Jaguars-Ravens: Baltimore Hoping to Fly into Playoffs

With a trip to the playoffs at stake, the Baltimore Ravens hope to insert a new chapter in the city's storied football history when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

The day marks the 50th anniversary of the “Greatest Game Ever Played,” a 23-17 overtime victory for the Baltimore Colts in the 1958 NFL Championship Game.

While many former Colts will be in attendance for a halftime ceremony honoring the 1958 team, the Ravens are focused on creating history of their own.

Following a 5-11 season in 2007, new coach John Harbaugh has led the Ravens to a 10-5 record, needing only a win over the Jaguars to capture the last wild-card spot in the AFC Playoffs.

On the opposing side, the Jaguars are playing out the string with a disappointing 5-10 record after high expectations entering the 2008 campaign.

Earlier in the week, vice president of player personnel James "Shack" Harris resigned, adding further uncertainty to the organization’s tumultuous season. The news of Harris’ departure supplements the impending change within the organization.

Notable veterans such as middle linebacker Mike Peterson and tackle Khalif Barnes are unlikely to return to the team that advanced to the AFC Divisional Round only a year ago.

Complementing the off-the-field distractions is the failure of the Jaguars’ offense. Quarterback David Garrard has turned the ball over more frequently than he did last season, and the running game ranks 18th in the league, numbers that do not bode well for any visitor coming to play the Ravens’ second-ranked defense.

The Baltimore defense is +9 in turnover difference, good for third in the NFL. Look for the Ravens defense to pressure Garrard into making mistakes with safety Ed Reed looming in the secondary.

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew is expected to play, but he will have a difficult time gaining consistent yardage on the ground against the Ravens’ front seven.

Despite this, defensive coordinator Rex Ryan will need to be aware of Jones-Drew’s receiving prowess, as he leads all running backs with 61 catches and 555 receiving yards.

The Ravens’ 21st-ranked offense will face more of a challenge from the Jacksonville defense, 12th overall.

The rushing attack received a boost last week with long touchdown runs by Willis McGahee and Le’Ron McClain in the final minutes of their win over Dallas.

The Ravens can be a scary team in January if McGahee can regain some of last year’s form. Last week’s game was a good sign.

Rookie Ray Rice hopes to return to the field after missing the last two games with a shin injury. The Ravens would like to have Rice on the field to get back into rhythm in hopes of a playoff run.

Rice provides more of a receiving threat out of the backfield than either McClain or McGahee.

The Jacksonville defense is vulnerable in the secondary, giving up 25 touchdown passes this season, so expect quarterback Joe Flacco to test the Jaguars with the deep ball.

Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron would like to see Flacco follow up his solid performance against Dallas with strong production in the regular season finale. Flacco has not thrown for multiple touchdowns in a game since Week 13.

Wide receiver Derrick Mason continues to battle the effects of an injured shoulder expects to play on Sunday. Mason has been the team’s most valuable player on offense, aiding in the rapid development of Flacco.

Outlook

All signs in this one point to a Ravens’ blowout in the regular season finale.

The crowd will be in full-fledged playoff mode with an extra boost from the halftime celebration of the 1958 champion Colts.

The Ravens have everything to play for in this one while the Jaguars are thinking about how to spend their upcoming vacation time.

The Ravens will go up early thanks to the legs of Le’Ron McClain and some big gains through the air. When they do, the Jaguars will begin going through the motions, leading to the Ravens taking ultimate control.

Perhaps the Jaguars’ best chance in this one would be for the Buffalo Bills to upset the New England Patriots in the early game, which would clinch the last playoff spot for the Ravens prior to Sunday's kickoff.

Harbaugh might be more inclined to rest veterans such as Mason and Ray Lewis if the team’s playoff ticket is already punched, but even that might not be enough for the Jaguars to win in Baltimore.

The prediction: Ravens 27-10

Can the Ravens secure the last wild-card spot in the AFC? Or will the Jaguars play spoiler to close out their disappointing season? Leave your comments and predictions below.

The Night Before Festivus: Baltimore-Style

This is a poem adapted from The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clark Moore. In the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl run of 2000, guard Edwin Mulitalo coined the phrase "Festivus" in referring to the playoffs, a term taken from the popular television sitcom Seinfeld.

The Night Before Festivus

'Twas the night before Festivus, when all through Charm City
Ravens fans were stirring and even felt giddy.
The jerseys were hung by the chimney with flare,
In hopes that Joe Flacco soon would be there.

The fans were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of the playoffs danced in their heads.
And when we awoke and December 28 was the date,
We just settled down for a winter's tailgate,
When out in the end zone there arose such a clatter,
The opponent looked over to see what was the matter.

In a huddle of players that looked like a flash,
The Ravens looked ready for a hard-hitting clash.
The season had boiled down to one single game
as the players were looking for more than just fame,

And what to my wondering eyes looked intense,
For it was Ray Lewis…and the Baltimore defense.

A terrifying unit, so lively and quick,
They’ll hit you, they’ll haunt you, or even grab the pick.
More rapid than wolves these hunters they came,

And Ray whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"T-Sizzle! now, JJ! now, Bannan, Haloti!
On, Trevor! on Leonhard! on, Reed and Samari!
To the top of the mountain! to the top of the hill!
Knock them out! Get the ball! Now in for the kill!"

And then, the offense, led by a menacing line,
Came onto the field and was ready to fly.
A three-headed monster was at running back,
led by McClain, a big rumbling mack.
And Mason the veteran, with his shoulder so sore,
Kept reining in passes, one, two, three, more!

And finally, a sight so perfect, so new;
a quarterback to be proud of, a little like Johnny U.
Joe Flacco was ready to take the city by storm,
his cannon for an arm much better than norm,
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And led them downfield, the fans going berserk.

The Ravens were ready to give such a gift
to the fans of Baltimore who needed the lift.
Coach Harbaugh exclaimed, while his team looked so sleek,

"Happy Festivus to all, and we’ll see you next week."

Ravens-Cowboys Preview

The stars and pageantry will be on full display as the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys add a final chapter to the storied history of Texas Stadium on Saturday night.

As if appearances from legendary stars such as Roger Staubach, Emmitt Smith, and Troy Aikman weren't enough, the two teams actually playing will be fighting for their respective playoff lives.

The 9-5 Ravens are currently the sixth seed in the AFC, but the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins currently hold the same 9-5 record. A loss would put the Ravens in the unenviable position of needing help in Week 17 to advance to the postseason.

The Cowboys (9-5) are currently the fifth seed in the NFC and need a win to remain in position for a playoff spot.

The Ravens will try to bounce back from an excruciating 13-9 loss to Pittsburgh after the Steelers scored a controversial go-ahead touchdown with 43 seconds to play. Unlike past Baltimore teams, these Ravens were very quiet in their comments regarding the officiating last Sunday, a reflection of coach John Harbaugh's message of discipline and focusing on the things they can control.

Dallas is riding high after an impressive 20-8 win over the New York Giants in which they held the second-ranked rushing offense to a meager 72 yards on the ground. Even the disgruntled Terrell Owens appears to be content for now.

The Cowboys' high-powered offense will be challenged by the Ravens' second-ranked defense that has the uncanny ability to confuse, and often times intimidate, the opponent.

Running back Marion Barber is a game-time decision with a lingering toe injury, but the Cowboys figure to struggle in the running game regardless of Barber's availability. Baltimore has the third-ranked run defense in the league.

The Cowboys will need quarterback Tony Romo's injured back to hold up against a tough defense. Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan will throw various blitzes and stunts against Romo in hopes of confusing the quarterback in his first encounter with the Baltimore defense. Romo is prone to making mistakes when a defense can keep him in the pocket while applying pressure.

A major factor will be the status of Ravens cornerback Fabian Washington who is questionable with a thigh injury. Washinton is expected to play but has admitted concern with how long his thigh will hold up on Saturday night.

His fourth-quarter exit from last week's loss was evident on Pittsburgh's final 92-yard drive for the game-winning score. Frank Walker took his place in the lineup, forcing Ryan to use a more conservative approach as Ben Roethlisberger picked the secondary apart en route to a touchdown.

If Washington cannot go, the Ravens will need to be creative in finding an answer in the secondary for Owens. Walker nor veteran Samari Rolle have the athleticism to cover the explosive playmaker.

The Ravens will have to keep a close eye on tight end Jason Witten. He will provide a matchup problem if the Ravens are unable to get to Romo quickly enough with their blitzing schemes.

After enjoying great success in the second half of the season, quarterback Joe Flacco has struggled in his past two games, throwing for a combined 249 yards and three interceptions against Washington and Pittsburgh.

The Ravens' offensive line will need to protect Flacco from Defensive Player of the Year candidate DeMarcus Ware. Though tackles Jared Gaither and Willie Anderson have played extremely well and possess great size, Ware's 19 sacks are more than enough to concern offensive coordinator Cam Cameron a great deal.

If the Cowboys are able to pressure the rookie quarterback consistently, Flacco will likely make mistakes, potentially turning the Texas Stadium finale into a laugher.

The return of running back Ray Rice will provide a lift as he provides a receiving threat out of the backfield in addition to the bruising running style of Le'Ron McClain. Former starter Willis McGahee has become a virtual non-factor in the running game.

The Ravens will try to control the clock with their running game, but the Cowboys' seventh-ranked run defense has shut down the running game of the Steelers and Giants in their last two games. If the Ravens cannot run the ball effectively, it will force Flacco to throw with Ware and company bearing down on him, something the Ravens do not want to do.

Outlook

Both teams desperately need a win to keep their playoff destinies in their own hands.

The Cowboys figure to come out strong with the excitement and hoopla with the closing of Texas Stadium. The Ravens will need to ride the early wave of emotion and prevent Dallas from jumping ahead in the early stages.

Harbaugh's Ravens are too tough, both physically and mentally, to be overwhelmed by the emotions of the Texas Stadium finale, but they are catching the Cowboys at the wrong time.

The Baltimore defense will do an admirable job against the Cowboys' high-octane offense, but the offense will have trouble generating much of anything against the Cowboys' red-hot defense. Flacco will see better days, but he's not ready to steal a win against a defense as hot as this one.

The prediction: Cowboys 20-13

Can the Ravens keep their playoff destiny in their own hands? Or will the Cowboys put the Ravens' postseason hopes on life support? Leave your comments and predictions below.

Redskins-Ravens Preview

It's difficult to believe this will be Washington's first trip to Baltimore to play the Ravens. This game has been circled on many Baltimore fans' calendars since Art Modell announced he was moving his franchise to Baltimore for the 1996 season.

The rivalry between the teams only exists for the fans of Washington and Baltimore, but this will create an electric atmosphere in Baltimore for Sunday Night Football.

