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5 questions facing the Ravens in training camp

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Even a legitimate Super Bowl contender like the Baltimore Ravens has their share of uncertainties heading into training camp.

Whether it's settling on replacements for departed players, staying healthy at key positions, or transitioning under new leadership on the offensive side of the ball, there's work to be done if this team is to reach its potential in 2015.

Here are five questions facing the Ravens in training camp this summer:

Can the Ravens replace Ngata and McPhee?

After both Haloti Ngata and Pernell McPhee found new homes elsewhere in the league during the offseason, the Ravens have some spots to fill while trying to maintain the production they've become known for on the defensive side of the ball.

Though recent success amid similar transition periods doesn't make the departures of Ngata and McPhee any less significant, the Ravens have long been one of the league's best teams when it comes to player development.

Baltimore will now turn to younger talents Timmy Jernigan, Brandon Williams, and Carl Davis on the defensive front. It wouldn't be much of a surprise to see all of them capitalize on their opportunities, becoming key contributors upon moving into more significant roles.

How quickly will Breshad Perriman emerge?

With the wide-receiver position clearly one of the Ravens' most pressing needs after the free-agent departure of Torrey Smith, their first-round selection of Breshad Perriman was anything but surprising.

Steve Smith Sr. has proven he's still more than capable of playing at a high level as he approaches the end of his pro career, and if Perriman quickly shows he's a capable target on the other side of the field, that would give quarterback Joe Flacco plenty of playmakers to work with.

That's the ideal scenario for the Ravens' offense - and Perriman certainly projects as a productive downfield target long-term - but if the young wideout comes along slowly, it won't do much to solve the team's issues at the position this season.

Will Justin Forsett be more than a 1-year wonder?

Recording a career-high 1,266 yards to help the team finish as the NFL's eighth-ranked rushing attack, Justin Forsett's emergence as an unlikely breakout star was a key factor in the Ravens' offensive production in 2014.

After re-signing the 29-year-old running back to a three-year deal and providing him with little competition in the backfield, Baltimore appears to be betting on a repeat performance.

Forsett could certainly play at a high level in 2015, and he'll find himself in a favorable situation again, running behind one of the league's strongest offensive lines. However, the Ravens should remain in the market for another experienced running back. As the depth chart currently stands, the offense may be too dependent on Forsett's continued contributions.

Can the cornerbacks stay healthy?

On paper, the Ravens may actually boast one of the NFL's most talented defensive backfields heading into the 2015 season. While the same could have been said about last year's unit, injuries quickly made the secondary the team's most glaring weakness down the stretch.

If they can manage to stay healthy this time around, a cornerback trio of Jimmy Smith, Lardarius Webb, and Kyle Arrington has the ability to match up with some of the league's most dangerous receiving corps.

Combining that group with a strong front seven could see the Ravens' defense rightfully re-establish itself as one of the NFL's most dominant units overall. The talent's there, but Baltimore's defensive success hinges upon the season-long availability of its top players in the secondary.

How will the offense change under Trestman?

Though new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman has indicated the offensive scheme will remain unchanged from that of Gary Kubiak's unit in 2014, minor differences in play-calling and overall philosophy could still have an impact, unintentional as it may be.

Coming off a year where the Ravens employed a highly productive rushing attack, led by a dominant offensive line that returns this season, Trestman would be wise to stick to a run-first approach at all costs.

Considering the pass-happy nature of Trestman's offenses in Chicago the past two seasons, however, that could be far easier said than done.

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