2009 Baltimore Ravens Football Preview

2008 Record: 11-5, Second AFC North; 2-1 in postseason, lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship game

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Head Coach: John Harbaugh; Second year

Key Additions: C Matt Birk, CB Domonique Foxworth, TE L.J. Smith, CB Chris Carr

Key Losses: LB Bart Scott, OT Willie Anderson, CB Chris McAlister, FB Lorenzo Neal, CB Corey Ivy

1st Round Draft Picks: Michael Oher – Offensive Tackle

2nd Round Draft Picks: Paul Kruger – Defensive End

2009 Baltimore Ravens Schedule

Baltimore Ravens 2008 NFL Season in Review

The Baltimore Ravens had a very successful and somewhat surprising 2008 NFL campaign. Not because the defense was terrifying once again, that is of course to be expected. But because rookie quarterback Joe Flacco quickly developed into a coolheaded player with a big arm that could lead the club through the ups and downs of a long NFL season and postseason. Derrick Mason had another unappreciated season and a three headed beast at running back, with Le'Ron McClain, Willis McGahee and Ray Rice, punished opposing defenses and ranked fourth in the league as a unit. First year coach John Harbaugh proved his merits as well, and the usual cast of stars on the defensive end of the ball all continued to shine.

Ray Lewis enjoyed a renaissance year, and Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs, Trevor Pryce, Ed Reed and Haloti Ngata were just a few of the other integral pieces of the shutdown defense. The defense was ranked second in passing yards and total yards given up, and ranked third in rushing yards given up and points allowed.

Baltimore Ravens 2009 NFL Season Preview

The Ravens have big hopes for year two in the Joe Flacco era, and why not? With a year of experience including some big playoff games he should be poised to continue developing. The team lost a few major faces on the defensive end of the ball however, one in defensive coordinator Rex Ryan who now is the head coach of the New York Jets as well as Ray Lewis disciple Bart Scott.

2009 Baltimore Ravens Offense:

The Baltimore Ravens improved their offensive line by signing center Matt Birk, an intelligent player who should help protect Flacco. They need to guard against a sophomore slump for the young and humble quarterback. The veteran presence – and play making - of Derrick Mason should help accomplish that.

With the loss of Lorenzo Neal, Le'Ron McClain will once again be a fullback, leaving Willis McGahee and Ray Rice the responsibilities of divvying up the carries. Todd Heap didn't have a great 2008 season and has some competition in the form of free agent acquisition L.J. Smith.

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2009 Baltimore Ravens Defense:

Will the 2009 Baltimore Ravens be able to put together a defense similar in quality to last year's, even with the loss of coordinator Rex Ryan and linebacker Bart Scott? You can't replace a coach and player like that, but the Ravens have so much talent on the defensive side of the ball that they shouldn't suffer much.

That's of course if Ray Lewis plays in 2009 like he played in 2008… which was how he played in 2001. The club resigned Lewis to an expensive new deal after rumors circulated that he would be leaving in the off season. Joining him is the usual cast, fellow linebacker Terrell Suggs, run stuffing big men and defensive line stalwarts Haloti Ngata and Trevor Pryce and defensive backfield standouts Ed Reed and Samari Rolle.

2009 Baltimore Ravens Prediction: Second AFC North

By Jake Emen
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer

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