The Baltimore Ravens are one of the most successful new teams in the NFL and have already claimed a Super Bowl championship, defeating the New York Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV. However, recently the Ravens have had very mixed success, they did pretty well in 2006 at 13-3 but finished the 2007 season with a 5-11 record. Why the losing streak? While there may be a lot to criticize about the Ravens’ performance, the fact remains that this team has one of the toughest schedules in all of football. Their 13th season is no different, as the Ravens have to face opponents from the AFC South, NFC East, and teams from the AFC West and East. Pundits say the Ravens have the fourth toughest schedule strength in the NFL based on their opponents’ win-loss ratio since 2007.
One of the most revealing factors for the upcoming 2008 season will be the Baltimore Ravens Draft. Entering the NFL Draft, the Ravens had nine picks, including four compensatory picks. The Baltimore Ravens have already signed some promising draft talents, including most famously, Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco. Joe Flacco is currently listed as the highest drafted player in the history of the University of Delaware and has already signed a contract with Reebok. Negotiations for a long-term deal have already begun, and fans believe he could deserve at least a five-year deal and a starting position.
Other notable signings for the Ravens include running back Ray Rice from Rutgers, linebacker Tavares Gooden from Miami, wide receivers Marcus Smith from New Mexico and Justin Harper from Virginia Tech. The team also selected offensive tackle David Hale, safety Tom Zbikowski of Notre Dame, offensive guard Oniel Cousins of the University of Texas at El Paso, free safety Haruki Nakamura of Cincy and running back Allen Patrick of the Oklahoma Sooners.
What has been the reaction to the 2008 Baltimore Ravens draft? Obviously, Flacco is an undisputed choice, as he represents the future of the team, even if he needs some time to adjust to the big leagues. Pundits believe Flacco should be on his guard, as he comes from a small school and still has to face stronger defenses like he will against teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers (week four) and New York Giants (week 11). However, fans cite that Flacco has excellent size for a starting quarterback, with the newcomer standing at 6’7 and weighing just 236 pounds, providing good mobility. Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski also garnered positive mention from fans and media.
How will Baltimore fare next season? The team is still in the rebuilding process. However, the quarterback position has been the team’s most needed spot for many years. The team’s defense has been solid in recent years (they even beat the Patriots); if they can improve their attack, they could be a team to watch out for in 2008.