The Competition: Cornerback

In the coming days, BaltimoreRavens.com will offer previews of each position, focusing on who will be in the thick of the competition come training camp. Today, the cornerbacks take the spotlight.

At this time last season, the Ravens were heading into training camp with two established leaders at cornerback, but didn't know exactly what was backing those leaders up. The play of young cornerbacks Ronnie Prude, Evan Oglesby and Derrick Martin was certainly a nice surprise.

Now, the Ravens know what they have, and are looking forward to seeing their young prospects develop.

The group, which includes starting safety Dawan Landry and third-round draft pick David Pittman, represents an investment into the future of Baltimore's secondary.

Here is a breakdown of the cornerbacks on the Ravens' roster:

Chris McAlister

2006: What a season for the nine-year veteran. McAlister earned his third Pro Bowl bid after leading the NFL with 25 passes defensed and set a career mark with six interceptions. He was a force on the corner, matching up against some of the NFL's best receivers, such as Randy Moss and Chad Johnson.

Forecast: The Pasadena, Calif. native re-focused himself last year and it showed with his monster campaign. In organized team activities (OTAs), McAlister's drive showed up, as he made plays in the pass-intensive camp. His experience will also be integral in bringing along the young Ravens defensive backs.

Samari Rolle

2006: Rolle was solid in 16 starts, despite critics citing too many big plays given up by the former Pro Bowler. He posted 60 tackles, the second-highest amount of his career, 13 passes defensed and three interceptions.

Forecast: The cornerback looked back in synch during OTAs, where he stressed improving communication in the secondary. Rolle and McAlister should again team up to make one of the NFL's top cornerback duos.

Corey Ivy

2006: It was a memorable year for Ivy. He played in 13 contests despite suffering a lacerated kidney in Week 5, giving it all on the field, where he played some nickelback (17 stops, six passes defensed), was a special teams standout (14 stops) and even picked up some punt return duties in one game.

Forecast: The 2006 Ed Block Courage Award winner is going to have to fight to keep his nickel spot, as some of the younger prospects will look to challenge him, but his worth on special teams make him indispensable.

Evan Oglesby

2006: Oglesby had the breakout season of his career, playing in all 16 games. On defense, where he filled in at cornerback and nickelback in six contests, he posted nine stops and two passes defensed. The speedy coverage ace also netter 17 tackles on special teams.

Forecast: Confidence is high for this three-year veteran, who recently enjoyed the birth of his first child. He has been active in the Ravens' offseason training program, determined to get in top shape for training camp. Look for him to be in the race for nickel.

Ronnie Prude

2006: A gem of a find out of last year's class of undrafted free agents, Prude earned his stripes from scrimmage, where he tallied four stops, five passes defensed and two big interceptions. The first came in Week 2, where Prude ran it back 54 yards before being corralled by the Oakland Raiders. The second he took in for a score in New Orleans.

Forecast: Prude's playmaking ability showed up when he took the field last season, and there's no doubt that the Ravens want to see more of him. He will also gun for the first nickelback spot.

David Pittman

2006: The third-round draft pick was a gameday inactive for all 16 games.

Forecast: It's obvious that Pittman has dedicated himself to getting on the field in the upcoming season, as he's been a devout participant in the Ravens' conditioning program. A pesky hamstring injury suffered during the offseason kept him out of the majority of OTAs, but a month of rest before Monday's practice will hopefully be enough to regain his health.

Derek Martin

2006: A versatile defensive back, Martin took the field in one game on defense (one tackle), but mainly contributed on special teams. In eight matchups, he had four special teams stops.

Forecast: The former sixth-round pick is still only 22 years old, so he should develop more with one season of maturity under him. The way he's taken on the Ravens' offseason program shows that Martin is dedicated to improving his game.

Willie Gaston, Terrell Maze

2006: Gaston, out of the University of Houston, played in all 14 of the Cougars' games as a senior,ending with a team-high 56 tackles, 19 passes defensed and one interception. Maze comes from San Diego State - alma mater of Ravens offensive linemen Chris Pino and Mike Kracalik - posted 57 stops and one pick. Maze's efforts earned him a berth in the Las Vegas sAll-American Classic, one of only five postseason all-star features.

Forecast: Both of these rookie free agents will have to make outstanding plays to set themselves apart. The task of following in Prude's footsteps will certainly be difficult, considering the young depth that the Ravens have in the secondary.