The 8-4 Ravens and 7-5 Redskins appear to be heading in opposite directions. The Ravens, winners of 6 of their 7 games, remain one game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North with a big division battle between the two looming next week.

The Redskins have lost three of their last four games, though the three losses came against three top teams in the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys.

The Redskins have the league's sixth-ranked defense and have an extremely tough secondary. When former Pro Bowl selections DeAngelo Hall and Shawn Springs are your third and fourth cornerbacks, it says something.

The Redskins struggle to get consistent pressure on the quarterback, however, as the trade for defensive end Jason Taylor (one sack) has not brought the impact pass rusher that coach Jim Zorn hoped it would.

Joe Flacco continues to improve each week and has really become a quarterback for opposing defenses to be aware of. Over the past seven games, he has thrown 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions. If the Redskins' defensive line cannot pressure the rookie, he will make some plays with his arm.

The Redskins are tough against the run, ranked seventh overall, but the Ravens' third-ranked rushing attack averages 143.8 yards per game. Look for the Ravens to control the pace of the game, using any of the three-headed attack of Le'Ron McClain, Ray Rice, and Willis McGahee. It will be interesting to see if McGahee will find his way out of coach John Harbaugh's doghouse and back onto the field this week.

Redskins running back Clinton Portis is second in the league in rushing but is slowed by several injuries. Don't expect him to get any healthier against the Ravens' third-ranked run defense that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in two seasons.

Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell has thrown only four interceptions all season, but he seems to lack that big-game confidence to lead a team down the stretch into the playoffs. He has all of the tools to succeed, but the question marks remain until he can beat a tough defense.

He'll get his chance Sunday night against the league's second-ranked defense, but he won't be up to the challenge.

The Ravens' offense will not be able to produce as much this week against a strong defense as they have over the past two weeks, but it will be more than what Portis and the Redskins can muster against the tough Baltimore defense.

The prediction: Ravens 17-10

Baltimore Ravens: Serious Contenders or Happy to be in Hunt?

Despite a convincing 34-3 road victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens continue to face the same skepticism.

When will Baltimore beat a good team? My high school team could have beaten the Bengals!

And yes, while the miserable Bengals are already looking ahead to next year’s draft (not to mention whether Marvin Lewis will be retained as head coach), it’s unjust to completely dismiss a Baltimore offense that totaled 451 yards in Sunday’s win, its highest total since 2001.

Remember, we’re talking about the Baltimore Ravens here. Despite winning Super Bowl XXXV in January 2001, the Ravens’ offense has been putrid for the past decade, wasting one of the better defenses of the past 25 years.

If the Ravens had even an average offense over the past eight years, another Super Bowl or two would have been very possible.

With that in mind, let’s acknowledge a Ravens’ offense that has averaged 30.6 points per game over the last seven weeks. Even more remarkable has been the fact that rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has led the unit, throwing 12 touchdowns with only nine interceptions.

Rookie quarterbacks are not supposed to succeed in the NFL, but don’t tell that to Flacco or Atlanta’s Matt Ryan who have their teams in the playoff race.

That’s fine, but Baltimore was crushed by Indianapolis and the New York Giants!

There’s no disputing this. The Ravens have lost six straight games to Indianapolis and have yet to find an answer for the Colts’ high-powered offense. However, the defense was missing cornerback Samari Rolle and was playing with an injured Chris McAlister, who has since been placed on injured reserve.

Rolle has since returned and the emergence of Fabian Washington at the other corner has helped to solidify the secondary. Does this mean the Ravens would definitely beat the Colts in a rematch? Of course not, but keep in mind that Flacco was only making his second career road start at the time.

The Giants thoroughly demolished the Ravens, rushing for more yards against a Ravens’ defense than any team since 1997. Baltimore was playing its third straight road game. And, oh yeah, the Giants are the best team in the NFL. Anyone that expected the Ravens to win this game was being unrealistic.

The Ravens’ two other losses came against Pittsburgh and Tennessee, considered by many as the class of the AFC. Baltimore lost by a total of six points, holding second half leads in both contests.

Both of these games took place early in the season when the offense was still finding its way with a rookie under center. Flacco has grown leaps and bounds since early October.

While the Ravens narrowly came up short against the top two teams in the AFC, does this mean they don’t deserve to be mentioned as a contender?

The numbers suggest they do.

While critics regularly mention the Ravens have only beaten two teams with a current winning record (Miami and Philadelphia), the other top teams in the AFC aren’t exactly beating the 1972 Dolphins every week.

The 11-1 Titans have beaten three teams that currently have a winning record (Minnesota, Baltimore, and Indianapolis).

And while the 9-3 Steelers are coming off an impressive victory over the New England Patriots, the only other teams they had beaten with a current winning record are Baltimore and Washington.

The other top AFC competitors, the New York Jets and the Colts, have each beaten four teams with current winning records.

What can we conclude by these findings? The “haven’t beaten anyone good” argument being used against Baltimore is not as convincing when you see how few “good” teams the other top teams in the conference have beaten.

Every team plays its share of strong and weak teams in the NFL. While strength of schedule can vary, the discrepancy between teams is rarely eye-opening like it can be in college football.

The Ravens’ schedule has been favorable to say the least, but it cannot be held against them.

In addition to looking at the schedule of opponents itself, another helpful statistic to gauge how “good” a winning team really is is total net points, comparing the number of points a team scores to the points it allows. This statistic can often expose the pretenders that are barely squeaking by poor teams and being blown out by superior teams as well as the teams with very poor defenses.

For example, the Indianapolis Colts are at +7 for net points, supporting what many have said about the Colts’ offense struggling to produce as many points as they have in past seasons. While the Colts haven’t been blown out, a 10-6 win over the Cleveland Browns isn’t exactly inspiring. Many critics believe this will doom the Colts in the playoffs.

The 7-5 Denver Broncos lead the AFC West but stand at -27, a result of having one of the worst defenses in the NFL, a reality that will likely cost the Broncos in January.

The top teams for net points in the league are not surprisingly the Giants (+146) and the Titans (+129), but who comes next? The Ravens at +102, three points better than the Steelers.

Does this mean the Ravens are the third best team in the league and are better than the Steelers? As with any stat, it is only one piece of the puzzle to consider, but it suggests the Ravens are a better team than many are giving them credit for.

What we can conclude by the Ravens’ favorable net points difference is not only are the Ravens beating the teams they’re supposed to beat, but they’re also dominating them. This is what great teams do.

The Ravens are doing exactly what needs to be done to compete for a playoff spot in the NFL: beat the teams you’re supposed to beat and hold your own against tougher opponents.

The Ravens have not lost a game to a team with a losing record, something they always seemed to do once or twice a year in the past, sometimes even costing them a playoff spot as it did in 2004.

The question of how serious a contender the Ravens can be remains unanswered, but the last four weeks will provide a clearer picture.

Starting with Sunday night’s game against the Washington Redskins in Baltimore, the Ravens will play three straight teams with winning records before finishing the regular season against Jacksonville.

If the Ravens can win two of three against Washington, Pittsburgh, and Dallas, they will be guaranteed a Wild Card spot with a win over the Jaguars at home on December 28.

Even a 2-2 record would give the Ravens a 10-6 mark and a likely playoff spot, but they would still be haunted by the same doubts of not being able to beat quality opponents.

The Ravens are beginning to show many signs of a great team. Just ask the battered Texans or the aching Bengals. Now, they’ll have to prove it to the NFL’s elite.

Ravens-Bengals Preview

This is the type of game that players love but keeps the coaching staff up at night worrying about an emotional letdown. Fresh off a dominating 36-7 victory over Philadelphia, the Ravens should dominate the Bengals as the two teams are going in opposite directions.

The Ravens will need to avoid looking past Cincinnati and ahead to next week's game with the Washington Redskins on Sunday night. Though the Bengals (1-9-1) are last in total offense, playmakers like Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh can still hurt a secondary that played extremely well last week but is still battling injuries. Ryan Fitzpatrick can make plays with his arm if the defense cannot apply consistent pressure.

Look for the Ravens to take some early shots downfield and then settle into the running game. In the season opener, Baltimore rushed for 229 yards and dominated the time of possession by nearly 13 minutes in the 17-10 victory over Cincinnati.

The key to an easy victory will be jumping ahead early. The longer the Ravens leave the Bengals in the game, Cincinnati's confidence will grow, making it difficult to pull away. The Ravens need to crush the Bengals' spirit early, making them quit.

This is the kind of game that often plagued the Brian Billick-led Ravens. It's easy to look past this game and chalk it up as a victory, but John Harbaugh consistently preaches to his players to live in the moment and not think about what's down the road. Trailing Pittsburgh by one game in the division, the Ravens know how important every game is down the stretch.

The Ravens have not swept the season series with the Bengals since 2002 and have not won in Cincinnati since 2004. Look for both of these streaks to end Sunday as Joe Flacco makes Bengals fans miss what they have in Carson Palmer.

The Ravens' exotic defensive looks will confuse Fitzpatrick, leading to a few turnovers to give Flacco and the offense a shorter field.

The prediction: Ravens 27-16

Eagles-Ravens Preview

Though the Ravens should already be highly-motivated trying to bounce back from last week's humbling 30-10 loss to the New York Giants, head coach John Harbaugh faces his old team for the first time. Having spent 10 years as an assistant in Philadelphia, Harbaugh hopes to show Andy Reid and the Eagles his head coaching pedigree. Harbaugh and Reid have much respect for each other.

The 6-4 Ravens are still in the middle of the AFC playoff race but need a win to remain one game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North. The Ravens are currently tied with three other AFC teams (Indianapolis, Miami, and New England) battling for Wild Card spots.

On the other hand, the 5-4-1 Eagles find themselves in last place in the brutal NFC East after a rare tie with Cincinnati last week. While Philadelphia is still in the playoff mix, a loss to the Ravens would provide a canyon to climb out of in the NFC.

The Eagles will attempt to exploit a Ravens' secondary that continues to bend but not break without cornerback Chris McAlister and safety Dawan Landry, both on injured reserve. Philadelphia's fourth-ranked passing offense will try to mix short passes to running back Brian Westbrook and shots downfield to rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

The Ravens will need to get consistent pressure on quarterback Donovan McNabb to prevent the Eagles' passing game from finding its rhythm. Despite holding a solid 84.7 quarterback rating, McNabb has thrown five interceptions in his last three games.

Westbrook and the Eagles' running game will have a difficult time getting anything going on the ground, facing the third-best rush defense in the league.

