Baltimore Ravens

HISTORY
Founded as the Cleveland Browns of the AAFC in 1946. Joined the NFL in 1950. Moved to the AFC in 1970 as part of the AFL/NFL merger. Relocated and changed name to Baltimore Ravens in 1996.

CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMARY
League Championships: 9 – 1946 (AAFC), 1947 (AAFC), 1948 (AAFC), 1949 (AAFC), 1950 (NFL), 1954 (NFL), 1955 (NFL), 1956 (NFL), 1964 (NFL), 2000 (Super Bowl)

Conference Championships: 12 – 1950 (AFC), 1951 (AFC), 1952 (AFC), 1953 (EFC), 1954 (EFC), 1955 (EFC), 1957 (EFC), 1964 (EFC), 1965 (EFC), 1968 (EFC), 1969 (EFC), 2000 (AFC)

Division Championships: 11 – 1967 (NFL Century), 1968 (NFL Century), 1969 (NFL Century), 1971 (AFC Central), 1980 (AFC Central), 1981 (AFC Central), 1985 (AFC Central), 1986 (AFC Central), 1987 (AFC Central), 1989 (AFC Central), 2003 (AFC North), 2006 (AFC North)

Playoff Appearances: 31 – 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010

Recent Records:

2004: 9-7 2005: 7-9 2006: 13-3 2007: 5-11 2008: 11-5 2009: 9-7 2010: 12-4

2011 Draft Grade

Baltimore Ravens (A)
27: Jimmy Smith (18, 30 = 24) +3
58: Torrey Smith (53, 38 = 46) +12
85: Jah Reid (118, 113 = 116) -31
123: Tandon Doss (63, 109 = 86) +37
164: Chykie Brown (172, 146 = 159) +5
165: Pernell McPhee (137, 107 = 122) +43
180: Tyrod Taylor (150, 153 = 152) +28
225: Anthony Allen (197, 255 = 226) -1

Draft Pick Total: 1027 – Player Rankings Total: 931 —- TOTAL RANKING: +96

The Ravens had a very solid draft all the way through. Their only “big” reach was Jah Reid, an offensive tackle out of Central Florida who just happens to have great size and potential. Every other picks was a +-pick except their 225th selection, Anthony Allen, a big running back out of Georgia Tech. He was ranked 226, so getting him at 225 wasn’t too hard to swallow. I thought the Ravens had a strong draft, and did a good job grabbing value – and the value-meter shows that. I think it’s easier for Baltimore because their locker room is so strong – they can get guys with personality concerns as they have the leadership to help turn those guys around (see Smith, Jimmy).

2011 Mock Draft

Baltimore Ravens 12-4 – Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA: I’m not sure what the Ravens are looking for in this draft, and if they believe Sergio Kindle is going to come back and produce or be an option for them in the future – but I know they could get younger defensively, and Ayers is a very good athlete with nice size that can really get after the passer. He’s a nice fit in the 3-4 scheme that Baltimore thrives in, and he’s got plenty of upside. Still, the Ravens could also look to add a receiver like Leonard Hankerson or Randall Cobb, to give them more of a threat down the field. They could also add offensive line help of the value presents itself, or even draft for the future if Ed Reed hangs it up soon. So many options for a team as talented as Baltimore, which is why I think they go for value with the Ayers addition.

2009 Fantasy Football Notes

Joe Flacco, Troy Smith, Le’Ron McClain, Willis McGahee, Ray Rice, Cedric Peerman, Mark Clayton, Derrick Mason, Demetrius Williams, Todd Heap, L.J. Smith

The Ravens don’t produce much offense through the air, but they still have fantasy players that need mentioning. One of the deepest sets of running backs in the league, it’s almost certain that McClain, McGahee, and Ray Rice will each hold decent fantasy value at some point during the upcoming season. The tough part will be predicting when. Ray Rice looks like the guy Raven’s coaches want to get the most looks. McClain was the guy that did the most with his chances last season. And Willis McGahee might have more talent than either of his teammates. Then there’s Cedric Peerman, a rookie that was very underrated and could be a solid runner in the league. At QB, Joe Flacco looks to build on a fantastic rookie season. He has a lot to learn, but if last season was any indication of his ability, his future is now, and bright too. He doesn’t have too many receiving options. Derrick Mason came back from retirement, and he’ll be solid, but Mark Clayton is hurt and out for a while (maybe a couple regular season weeks) and while Demetrius Williams has talent, he’s yet to prove himself at this level. Then you have to take into account the fact that Baltimore throws less than just about every other team in the league. At TE there are two valuable receivers, or at least they were both valuable at some point in their careers. Todd Heap has been a pro-bowler, once a top ranked TE, but has been beaten down by injuries. But they say he’s back. L.J. Smith was solid in Philly, had some promising stretches, and now looks to make the most out of his new home. With Clayton on the mend, and all season long, the Ravens might use both TEs on the field at the same time. I’d give Heap the nod if I were looking for a TE here.

