The Ravens had high hopes for 2004 after their narrow 2003 playoff loss to Tennessee, and things were looking good after a 7-3 start, but then the wheels came off mainly because of injuries to Todd Heap and Ray Lewis who is the glue that holds this defense together.
The Ravens have been showing a steady decline since their glory year in 2000. They have since gone 10-6, 7-9, 10-6, and 9-7....
IMO this is a pivotal season, Kyle Boller must step up now...he has weapons and 2 years under his bealt...no more excuses about the talent not being around him...
Brian Billick and his Offensive Guru tag , its time for Coach Wonderful to put some points on the board!
2005 Brings lots of changes including new offensive and defensive coordinators, a couple of speedy wide receiver additions that the Ravens hope will make Boller's development take a big stride, and a revamped defense that no longer features Ed Hartwell, but adds Samari Rolle in the backfield and Tommy Polley (local Baltimore product, Dunbar High School) back in the LB corps.... Losing upstart LB Ed Hartwell will be a big loss IMO....
The offense is now lead by new coordinator Jim Fassel who should open up the predictable 3 yards and a cloud of dust offense quite a bit. They are going to be using more creative formations, shifts, and movement to disguise their plays...FINALLY!
The Ravens may have some exciting times this year as they put it all together and eventually Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason will make an excellent receiver corps, with Todd Heap a staple over the middle with great hands and an uncanny knack for 'picking' himself between the ball and the defender...the offense should be way better!
The defense will still be good, but even it has some question marks with lots of changes including new coordinator Rex Ryan, and moving back to a 4-3 as well with the loss of Hartwell. Ryan has even said he may implement a version of his dad's "46 defense". They move one of their brightest spots Terrell Suggs to defensive end although he may be a little light to play there. Here is hoping he proves us wrong....Peter Boulware seems to be hurt annually, and as I mentioned Ed Hartwell loss will be a big one...
The defense is actually starting to show age , Ray Lewis is 30, Rolle is 28, and Deion Sanders is 38. The Ravens have done a good job filling in new talent, the question is can the new talent be the emotional leaders that this team has always needed on defense....Ray Lewis will still be there to get the most out of his teammates ....Ed Reed is still the best deep back, who can turn a game with one play...
The team should have much better balance, hopefully the defense with a good mix of youth and experience can still be near the top...
IMO this is a pivotal season, Kyle Boller must step up now...he has weapons and 2 years under his bealt...no more excuses about the talent not being around him...
Brian Billick and his Offensive Guru tag , its time for Coach Wonderful to put some points on the board!
2005 Brings lots of changes including new offensive and defensive coordinators, a couple of speedy wide receiver additions that the Ravens hope will make Boller's development take a big stride, and a revamped defense that no longer features Ed Hartwell, but adds Samari Rolle in the backfield and Tommy Polley (local Baltimore product, Dunbar High School) back in the LB corps.... Losing upstart LB Ed Hartwell will be a big loss IMO....
The offense is now lead by new coordinator Jim Fassel who should open up the predictable 3 yards and a cloud of dust offense quite a bit. They are going to be using more creative formations, shifts, and movement to disguise their plays...FINALLY!
The Ravens may have some exciting times this year as they put it all together and eventually Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason will make an excellent receiver corps, with Todd Heap a staple over the middle with great hands and an uncanny knack for 'picking' himself between the ball and the defender...the offense should be way better!
The defense will still be good, but even it has some question marks with lots of changes including new coordinator Rex Ryan, and moving back to a 4-3 as well with the loss of Hartwell. Ryan has even said he may implement a version of his dad's "46 defense". They move one of their brightest spots Terrell Suggs to defensive end although he may be a little light to play there. Here is hoping he proves us wrong....Peter Boulware seems to be hurt annually, and as I mentioned Ed Hartwell loss will be a big one...
The defense is actually starting to show age , Ray Lewis is 30, Rolle is 28, and Deion Sanders is 38. The Ravens have done a good job filling in new talent, the question is can the new talent be the emotional leaders that this team has always needed on defense....Ray Lewis will still be there to get the most out of his teammates ....Ed Reed is still the best deep back, who can turn a game with one play...
The team should have much better balance, hopefully the defense with a good mix of youth and experience can still be near the top...
