2010 RECORD: 12-4-0
(2nd in AFC North)
HEAD COACH: John Harbaugh
Offense: Quarterback Joe Flacco played well in the 2010 regular season, passing for 3,622 yards with 25 touchdowns and just ten interceptions. But he must rise to the occasion when the post-season arrives. Hunter Cantwell and Tyrod Taylor are the backups.
The running game is all about Ray Rice, who ran for 1,220 yards last season while scoring five TD and he also hauled in 63 passes for 556 yards and a score.
With Willis McGahee now in Denver, the Ravens brought in Ricky Williams as a backup to Rice. Williams played for the Dolphins in 2010 and gained 673 yards while averaging 4.2 yards per carry and scored two times. Vonta Leach is the fullback.
The passing game will see different receivers in 2011 as Todd Heap and Derrick Mason are now playing elsewhere.
Anquan Boldin (64 catches, 837 yards and seven TD) leads the way along with Brandon Jones and rookies Torrey Smith (Maryland) and Tandon Doss (Indiana). The Tight End is up for grabs between Ed Dickson, Davon Drew and Dennis Pitta.
The offensive line looks solid with center Matt Birk, guards Ben Grubbs and Marshal Yanda and tackles Michael Oher and Jah Reid.
The offense ranked 22nd last year, averaging 323 yards per game with 114 on the ground and 209 passing yards per game. Hardly eye-popping numbers. The Ravens averaged 22 points per game in 2010.
Defense: Ray Lewis and company are getting older and it showed at times, especially in the post-season when the Pittsburgh lit up the once vaunted Ravens' D for 31 points in a come from behind victory for the Steelers.
Lewis mans the linebacker corps once again for Baltimore along with Jameel McClain on the inside while the outside linebackers are Terrell Suggs and Jarret Johnson.
The men up front in the 3-4 scheme are ends Cory Redding and Haloti Ngata and nose tackle Terrence Cody, who will take the place of Kelly Gregg, now with Kansas City.
The secondary has Ed Reed at free safety, who led the NFL with eight interceptions last season. The strong safety is Tom Zbikowski. The cornerbacks include Domonique Foxworth and rookie Jimmy Smith (Colorado) along with Ladarius Webb and Cary Williams to provide depth.
While the Ravens finished 10th overall on defense, allowing 319 yards per game, they gave up 225 through the air, which was 21st in the league.
OUTLOOK: The Ravens are a highly touted team that battles Pittsburgh year after year in the AFC North and will do so again this season.
The big question with this team will be in the passing game where Flacco will get accustomed to some different people in 2011. The running game is solid, but the defense is starting to show signs of aging.
Head Coach John Harbaugh would like to see the team take a step forward in the post-season after coughing up a huge lead to the Steelers last year.
Whether or not the Ravens can win the AFC North and make a deep run in the playoffs will hinge on Flacco's play and the defense, especially against the pass.
There are some questions in those areas entering the 2011 season, so the call for the Ravens this season is a 11-5 finish, a playoff spot and not much more as they once again fall short of reaching the Super Bowl.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Pittsburgh
Week 2-at Tennessee
Week 3-at St. Louis
Week 4- vs. NY Jets
Week 5- BYE WEEK
Week 6- vs. Houston
Week 7- at Jacksonville
Week 8- vs. Arizona
Week 9- at Pittsburgh
Week 10- at Seattle
Week 11- vs. Cincinnati
Week 12- vs. San Francisco
Week 13- at Cleveland
Week 14- vs. Indianapolis
Week 15- at San Diego
Week 16- vs. Cleveland
Week 17- at Cincinnati
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