It’s been several years since the Baltimore Ravens took home the Super Bowl XXXV Championship, and for Baltimore fans, that’s way too long. The team had a breakout year in 2006 with a 13-3 record, but floundered in 2007 with a 5-11 season record and one playoff miss. In season 13, the Ravens hope to improve their score and represent the AFC North. This season they will face strong competition from the AFC South Division and NFC East Division, as well as the AFC West Division Oakland Raiders and AFC East Division Miami Dolphins. According to game analysts, the Ravens already have the fourth-toughest schedule in the NFL based on their opponents’ win-loss ratio. Keep in mind that every time the Ravens do the unthinkable and don’t win, they’re up against some of the top-ranked teams in the NFL!
Are there any major changes to the Ravens team that will affect their performance this year? As always of course! In the coaching department, head coach Brian Billick was fired after last year’s dismal performance and was replaced by John Harbaugh. He will be the third head coach in the relatively young history of this team. (The Ravens were first established in 1996) John Harbaugh’s previous experience was the secondary defensive coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. He will be in charge of the Ravens until at least the end of the 2012 season, since he has signed a four-year contract.
The previous season, the team didn’t actually have an offensive coordinator, as Coach Billick took over those duties after firing Jim Fassel. John Harbaugh hasn’t dropped the ball yet: He went out and hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Malcolm ‘Cam’ Cameron. Rex Ryan was released from his position as the team’s defensive coordinator, but was later rehired on January 28, 2008, and later promoted to assistant head coach. Now that’s an apology!
What about the season in terms of players? The team acquired linebacker Brendan Ayanbadejo from the Chicago Bears, as well as cornerback Frank Walker from the Green Bay Packers. On the other hand, the team lost center Mike Flynn after he failed his annual physical. Unfortunately, Flynn was one of the few original players to see the Ravens’ Super Bowl championship season in 2000. The team also lost veteran quarterback Steve McNair. After suffering multiple injuries and spending most of last season on injured reserve, McNair announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 great seasons. The only thing left to consider is the 2008 NFL Draft. The most notable pick in the draft was cornerback Fabian Washington.
Will the Baltimore Ravens be successful in 2008? A 2009 Super Bowl is not out of the question for this team. After all, the team won its first championship victory in just the fifth year of playing football! The team will face one of the toughest schedules in the entire league and they certainly have a lot of work ahead of them. However, Coach Harbaugh is confident in the spirit of Baltimore.