bench in three-wide sets, so he could be a key figure – especially early in the season as his secondary mates recover.
#18 Donte' Stallworth, WRStallworth looks super fast and sure-handed in practice, but he's been facing the Ravens' injury-riddled secondary. We'll see how he looks against Carolina's pass defense, which ranked fourth in the NFL last year. Despite how good he's been in training camp, Stallworth is still a bit of an unknown after sitting out the entire 2009 season. The veteran free agent addition hasn't played a game since Dec. 28, 2008.
#55 Terrell Suggs, OLBA year after being disappointed with his sack totals, the slimmed-down Suggs has sparkled at training camp. Will it translate to gameday? Suggs will face off against former first-round right tackle Jeff Otah. If Suggs can prove he's back to his Pro Bowl form, the Ravens' pass rush can look forward to a much-improved pass-rush this year, which could be paramount as the secondary is trying to get healthy.
