An objective look at the 2006 Baltimore Ravens
It has been my general policy, since the 1996 season, not to judge the Baltimore Ravens objectively. I won’t bore you with the details as to why that is (I was born in Cleveland, draw your own conclusions).
When Baltimore won the Super Bowl in 2000, it felt like a kick in the stomach. It proved to me, once again, there is no fairness in sports. But time has passed. Only one 1990s Brown remains on the roster. Art Modell is gone from the game, and the man running the Ravens is a Cleveland legend – Ozzie Newsome.
Yes, 10 years is enough.
The Ravens really struggled at times last season. Their never ending saga of underachieving quarterbacks, a banged up and aging defense, and two great teams in the AFC North combined to keep Baltimore out of the playoffs and in general disarray.
Can Baltimore respond this year? Coach Brian Billick has to hope so. Another 6-10 season might mean the end of his honeymoon with Baltimore.
But the Ravens, like just about every other NFL team (save maybe the Texans), have reason for optimism.
The first thing that jumps out is the Ravens will no longer be depending on Kyle Boller at quarterback. The Ravens have struggled to fill the position ever since the 2000 season, when they sent Trent Dilfer packing.
Steve McNair will start for Baltimore. I’ve long been a fan of McNair. Last season, he almost single-handedly willed Tennessee to a win over the Browns in a game I attended. It just confirmed what I have always believed, that McNair has as much guts as talent.
And though McNair is no longer the multi-dimensional quarterback he once was (his days of rushing for over 600 yards in a season are long gone), only a fool would believe he is done. McNair’s last two seasons have been unimpressive by his standards, but he’s 33 and likely has a few years left. With Jamal Lewis back and Todd Heap returning, the Baltimore offense could actually be good. There are questions about the offensive line, but there’s enough to be positive on the offensive side.
Everyone talks about Baltimore’s defense, but lately, it has struck me as undeserved praise. The Ravens gave up 35 points to the Lions last season for god’s sake. Ray Lewis has played all 16 games only once in the last four years. In two of those four seasons, he played no more than six. He missed the last two months of the season in 2005 with a hamstring injury. At 31, you at least have to consider he may not be the dominant force he was in the early part of the decade. There are no such questions about safety Ed Reed, and the Ravens did shore up the D-line by drafting Haloti Ngata.
But the Ravens have another problem no draft, or free agent signing could help: the schedule.
Playing in the AFC North, the Ravens will see Cincinnati and Pittsburgh twice. Even if they are improved, the Ravens will certainly have a problem with those teams. Also, keep in mind the Ravens have swept a series from the Browns only once since 2001. Even the non-division schedule is tough, with Baltimore opening in Tampa Bay, and making trips to Denver and Kansas City.
Good luck with that.
I don’t see Baltimore in the playoffs this year, though their chances are improved. Whether that’s enough to keep Billick’s seat cool is anyone’s guess.
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