On the other side, the Ravens will try to crank up the running game against the Eagles' 11th-ranked rush defense. It's no coincidence the Ravens win when they run the ball successfully. Of the Ravens' four losses, they failed to rush for more than 132 yards in any game. The Eagles will need to keep an eye on running back Ray Rice, as the rookie brings more diversity to the Ravens' backfield.

The Ravens' banged-up offensive line must protect quarterback Joe Flacco from the Eagles' dangerous blitzing packages. Adam Terry is expected to start at left tackle in place of the injured Jared Gaither. Right tackle Willie Anderson is expected to return to the starting lineup. The Eagles have sacked the quarterback 36 times this season, tied for first in the NFL.

Wide receiver Derrick Mason is still bothered by a sore shoulder but is Flacco's best receiver. If the offensive line can keep Flacco upright, Mason will be able to move the chains against the Eagles' secondary.

This game comes down to how well the Ravens will be able to run the ball against the Philadelphia defense and how effectively McNabb can pass on the Baltimore secondary. The Ravens' running game will allow the home team to control the clock, keeping the Eagles' talent passing game off the field.

Playing before the M&T Bank Stadium crowd for the first time in a month, the Ravens will be on a mission to avenge the humiliating loss to the Giants. The Eagles will be competing for their playoff lives but will come up short in Baltimore.

The prediction: Ravens 21-17

History Repeating Itself? Ravens Hope Not

The Baltimore Ravens were flying high, having won four in a row and three straight road games, heading into last Sunday’s battle against the Super Bowl champion New York Giants. The confident 6-3 Ravens had visions of an upset on their minds.

What followed was a humbling 30-10 defeat in which the Ravens were brutalized by the same style of play that they have proudly used against others over much of the past decade. The Ravens’ intimidating defense surrendered 207 yards on the ground, their highest total allowed since 1997.

As the Ravens pick up the pieces and prepare for Sunday’s game with the Philadelphia Eagles, one has to wonder how a team for which few had high expectations entering the season will respond. After taking such a strong hit to their pride at Giants Stadium, will the Ravens wilt down the stretch with a difficult schedule still to come? Or, will they show the same resiliency they did bouncing back from a 41-3 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts in early October to start a four-game winning streak?

The Ravens’ veteran leaders hope to avoid a conclusion similar to what the team experienced only four years ago.

Much like the current team, the 2004 Ravens were gaining more and more confidence with a 7-3 record in late November, heading into New England to take on the Super Bowl champion Patriots. The defending AFC North champion Ravens were determined to prove they belonged in the elite company of the Patriots. A win would put them in prime position for a playoff spot.

Second-year quarterback Kyle Boller was showing improvement after putting up two-straight 200-yard performances in wins against the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. The Ravens’ offense was finding its stride going into New England despite injuries to tight end Todd Heap and running back Jamal Lewis.

After playing the Patriots to a 3-3 tie at halftime, the Ravens were demolished in the second half and lost 24-3. Patriots running back Corey Dillon ran all over the Ravens’ defense on his way to 123 rushing yards. Boller and the offense managed only 124 total yards against a stingy Patriots defense.

Though a win was not expected, the effect of the humbling loss was huge. The Cincinnati Bengals came to Baltimore the following week with a 5-6 record and little hope for the playoffs. The situation was perfect for the Ravens to get their season back on track with a victory.

The game went according to plan for three quarters with the Ravens building a seemingly insurmountable 20-3 lead by the end of the third quarter. However, the Ravens’ defense that had entered the New England game as the top-scoring unit in the league allowed 24 points and three touchdown passes by Carson Palmer in the fourth quarter, leading to a 27-26 loss before a shocked M&T Bank Stadium crowd.

The back-to-back losses initiated a 2-4 finish, leaving the 9-7 Ravens out of the playoffs.

While most of the 2004 team has since departed, including the entire starting offense except tight end Todd Heap, defensive veterans such as Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs hope to avoid a similar finish to this season.

One has to wonder what potential damage the loss to the Giants will do to the psyche of the defense. Anyone that has ever watched the Ravens’ defense knows the confidence and swagger it brings to the gridiron every week. What lasting effect will it have knowing the Giants seemingly imposed their will on the Ravens in the same way they are used to doing to others?

The loss to the Giants was not unexpected, but the way in which the Ravens were physically dominated was startling.

Perhaps the most troubling reality for the Ravens entering the season’s final six weeks is the increasing number of injuries. Already with a league-high 16 players on injured reserve, including three defensive starters, offensive tackles Jared Gaither, Adam Terry, and Willie Anderson are battling injuries. With a rookie quarterback playing in intense games down the stretch, unstable tackle play could spell disaster for the Ravens’ offense.

Though Joe Flacco did not have much success through the air, last Sunday’s performance was more unlucky than bad. Despite seemingly having nerves of steel, can Flacco continue to maintain the same poise in late November and December? Head coach John Harbaugh and the rest of the staff have to be cognizant in monitoring the young quarterback down the stretch.

Flacco is the real deal and the future of the franchise, but few rookies have been able to thrive when the stakes are high late in the season. Supporters point to Ben Roethlisberger leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 15-1 mark and the AFC Championship game in 2004, but recently, Roethlisberger’s former coach Bill Cowher described him as being exhausted, both physically and mentally, at the end of the season.

These issues will be watched closely, starting with Sunday’s game against the Eagles. Much like the Bengals game in 2004, the Ravens seemingly have a winnable game against a struggling opponent. Though the Eagles are more formidable than the 2004 Bengals, they sit in last place in the NFC East at 5-4-1 with their playoff hopes in serious need of a victory.

The Ravens’ defense must regain its confidence and not allow quarterback Donovan McNabb and the Eagles’ offense to get back on track after struggling last week in Cincinnati. A loss, coupled with injuries, could send the Ravens on a similar path to what they experienced in 2004.

It is time to see if the Ravens can lift themselves up from adversity and regain their swagger heading down the stretch. Only then will we know they can avoid repeating the same history that took place four years ago.

Ravens-Giants Preview

The Baltimore Ravens have proven they are a good football team, entering Week 11 on a four-game winning streak including three straight on the road. Sunday's game gives Baltimore the opportunity to show they deserve to be mentioned in the NFL's elite.

Traveling to Giants Stadium to take on the Super Bowl champions will be a daunting task. Quarterback Joe Flacco will be pressured by the best front four in the NFL. The Giants' defense is so effective, because they do not have to blitz to pressure the quarterback, allowing the linebackers to drop into pass coverage. Look for the Ravens to use Ray Rice on draws and short passes out of the backfield to keep the linebackers close to the line of scrimmage.

This will be a classic case of each team trying to impose its will on the other as both pride themselves in running the ball and stopping the run. New York's top-ranked running game will be tested against the best run defense in the league. Brandon Jacobs brings a freakish combination of size (264 pounds) and speed, but the Baltimore defense never backs down from a challenge. Linebackers Ray Lewis and Bart Scott will have to keep an eye on Derrick Ward, a receiving threat out of the backfield.

This game will be decided by the quarterbacks where the Giants have the edge. The Ravens will contain the Giants' running game, but the secondary will have difficulty stopping Eli Manning and the Giants' passing game. Plaxico Burress presents a matchup problem, as cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Samari Rolle lack the height to defend the jumpball. The Ravens must find a way to pressure Manning, or he will gradually pick apart the secondary.

Flacco will have a difficult time finding open receivers while being pressured by defensive ends Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka. Having wide receiver Derrick Mason (dislocated shoulder) on the field would be a major boost, but he will be a game-time decision. Tight end Todd Heap will need to be involved in the passing game as he was last week against Houston. If the offensive line can give Flacco enough time, the Ravens will test the New York secondary with the deep ball.

Flacco has exceeded nearly everyone's expectations in his rookie season, and he will have to do it again for the Ravens to pull off the upset. The Ravens will bring a courageous effort, proving they belong in the playoff hunt, but will come up short at The Meadowlands.

The prediction: Giants 20-17

Ravens-Texans Preview

The Ravens will feel some extra motivation when they travel to Houston to take on the Texans on Sunday. This was to be their bye week, but the game originally scheduled for Sept. 14 was postponed due to Hurricane Ike.

The Texans are reeling after losing linebacker, and leading tackler, Zac Diles for the rest of the season due to a broken leg and quarterback Matt Schaub (knee) for a few games, helping the Ravens' chances of winning their third straight road game.

The Ravens' defense will be tested by the 4th-ranked offense in the NFL. Explosive wide receiver Andre Johnson may prove to be the secondary's biggest challenge of the entire season. The return of cornerback Samari Rolle, out for the last six games, will help to neutralize the Texans' dangerous passing attack.

Houston's 23rd-ranked run defense will struggle to stop the Ravens' three-headed monster of Willis McGahee, Ray Rice, and Le'Ron McClain at running back. The Ravens will once again attempt to control the game on the ground, keeping the Houston offense on the sideline.

The Ravens need this win badly before the difficult stretch of playing the NFC East begins next week. A loss here creates a steep path to the playoffs with the difficult part of the schedule looming ahead. Quarterback Joe Flacco builds on his stellar day in Cleveland by throwing two touchdown passes while the defense contains quarterback Sage Rosenfels and the Houston offense after allowing Johnson to catch a touchdown pass.

Prediction: Ravens 24 Texans 13

Ravens Throw Away Old Script

It appeared to be the same exhausted script in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon.

After taking an early 10-0 lead and outplaying the Cleveland Browns for much of the first half, the Baltimore Ravens allowed their lead to vanish after giving up a late second-quarter field goal to make the score 13-13 at halftime. It appeared the Ravens would summon the ghosts of last season, outplaying a team early, only to fall apart in the second half on their way to another loss.

Quarterback Joe Flacco and the offense promptly went three-and-out to begin the second half before Cleveland return specialist Josh Cribbs returned a punt 32 yards, setting up a Braylon Edwards 28-yard touchdown catch, giving Cleveland the 20-13 lead.

Here we go again. How would the offense respond? Another three-and-out. We’ve seen this story before.

It got worse when running back Jason Wright caught a 7-yard touchdown pass on the next drive. Cleveland was ahead 27-13. The Ravens’ secondary, decimated by injuries, appeared to be on life support, unable to slow the Browns’ passing attack. Surely, the offense would not be able to help the Ravens’ tiring defense.

Time to change the channel, right? Not so fast.

Flacco and the offense responded with an inspiring drive covering 11 plays and 79 yards. Fullback Le’Ron McClain’s 1-yard touchdown run put the Ravens in striking distance.

All right, at least they’re going to make it respectable.

Then, on the Ravens’ first drive of the fourth quarter, Flacco hit Derrick Mason on a 28-yard touchdown, tying the game.

Wait a minute. Is this really the Ravens’ offense?

