Jan 22, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Ravens 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

Running back Ray Rice and the Baltimore Ravens finally came to an agreement on a long-term deal for the star player. It’s 5 years and $35 million dollars. NFL.com reports it could be as much as $40 million with incentives.

Fittingly, earlier today DAAA Bearssss came to terms with their versatile back, Matt Forte with a 4-year deal. His has $18 million guaranteed and averages $8 million per season. The two sides had been negotiating for over a year now. No more.

This is bad news for Ravens’ and Bears’ opponents obviously, but especially will help Chicago. They’ve revamped their receiving corps and now stabilized the backfield situation with Forte’s deal and backup QB Jason Campbell’s signing previous to this.

It’s welcome news to younger football players who have seen the NFL use up and spit out the position with some one-contract players, or even longtime veterans like Thomas Jones never get their big paydays after being so productive and consistent.

Now at least some financial commitment has been made by multiple teams to keep established stars happy and in camp. College kids, it’s not going by way of the fullback after all.

December 18, 2011; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens line backer Ray Lewis (52) following a nine-yard gain during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

Baltimore nearly made it to the Super Bowl last season and should be hungry to take that last step. They were a dropped TD pass away last season. Are they prepared? Here’s their draft:

2 35 Courtney Upshaw LB Alabama
2 60 Kelechi Osemele T Iowa State
3 84 Bernard Pierce RB Temple
4 98 Gino Gradkowski G Delaware
4 130 Christian Thompson FS South Carolina State
5 169 Asa Jackson CB Cal Poly-S.L.O.
6 198 Tommy Streeter WR Miami (Fla.)
7 236 DeAngelo Tyson DE Georgia

The Ravens are a team with tons of established talent especially on the defensive side of the ball. I think it’s safe to say they’re legendary for their physical style along the lines of the Steelers’ teams of pretty much forever, but the window of opportunity is closing fast. Ray Lewis is 37. Ed Reed turns 34 on 9/11 and has a lingering hip problem. Terrell Suggs is the team’s all-time sack leader and last year’s NFL Defensive MVP. He won’t be playing until the final third of the season at best, having torn his right ACL in a pick-up basketball game in the off-season. Massive Haloti Ngata should continue to be a force along that defensive line, but this team is on the way back downward on that side.

Offensively, Ray Rice is as productive and complete as any back in the league. If the Ravens can get the contract straight, look for another monster season from him. The guy can run, catch and pass protect so he doesn’t have to come off the field on 3rd down and is a great weapon to have. WR Torrey Smith had an understandably up-and-down rookie campaign but showed an explosiveness and deep-threat ability that other teams are going to have to take seriously. Fellow WR Anquan Boldin is an excellent complementary player and one of the league’s best-known and most fearless receivers over the middle of the field.

QB Joe Flacco is the one most under the microscope this year. Yes, he did his part last year. Where was Gisele when Lee Evans dropped the would-be winning TD pass in the AFC Championship game last year? Flacco has rather quietly gotten off to a nice start to his career, but people have been waiting for him to perform at an elite level for the past couple of years now.

No, he’s not being asked to pick up the team and carry it on his shoulders a la AR-12 or Tom Brady, nor will he be asked to be like that this season. However, it would be nice to see him be ABLE to do so if needed. Sometimes Ray Rice doesn’t have holes to run through and the defense won’t quite be what it has been in the past. I see them slipping without Suggs there to generate pressure and with Reed and Lewis being another year older.

Their top draft pick, Courtney Upshaw, has zero chance of performing like an NFL MVP as a rookie but don’t take that as a knock on the young man. He’s got incredible talent, but in Alabama’s system his job was 1) kill the QB 2) if in doubt, see rule number one. Reports so far seem to suggest Upshaw is everything they were looking for and more, but unless your name is Lawrence Taylor, you don’t just come into the league dominating from day one from that position very often. Cleveland may not yet be world-beaters, but they do have a left tackle named Joe Thomas. The Steelers drafted Mike Adams. There’s talent in the division at LT.

Assuming Flacco maintains his steady, competent but something-short-of-spectacular play, their normal potent rushing game, and the challenges they face on defense, they’ve got some bumps in the road before them. The Ravens play in a division with no pushovers now and I think they’ll find more than their share of struggles at times…especially before Terrell Suggs is able to rejoin them.

Considering they were that one dropped pass from making the Super Bowl last season, for this season my verdict on the progress of the Baltimore Ravens is…..

Two steps back. One step for the defensive issues and one for being in a rapidly improving division overall. They’re also a team that could, with Suggs’ return, really hit their stride and peak at exactly the right time – the end of the regular season.

Next up: The Buffalo Bills

Jan 22, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) carries the ball against the New England Patriots during the third quarter in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE

This week, we will take a look at 5 players, that I deem worthy of a first round pick.

I’m a member of a deep league, so first round talent for me, may be considered second or third round talent for you. That being said, let’s get this puppy rolling.

Ray Rice RB Baltimore Ravens

If I’ve learned anything over the past two years, it’s that Ray Rice is a sure thing. He’s an outstanding runner, and with his catching abilities, he’s a stud on any fantasy line-up. I took him 2nd overall last year, and could not have made a better decision. He’s 1-3 pick worthy in normal scoring, and could vie for the 1st pick in PPR leagues. If you are sitting at 2-7 and he’s on the board, YOU MUST PICK HIM.

Jamaal Charles RB Kansas City Chiefs

He’s coming off an ACL injury, but don’t let that hinder your judgement. Charles is still a freak of a runningback and will be a stud all season long if he can stay healthy. Mind you, he is a high risk/high reward pick. If you are willing to draft him, you will get a great player that will give you solid numbers every week. He may not be a Top 5 talent anymore, but he’s definitely a Top 15 talent.

Cam Newton QB Carolina Panthers

I normally stay away from a QB in the 1st round, but with the new style of football, they are moving up the ranks. Cam looks to be a contender for the top QB this season is he can avoid the Sophomore Slump. He’s biggest value comes from what he does on the ground. He will throw up 200 yards a game, but put another 50-100 on the ground. In most normal scoring leagues, that will give another 5-10 a week. Statistically, he’s a freak of nature and breaks into my Top 20.

LeSean McCoy RB Philadelphia Eagles

Like Rice, McCoy is a dual threat RB. He’s a monster on the sides and in between the tackles, and he’s an amazing receiver. McCoy’s greatest strength comes in the redzone. He had the highest number of rushin touchdowns last season, and from what I saw, he has no intentions of slowing down. McCoy can fight for a Top 3 pick easily if he can continue his production.

Calvin Johnson/Wes Welker WRs Detroit Lions/New England Patriots

In order to stop my imminent beheading from mentioning a guy that might be a victim of the Madden Curse, I’ve chosen both WRs here. Megatron needs no explanation for any normal football fan. His only downside is the lingering effects of the Madden Curse. If you don’t believe in said curse, take him in the first round, but if you do, look to Welker. Welker defies all odds with his height and level of production. Even when people believed his production would suffer after the acquisition of two stand-out Tight Ends, he came up with 122 catches and 1569 yards. If he doesn’t sign a deal before the season, he is in a contract year and could look to explode more-so than normal.

Well there you have it guys and gals. This is who I believe is FOR SURE 1st round talent. I’m not saying this is the Top 5, but if you are picking this season, and you don’t know who to draft, look at one of these players.

Thanks for reading, and come back next week when I look to rank the Top 5 defenses in the league.