Baltimore Ravens Playing the Role of Favorites
Not much is being said in Baltimore about the pressure the Ravens face in the 2010 season, but it sure is felt.
Everyone knows the Ravens are capable of great things this season. The team reeled in receivers Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth for young quarterback Joe Flacco, as well as keeping Derrick Mason from retiring. Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison has had more time to mold his defence. Also, divisional rivals, the Steelers, are having a difficult offseason, which may open the door for Baltimore.
"Our aspirations are always to be the very best Ravens we can be from one day to the next, from the start of camp through the opening game against the Jets and until the end of the season," coach John Harbaugh said. "And where that takes us is where it takes us. But we've made no secret that this organization is run by (owner) Steve Bisciotti with excellence in mind. The idea is to build a dynasty; that's what we're trying to do."
It has been ten years since Baltimore won their lone Super Bowl.
The team appears to only be beginning. While the window may be closing for veterans Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Derrick Mason, the team is full of youth and promise. The mixture provides the team with an excellent shot of going all the way. After a couple of stalls in the playoffs, the Ravens aspirations are no secret
"The last two years we've been close," said Mason, a veteran vocal leader, "So anything less than a trip to the Super Bowl, and even a Super Bowl win, it would be all for nothing. Regardless of who we've brought in and what changes we've made on offense, defense and the coaching staff, if we can't put ourselves in a position to get a championship out of this at the end of the year, then it's a failed season."
There is a certain need for the team to win now when you look at their offseason moves. General Manager Ozzie Newsome and his trusted top assistant, Eric DeCosta have pulled out all the stops this offseason including the draft, free agency, trading and maintaining key components. They have obtained weapons the franchise has been lacking, while at the same time keeping tradition in building a feared Ravens defence.
A key for the Ravens will be the play of Joe Flacco. The Ravens have lacked a dominating offence throughout their existence but this year, the third-year QB has many tools. He has a great young offensive line with Ray Rice in the backfield, and he now he has a threatening receiving corps in Boldin, Stallworth and Mason.
The Ravens have never had a franchise quarterback in their existence and Flacco is being counted on to fill that role.
Flacco must continue to improve on his efficiency, consistency and his leadership.
"He has to be the guy that drives this offense," Mason said. "The guys around you are only as good as the quarterback, and the quarterback is only as good as the guys around him. But for us, Joe, because he is so young, has to be the guy that drives this offense."
Flacco and the Ravens are now in the field of Super Bowl-or-bust teams in the league. They have to be regarded in almost the same regard as the Colts, Cowboys, Vikings, Saints and Packers. Their offseason moves must start paying off and the team has to start shifting from a team that relies on their defence to win games and become a team that is a threat on both sides of the ball.
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