The offense would orchestrate another drive for the game-winning field goal on their way to an impressive 37-27 victory in an AFC North battle. Besides keeping pace with the Pittsburgh Steelers and improving their playoff chances, the Ravens showed things are changing in Baltimore.

Over the past decade, the Ravens’ defense would always have to rescue the inept offense. A big play from Ray Lewis or Ed Reed would turn a surefire defeat into an unlikely victory for the Ravens. Very rarely would former coach Brian Billick’s offense provide the spark to make the difference late in the game.

So naturally, on those rare occasions when the defense would begin to falter, as it did in the third quarter on Sunday, there was little hope.

Enter Flacco and Cam Cameron. The rookie quarterback and new offensive coordinator have brought confidence to the defense’s ugly stepsibling. A group that for years was only asked to “not mess it up” for the defense is now showing it can contribute when the defense needs the assist.

Instead of panicking and abandoning the strong running game, as the coaching staff often did in past seasons when falling behind, Cameron stuck to the game plan. From the time Cleveland took a 27-13 lead until Matt Stover kicked a 22-yard field goal to put the Ravens ahead 30-27, the Ravens ran a total of 21 plays, 10 passes and 11 runs.

The defense needed a lift? No problem, said Cameron. If the offense is able to continue in doing so, the Ravens can be a factor in the AFC after few expected it.

How did the defense show its appreciation to the offense for picking up the slack? Linebacker Terrell Suggs crushed Cleveland’s faint hopes by intercepting a screen pass and returning it 42 yards for the touchdown.

So that’s what a team victory looks like.

Of course, the defense still reigns supreme, ranked 2^nd in the NFL, while the offense is a modest 19^th, but those paying close attention can see the subtle shift taking place.

It started back in April when general manager Ozzie Newsome drafted Flacco in the first round and running back Ray Rice in the second. Rice ran for 154 yards on Sunday in place of the injured Willis McGahee.

The Ravens are committed to building a more-balanced team, especially as the punishing defense continues to age. There is more work to do, as the front office still needs to address the wide receiver position in the offseason, but Sunday provided a glimpse into a brighter future for the Ravens’ offense.

Championship teams do not have to have a record-breaking defense to carry a struggling offense as the 2000 Ravens did. Teams like that only come along every 40 or 50 years. One unit cannot do it alone, as the Ravens have painfully learned in the seasons following their victory in Super Bowl XXXV. A championship team needs an offense, defense, and special teams that can provide a lift to one another when the game is on the line.

Sunday provided a sample of what coach John Harbaugh and Newsome envision for the Ravens moving forward.

"We're going to be a dynasty," said Harbaugh earlier this season. "If you're not willing to say it out loud, how do you expect to get there?"

Harbaugh’s plan is clear. While defense remains king in Baltimore, the offense is beginning to show it’s ready to play.

The State of the Ravens - 6 Questions to Ponder

As the Ravens sit at 4-3, second place in the AFC North, here are six questions to ponder at the halfway point.

1) How will the Ravens finish?

The Ravens face a difficult stretch of three straight road games, starting this Sunday in Cleveland. If they can go 2-1 against Cleveland, Houston, and the New York Giants, they will put themselves in position to contend for a playoff spot.

Facing the impressive NFC East will allow the Ravens to show what they’re made of. A 2-2 record against New York, Philadelphia, Washington, and Dallas would impress and put them in contention. They also face difficult home games against Pittsburgh and Jacksonville at the end of the season.

Considering the injuries to the offensive line and secondary, 9-7 would be a realistic goal and would exceed the expectations of most people entering the season. Given the competitive balance of the AFC this season, this would allow the Ravens to contend for the playoffs, quite a feat for a team with a rookie quarterback and coming off a 5-11 season a year ago.

2) What will quarterback Joe Flacco's final statistics look like?

Flacco’s poise and confidence as a rookie has to excite Ravens fans that have yearned for a franchise quarterback since the team’s inception in 1996. His calm demeanor is exactly what you want in a starting quarterback.

As for this season, Flacco simply lacks the weapons to really take the next step, production-wise. Though Derrick Mason is as reliable as they come in the short to intermediate range, the Ravens lack a receiver that can stretch the field, especially now that Demetrius Williams is on injured-reserve.

Flacco has clearly struggled when throwing beyond 12 or 13 yards. Part of this is due to inexperience, but the receivers’ lack of separation is a major reason why. Mark Clayton is too similar to Mason and cannot beat his man consistently.

Flacco’s season stats will be somewhere in the area of 2,800 yards with 13 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

3) Will Todd Heap's role in the offense increase?

Heap is starting to see more passes being thrown his way. Due to the uncertainty at both left and right tackle, Heap has been used more as a blocker, especially earlier in the season. As Jared Gaither and Willie Anderson continue to gel with the rest of the offensive line, Heap’s blocking will not be needed quite as much. However, the injuries to Adam Terry and Marshal Yanda (injured-reserve) have depleted the line’s depth, further complicating the situation.

Heap is still trying to win over the new coaching staff. His toughness has come into question, as he missed much of training camp with a calf injury after missing most of last season with a torn hamstring.

It will be interesting to see if Cam Cameron attempts to throw a few more wrinkles into the offense, trying to get Heap more involved. If not, it will be difficult to justify keeping him around after this season, given his high salary.

4) Now that he's healthy, will Troy Smith continue to get more playing time?

The “Suggs” package has sparked much excitement in Baltimore this past week. It is refreshing to see a Ravens offense with imagination and trickery after so many years of vanilla packages and ineffectiveness.

However, let’s not print the playoff tickets yet. This is a gimmick offense. It will only remain effective in small doses. As Smith continues to play, more tape will be available to opposing teams for scouting. Smith is athletic, no doubt, but he is not as fast as a young Donovan McNabb or Michael Vick.

John Harbaugh and Cameron must also remember they have a rookie quarterback to groom. Though Flacco appears to have nerves of steel, there’s no telling what effect it could have on him if Smith is inserted into the offense more and more, especially in passing situations.

Flacco is clearly the starting quarterback and the future of the organization. Fans calling for Smith need to remember that Flacco now has seven career starts compared to Smith’s two. Smith’s edge in experience is no longer there.

Flacco needs to be given every opportunity to grow into the offense and make it “his.” Can Smith be a part of that offense? Yes, but Cameron needs to look at the long-term progress of the offense, not just this week or this season.

5) What positions will the Ravens target in the 2009 NFL Draft?

General manager Ozzie Newsome will continue to live by the mantra “best player available.” The Ravens’ history of drafting in the first round is outstanding.

Depending on how they finish, the Ravens will look to draft a good young cornerback such as Malcolm Jenkins from Ohio State or Vontae Davis from Illinois. The current tandem of Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle are on the wrong side of 30 and may not even be with the team in 2009.

If no corners are available, they will look to grab a wide receiver that can really stretch the field. Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey would be a popular choice. Heyward-Bey has good size and blinding speed. Jeremy Maclin of Missouri and Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech could also be good fits.

The Ravens could also look at defensive end, as veteran Trevor Pryce may not return in 2009.

6) Who will not be a Raven in 2009?

With the recent clash between cornerback Chris McAlister and Harbaugh, it appears the former first-round pick could be on his way out of town. McAlister’s knee is in bad shape, and his attitude is even worse. It would be hard to justify keeping a high-priced veteran cornerback with a bum knee and a bad attitude beyond this season. He is not a Harbaugh guy.

Cornerback Samari Rolle has battled injuries the past two seasons and could be a salary-cap cut. The team desperately needs to get younger at cornerback.

Inside linebacker Bart Scott will likely leave as a free agent, because the Ravens will have to sign linebackers Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis to new contracts. Scott is a product of Rex Ryan’s system and can easily be replaced by Nick Greisen or a healthy Tavares Gooden next season.

Pryce may retire or could possibly be cut to save cap room.

The Ravens will definitely look to get much younger in 2009 while maintaining Lewis and their core group of younger players.

McAlister Becoming Unnecessary Distraction

Ravens coach John Harbaugh promised to bring a hard-nosed, no-nonsense approach to a team sorely lacking discipline over Brian Billick’s final seasons in Baltimore.

The new philosophy figured to ruffle the feathers of a few veteran players accustomed to playing by their own rules during Billick’s tenure.

While most veterans appear to have bought into Harbaugh’s approach, what about cornerback Chris McAlister, the loose cannon of the Ravens’ dominating defense over the past decade?

The issue came to the forefront last Sunday when McAlister did not start and was limited to only eight plays in the Ravens’ 27-13 victory in Miami. Fourth cornerback Frank Walker started in his place.

Following the game, Harbaugh told reporters McAlister was rested due to a recurring injury, but McAlister insisted to reporters that his injured right knee was healthy. He was not listed on the injury report.

Then, earlier this week, Harbaugh began to change his story in explaining McAlister’s absence.

“It's a football decision,” Harbaugh told reporters. “We're always going to put the best 11 players on the field for that situation. That's what we did [Sunday]. We had the corners out there in those situations that we wanted to have out there.”

Though McAlister played poorly the previous week in a loss to Indianapolis, he leads the team with three interceptions. The secondary is already missing injured starters Samari Rolle and Dawan Landry, so the decision to sit McAlister after one bad game appears suspicious.

Anyone following the 1999 first round pick’s career had to wonder if McAlister was being punished. Harbaugh confirmed McAlister violated the team’s dress code policy prior to boarding the team bus before Sunday’s game but refused to confirm the violation caused the benching.

Why such a mysterious explanation when it’s clear McAlister was yanked for breaking team rules?

“You have to read between the lines,” McAlister told reporters on Wednesday. “I don't know. He said I wasn't disciplined, so I wasn't disciplined.”

For all of his accomplishments, including a victory in Super Bowl XXXV and three Pro Bowl appearances, McAlister’s conduct has been a sticking point in his 10 seasons in Baltimore.

He was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana in 2000 and was arrested for driving under the influence in 2003. The charges were dropped in both cases.

In addition to legal issues, McAlister has also faced team discipline in the past. In 2003, McAlister broke curfew and skipped a team meeting before being fined and sent home prior to a game in San Diego.

Though the former coach Billick was often criticized for manipulating the media and spinning various stories, he acted definitively in suspending McAlister for his conduct. The suspension seemed to have no harmful effect on McAlister, as he went on to earn his first trip to the Pro Bowl following the season.

Why didn’t Harbaugh do the same? If he is trying to protect his Pro Bowl cornerback’s psyche, it doesn’t seem to be working. In fact, it may be doing the opposite.

“The man [Harbaugh] said he put his best 11 [players] on the field,” McAlister said to reporters. “Obviously, he thinks Frank [Walker] is better than me.”

