Editor’s Note: Being a part of the Fansided Network, we have the opportunity to interact with the other NFL sites that can give us insight into their teams.  Before each game we will be providing you with a quick questionnaire that the opposition’s site editor has provided us.

This week we have the opportunity to talk to Ebony Bird editor Riley Babcock who took the time to answer five questions for us here at B&T.

We’ll see how the Jags do later this evening, and for a little taste of what’s going on in Baltimore let’s get to the questions:

1) Who do you think needs to step it up to make the roster for the Ravens?

LB/DE Sergio Kindle. The Ravens drafted him in the second round in 2010 and he has yet to play a game for them after falling down the stairs in his home and fracturing his skull. After his head injury in 2010, the Ravens stuck with him and gave him a second chance. Now’s his time to prove that they made the right decision or he will be released.

2) Joe Flacco should have a big year with more control over the offense, will the Ravens start to give him free-rein in the third preseason game?

I think he’ll stay reserved untill the regular season, but Flacco definitely looks comfortable in the Ravens new no-huddle offense. Cam Cameron is giving him a lot more control and he’s been impressive thus far.

3) Ray Lewis and Co. are getting older, any rising defensive stars looking to make an impact in the minds of the coaches against the Jags’ starters?

DE Pernell McPhee and LBs Courtney Upshaw and Paul Kruger. The Ravens need to find another pass rusher now that Terrell Suggs is out for the season, and these three players look to be the answer.

4) Which veterans can we expect to see slide on the roster?

I think K Billy Cundiff will be cut in favor of Justin Tucker. Obviously most people remember him for missing the kick in the AFC Championship but the job would be his if he didn’t make any mistakes. Unfortunately for him, he continues to miss field goals in training camp and this will likely be the end of his career on the Ravens.

5) How’re those rookies?  Who has a shot to establish himself as a starter or role guy?

I’ve been really impressed with the undrafted rookies. RB Bobby Rainey and WR Deonte Thompson have looked very good thus far although it’s a long shot for them to make the team as those positions are already loaded. Fifth round cornerback and returner Asa Jackson has looked tremendous thus far, and has a chance of becoming the Ravens’ punt returner. Addionally, third round pick RB Bernard Pierce out of Temple is a very talented back who may be the favorite to backup Ray Rice.

Now let’s get to the game!

In Gene We Trust,

- Luke N. Sims

1)  How will the 1st team offense play against the Ravens defense?

So far this area is the feel good story of the Jaguars. Blaine Gabbert is playing like a top 10 pick, the media (who tried to crush Blaine a mere 2-3 weeks ago) are now starting to see what everybody else has seen at OTAs, minicamp, and training camp . Peter King even selected him as the offense player of the week in his Monday Morning QB spotlight; which is quite a turnaround compared to the version 7 days earlier when he wrote he wasn’t convinced about the young signal caller’s renaissance… Gabbert has lead long opening TD drives in both games so far, he has 3 TD passes with no picks and one fumble. Although the Ravens defense suffered some losses (Terrell Suggs due to an Achilles injury, and Jarret Johnson, Cory Redding, and Tom Zbikowski via free agency, still I think these defense representing the toughest test so far to the new Jaguars offense. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata and Ladarius Webb are all proven difference makers, surrounded by young, hungry lions like Pernell McPhee, Paul Kruger, Terrence Cody, Jimmy Smith, and their 1st choice this April, Courtney Upsaw. Their secondary will show us how much the passing game has actually improved over the last few months. CB Webb started to produce Revis-esque performances last season and Ed Reed’s ballhawking abilities still put him in the Top 3 player at his position. Bernard Pollard is hard hitter (just ask a couple Patriots players…). The other corner position besides Webb is still up for grabs between last year’s 1st round pick Jimmy Smith and recently extended Cary Williams. I wonder how the Jaguars receivers, especially Blackmon, will perform against these players.

Drew Coleman won't be there to stop the Ravens from scoring late this time around. The Jags better score more than 12 points! Source: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

2)  State of the running game

Based on Tuesday’s events, it’s more and more likely that the Jaguars won’t miss Maurice Jones-Drew, and Rashad Jennings will be the starting RB. No matter what hurdle in placed before him – training camp, scrimmage, or even preseason – he has yet to let his teammates and coaching staff down. He has rushed for 122 yards on 23 carries so far. Cody, Ngata, Kruger, Sergio Kindle and of course Ray Lewis are waiting for him on Thursday. If Jennings can achieve success against them as well, than I have no doubt he can be successful against any defense in the NFL. Behind him is a surging Montell Owens who has all but cemented his spot as the backup running back. His only real challenger so far, Keith Toston suffered a leg injury while breaking 42 yard run against the Saints. I hope it’s not serious, and he can be healthy for the regular season, because I think he is now clearly the best 3rd option. Neither Parmele, last year’s preseason sensation DuJuan Harris, or Richard Murphy showed anything lately in the preseason games. Also I must mention, the new interior offensive line with Meester, Nwaneri and now Eben Britton is clearly a huge boost for the running game. I wonder if we see Maurice Jones-Drew running behind that line ever again…

If there's a fight, my money's on the boys in teal this preseason. Source: Chuck Cook-US PRESSWIRE

3)  Is the defense good enough this year?

