A prevelant national story as the Ravens have progressed this season, is that Baltimore is having a fairy-tale year.
While it is a compliment, that is also a back-handed slap saying essientially they have played over their heads based on the existing talent.
You understand the story at some-level… a first-year Head Coach, a rookie QB… a team coming off of a poor-season.
However, that is sloppy journalism. The Ravens, largely comprised of the same core players that went 13-3 in 2006, tanked in 2007. Why did that occur? Primarily, it occurred because the injuries that happended, were too much to overcome last year.
Harbaugh and the Ravens have gone through their share of adversity this year, with 17 players on IR – but for the most part, the Ravens have been able to keep their core players available.
Also, while Harbaugh is a rookie HC, he surrounded himself with an Offensive Coordinator with Head Coaching experience, and a Defensive Coordinator that will have a chance to be a HC in the near-term.
When you actually break down the roster, an argument of lack of talent could not be further from the truth.
Flacco – 1st round pick
T.Smith – Heisman
Mason – 790 career receptions, 10,000+ career receiving yards
Clayton – 1st round pick
McGahee – 1st round pick, 2007 Pro-Bowl
McClain – 2008 Pro-Bowl
Rice – 2nd round pick
Neal – 4 time Pro-Bowler
Heap – 1st round pick, 2 time Pro-Bowler
Gaither –
Grubbs – 1st round pick
Brown – 2008 Dr.Z All-Pro
Chester – 2nd round pick
Anderson – 1st round pick, 4 time Pro-Bowler
Terry – 2nd round pick
Pryce – 1st round pick, 83.5 career sacks, 4 time Pro-Bowler
Ngata – 1st round pick
Bannan –
Johnson –
Lewis – 1st round pick, 2 time Defensive MVP, 10 time Pro-Bowler
Suggs – 1st round pick, 3 time Pro-Bowler
Scott – 2006 Pro-Bowl
Washington – 1st round pick
Rolle – 2nd round pick, 2000 Pro-Bowl
Leonhard –
Reed – 1st round pick, 1 time Defensive MVP, 5 time Pro-Bowler
Stover – 2 time Pro-Bowler, 3rd most accurate kicker all-time
Koch –
Injured Reserve starters:
McAlister – 1st round pick, 26 career INT, 3 time Pro-Bowler
Gregg – 332 tackles, 13.5 sacks
Landry –
& noteable reserves
Edwards – 2nd round pick
Gooden – 3rd round pick
Yanda – 3rd round pick
Williams – 3rd WR
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.