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Ricky Williams has decided to retire -- a move that creates an immediate need at running back for the Ravens. The situation presses at the team because Ray Rice is a free agent.

The Ravens enter the offseason with 15 free agents. To me, the two most important are Rice and guard Ben Grubbs. While most would probably say re-signing Rice is the top priority, I'd actually make Grubbs my top target. I think the NFL routinely overvalues running backs. An average back can look terrific behind a quality offensive line. But I'm getting off point.

Baltimore will likely be able to afford only one of Rice or Grubbs. My guess is they'll re-up Rice. So, the starting RB slot filled, where should the Ravens turn for depth?

They'll almost certainly draft a running back or two, but I suspect they'll also seek to sign a veteran free agent. That's what they did in signing Williams before last season.

Figuring they won't go after an elite free agent running back, here are a few veterans they might pursue:

• Peyton Hillis -- Hillis was a colossal dud last season in Cleveland, which was bad timing considering his pending free agency. He's not likely to get a big offer, but could be a nice fit as Rice's backup. Hillis would add a change of pace and some powerful running that could complement the diminutive Rice. Only problems: someone in the league might still view him as a starter and pay him accordingly, and he fumbles a lot.
• Mike Tolbert -- A do-everything back in San Diego, Tolbert is a power runner who could spell Rice and have a major role in short yardage. He may cost too much for the Ravens, however.
• Cedric Benson -- He doesn't figure to attract much free agent interest, but he'd be a solid between-the-tackles backup. Cincinnati wants to give Bernard Scott a bigger role, so it shouldn't take much to get him from the Bengals.
• Ryan Grant -- Talented, but oft-injured, Grant figures to be on his way out of Green Bay because the Packers have cheaper options at RB.

Ravens, Running_Back, Free_Agents, Ray_Rice, Ben_Grubbs,

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It's Super Bowl Sunday, and while the Ravens nearly made the big game, they came up short. How can they improve on a 12-4 season, a number two seed, and a trip to the AFC Championship game? What can they do to put themselves in a better position to reach next year's Super Bowl?

1. Develop Joe Flacco -- There isn't another realistic option at quarterback for the Ravens next season. Flacco has a big-time arm, and (according to Ron Jaworski and Greg Cosell) made the plays that were available to him. That said, for Baltimore to reach the Super Bowl, they need Flacco to make the leap to elite status.
2. Get Flacco Some Weapons -- While I think Flacco could have played better at times this season, he didn't have much help from his receiving corps. There isn't a #1 pass-catcher in the bunch, and no one consistently got separation from defenders. Before even thinking about moving on from Flacco, the Ravens need to get him some bonafide targets. It's a damning indictment of Baltimore's receivers that running back Ray Rice was the team's best weapon in the passing game.
3. Upgrade the Offensive Coordinator -- Cam Cameron arrived with a good reputation, but never accomplished much with this group. Add in the reports that he and Flacco had trouble getting along, and it makes sense to find someone else.
4. Look to Replace the Old Guys -- Ray Lewis and Ed Reed won't be around forever. Both remain productive and effective, and neither needs to be replaced immediately. But the front office should act like it's vital. First, in case either (or both) have an abrupt age-related drop-off. Second, because high-quality help may enable the Ravens to play them fewer snaps and have them fresher for the post-season. And third, the team will be ready when the time comes for these two to retire.
5. Change the Mentality -- For too long, the sentiment in the Ravens locker room has been that the defense will win games as long as the offense doesn't screw things up. And, while the defense was the league's best this season, in the NFL, offense wins. It's time for the offense to stop being the "don't mess up" group and to be unleashed to actually go out and win games. If the personnel isn't up to it -- get new people.

Of these items, changing the mentality will probably be the most difficult. The team's leadership is centered in the defensive veterans -- Lewis and Reed. But the attitude must change if Baltimore is going to win a Super Bowl next season.

Ravens, Super_Bowl, Personnel, Joe_Flacco, Ray_Rice, Cam_Cameron, Ray_Lewis, Ed_Reed,

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If you listen to the mainstream media, the Ravens are a running team, and Ray Rice is an all-world ball carrier. The reality is somewhat different. Baltimore's had more success passing than running, and Rice's most valuable contributions were not in carrying the ball.

The threat of running helped open things up for the passing game, but the numbers suggest that Baltimore as at its best when it was attacking downfield in addition to running.

In terms of personnel needs, the Ravens don't need to worry much about running backs. Rice is a first-rate performer, and Ricky Williams was more than adequate as a backup. Vonta Leach was rock solid at fullback.

The grades:

• Ray Rice: A- -- Rice was a Pro Bowler and among the league leaders in rushing and receiving for a running back. Why the minus? He ranked just 38th in run success rate -- the rushing stat that correlates best with winning. His pass catching was extremely valuable for a team as receiver-poor as the Ravens, but his overall rushing stats cause observers to overvalue his ball-carrying contributions. Some of this was surely the offensive line (we'll get to them soon), but his lack of size and desire to break big gainers hindered his ability to grind out the steady (but boring) 4-5 yard gains that actually contribute more to winning.
• Ricky Williams: B+ -- Williams was a sturdy and effective runner off the bench, who actually had a slightly higher running success rate than Rice. If Williams returns next season, Baltimore's offense could benefit by expanding his role as a ball-carrier and short yardage back.
• Vonta Leach: A -- He rarely carried the ball and he got few opportunities as a receiver, but Leach's lead blocking was a valuable asset. Some fullbacks are little more than battering rams -- they just run full speed into the hole and blast whatever is in the way. Leach was more of a guided missile -- seeking and destroying defenders who might make a tackle and paving the way for Rice and Williams to run. He'll be back next season.

Running back is not a need for the Ravens. Their three main contributors figure to be back next year. If there's an opportunity, they should find a developmental back they can bring along. But it's a priority than ranks well down the list -- after receiver, offensive line, and some others.

Ravens, Personnel, Running_Backs, Ray_Rice, Ricky_Williams, Vonta_Leach,

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While the season ended with a crushing loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game, fans should not lose sight of the reality that 2011-12 was a successful year for the Baltimore Ravens. If you're stuck on disappointment, just mentally put yourself in the shoes of a Redskins fan. All better now?

We start the offseason assessments with the team's most important position: quarterback. And, when you talk Baltimore quarterbacking, the conversation begins and ends with Joe Flacco.

Flacco's performance this season would earn him a solid C+/B- grade. He was better than average, but did not step into the league's elite passers. Despite some clunker games, Flacco was a big reason for whatever success the Baltimore offense enjoyed.

It's difficult to separate cause and effect with the Ravens. Flacco wasn't a great performer, but he was hampered by an offensive line that was mediocre in pass blocking, and by an unspectacular receiving corps. Anquan Boldin is reputed to be a #1 receiver, but he's really more of a possession-2.

It's a truism that a great quarterback makes great receivers, and that didn't happen this year in Baltimore. On the other hand, Greg Cosell and Ron Jaworski st