 I know many starters are either missing still here or just starting to return, but I have some issues with the defense as a whole. Tackling is a problem now (the Saints defense dealt with this problem too on Friday night). I know the Giants and the Saints are really powerful offenses, with Superbowl MVP QBs, yet the team hasn’t seen a Top 6 defense so far. And the bar was raised even higher this year. With Daryl Smith, Rashean Mathis, and Derek Cox returning and Tyson Alualu’s number of snaps played increasing I think we can see a more stout defense – but that has yet to come.

It looks like the starting defensive line is coming together and it will be a tough as Joe Cullen wants them. I expect that if Jeremy Mincey can stay healthy his performance will be even better than it was in ’11. It will be very good to have Andre Branch on the other side to help him out. The rookie had his first (0.5) sack and is showing no signs of having problems defending the run. They will have interesting matchups in this game. Jeremy Mincey will face Michael Oher, and Branch will see either Bryant McKinnie (who has struggled a bit in the preseason so far) or fellow rookie Kelechi Osemele. I think both of these mathcups have the potential to make for an interesting dynamic fought out in the trenches.

I wonder how the secondary will perform with Mathis returning. The Ravens pass offense have some dangerous weapons in Anquain Boldin, Ray Rice, and (if he can play) Torrey Smith.

4)  QB status report

After 2 games it’s crystal clear that Blaine Gabbert is by far the best option at the QB position for the Jaguars. Right now I worry that if he goes down then the season is lost. No matter how promising Jordan Palmer looked against  the Giants and the Saints, he is not at the same level as Gabbert. Chad Henne’s struggles continued last Friday, but the team has refused to shake up the QB depth chart. Since the first offense will play most of the game, I don’t think we will see Palmer in action against the Ravens. That means Henne can cement his position as the number 2 QB and Gabbert can mock the likes of Michael Lombardi with another strong performance against a really good defense. I go even further – if Gabbert plays well against Baltimore, I think the Jaguars fanbase can start to get exited about this young man and his offense in the ’12 season. No matter if Jones-Drew shows up to play or not…

5)  Oh no Mojo!

Speaking of the current face of the franchise (and I know this is not related much to the Ravens game, but still we must talk about it) – I think those things which help him very well on the field – being a prideful, no compromise person – are hurting him off the field. That and his agent, Adisa Bakari, who is creating an even bigger mess than the Matt Forte deal that he orchestrated. I simply don’t understand why Maurice is upset about the comments of owner Shad Khan, GM Gene Smith, head coach Mike Mularkey. And now according to Bakari, Jones-Drew is open to be traded. There is a big problem however. The Jaguars right now would be lucky to get a 3rd round pick for him, considering the new team must give Jones-Drew the contract he wants. There a very few team left, who can actually afford to do that. I would assume those teams want to save money for the future instead of paying an “old” 27 year old RB big bucks for the next 5 years.

Khan and the Jaguars are holding all the cards right now. The offense is working, Jennings is not a big step back compared to the rushing leader, and the fanbase is on the front office’s side. Yeah the Jaguars have the biggest cap space right now, but soon they must re-sign key players. Also,  you simply don’t pay a running back big so close to his 30th birthday – especially if he runs the style Jones-Drew likes the most: between the tackles.  I hope Maurice will act like an adult (who doesn’t want to lose $4.5 million and his precious time) and he will play games in teal at some point during this season. But the sad fact is, this whole situation can turn real ugly very quickly…

- Zoltan Paksa

Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-US PRESSWIRE

While Daryl Smith is in the last year of his 5 year deal, I can confidently say that he will re-sign and maintain his level of performance and success for the Jags. Smith is one of the most underrated linebackers in the game, something all Jaguars fans should be aware of. Smith isn’t known as well around the league because he is not only quiet, but because he doesn’t have the sack totals like many well known outside linebackers such as Terrell Suggs, Clay Matthews, or DeMarcus Ware. All of which play in a 3-4 system. However, Smith has been consistently reliable through his eight year career, with his last three years being the best of his eight year career.

Having Paul Posluszny and Clint Session beside him last season has made the Jaguars front 7 a more fearsome front , allowing him to rack up 107 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 fumbles as well as an interception. Daryl is in the final year of his 5 year contract and seems to be having the best statistical seasons of his eight year career.

Another important note to add is that the Jaguars defense finished sixth in overall defense this past season, despite the fact that the Jaguars offense finished dead last. Thus meaning the Jaguars defense was required to take the field more than most, yet still managed to finish sixth. If the Jags revamped passing attack can make the necessary improvements, the team will finish with a much better record, assuming the defense has a repeat in production.

Smith is now entering his 9th NFL season and while writing this article I couldn’t help think of London Fletcher. Both are team captains, lead their teams in tackles, are consistent performers, and maintain good health. I would love nothing more for Smith to continue his career as Fletcher has, and receiving a ProBowl honor wouldn’t hurt either.
Smith should receive an extension this coming season and I believe he is an important cog to the team’s future success.

- Antonio Furgiuele