To watch Ray Lewis, or Jamal Lewis or even Head Coach Brian Billick you’d think the Ravens defending champions this year as opposed to clinging to the title they won 6 years ago. There has been some success since, a couple of 10 win seasons, but nothing awe inspiring. There have been more quarerback failures in those years then playoff wins. But to watch the smug manner that the team goes about thier business you’d think otherwise. It seems that Billick is a genious in his own mind. That attitude continues to hurt the Ravens, there is no improvement when you don’t believe you need to improve. It’s that belief that he and his team are better than they actually are that will be the downfall of the Ravens again.
Team Strengths:
Finally the Ravens scrapped the Kyle Boller experiment for the time being to try and win now. They did go out and get a warrier in Steve McNair. McNair rejoins his favorite target Derrick Mason. Jamal Lewis is also back, joined my former Bronco Mike Anderson. The O-Line is anchored by Jonathon Ogden and the defense still has Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Leadership will not be a problem for the Ravens. They have talent all over the field and this team has a chance to be very good, especially with a known commodity at quarterback.
Team Weaknesses:
Some of the strengths may also be weaknesses for the Ravens. McNair was beaten and battered in Tennessee. Jamal Lewis ran soft and looked to be afraid of contact. Ray Lewis talks much better than he plays and the two big free agent acquisitions, Trevor Pryce and Mike Anderson, are nearing the end of their career. The O-Line is suspect after Ogden and the Ravens still don’t have explosive targets at Wide Receiver. Billick is a wekness as well, thinking his team is better than it actually is.
2006 Baltimore Ravens Schedule:
@Tampa Bay
Oakland
@Cleveland
San Diego
@Denver
Carolina
@New Orleans
Cincinnati
@Tennessee
Atlanta
Pittsburgh
@Cincinnati
@Kansas City
Cleveland
@Pittsburgh
Buffalo
If any team needs the fountain of youth it’s the Ravens. They are old at every skill position and the major question is, Are they too old? I am leaning towards yes. At this point you have to assume that McNair is going to miss 3-5 games meaning the Boller is going to need to come in a play well for the Ravens to have a shot at the playoffs. It isn;t going to happen. Any strides Boller made at the end of last season were squashed when then Ravens went after McNair. Jamal Lewis just doesn’t look like he wants to play, and Ray Lewis is a better talker than player. There was talk after last season that the Ravens nearly fired Brian Billick, and if the team doesn’t win big this year they probably will. My projection for this Ravens club is 6-10
Don't forget they have 2 amazing corners. Their a wildcard in my book. The defense certainly will play well but it's hard to guess if Mcnair and Jamal lewis will play well.
They have the potential to see playoffs and the potential to lose 10 or more
I'll buy into Jamal and Mcnair having a good year and say 11-5
Edit: Actually after reviewing their schedule theres no way their winning more then 8 games.
8-8