First of all, I would like to congratulate the Steelers on a great game and good luck to them and the Cardinals in the Super Bowl. Clearly, losing to them three times a year makes them the better team, for now that is. This season has been a very exciting one in general. But as a Ravens fan, it wasn't supposed to be the way it turned out to be. We definitely had many reasons for pessimism leading to the start and during the season. The season started with question marks everywhere. How would a first year head coach John Harbaugh take control of a veteran team led by personalities such as Ray Lewis? How would Flacco perform since being thrusted into the starting lineup? Will the defense be the same with all of the injuries? By having a week 2 bye affects the team? How many wins will they muster this season? And at the end of the season, many of those questions were put to rest. It was a great transition from Billick to Harbaugh. Not smooth because some had doubts that Harbaugh's team first philosophy wouldn't hit the locker room. There was concern of a power struggle between him and Ray Lewis. The tone was set upon the first day of training camp. No one has special privileges like they did when Billick was head coach. And there is no better example of his team first philosophy than what the Ravens were able to do throughout the season, win and when they did not, there was no emotional breakdown. It's crazy the odds of how Joe Flacco became the starting QB with Kyle Boller on IR and Troy Smith having a tonsil infection which led to him losing weight. But without a doubt, he was steadily improved every game. And with the improved play led to more trust from the coaches. With injuries to starters like NT Kelly Gregg, CB Chris McAlister, and SS Dawan Landry, the defense held their own. The secondary played great given that it was the weakness in the defense. Many players have stepped up like DT Justin Bannan, CB Fabian Washington, and SS Jim Leonhard. Having to play 18 straight weeks may have had some role in the loss to Pittsburgh, sure it would have helped to have some players get an extra time to rest and heal their injuries but I think that having that momentum carried week after week did more good IMO. Without a doubt, going from 5-11 to 13-6 is an improvement given the circumstances they had to get to the postseason. To put a stamp on the end of an amazing football season from the Ravens, many more questions rise. DC Rex Ryan finally got his opportunity and is now the coach of the New York Jets (best move from the Jets since...) and which leaves a hole at DC for the Ravens. He would most likely take some of his assistants with him which likely would be hard to promote someone from within who is familiar with the defense. The roster may remain intact but there are some important names that are heading towards free agency. C Jason Brown - I expect the Ravens to resign him but I have heard nothing about him and the contract situation with the Ravens. FB Lorenzo Neal - At age 38, the Ravens may not want to offer for another back with their stable of running backs currently under contract. DE/LB Terrell Suggs - He's definitely their number one priority to sign to a long term deal since he was franchised last year and already expressed that he wants to stay and is a playmaker. LB Bart Scott - Sadly, he's the odd man out because of salary cap issues but I wouldn't rule out him joining Ryan with the Jets. LB Ray Lewis - As much as it pains me to think of Ray on another team, I seriously hope that he isn't in it for the money. After Suggs, he's most likely the next priority in negotiations. CB Chris McAlister - He hasn't been on good terms with Harbaugh this year and the secondary didn't miss him. He may be cut for salary cap space or dangled in trade talks. S Jim Leonhard - He's definitely been a playmaker for the Ravens since filling in for Landry when he was injured. He only signed a one year deal but I expect he'll be back to compete for the strong safety spot next year. K Matt Stover - I'm sure the Ravens want to stay loyal to their veterans and retirement is still a possibility since he still can make the kicks but only at a limited distance. And looking towards the free agency, I don’t expect a lot of big moves other than retaining some of their players and miscellaneous stuff to free up cap space. But the draft, like always, will be where the Ravens make some noise. Following a very successful 2008 draft, I foresee the Ravens looking for a corner in the early rounds and following the draft philosophy of drafting the best player available. I’m not really a draft expert but I tend to pay more attention during the scouting combine and pro days leading up to the draft. Here’s to an encore of a great 2008/09 season. Maybe it’ll be their time to win the Super Bowl!!! Note: I understand this is alot to read but I tend to want to sum up and reflect on the whole season from my perspective.
Any news on McGahee? He's a great starting running back, but you have to be concerned about the constant injury struggles and wonder if he can really be your long-term solution there. I also think the team should look for another consistent target for Flacco. He's a great young QB, but too often I saw him staring down Derrick Mason. You don't necessarily need to splurge on a big name, but it'd help him a lot if he had another wideout he could depend on (maybe more of a possession receiver).
Prior to the game at Pittsburgh, many fans believe that he isn't fit to be on the team. His work ethic, durability, and "me first" mentality was making him look bad. But I think he silenced critics by doing a heck of a job picking up blitzes against the Steelers. Though the stats say he had a bad game running, it was the same for the whole offense. I"m pretty sure he'll be back since they invested so much in bringing him here. Unless otherwise, he's a Raven for another year or so. On another note, if anyone heard rumors of Jerry Jones pursuing Ray Lewis, I'll be damned before Ray signs with the Cowboys. Someone gotta tell Jones that this isn't fantasy football.
I wanna add this to the McGahee blitz pick up. You didn't just stop any LB, that's Timmons, maybe our most talented one. Stopping him is tough. That impressed me a lot, but his durability is a concern, especially when you play the Steelers twice and years and the demands that team has on you, as a physical one. McClain fits that team perfect. I'd keep him unless you are committed to Rice 100%
Also, this is something we can both agree to. We both had tough schedules this year. Next year i know it will be easier, the schedule was tough and that wore on both our teams. You guys making it to the AFC Championship impressed me a lot. I'm a big Reed fan, Hate Suggs, Like Ngata, Flacco is a stud. The North will be a champions division for years to come.
Yeah, the schedule was brutal for a team who finished last in the division. The Ravens had to go against the AFC South and NFC East. Not only that, there were talks that Jerry Jones had his input on who they would play for the last regular season home game. About the whole backfield situation, I expect Harbaugh will continue going by comittee and the running back that does well in a particular game will get the majority of the carries. I'm still a bit disappointed that Ray Rice didn't get many touches during the playoffs despite McClain and McGahee struggling.
Linebackers coach, Greg Mattison has been promoted to defensive coordinator. He had been the favorite and leading candidate to take the job since he was hired by Harbaugh last year. It seems like he's going to keep the pressure philosophy like Ryan did. Everything looks good so far other than QB's coach, Hue Jackson may leave to take the offensive coordinators job in San Francisco. I doubt Cameron is going to go anywhere anytime soon. Looks like no one actually cared that Boller was even on the team. We seriously need a good backup QB since Flacco pretty much secured the starting QB position barring an injury.
1-15 for Cam 2 years ago, benefits you because the chances he gets a job as a Head coach is extremely slim, to none
