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Can the Baltimore Ravens do it Without Rex Ryan?
The Ravens were one of those football teams that got stronger and stronger as the season progressed. Rookie QB Joe Flacco continued to develop through the course of the 2008 NFL season and looked almost like a veteran by the end of the season.
With the leadership of Joe Flacco and a stellar defense, the Baltimore Ravens finished the season 11-5, 2nd in the AFC North. 2009 may be the "year" for the Ravens. They can build on the team's success 08' and take it one step further, Super Bowl XXIV in Miami, Florida.
The majority of the 2008 team remains intact, but the key loss is defensive coach Rex Ryan - who is now the head coach of the New York Jets. Despite this, the personnel on defense still remain fierce and are determined to stop opponents in their tracks.
Would the Baltimore Ravens still be a great defensive team, or would Ryan's departure lead to the demise of this defensive unit? The team certainly has some great talents in Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, but Lewis is aging and the fate of this defense would be uncertain.
2009 for the Baltimore Ravens has proven to be something of a surprise - they have a potent offense unlike in years past. RB Willis McGahee, WR Derrick Mason, WR Ray Rice and WR Todd Heap give Flacco excellent targets every Sunday.
Flacco has picked up right where he left off (and in fact improved). If Baltimore can bring in a stud WR for him, he will improve even more.
The running game in Baltimore is as strong as it's ever been. Willis McGahee already has four touchdowns, Ray Rice has been superb, and Le'Ron McClain is a bruiser with a great goal-line presence.
If anything, the Ravens look stronger this year than last.
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