The rookie head coach must stand up to veterans such as McAlister, Ed Reed, and Ray Lewis to show there’s a new man in charge of leading the Ravens.

Swaying on a delicate issue like player conduct does not establish strong leadership with the veterans in the locker room. If a player breaks a team rule, discipline him, explain what happened (simply call it “conduct detrimental to the team”), and move on.

Following Billick’s model for disciplining McAlister in 2003 would have quickly defused the situation. It was a direct approach that worked with the troubled player.

So, instead of talking about the upcoming game against the Oakland Raiders, we’re wondering whether McAlister will be one of the “best 11” on Sunday.

A successful head coach needs to speak and act definitively, or he will lose his football team. Harbaugh preaches accountability and no nonsense with his players, but he needs to take his own advice in handling the McAlister situation. Don’t blame the benching on an injury or performance.

Perhaps it will eventually lead to McAlister’s departure from Baltimore, but Harbaugh needs to think about the rest of his football team. An unnecessary distraction is not what the team needs when it plays three straight games on the road following Sunday’s game in Baltimore.

This is a pivotal point in the season for both the 3-3 team and its rookie head coach. Harbaugh needs to come clean and end the debate. If not, the distraction will continue to affect McAlister and the rest of the team.

Adding another twist to the soap opera, McAlister was listed as limited in practice in Wednesday’s injury report. Maybe McAlister was injured in one of those eight plays against Miami, but critics are not buying it.

Stay tuned, as it seems there may be a few more chapters to this story.

Baltimoreans Still Feel Pain of Lost Legacy

Howard Brothers settles into his living room in Baltimore on a Sunday afternoon in the fall to watch the Baltimore Ravens play on television.

After the Baltimore defense forces another punt, the network telecast breaks to highlights of another game. The studio analyst announces Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has just broken another franchise passing record, eclipsing Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas.

Brothers, 75, gets that familiar twinge in his stomach. Not because he dislikes Manning. He actually admires the quarterback’s play.

The problem is his hero Unitas never played a down in Indianapolis.

The trouble is seeing that old horseshoe and the blue and white uniforms.

The sting is hearing the name “Colts.”

Twenty-five years after the Colts played their last home game at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, these feelings continue to resonate with Brothers and many Baltimore fans over the age of 30.

“It makes me feel lousy really," he said. "[Manning] may set franchise records for Indianapolis, but not for the Baltimore Colts. That’s ridiculous. It should be a separate [history].”

Baltimore fans bristle at the notion that they should let these hard feelings go. How callous is it to tell someone to get over something that brought numerous hardened, blue-collar men to infant tears on the morning of March 28, 1984 when owner Robert Irsay and the Colts skipped town in the middle of the night?

For many, it would be like telling them to forget about the death of a family member. These are scars that will never fully heal no matter how many Super Bowl rings the Ravens may win or how many games Indianapolis might lose.

“It was a shock,” said Brothers. “Even though you knew something was coming, it was just a big shock when you lose a team that you rooted for all that time. You couldn’t believe it. They showed the moving van with the snow coming down [on TV]. It was terrible really, a terrible time to lose something like that.”

Older Baltimore fans still remember their Colts fondly, recalling how it brought the community together every Sunday. Players lived locally and worked there in the offseason. Even the demigod Unitas could be seen mowing his lawn or playing catch with the local children of his neighborhood.

Quite a difference from today’s players.

“There was nothing like the old Colts," said Brothers. "It was like a religious experience every Sunday…That’s what you lived for the whole week. ‘Come on Sunday.’ It was amazing.”

The NFL has changed dramatically since Unitas and the Colts dominated the late 1950s. In Baltimore’s 12-year NFL hiatus, from 1984-1996, the NFL introduced free agency, the salary cap, and personal seat licenses for season tickets.

Though the scars of the Colts’ departure remain, Brothers adopted the Ravens as his new team when they arrived in Baltimore in 1996. His sense of civic pride and devotion to Baltimore sports enabled him to embrace the NFL once again, though it’s not quite the same.

Many fans that experienced losing the Colts were at first hesitant to embrace the Ravens, given the circumstances surrounding their move from Cleveland. It just did not feel quite right, though Baltimore had tried to secure an expansion team when the league awarded teams to Jacksonville and Charlotte in 1993.

“I was thrilled when they came here,” said Brothers. “Of course, the way they got it was the same way that Indianapolis got the Colts. [Cleveland] griped and all, but at least they kept all the Browns’ records and everything. We didn’t get anything from Indianapolis.”

Unlike Brothers, you will not find Mirv Metzger, of Millers, Md., camped in front of the television watching football on an autumn Sunday afternoon. Metzger, 60, still considers the Baltimore Colts to be his favorite team, even though they disappeared in 1984. Metzger has never been able to adopt the Ravens as his new team, still feeling an undying sense of loyalty to the team that takes the field every Sunday only in his memories.

His disgust with the NFL and his belief that the league made Baltimore jump through hoops to secure another franchise was the final straw for him.

“The move was the biggest point, but then realizing that the state of Maryland was using my dollars to dance with the NFL, it just helped legitimize my position. [The league] broke their rules to do what they wanted and to just say to the [city] that really made this team what it was, we don’t [care]…I guess I was really just done with the NFL. The Colts name doesn’t belong in Indianapolis. If you’re going to do that to us, then I’m done with you.”

The 12-year absence of football in Baltimore has created an interesting dichotomy in the Baltimore fan base. While older fans can remember the Colts playing in Baltimore, younger fans are unsure where the history of the old Colts fit with today’s Ravens.

Though younger fans were not around to experience the glory days of the Colts and their subsequent departure, this does not prevent many dedicated younger fans from embracing their city’s rich football tradition. The younger fan’s sense of tradition and appreciation of the Colts stems from oral histories passed down by previous generations.
Michael Guss, a 26-year old Ravens fan from Wilmington, Del., embraces the history of the Colts despite only being a baby when the team left town. Not only does it allow him to connect with his Baltimore roots but also with his family.

“My grandfather had season tickets to the Colts, and I have heard many stories over the years of going to the games [at Memorial Stadium],” he said. “You definitely feel a sense of appreciation when you see old videos like the 1958 championship game.”

Guss believes serious Baltimore football fans, regardless of age, should make the effort to learn their city’s football heritage.

“It is very important because without those players and teams, the NFL would not be like it is today,” he said. “It’s harder for the [younger] fan to appreciate it all due to the disconnect created by the move. Almost a whole generation of football fans was lost by that.”

While some younger fans feel this strong connection with the past, the absence of football for 12 years created a generation gap for many younger fans that failed to have a Baltimore football upbringing. Many of these younger fans grew up rooting for other NFL teams or simply not watching professional football.

Justin Milesky, a 25-year old Ravens fan from New Freedom, Pa., acknowledges what the old Colts accomplished in Baltimore but does not feel a connection with the city’s former team. He believes the influence of family has the greatest impact on whether a younger fan will embrace the history of the Colts.

“I didn’t grow up with the strong Baltimore Colts, Baltimore sports fans in my family, so I didn’t have that appreciation drilled into me and learn the history until the past couple years,” said Milesky. “Your dad, your parents, your grandparents are the biggest influence on who you’re a fan of.”

Perhaps the most effective way for younger fans to feel a connection to the city’s rich tradition is the Baltimore Ravens.

December 28, 2008 will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1958 NFL Championship game between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants. Baltimore won 23-17 in overtime, ushering in the explosion in popularity of professional football in America . The Ravens play at home against Jacksonville on that day and plan to honor the living members of the 1958 team, including Lenny Moore, Art Donovan, Gino Marchetti, and Raymond Berry.

“This city will really see that in the coming months,” said Guss. “The Ravens will do a great job like always with events like this.”

Though the name, colors, and records remain in Indianapolis, the Ravens have embraced the city’s football history, placing the Baltimore Colts’ Hall of Famers in their Ring of Honor and erecting a statue of Unitas in 2002. The rubbing of Unitas’ famous high top has quickly become a ritual for Ravens fans passing the statue as they enter M&T Bank Stadium.

Despite the Ravens' attempt in preserving Baltimore football history, one issue commonly agreed upon by the different generations of Baltimore fans is a belief that the NFL failed miserably in protecting the legacy of the Baltimore Colts. Where was the NFL in 1984 when Irsay was allowed to not only move the franchise but also take the team’s colors, name, and records? While the NFL learned from their mistake in preserving these for the city of Cleveland in 1995, how does this help heal the wounds of long-time Baltimore fans?

Does it make any sense for Unitas, Moore, and other Colts legends to be honored in the Indianapolis Colts wing of the Hall of Fame despite never playing there or having any ties to the present franchise in a different city?

“I think it’s one of the worst things associated with the move, how [Indianapolis] was able to keep the logo and records all of this time,” said Guss.

A compromise would be to separate the history of the Baltimore Colts (1953-1983) and Indianapolis Colts (1984-present) into separate displays at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Fans have been clamoring for the NFL to do this for years.

Even if the NFL can work out a satisfactory compromise for both Baltimore and Indianapolis, will Baltimore fans ever move on completely from the Colts and eventually view them just like any other NFL team? Some will, others refuse to, and some cannot move on, even if they really wanted to. It still hurts that deeply, even 25 years later.

Critics point to the fact that Baltimore has now had a second football team for 13 seasons and even won a Super Bowl title six years before the Indianapolis Colts were able to. To put it in proper perspective, the Colts have now played in Indianapolis only six fewer years than they did in Baltimore.

“As much as it has been written and opined to ‘get over it,’ it really cannot be the case for many people,” said Guss. “The people that say and write those things are not the people that lost an NFL team. While it may be okay for the younger crowd to think that, it definitely will never go away from the fans that were here in 1984, even if they had stopped going to the games years before that.”

While time and the budding love for the Ravens may continue to dull the sharp pain of the Colts leaving town, the pain in losing their football identity continues to linger in the hearts of many Baltimore football fans. Older fans lost their team, and all Baltimore fans lost a legacy that should have remained, even if the franchise did not.

Costly Mistakes Doom Ravens' Impressive Effort

The Baltimore Ravens displayed their ability to play with a top gun of the AFC on Monday night but also renewed an old habit of self-destructing at a critical point in the game.

The Ravens outplayed the Pittsburgh Steelers for most of the night, but a costly penalty and protection breakdowns in the third quarter ultimately led to a 23-20 defeat in overtime at Heinz Field on Monday night.

Santonio Holmes' 38-yard touchdown catch followed by LaMarr Woodley's 7-yard fumble return for a touchdown turned the Ravens' 13-3 lead into a 17-13 deficit in only 15 seconds during the third quarter, but rookie quarterback Joe Flacco led the Baltimore offense to a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to force the extra period.

