2012-2013 Baltimore Ravens Season Preview

One Goal

The Ravens were mere seconds and three points away from taking the Super Bowl favorites to overtime in the Conference Championship. The fact is, they did not capitalize. That simply won't do in 2012.

The Baltimore Ravens and their fan base may have been the only people who truly believed they could take down the heavily favored New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game this past January. They almost did just that, and after a few misplays throughout the game, most notably a wide open Troy Smith whose dagger touchdown never happened as Joe Flacco overthrew him, the Ravens believe they should have won that game. This season, they need to prove it.

In what will likely be veteran middle linebacker Ray Lewis's last season in the league, there is no doubt the heavily outspoken and passionate leader of this team will be extra motivated to win the Super Bowl this season. This is of course the goal of every professional football team every season, but this year, the Ravens have an incredible shot at doing just that. Age, injuries and offensive line woes might be the only things that stand in the way. Oh, and Cam Cameron.
The fact that Cam Cameron will still be calling offensive plays from the sideline this season is a tragedy. I would not trust Cam Cameron with the choice of boxers or briefs, let alone what play to go with on 3rd and long. If the offense is struggling by midseason, Ozzie Newsome either needs to fire Cameron or give Coach Harbaugh compete control of the system and play calling. Of course, now that Joe Flacco is in his fifth season as the team's starting quarterback, he will be allowed to do a lot more audibles at the line. Flacco showed flashes of excellence last season, but also had humiliating lows. Like some very humiliating lows, it was kind of like watching The Situation try and roast Donald Trump. But Flacco should be among the elite quarterbacks in 2012, at least he thinks so by his bold statements this offseason, which I am actually very fine with. It's the most personality the guy has shown since he starred in a Pizza Hut commercial that could put a coke addict to sleep.
Ray Rice is of course back at running back after being franchised this offseason, but the team needs to work out a long term contract to keep in Baltimore. Rice accounts for over half of the offense and is a team leader in the locker room, on the field and in the city. He also has a video on youtube of him singing Call Me Maybe in his car. Troy Smith and Anquan Boldin will carry the load at the receiving corps again, a duo that should be much improved from last season. Ed Dickson should be a top five tight end in his second season in the league, but the offense really only needs to stress about the protection up front. Say that without blushing. The offensive line was atrocious pretty often last season, although it was plagued with injuries. Still, the team lost Ben Grubbs, so most of the pressure for the front five will go to aged veteran Matt Birk. Birk is an old 36 years, so some of the young guys like Gino Gradkowski will need to step up to help this offense play at its best. After all, a Joe Flacco on the run has proven to be an ugly thing over the past seasons.
The defense will be solid as usual, even after losing fan favorite Jarret Johnson. Courtney Upshaw should be a more than competent replacement in the 3-4 at outside linebacker. I did not really get to see much of Upshaw in college, but his size is very comparable to Johnson, who thrived in this defensive scheme the past two seasons as a starter. Of course, the secondary has been a question for the past few years and will continue to be this season, unless Jimmy Smith can build on a strong rookie season and play Pro Bowl caliber cornerback all year.
The special teams can take alot of the blame for the loss to New England last season, yet Billy Cundiff returns as the team's kicker. Cundiff has shown confidence improvements, which is remarkble after his botched chip shot that could have sent the team with momentum into overtime in Foxboro for a chance to move onto the Super Bowl, but whatever. Cundiff has promised a solid 2012 season, now he just needs to back it up.
Even with all of the position analysis, alot of what happens on the season comes to the schedule a team is dealt. The Ravens did finish in first in the AFC North last season, so they get a pretty tough schedule. They open up at home on Monday Night Football against the Bengals, a team that should not have as much success as they did last season. After looking at the team's schedule, I predict the Ravens to finish 12-4 and finish in first in the AFC North for a second straight season.