Baltimore Ravens 2009 Preview
This is a preview of the 2009 Baltimore Ravens whom I think will take a step back after a good 2008 NFL season. The Ravens like Atlanta had rookies at head coach and quarterback in 2008 but had a good season. Coach John Harbaugh showed he is ready for the NFL, and Joe Flacco did the same and had a great rookie quarterbacking season.
The Ravens play a nasty brand of defense and try to control the ball on offense. The loss of defensive coordinator Rex Ryan (new head coach of the Jets) will hurt the Baltimore Ravens badly in 2009. Ryan was replaced by Greg Mattison, the new defensive coordinator. Mattison has over 35 years of coaching experience but only two in the NFL; he was the Ravens linebacker coach in 2008.
As you will see in this article about the Ravens offseason moves, losing linebacker Bart Scott to Ryan and the Jets will hurt the team in 2009. Scott was joined by several other former Ravens who also headed to New York. Former Viking center Matt Birk was signed to help stabilize the offensive line. Long time tackle Willie Anderson retired. Tight end L.J. Smith and wide receiver Kelly Washington were signed to help the passing game and they could both start. The defense added some journeymen players but no real big names. Offensive lineman Michael Oher was a good pick in the first round of the draft and should start.
That is why I think the Ravens will take a step back; their defense is getting old and has a new coordinator. Ray Lewis raised a big stink before he was resigned and may not be overly happy to be a Baltimore Raven in 2009. As long as they have Suggs, Lewis, and Reed, the defense will be ok. But getting long in the tooth and missing Rex Ryan I don't see them as dominant as in years past.
The 2009 Baltimore Raven's offense should be more of the same, decent at ball control but not much of a passing threat. Joe Flacco did play well but he does not have quality weapons, thought Washington and Smith will help. Le'Ron McClain did bring the fullback into this century by having a stellar season. However Willis McGahee is old and injury prone at running back and may not be feature back material anymore. He has been on the 2nd team thus far in offseason workouts. McClain can play running back but mostly plays fullback. 3rd down back Ray Rice is apparently getting a shot at the starting slot. I don't expect rookies Cedric Peerman or Jason Cook to make much of a splash if they make the team.
The Ravens won't be as good in 2009 but shouldn't falter too much. Look for the Steelers to run away with the division and make the Super Bowl. Cleveland (now under Eric Mangini) and the Bengals should still suck. I expect the Ravens to go 9-7 or possibly 10-6 and contend for a wildcard spot in 2009.
Sources
NFL.com
Baltimoreravens.com
Ray Lewis photo comes from Wikimedia Commons and the Creative CommonsAttribution ShareAlike 2.0 License