The Ravens failed to muster any points on the opening drive of overtime before Pittsburgh kicker Josh Reed kicked the game-winning 46-yard field goal.

Despite the disappointing loss, the Ravens' impressive performance showed a national audience that their previous wins against the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns were no flukes.

Here is a final look at the Ravens' overtime loss in Pittsburgh.

The Good

Derrick Mason

Mason continues to be Flacco's main target in the passing game, accumulating 137 yards on eight receptions. The pair connected for several key first-down receptions throughout the night.

A questionable incomplete call in the first quarter wiped out a potential 15-yard touchdown. Replays showed that Mason appeared to get both feet inbounds and control the ball, but head coach John Harbaugh decided not to challenge the ruling. Matt Stover later kicked a 33-yard field goal on the drive.

Unlike past seasons, Mason is gaining more yardage after the catch, breaking tackles and even throwing an occasional stiff arm. With the lack of production from the other receivers, Mason has developed a strong chemistry with the rookie Flacco.

Sam Koch

The punter had a 47.4 average and placed two punts inside the 20, giving the Ravens the edge in field position for much of the night. Koch is getting good hang time on his punts, allowing the coverage team to get down field and neutralize the return.

His only blemish came in the third quarter when he shanked a 27-yard punt to give better field position to the Pittsburgh offense on their own 33-yard line. Pittsburgh eventually scored their first touchdown on the ensuing drive.

First-Half Defense

The defensive unit played very well for most of the night but was especially dominant in the first half. The Ravens allowed only 46 yards of total offense in the first half, as defenders were able to pressure quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the secondary provided strong coverage.

The front seven allowed very little room to run and controlled the line of scrimmage.

Corey Ivy, Terrell Suggs, and Trevor Pryce each accumulated a sack in the first half. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata intercepted a Roethlisberger pass to swing the field-position battled and lead to the Ravens' first points of the game.

Ray Lewis

Critics continue to insist that Lewis has lost a step from his best years, but any steps that he may have lost have been replaced with a higher football intellect and tremendous instincts.

Lewis was all over the field, accumulating 13 tackles to lead the Ravens' defense. He also had two key tackles on the goal line to hold Pittsburgh to a field goal in the fourth quarter and give the offense the opportunity to tie the game in the closing minutes.

At 33-years old, Lewis is still one of the best defensive players in the game and continues to lead a ferocious Baltimore defense.

Joe Flacco

Despite Flacco's two fumbles in the third quarter, the rookie refused to wilt and displayed strong composure in his first road game against the Ravens' biggest rival. Few could have expected such a strong performance by Flacco in his first road start in a hostile environment such as Heinz Field.

Many young quarterbacks would have folded in the aftermath of the disastrous third quarter, but Flacco rebounded to lead the offense to a touchdown in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter to tie the game.

Flacco still needs to improve in protecting the football, as his second fumble could have been avoided by tucking the ball away.

The moves he displayed in buying time and completing a 26-yard pass to Mason in the third quarter should silence any questions about his mobility. Unlike many young quarterbacks, Flacco keeps his eyes downfield as he scrambles instead of simply tucking the ball and looking to run.

He and Mason are quickly becoming an impressive passing duo.

The Bad

Return Unit

The kick and punt return teams failed to provide any spark throughout the night. The units failed to provide any seams to spring returner Yamon Figurs. Figurs also fumbled a punt in the second quarter but was able to recover.

In overtime, a holding penalty negated Figurs' return to the Baltimore 48 and moved the offense back to their own 15. Not only did this spoil the Ravens' opening drive of the extra period, but it also allowed Pittsburgh to control the field position and win the game with a 46-yard field goal on their next drive.

With the Ravens lacking explosive playmakers on offense, the return teams need to provide more of a spark than they did against Pittsburgh. One or two big returns could have put the Ravens in better position to win the game.

Tackling

Although the defense turned in a strong overall performance, the unit needs to improve its tackling. On Holmes' touchdown reception in the third quarter, defensive backs Chris McAlister and Ed Reed missed tackles that could have prevented the receiver from scoring.

Safety Jim Leonhard, starting for the injured Dawan Landry, missed a tackle in overtime that allowed Pittsburgh to move closer for the winning field goal. Safety Tom Zbikowski and linebacker Bart Scott also missed opportunities to sack Roethlisberger.

Adam Terry

While other members of the offensive line such as Jared Gaither struggled with protection in the second half, Terry allowed a sack while lining up on the left side and allowed pressure from Woodley that led to Flacco's second fumble of the third quarter.

Terry needs to sure up his pass blocking, or the coaching staff will look to veteran Willie Anderson to take his spot at right tackle.

Deep Passing Game

Though Flacco has built a strong chemistry with Mason, the Ravens' passing offense needs more explosive downfield plays with receivers Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams. Neither receiver has been able to create much separation or make plays on deep balls.

Flacco needs to get his deep throws away much sooner and has to break the habit of throwing flat-footed on some deeper passes. His arm strength is an obvious strength, but he needs to use it more effectively.

Opposing defenses will continue to creep up to the line of scrimmage and stack more defenders in the box if the offense is unable to stretch the field.

Where is Todd Heap? The Ravens' tight end has virtually disappeared, though he stayed in to block on many max protection formations.

The Ugly

Lack of Discipline

Much like recent seasons, the Ravens continued to hurt themselves with critical extracurricular penalties after the play.

The most critical penalty came in the third quarter when linebacker Jarret Johnson shoved Hines Ward on the sideline, drawing a 15-yard penalty and pushing the struggling Steelers' offense into Ravens' territory. Three plays later, Roethlisberger connected with Holmes for the score, swinging the momentum in Pittsburgh's favor.

Penalties are part of the game and are easier to swallow when they take place during play, but the Ravens' lack of discipline continues to hurt them in big games. While Johnson is a classy player who simply lost his cool during the heat of the moment, the mistake ultimately led to the series of events that caused the Ravens to lose the lead and, ultimately, the game.

Linebacker Antwan Barnes was also flagged for a personal foul on the Steelers' first drive of the game. The penalty offset a Pittsburgh penalty that would have turned a 3rd and 3 situation into a more difficult 3rd and 8. Pittsburgh converted the play, leading to the eventual field goal.

Special teams’ standout Brendon Ayanbadejo earned an unnecessary roughness penalty, pushing a Ravens' punt return from their own 33-yard line to the 18.

Harbaugh was extremely unhappy with these penalties and will be sure to repeat the importance of discipline, both during and after the play, to his players.

Ravens Roll Over Browns with Second Half Surge

The more things change, the more they stay the same for the Baltimore Ravens.

With a new coach and a new quarterback, the Ravens (2-0) continue to win with a frightening defense and a dominant running game after a 28-10 victory over the division-rival Cleveland Browns (0-3) on Sunday.

The Ravens trailed 10-7 at the half but turned two Derrick Anderson interceptions into 14 points in less than a minute to claim a commanding 21-10 lead early in the third quarter.

The offense used a bruising running game to dominate a tired Cleveland defense to close out the victory.

Here’s a final look at the Ravens’ convincing win as they assume first place in the AFC North.

The Good

Ball Control

Much as they did against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, the offense dominated the time of possession by a margin of over 15 minutes. The Ravens controlled the ball an astounding 13:18 to the Browns’ 1:42 in the fourth quarter. This is a formula for overwhelming success in the NFL. It will keep a dominant, but veteran-heavy, defense fresh as the season progresses.

Running Backs

Running backs Willis McGahee, Le’Ron McClain, and Ray Rice wore down the Cleveland defense in the second half. The trio combined for 157 yards on 37 carries.

McGahee looked impressive in his first live-game action of the year. Coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordination Cam Cameron hinted that McGahee would see limited action, but he carried 15 times and was a focal point of the offensive game plan.

McClain continues to be the bruising back that wears down the opposing defense. He has deceptive speed and runs with a downhill style that opposing defenders hate to challenge. McClain’s second touchdown of the third quarter slammed the door on Cleveland’s hope for a comeback. Cameron’s decision to use McClain is much like a manager using the closer in baseball, finishing off the opposition and sealing the victory.

Rice carried only five times but was a good complement to the more bruising styles of McGahee and McClain.

Veteran fullback Lorenzo Neal continued to make the tough blocks and has been a welcome addition to the Ravens’ physical style of play on offense. When lined up in the same backfield, the combination of Neal and McClain is a frightening tandem to face.

Offensive Line

The offensive line that struggled heavily during training camp and the preseason schedule has morphed into a strength in the first two games of the season.

Four of the five starters are new or playing a different position from last season. Offensive lines historically need time to gel as a collective unit, and this line appears to be moving in that direction.

The interior line of Ben Grubbs, Jason Brown, and Marshal Yanda was projected to play well, but the dominating play of tackles Jared Gaither and Adam Terry has been surprising.

Cameron even used veteran Willie Anderson as an extra tackle in some offensive sets. This sends a strong message to opposing teams that the Ravens are going to run and are daring the other team to stop them.

The group controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the game and allowed only one sack of quarterback Joe Flacco. Standout defensive tackle Shaun Rogers made four insignificant tackles for the Cleveland defense and caused little disruption.

The offensive line figures only to improve as Anderson continues to work his way into the rotation more frequently.

Ed Reed

Despite the pain of a nerve impingement in his shoulder and neck, Ed Reed provided the big play as he has so many times throughout his career. Reed read a Derek Anderson pass perfectly to intercept a pass and return it the other way for a 32-yard touchdown, giving the Ravens a 21-10 lead in the third quarter.

Reed appeared to know what was coming, as he broke on the route before Anderson even released the pass intended for Steve Heiden.

Jim Leonhard

Filling in to return punts and kicks for the injured Yamon Figurs, Leonhard performed admirably; averaging 26.0 yards per return on three kick returns and returning a punt for 21 yards.

What Leonhard did not expect was having to replace the injured Dawan Landry at safety late in the first half. Leonhard sacked Anderson and played well in pass coverage.

The signing of Leonhard was considered an afterthought when the organization drafted safeties Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura, but Leonhard has emerged as a strong complementary player in the Ravens’ pass defense.

Leonhard may lack the physical presence of Landry or the playmaking ability of Reed, but he fits the profile of a strong blue-collar role player for the Baltimore defense. He won’t astonish you, but he’ll help you win some football games.

Terrell Suggs

Suggs sacked Anderson twice on his way to a big day. He gave tackle Joe Thomas trouble throughout the day, providing consistent pressure on Anderson.

Suggs has definitely benefited from the return of Trevor Pryce, as opposing offenses cannot devote double-teams to Suggs as often.

