With the release of Michael Crabtree Youth Trace McSorley Jersey , the Ravens wide receiver room has been painted in a new shade of patchwork free agent signings and..."WhitePodcast Film Review Fanposts Fanshots Ravens StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Ravens ReportYahoo Ravens Depth ChartYahoo Ravens TransactionsYahoo Ravens PhotosAbout Odds Community Guidelines StubHub ✕Ravens must foster consistency and continuity for Lamar Jackson to succeedNew,23commentsESTShareTweetShareShareRavens must foster consistency and continuity for Lamar Jackson to succeedTommy Gilligan-USA TODAY SportsWith the release of Michael Crabtree, the Ravens continue a troubling trend. For several offseasons, the wide receiver room has been painted in a new shade of patchwork free agent signings and mid-round draft picks, never truly sticking. This rotating roster was a lingering proof point in defense of Joe Flacco’s struggles and will continue to drag down productivity for Lamar Jackson if it is not properly addressed this year.Particularly for a sophomore quarterback looking to improve his 58.2 completion percentage, another season without a reliable number one option will stall his development and halt the franchise’s progress. In his first year as GM, Eric DeCosta has already shown an eagerness to make meaningful transactions by trading Flacco, extending Tavon Young and cutting Crabtree. While his overall philosophy will continue to solidify over the next couple of months, the simple strategy should be clear: Surround Lamar Jackson with the type of security and reliability a young, unique talent requires to blossom. While the “next man up” reality of the NFL cannot be avoided — but rather budgeted for — Baltimore must stop the constant changing of the guard on offense. Too many coordinators and play callers were installed during Flacco’s tenure, and the failure to find the right weapons at the right time plagued the franchise’s playoff hopes for years. The Ravens cannot simply invest cap space and draft picks in receivers this offseason — they have done so for the last several years. The time is now to bring in a cast of both talented veteran leadership and immediate impact rookies, rather than applying another ineffective band-aid like Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin or Crabtree. The Ravens have not found a true go-to receiver since Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith and Steve Smith. Continuity is unavoidably lost for the 2019 season White Brandon Williams Jersey , but in the interim, Baltimore can build some consistency from their strong tight end production. The 86th overall pick in 2018, Mark Andrews averaged 16.2 yards per reception and caught 68 percent of his targets. This offseason will set the tone for not only the upcoming schedule but years to come, as it is a chance for DeCosta to get it right and bring in personnel that can develop a rapport with Jackson and establish a cadence of success for the future. The last time the Eagles opened a season as NFL champions, it was 1960 and, well, who remembers what folks did then in Philadelphia?What they’ll certainly do Thursday night at the Linc when the Falcons come to town is roar with approval at the site of the Lombardi Trophy and the championship banner. Fans will sing many, many choruses of “Fly Eagles Fly.”And then the guys on the field will get down to business, defending the title they took away from New England last February.That defense will be difficult, particularly in the NFC, a stronger conference than the AFC.“Quite honestly, it’s going to be a great night from that standpoint,” coach Doug Pederson says of the season opener. “The fans that are in attendance are going to be crazy and they’re going to be excited. It’s going to be great for the banner to be dropped in Lincoln Financial (Field). It’s going to be a great atmosphere.“I think with this football team, though, they understand this is a different season Marquise Brown Baltimore Ravens Jersey , it’s a new team, new year. We’re sitting here 0-0 with a great opportunity against a great opponent — a playoff/Super Bowl-caliber team coming in here. Quite honestly, that’s their focus.”It had better be, because the Falcons barely lost in Philly in the divisional round last winter, and they’ve upgraded on both sides of the ball. Atlanta, No. 8 in the AP Pro32, comes in as a 2½-point underdog to top-ranked Philadelphia.Pro Picks goes out on a limb early.UPSET SPECIAL: FALCONS, 22-20KNOCKOUT POOLWe didn’t stick around for too long last year, so consider that when we choose the SAINTS to win this weekend.No. 15 San Francisco (plus 6) at No. 3 MinnesotaJimmy Garoppolo is undefeated as a starting quarterback. Streak ends Sunday.BEST BET: VIKINGS, 27-16No. 5 Pittsburgh (minus 5 1-2) at No. 31 ClevelandThe Browns are defeated in 17 straight. That streak continues, even if Le’Veon Bell is a no-show.STEELERS, 23-20No. 29 Tampa Bay (plus 9 1-2) at No. 6 New OrleansAlmost went with this as BEST BET. Saints have Super Bowl-level talent.SAINTS, 33-16No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (minus 5) at No. 21 Oakland, Monday nightThe return of Jon Gruden to the Black Hole. Raiders could struggle after Chucky traded his best player.RAMS, 27-25No. 28 Chicago (plus 7 1-2) at No. 9 Green BayKhalil Mack surfaces in Chicago. More significant: Aaron Rodgers is back at QB for Packers.PACKERS 27-13No. 13 Kansas City (plus 3) at No. 10 Los Angeles ChargersLots of people like the Chargers in the AFC West. So do we.CHARGERS Cheap Marquise Brown Jersey , 21-13No. 12 Houston (plus 6 1-2) at No. 2 New EnglandIf healthy, the Texans could be ready for special season. But they rarely play well in Foxborough.PATRIOTS, 30-20No. 26 Buffalo (plus 7) at No. 14 BaltimoreSean McDermott didn’t want inexperienced Josh Allen at QB against this defense. Smart man.RAVENS, 18-7No. 24 (tie) Cincinnati (plus 3) at No. 30 IndianapolisAndrew Luck returns at last. He doesn’t have much surrounding him.BENGALS, 22-14No. 7 Jacksonville (minus 3) at No. 20 New York GiantsHow satisfying will this win be for Tom Coughlin?JAGUARS, 20-19No. 17 Tennessee (minus 1) at No. 27 MiamiNot feeling good vibes about the Titans right now.DOLPHINS, 21-20No. 16 Dallas (plus 2 1-2) at No. 11 CarolinaNot feeling good vibes about the Cowboys right now.PANTHERS, 30-24No. 22 Washington (pick-em) at No. 24 (tie) ArizonaTwo of the NFL’s most mysterious teams this year. Go with the hosts.CARDINALS, 24-20No. 18 Seattle (plus 3) at No. 23 DenverTwo more of the NFL’s most mysterious teams. Go with the … you get the drill.BRONCOS, 20-13No. 32 New York Jets (plus 6 1-2) at No. 19 Detroit, Monday nightSam Darnold’s debut gives this game some intrigue. So does Matt Patricia’s as Lions coach.LIONS, 23-19