2008 NFL DRAFT GRADES

Baltimore Ravens: B+

Aside from a couple picks, most of this draft had good value. A nice job for a Ravens team looking to get back to the playoffs. Will Might Joe be the answer?

The Ravens traded down and added a couple picks before picking up Joe Flacco, a kid I really like. Flacco seems to have that cool confidence that is always a plus with the most noticed position on the field. At 18, I think he’s a much safer, and possibly a bigger upside pick than Matt Ryan. But quarterbacks are weird, and I didn’t think Peyton was going to be great – so what do I know?

I thought Ray Rice was a bit of a stretch here. Don’t get me wrong, I like the kid, and he’ll be solid insurance for Willis McGahee, and could end up being a great player, but I thought there was more value for this team left on the board. I liked Kevin Smith here if they really went running back, but thought Reggie Smith would be a great pick up for this aging secondary. Also, Pat Sims, with some tough leaders getting him ready to play, would have been a smooth pick up. This isn’t a bad pick, like I said, I just think it was a reach.

Tavares Gooden will help this team on special teams now, and has the raw ability to become a defensive player for them in the future. I like this pick.

Tim Zbikowski doesn’t have the numbers to be an NFL star, but I watched this guy play plenty of big games and make plenty of big plays. He’s a football player through and through, and I always like that kind of pick.

Oniel Cousins was a good value pick. He hasn’t played much O-Line, but he has the skills and strength to be a good one. Good work by the Ravens on this one.

Marcus Smith has very nice size, runs good routes, and uses his hands well. He doesn’t have sprinter speed, but neither does Derick Mason and he’s still doing work for the Ravens well into his mid 30s.

David Hale did good work in the post-season games, and while he’s not a stellar athlete, this is a big offensive lineman that is willing to learn. A lot of the time, it’s better to grab size with will over size with skill and laziness.

I don’t really see Nakamura doing much for the Ravens, but who knows. I know he’s really fast and played for a pretty good defense at Cinci. I also know that he’s a good kick returner, but I doubt he’s better than Yaman Figurs.

Justin Harper must be missing something because his hands seemed solid, he’s 6’4″, and he ran with good speed at the combine. Either VaTech missed something or there was a good reason to limit his play in college.

I don’t think Allen Patrick will make the team unless he shows solid play on special teams. He’s a small running back without elite speed or vision. He’s capable of running the ball a little, but that’s it.


2007 Baltimore Ravens

After two seasons of relative mediocrity, the Ravens fought and battled their way back to the playoffs with an awesome regular season record of 13-3. Obviously a loss to the Colts in their first playoff game wasn’t how the Ravens wanted to finish, especially the way it crumbled. Adding Steve McNair was supposed to quell their quarterback deficiencies, but against one of the league’s more porous defenses, the Ravens only managed 6 points, committing 4 turnovers, 2 McNair interceptions, one McNair Fumble, and a Todd Heap fumble as well. I’m not saying Peyton Manning’s numbers weren’t more pathetic, but he won, and eventually got to the Super Bowl. Steve just followed Kyle Boller’s mold, and the Ravens lost another big game because of poor quarterbacking. This off-season will all but definitely see Steve back at the reigns, and most of the 13-3 Ravens back in uniform. But some questions definitely have to be answered. At running back, Jamal Lewis could very well be let go, leaving room for the Ravens to draft a young back, or possibly go hunting in free agency or a draft day trade. The receiver position is looking pretty decent. Mark Clayton came on strong toward the end of the season, and Todd Heap is always solid. Defensively, so free agents loom, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Baltimore’s defense was stout once again.

2007 Off-Season Plans:

First things first for the Ravens, and that’s dealing with their free agents. On the offensive side of the ball, that means making a decision on Jamal Lewis. On the defensive side of the ball, top priority has to be Adalius Thomas, who could be the most athletic player in football. Youngster can do anything. In a season of coaching vacancies, the Ravens resigned Brian Billick, after he took the offensive and pounded the ball to the best season in franchise history. All in all, the Ravens have to figure out what they are going to do with the guys they have, either resigning some longtime players, or cutting ties and going in another direction. The Draft has plenty of defensive end, outside linebacker possibilities, and although the running back class is relatively light, someone like Mike Bush, Kenny Irons, or Lorenzo Booker could end up being a steal after Round 1. Lots of options.

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