Baltimore Ravens 2008 Season Preview

With a new head coach in town, the Baltimore Ravens look to bounce back and continue to pound opponents to dust.

Baltimore Ravens Preview: Overview

After a 5-11 season, it is the beginning of a new age in Baltimore. Longtime head coach Brian Billick is gone, replaced by Jim Harbaugh. Hall of Fame LT Jonathan Ogden and QB Steve McNair retired as well. The AFC North is a brutal division, pitting the Baltimore Ravens against the floundering Cincinnati Bengals, the rising Cleveland Browns, and fellow smash mouth team the Pittsburgh Steelers. With a new offense and the same legendary defense, the Baltimore Ravens are ready to spring back from the uncharacteristic 2007 season.

Baltimore Ravens Preview: Offseason

The Baltimore Ravens entered the 2008 NFL Draft with eight picks and played the draft board well. After trading down, the Baltimore Ravens traded back up to snag QB Joe Flacco in the first round. Joe Flacco will be groomed to be the quarterback of the future. RB Ray Rice will be a great change-of-pace RB and has a big heart. The Baltimore Ravens also added two future starters in the third round with LB Tavares Gooden and S Tom Zbikowski. The Baltimore Ravens used the rest of the 2008 NFL Draft to add depth to the offensive line. The Baltimore Ravens were not very busy in free agency, instead focusing on the NFL Draft. The big losses came in the form of the retirements of Jonathan Ogden and Steve McNair.

Baltimore Ravens Preview: Offense

Quarterback Joe Flacco may have been a first round pick, but he is not going to be handed the starting job. QB Troy Smith is a former Heisman Trophy winner and has impressed the new coaching staff. QB Kyle Boller has also proved that it was far too early to label him a “Bust”. The loss of Jonathan Ogden will be a big hurdle, but the Baltimore Ravens have a big man to do it in mammoth second-year OT Jared Gaither. Athletic G Ben Grubbs is already coming on as a fiery leader on the offensive line. Built for power, the Baltimore Ravens offensive line is one of the most aggressive in the NFL.

The Baltimore Ravens skill positions are led by RB Willis McGahee. Willis McGahee will once again be the focus of the power run offense and will try to reach the Pro-Bowl once again. WRs Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason are a great combo of youth and experience and speed and possession ability, respectively. TE Todd Heap is one of the best at the position and can both stretch the field and be an endzone threat. A collection of hard-hitting fullbacks will battle for playing time. New offensive coordinator Cam Cameron could be the biggest offensive addition of all.

Baltimore Ravens Preview: Defense

The heart of the Baltimore Ravens since their inception has been the defense, and it continues in 2008. Future Hall of Fame MLB Ray Lewis is still the leader of the defense and is one of the most feared players in the NFL. DE/OLB Terrell Suggs moves around the hybrid 4-3/3-4 defense and is the best pass-rusher on the team. LB Bart Scott can move around the linebacking corps. The massive D-Line of the Baltimore Ravens is headlined by NT/DE Haloti Ngata, who soaks up blockers and makes life easier for Ray Lewis. NT Kelly Gregg and DE Trevor Pryce are the other big loads on the defensive line.

The Baltimore Ravens secondary is a veteran unit. Ballhawking S Ed Reed is the best at the position and is a pick machine. CBs Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister aren’t spring chickens but still shutdown receivers. S Dawan Landry is a vicious hitter and goes well with Ed Reed. Young CB Fabian Washington comes over from the Oakland Raiders and adds youth and speed to the Baltimore Ravens secondary. Rookie S Tom Zbikowski could eventually start and likes to lay the wood. Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is possibly the best defensive mind in football.

Baltimore Ravens: Special Teams

Wide receiver Yamon Figurs is one of the fastest players in the NFL and is a deadly return man. In either the kicking or punting game, Yamon Figurs is always a threat and already has two kick return touchdowns entering his second year. K Matt Stover is another possible future Hall of Fame player and has set many records. P Sam Koch is one of the best in the NFL and his powerful and accurate kicks are the key to the Baltimore Ravens field-position battle.

Baltimore Ravens Preview: Outlook

A new coaching staff often means some growing pains for any team, but the Baltimore Ravens are still loaded with talent. Rex Ryan staying on as defensive coordinator was a key move and will keep the heart and soul of the Baltimore Ravens intact. Cam Cameron will have the Baltimore Raven’s offense ready to roll over opponents as he did with the San Diego Chargers. The AFC North is wide open, with all of the teams running close together in talent.

The Baltimore Ravens 2008 schedule is one of the hardest in the NFL. Opponents such as the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, and the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants are a few of the many roadblocks on the long road. Closing out the second half of the 2008 NFL Season with many home games in M&T Bank Stadium, the Baltimore Ravens are sure to deliver hits in the snowy weather all fall and winter long.