- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,195,184
- Reaction score
- 59
Every Baltimore Ravens offseason introduces some level of uncertainty. Familiar faces leave. Coaches move on. Veterans cash in elsewhere, and fans spend the summer wondering whether this team can recapture what it had a season ago. No organization is immune. Baltimore replaced the only head coach some of its younger fans have ever known. They also lost one of the NFL's premier centers in Tyler Linderbaum. They welcomed a new offensive coordinator with a brand-new playbook and a rookie head coach tasked with following one of the greatest runs in franchise history.
For most organizations, that's enough change to invite skepticism. For the Ravens, it's simply a reason to rely on the core and lean on lessons learned. The easiest way to determine whether a contender is still a contender is by looking at who remains rather than agonizing over who left. Ladies and gentlemen, that said, Baltimore is in good shape.
It doesn't take much effort to find the good news. Baltimore still employs Lamar Jackson, arguably the NFL's most dynamic quarterback. Derrick Henry returns after another dominant campaign. Kyle Hamilton continues developing into one of football's premier defensive playmakers, while Trey Hendrickson joins a defense already loaded with talent.
That's before mentioning veterans such as Calais Campbell, Marlon Humphrey, and Roquan Smith. Simply put, championship-caliber players still occupy the Ravens' locker room. The organization continues doing what it always has. Perhaps the Ravens' biggest strength isn't a player at all. It's the franchise itself. Few organizations draft as consistently as Baltimore. Few develop young talent as well. Even fewer transition from one coaching staff to another without sacrificing expectations. General manager Eric DeCosta continues building on the foundation Ozzie Newsome established decades ago.
The expectation never changes. The Baltimore Ravens keep ensuring every offseason becomes less about replacing stars and more about preparing the next wave. That's why they rarely find themselves rebuilding. The foundation is already set, and it won't be moved by stormy weather or turbulent waves.
Training camp will answer plenty of questions. Jesse Minter must establish himself. Declan Doyle's offense will require time to develop chemistry. New starters must settle into unfamiliar roles.
Still, Baltimore enters another season exactly where it always seems to begin. They're among the AFC's legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Change may have arrived, but the expectations haven't changed. Expectations never left.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens remain one of the AFC's safest Super Bowl bets despite changes
Continue reading...
For most organizations, that's enough change to invite skepticism. For the Ravens, it's simply a reason to rely on the core and lean on lessons learned. The easiest way to determine whether a contender is still a contender is by looking at who remains rather than agonizing over who left. Ladies and gentlemen, that said, Baltimore is in good shape.
Championship pieces remain in place for the Ravens
It doesn't take much effort to find the good news. Baltimore still employs Lamar Jackson, arguably the NFL's most dynamic quarterback. Derrick Henry returns after another dominant campaign. Kyle Hamilton continues developing into one of football's premier defensive playmakers, while Trey Hendrickson joins a defense already loaded with talent.
That's before mentioning veterans such as Calais Campbell, Marlon Humphrey, and Roquan Smith. Simply put, championship-caliber players still occupy the Ravens' locker room. The organization continues doing what it always has. Perhaps the Ravens' biggest strength isn't a player at all. It's the franchise itself. Few organizations draft as consistently as Baltimore. Few develop young talent as well. Even fewer transition from one coaching staff to another without sacrificing expectations. General manager Eric DeCosta continues building on the foundation Ozzie Newsome established decades ago.
The expectation never changes. The Baltimore Ravens keep ensuring every offseason becomes less about replacing stars and more about preparing the next wave. That's why they rarely find themselves rebuilding. The foundation is already set, and it won't be moved by stormy weather or turbulent waves.
Training camp will answer plenty of questions. Jesse Minter must establish himself. Declan Doyle's offense will require time to develop chemistry. New starters must settle into unfamiliar roles.
Still, Baltimore enters another season exactly where it always seems to begin. They're among the AFC's legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Change may have arrived, but the expectations haven't changed. Expectations never left.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens remain one of the AFC's safest Super Bowl bets despite changes
Continue reading...