Special Teams

In addition to Leonhard’s returns, the special teams came up big throughout the game. The directional kicking of Matt Stover and punter Sam Koch limited the dangerous returner Josh Cribbs to only 76 yards on three kick returns and two punt returns. Cribs destroyed the Ravens’ special teams in two games last season.

John Harbaugh

Harbaugh continued to impress the home crowd with his fearless decision-making. The offense converted two fourth downs, including a 4th and 2 from the Cleveland 49 in the first quarter. Harbaugh also won his first challenge of the season, overturning a Rice fumble in the fourth quarter.

Harbaugh makes observers forget he’s a rookie coach with his confident decision-making and attention to detail. The players appear to be buying into his program, given the early success.


The Bad

Frank Walker

After a rough preseason, Walker continued to draw the disdain of the Baltimore crowd for his personal foul in the third quarter.

Walker appeared to be talking trash to the Cleveland offense, but he really should focus on improving his play in the secondary.

To his credit, Walker is a strong special teams player.

Joe Flacco

While Flacco moved the offense effectively for much of the game, he threw two interceptions and had another negated by a defensive holding penalty.

Flacco’s first interception came in the first quarter when he failed to see linebacker D’Qwell Jackson dropping into coverage, a mistake every rookie quarterback has made at some point. The key will be whether Flacco learns from the mistake and does not repeat it.

His second interception came in the second quarter on a long pass intended for Derrick Mason. The gadget play was too slow developing, and Flacco should have thrown the ball away instead of throwing into heavy coverage. Neither interception resulted in Cleveland points.

While the Ravens are currently relying heavily on the running game, Flacco will eventually need to make more plays with his arm. He was unable to throw to a wide-open Todd Heap on one play, but he did not have many opportunities to throw in the second half, as the Ravens controlled the game on the ground.

Despite the interceptions, Flacco continued to show confidence and an ability to operate Cameron’s offensive system. Considering he was a rookie making his second career start, his performance was not as bad as it looked statistically.

The Ugly

Dawan Landry’s Injury

The only real damper on an otherwise thrilling game was the neck injury to Landry in the closing moments of the first half. After his helmet made contact with Cleveland running back Jamal Lewis’ knee, Landry was motionless on the ground for several minutes as a silent crowd at M&T Bank Stadium looked on.

The scene was quite scary as several Ravens and Browns knelt in prayer as medical personnel tended to Landry.

Luckily, Landry only sustained a spinal concussion and had movement in all extremities after the game. He is expected to return this season, according to Harbaugh. Though Leonhard filled in nicely in the second half, the defense will miss Landry’s physical presence in the secondary.

"Rantin' and Raven" - Week 1

In addition to providing “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” for each game (which will return next week after a brief hiatus), I bring to you a new weekly piece, offering analysis with a fan’s touch, called “Rantin’ and Raven.”

Here's a final look at the Ravens' 17-10 victory over Cincinnati.

Ray-Ray

Ray Lewis’ pre-game dance to the Nelly song “Hot in Herre” creates unparalleled electricity in M&T Bank Stadium that is sustained through the opening minutes of the game. Despite the critics that say it’s self-promotion and is a distraction for the rest of the team, no one can deny its profound effect on the home crowd.

Lewis’ moves and swagger may not be loved by everyone, but the end result of a frenzied crowd and a stronger home-field advantage is a major plus.

Black Birds

The new look of wearing black pants, in addition to the white jerseys that have previously been worn in early-season home games, was a sharp, menacing way to ring in a new era of Baltimore football.

Old-School

The Baltimore defense, decimated by injuries last season, proved it still has the personnel to dominate even the best of offenses in the NFL. The unit was relentless in all aspects of the game and made a talented Cincinnati offense look like the “Bungles” of the past.

Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan’s schemes are as complex and confusing to opposing offenses as any in the league. Ryan employed packages that sometimes included eight defensive backs and even exotic looks such as linebacker Terrell Suggs lining up at corner to bump Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson (or Chad Ocho Cinco or The Artist formerly known as Number 85 or whatever he’s calling himself this week).

Rumbling Raven

Fullback Le’Ron McClain runs with a downhill style reminding fans of Bam Morris (and unlike Morris, McClain’s not running from the law) or even the hated Jerome Bettis in his early days.

McClain’s running in the fourth quarter was the nail in the coffin for a Cincinnati team that completely quit or had never really shown up, depending on who you ask.

Veteran Lorenzo Neal’s influence may be able to transform McClain into one of the best fullbacks in the league.

Joe Cool

Joe Flacco looked as calm as any quarterback seen in Baltimore since the days of Johnny Unitas and Bert Jones.

While no one knows how good Flacco will eventually be, his calm demeanor has a soothing effect on a team that would otherwise be holding its breath with a rookie at the helm.

The sight of Lewis encouraging Flacco and the rookie staring back at him confidently was a stirring image.

Heeeeaaaappp (Eeeeek?)

Todd Heap had one of his worst games in recent memory, losing a fumble in the first quarter and dropping a touchdown pass in the second.

Heap needs to get more reps in practice to improve his timing with Flacco and get back into game-playing shape. Once this happens, Flacco and the Ravens will once again have a dangerous red zone option to utilize.

F-16 becomes A.D. the II?

Yamon Figurs is known for his return ability but is quickly becoming a force on the coverage units.

Figurs has the potential to become the team’s best punt team gunner since Adalius Thomas made the Pro Bowl in 2003 as a special teams player.

He has blazing speed and continues to improve his tackling every week.

Déjà Vu?

When running back Ray Rice put the ball on the ground, and Cincinnati's Johnathan Joseph scooped it up for a 65-yard touchdown, Ravens fans could not help but think back to last season and the many debacles that plagued a 5-11 season.

The play cut the Ravens’ lead to 17-10 with over 10 minutes to play in the game.

Was the start of the 2008 season going to look exactly like 2007?

The suffocating defense and the punishing running game clearly answered that question and put the fears to rest. Cincinnati didn’t threaten again.

Offense Offensive, Nevermore?

Though it only managed to score 17 points, the Baltimore offense played with good tempo and confidence.

The double-reverse call that led to a 42-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Mark Clayton was executed brilliantly with a key block by Flacco to spring him.

The no-huddle offense kept the Cincinnati defense from substituting and maintained a quicker pace than what was typically seen in the past.

It will be interesting to see what offensive coordinator Cam Cameron does with this offense as Flacco continues to grow into the system.

Wacko for Flacco

The rhythmic chants of “Let’s Go, Flacco” echoing from nearly 71,000 fans symbolically marked the beginning of Flacco’s reign. It was difficult to listen to the chants without thinking this could be the start of something special in Baltimore.

Will Flacco be the next Johnny Unitas? That’s an unfair and unreasonable question to ask of anyone.

But maybe, he’ll be the man to stop the revolving door of quarterbacks that has plagued this franchise since its beginning.

Time will tell, but the crowd’s display of love was enough to get even the most skeptical fan excited about the debut of Baltimore Joe.

Ravens Stare into Uncertain Future: 2008 Season Preview

The Baltimore Ravens begin the 2008 season with the same theme resonating wherever they look. Uncertainty.

From new head coach John Harbaugh’s effect on a veteran-laden team to the health of free safety Ed Reed, the Ravens face many questions and can provide few answers as they prepare for the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7.

Will Harbaugh be able to turn around a team that finished 5-11 a year ago and seemingly tuned out former coach Brian Billick?

Can rookie quarterback Joe Flacco help improve the offense and become the franchise quarterback the team has lacked in its 13-year history?

Will Reed’s injured shoulder prevent him from leading an aging secondary that battled injuries last season and finished 20^th in passing defense?

Despite these questions, the Ravens believe they are much more like the team that finished 13-3 in 2006 than the injury-plagued group that collapsed last season.

The AFC North looks to be a competitive division in which a 9-7 or 10-6 record could potentially win the division crown.

One thing is certain. The Ravens are a team in transition as the defense continues to age and the offense must overcome the retirement of left tackle Jonathan Ogden.

More changes are likely to come, as several veterans will be free agents after the season, including Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs, and Kyle Boller.

The team’s veterans will play with a sense of urgency, as they see their window for winning a championship continuing to fade. The Ravens will try to prove the window has not already closed by making another playoff push.

Here is a look at the 2008 Baltimore Ravens.

Coaching

Harbaugh brings a passion and intensity that had been missing from the coaching staff in recent years. His enthusiasm for football was apparent to his players from the moment he was hired.

Veterans faced a more difficult training camp and had to stay in Westminster instead of being able to commute, departures from what the players experienced under Billick.

The early reviews on Harbaugh have been positive, but how the team responds to adversity during the season remains to be seen.

In addition to lacking head coaching experience, Harbaugh never held an offensive or defensive coordinator position, the common progression for most head coaches. Harbaugh made the jump to head coach after being the secondary coach for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007 and spending the nine previous seasons as the Eagles’ special teams coach.

With his own inexperience in mind, Harbaugh hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron as his offensive coordinator. Cameron will try to improve an offense that has chronically finished in the lower half of the league for much of the team’s existence. Harbaugh hopes that Cameron can bring production to the Baltimore offense much like he did with the San Diego Chargers a few seasons ago.

Once again, Rex Ryan will call the defensive signals after choosing to remain with the organization despite being passed over for the head coaching position. Ryan is known for his complex, blitz-heavy schemes that cause confusion to opposing offenses.

Quarterback

The Ravens entered training camp expecting the veteran Boller or second-year player Troy Smith to seize the starting quarterback position while the first-round pick Flacco would be brought along slowly as he learns the offense.

These plans changed dramatically in an Aug. 23 game against the St. Louis Rams when Flacco was given the emergency start, with Boller nursing a shoulder injury and Smith suffering from a viral infection.

Flacco played with confidence and did not turn the ball over in the team’s final two preseason games. This caused Harbaugh to name him the starting quarterback.

Flacco has great size, standing at 6’6”, and a strong throwing arm. The coaching staff is impressed with his intelligence and calm demeanor in the huddle

The biggest question will be his ability to adjust to the speed of the NFL after spending his college career at the University of Delaware, an FCS (Division 1-AA) school.

Cameron will likely implement a conservative game plan to nurture Flacco’s development and allow him to continue growing into the offense. Flacco looked most comfortable using three-step drops and throwing quicker passes in the preseason.

Depth is a major concern, as Boller could miss the entire season with a partially torn labrum and Smith continues to recover from illness.

The Ravens looked to sign a veteran to use as the backup quarterback until Smith returns to form.

The quarterback position will continue to be an area of concern until Flacco can prove that he is ready to lead the offense. The coaching staff will ask Flacco to manage the offense and protect the football as he enters the season as the starter.

