RAVENS TOWARDS STABILIZATION

In recent weeks, the Ravens have done a decent job winning three of its last four games and displaying some offensive firepower. The whole team seems to be building momentum for 2006. The Ravens added another piece of good news when they announced that head coach Brian Billick will be returning next year also, so continuity and stability look to be strengths for this team going forward. This is owner Steve Bisciotti's belief that continuity is the best way for the team to end a run of two straight disappointing seasons. Baltimore missed the playoffs in 2004, and this season the Ravens are assured of their third losing record in Billick's seven years as head coach. The best Ravens can do is to end their season on a high note by defeating the Browns in Cleveland and that too only if Boller keeps his hot hand going, the Ravens will likely come out victorious and will go into the offseason with some positive impetus.

The Ravens are on extensive process to find ways to win. This thorough evaluation of Brian Billick was a part of it and continuing with Brian as head coach will give them the best opportunity to win. Billick led Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory after the 2000 season, guiding the wild-card entrant to a 34-7 rout of the New York Giants in 2001. Brian is 61-42 overall, including his three postseason appearances. His current contract runs through the 2007 season, but conjecture surrounding his job security began after a team stumbled to a 2-6 start in the playoffs.

The only time the Ravens fired a head coach was after the 1998 season, when then-owner Art Modell dismissed Ted Marchibroda before hiring Billick away from the Minnesota Vikings, where he served as tight ends coach and offensive coordinator from 1992-98.

RAVENS IN 2004

The Ravens in 2004 were the AFC’s stingiest and most opportunistic team. The Ravens looked like they had signed Terrell Owens in the 2004 offseason, but he backed out and went to the eventual NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles instead. Boller remained quarterback through the entire season. Ed Reed became a full-fleged star on defense, with nine interceptions. an All-Pro safety, picked off an NFL-best nine passes, returning one 106 yards for a touchdown in the Ravens’ victory over AFC North Division rival, the Cleveland Browns. Suggs and Lewis harassed opposing offenses all over the field. Suggs finished the season among the NFL’s leaders in sacks with 10.5, while Lewis knocked down everything in sight, racking up 143 tackles. Baltimore remained in playoff contention the entire season, but a 2-4 slide in their last six games ultimately forced them out of the postseason at 9-7. The Ravens limited their opponents to a meager 16.8 points a game. In the 2005 offseason the Ravens looked to expand their receiving group (which was second-worst in the NFL in 2004) by signing Derrick Mason from the Titans and drafting star Oklahoma wide receiver Mark Clayton in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

BILLICK ON A CONTROVERSIAL SEAT

Brian Billick in his second season as an NFL head coach won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens. The grandeur and commendation he earned for that achievement has been replaced by discontent and condemnation. Moreover he is on the threshold of losing his job if he fails to bring his underachieving team out of its season-long flunk. The Ravens signed two coaches known for their offensive expertise, strengthened the passing attack and drew up an aggressive defensive scheme that focused around the aptitude of middle linebacker Ray Lewis. It seems this season Baltimore (2-7) has minimal chances of reaching the playoffs. The team’s offense hasn’t scored a touchdown in 11 quarters and is averaging a disgusting 11.1 points per game. The defense has been unpredictable and is devastated by injuries. The variety of factors has added up to the kind demoralizing season that can get a coach fired, even if his Super Bowl ring isn't even 5 years old. When the Ravens won the 2001 Super Bowl, defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis received much of the credit because Baltimore set an NFL record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season. Now that the Ravens can't score, Billick is receiving far more blame than offensive coordinator Jim Fassel or quarterbacks coach Rick Neuheisel, which is certainly not fair. Billick is not the only one to blame here. One has to look at players, at personnel, and everywhere." Even though the pressure associated with being 2-7 for the first time, Billick will work forward with the impression that he will return to the sideline in 2006.

BABYISH RAVENS FALL SHORT OF DISCIPLINE AND ALSO THE VICTORIES

It was only five years back Brian Billick had a squad that appreciated his only one of its kind approach to coaching in the NFL. Billick was famous for running a relaxed training camp, limited full-contact hitting during the season and seldom imposed a curfew. He always followed his player-friendly philosophy. Led by hungry veterans Shannon Sharpe, Tony Siragusa, Rod Woodson and Ray Lewis, his team won the 2001 Super Bowl. But this is just the narration of 2001 season. The coach is same but the 2005 Ravens aren't acting like men. They're behaving like children. Due to their immature performance, the squad was called for 21 penalties and had two players were expelled on Sunday in a 35-17 loss to the Detroit Lions. Cornerback Chris McAlister barbed a ball in his fallen opponent's face after an interception; tackle Maake Kemoeatu was flagged for making an obscene gesture to the crowd; and receiver Derrick Mason threw a ball against the wall after his plea for an interference call was ignored.

Is it a discipline issue? Is it a character issue? Or, Do the Ravens instead of playing together as a team often perform as individuals?

Moreover it is kiddish on Ravens part that Jamal Lewis, who ran for 2,066 yards in 2003, has yet to have a 100-yard game in 2005 and haven't yet offered him a contract extension.

More About Ravens

Founded: 1996.
Home stadium: M&T Bank Stadium (formerly PSInet Stadium)
Uniform colors: Black, Purple, and gold
Helmet design: A raven's head in silhouette, with the letter "B" superimposed
League championships won: 2000
Mascots: Edgar (mascot), Allan (mascot), and Poe (mascot)
Super Bowl appearances: XXXV (won)

Baltimore Ravens Info

The Baltimore Ravens are a National Football League team based in Baltimore, Maryland.
In some accounts there is confusion over the history of the Baltimore Ravens. This is due to the unusual and unprecedented actions taken by the city of Cleveland, Ohio and the National Football League following the relocation of the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in 1996. The deal made between these two parties stipulates that the team name, colors, and history of the franchise were to remain in Cleveland. For that reason, past records and Hall of Fame players are attributed to the Cleveland Browns and not to the Baltimore Ravens. See the Franchise History entry for the Cleveland Browns for full details of the move.

RAVENS 2004 SCHEDULE

Pre-season
Aug. 12Atlanta (ESPN) 8 p.m.
Aug. 20 at Philadelphia (CBS) 8 p.m.
Aug. 28 Detroit 8 p.m.
Sept. 2 at N.Y. Giants 7 p.m.
2004 Regular Season
Sept. 12 at Cleveland 1:00 p.m.
Sept. 19 Pittsburgh 1:00 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Cincinnati 1:00 p.m.
Oct. 4 Kansas City (ABC) 9:00 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Washington (ESPN) 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 17 Open Date