Running Back

Starter Willis McGahee (1,207 rushing yards in 2007) missed the entire preseason after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery and remains a question mark for opening day.

The new coaching staff was disappointed with his absence from off-season activities and his struggles with learning the new offensive system.

These circumstances have led to the emergence of rookie Ray Rice as a viable threat in the offense.

Rice had an impressive career at Rutgers, leading the Ravens to draft him in the second round.

Standing only 5’8”, Rice presents a problem to opposing defenses as he often seems to disappear behind offensive linemen while he finds the hole.

Starting fullback Le’Ron McClain was a bigger part of the offense in the preseason and will occasionally be used at tailback with veteran Lorenzo Neal lining up in front of him in a big-back set.

The experienced Neal will also act as a mentor to the younger McClain.

The Ravens will need to have a strong rushing attack to support the inexperienced Flacco.

Wide Receiver

The wide receiving unit is led by veteran Derrick Mason (103 catches and 1,087 yards in 2007). While Mason is not a deep threat, he remains one of the best possession receivers in the league. Flacco looked his way regularly in the preseason and will need his consistent production.

Starting opposite of Mason, Mark Clayton hopes to rebound from a disappointing 2007 season in which he did not score a touchdown. Much like Mason, Clayton lacks size and breakaway speed.

The offense will look to Demetrius Williams to be the deep threat in the passing game. Williams has good size at 6’2” and shows good speed in deep routes. He will need to remain healthy, as a sore Achilles’ tendon sidelined him for most of the preseason.

Rookie Marcus Smith showed promise in the preseason but needs to catch the football more consistently to make an impact.

The Ravens lack a big-play receiver and need production from receivers other than just Mason. Clayton has failed to live up to expectations after being the team’s first-round pick in 2005.

The receivers will need to show more consistency since the team lacks an experienced quarterback.

Tight End

Heap continues to struggle to remain on the field. He missed most of last season with a torn hamstring and was slowed by a sore calf during training camp.

Heap is still capable of being one of the top tight ends in the league.

Flacco will desperately need Heap to anchor the short passing game and provide a security blanket for the rookie quarterback.

Dan Wilcox is still feeling the effects from off-season toe surgery but is ready to go for the start of the season. His versatility is useful, as he can line up at tight end or in the backfield as an H-back.

Converted linebacker Edgar Jones will be the third tight end and is an intriguing story. Jones possesses good speed and blocked well after moving to tight end during the preseason.

Offensive Line

Replacing a future Hall of Fame tackle is never an enviable position, but Jared Gaither will attempt to fill Ogden’s large shoes at left tackle.

Gaither has great size (6’9” and 330 pounds), but his work ethic and immaturity are concerns. In addition, Gaither missed most of training camp with an ankle injury.

Starting at right tackle will be veteran Adam Terry. Mostly backing up Ogden at left tackle the past few seasons, there are questions as to whether Terry can play on the right side.

Like Gaither, Terry was slowed by an ankle injury in training camp after undergoing surgery on the same ankle in the off-season.

The interior line looks strong with second-year players Ben Grubbs and Marshal Yanda lining up at left and right guard respectively.

Grubbs was the team’s first round pick a year ago, and Yanda plays with a mean streak.

The team’s most consistent offensive lineman is center Jason Brown. Brown moves from guard to center, where he played in college.

Brown will need to show more leadership after the retirement of Ogden and the departure of long-time center Mike Flynn.

Defensive Line

The starting defensive line is as good as any other in the AFC.

Trevor Pryce missed most of 2007 with injuries and is key to the team’s pass rush. The coaching staff is hopeful that Pryce can regain his 2006 form when he led the team with 13 sacks.

Nose tackle Kelly Gregg continues to be a productive player that goes unnoticed around the league.

Gregg underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during training camp, so his status at the beginning of the season remains uncertain. However, Gregg’s health is not expected to be a long-term concern.

Haloti Ngata is one of the most dominating tackles in the league, often taking on two blockers and protecting the inside linebacker Lewis. Ngata suffered a sprained knee in training camp but returned for the final preseason game.

Ngata should receive strong consideration for the Pro Bowl.

Backups Justin Bannan and Marques Douglas provide solid depth and are strong against the run.

The health of Gregg and Ngata is a concern entering the season, but if they prove to be 100 percent, the defensive line will be one of the team’s strongest units.

Linebacker

Linebacker is easily the team’s best unit and has strong depth from top to bottom.

As usual, Lewis is the heart and soul of the linebacker corps and the entire defense. While Lewis has lost a step or two from his best years earlier in the decade, he is still one of the better inside linebackers in the league.

Next to Lewis on the inside is Scott, hoping to rebound from a disappointing 2007 campaign.

Scott exploded onto the scene in 2006, posting 9.5 sacks and earning a trip to the Pro Bowl but struggled last season after the departure of linebacker Adalius Thomas.

Lewis and Scott are both in the final year of their contracts, so they will be looking to earn a big payday with strong performances this season. The team will likely only be able to afford one, so Scott could be moving on after the season.

Outside linebacker Suggs is the team’s franchise player. Suggs skipped training camp after receiving the franchise tag but reported to camp in time to play in the final two preseason games.

Suggs is depending on Pryce to remain healthy and take away double-teams that Suggs routinely faced last season, limiting him to only five sacks.

The starting unit’s most unheralded player is dependable veteran Jarret Johnson. Johnson is one of the team’s most consistent tacklers.

The Ravens have quality backups on the inside with Nick Greisen, rookie Tavares Gooden, and special teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo.

Antwan Barnes and Jameel McClain will provide good speed as backups on the outside.

A name to remember is the third tight end Jones, who could be moved back to linebacker if injuries become a reality at linebacker.

Cornerback

While the Ravens possess well-known names in veterans Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle, cornerback is an area of concern entering the season.

McAlister and Rolle are both on the wrong side of 30 and were slowed by injuries last season. McAlister’s injured knee continues to be a concern, as he missed large portions of training camp due to continued swelling.

The Ravens acquired Fabian Washington from the Oakland Raiders during April’s draft and will look for him to be the team’s third corner. Washington could challenge Rolle for his starting position as the season progresses.

Veterans Corey Ivy and Frank Walker struggled in the preseason as injuries forced them into the starting lineup.

Ivy is better suited to play the nickel position, and Walker is slow in reacting to the ball.

Derrick Martin started three games in 2007 and grabbed two interceptions. He figures to earn more playing time should Ivy and Walker continue to struggle.

Cornerback will continue to be an area of concern with Rex Ryan’s tendency to use blitz packages that leave the secondary in one-on-one situations.

Safety

Free safety Reed is the team’s best player, but serious concerns remain over his status for the entire season. A nerve impingement in his neck and shoulder continues to limit him in practice.

Reed has not been cleared for live contact by the medical staff. The Ravens and Reed continue to be in a holding pattern, waiting for his shoulder to improve.

Reed has told media that the injury could eventually require surgery that would potentially end his career, but this is only being discussed as an option several years from now.

The absence of Reed will severely hinder the defense’s ability to defend the pass, as Reed is known for his instincts to read the quarterback and create turnovers.

The coaching staff will continue to hold their breath and hope that Reed is able to return to the field as soon as possible.

Veteran newcomer Jim Leonhard played well in the preseason and is expected to start in Reed’s place in the early stages of the season.

Starting at strong safety will again be Dawan Landry. Landry improved his strength and speed in the off-season and will be counted upon to hold more responsibility with the absence of Reed.

Rookies Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura played well in the preseason and figure to be strong contributors on special teams.

Both players seem to have a sixth sense for finding the football and making plays.

The selection of these two in April’s draft looks even better with the unclear status of Reed.

Special Teams

With Harbaugh’s reputation for strong special teams in Philadelphia, the Ravens expect to have good coverage units.

Ayanbadejo was signed to lead the special teams, leading the team to release veteran linebacker Gary Stills.

Zbikowski, Nakamura, and Leonhard also showed strong ability on kick coverage in the preseason.

Return man Yamon Figurs is a threat to take the football all the way as long as he is able to catch it consistently.

Figurs possesses explosive speed, and the Ravens will count on him to give the offense better field position.

The reliable veteran Matt Stover will once again be the team’s kicker. Stover may not have much range beyond 47 yards, but he is still one of the better kickers in the league from inside that distance.

Stover struggles to get distance on kickoffs, so the team signed Steven Hauschka to aid in this area if the roster flexibility will allow it.

Punter Sam Koch punted very well in the preseason, specifically with punts inside the 20. He will be counted upon to provide favorable field position for the defense.

Matt Katula is one of the league’s most reliable long snappers.

How the Ravens will make the playoffs…

1. Flacco blossoms in his first year, managing the game effectively and posting similar numbers to Ben Roethlisberger’s rookie season for Pittsburgh in 2004.
2. The defense returns to its dominant form of a couple seasons ago, and Reed and McAlister return to lead the secondary.
3. McGahee and Rice become the Baltimore version of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, providing a dominant running game for the offense.

How the Ravens will miss the playoffs…

1. The secondary battles injuries throughout the season, and the defense struggles to get off the field on third down.
2. The offensive line fails to protect Flacco consistently, and the rookie struggles in his first season in the league.
3. Heap, Clayton, and Williams are unable to provide the big-play ability needed to pump life into the passing attack and aid in Flacco’s development.

Outlook: 6-10, 3rd place in the AFC North

The Ravens will have a difficult time moving the football with an inexperienced quarterback in the rookie Flacco. The organization hoped to refrain from playing Flacco early in the season, but injuries have forced him into the starting role.

In addition, the inexperience at offensive tackle creates doubt in the offensive line's ability to provide sufficient protection for Flacco.

McGahee and Rice will have to carry the load offensively, as the team lacks the big-play receivers necessary to scare opposing defenses.

While the defense can still be a dominant unit, the health problems of McAlister and Reed leave the secondary very unstable.

Ryan may have to refrain from blitzing as much as he would like to provide more help to the secondary.

The defensive line will need to provide more pressure on the quarterback than they did a season ago.

Overall, the Ravens simply lack the offensive talent and depth in the secondary to pose a serious threat in the competitive AFC North.

A brutal road schedule, with games at Indianapolis, the New York Giants, Dallas, and division rivals Cleveland and Pittsburgh, will prevent the Ravens from making the playoffs.

The Ravens are likely looking at a 6-10 season, as the team will look to acquire younger talent at several positions, including defensive end, cornerback, and wide receiver, following the season.

The Ravens will take some positives from the 2008 season as Flacco will continue to improve as the season progresses and other rookies such as Rice will make strong contributions.