The Ravens definitely have a few issues to address, but no more than any other team this offseason. A lot of people are beginning to question Joe Flacco and whether he is the right man to be starting at QB in Baltimore. To me, it just seems like he’s the new ‘Peyton Manning.’ But once Manning got his one Super Bowl ring, all the talk about his postseason failures just seemed to end, despite the Colts having plenty of postseason problems since then.
I think it will be similar for Flacco. The Ravens have a talented team, a talented coach, and a talented quarterback who, this season, tied Dan Marino’s record for most wins by an NFL quarterback in his first three seasons. Clearly he has what it takes to play at this level. But he struggles when he is put up against the best players in the league.
Another concern is time. I think Flacco is still a few years away from being at the level a pro quarterback needs to be at to win a Super Bowl. Who knows if Baltimore will still have the defense to back up their offense at that point? Reed should still be in the league and hopefully with the Ravens, but Ray Lewis might be gone by that time, as could some of their other defensive weapons.
So my biggest ‘suggestion’ for the Ravens’ 2011 offseason is that they look to get younger. Drafting a quality inside linebacker, who can learn from Lewis over the next three or four years, could really help down the road.
Baltimore needs to jump on resigning Haloti Ngata as soon as a new CBA is completed. They could also use a better cornerback to defend their opponents’ #1 receivers, and maybe even a better #1 receiver themselves, one who can get downfield a little quicker.
I don’t think it is realistic to be putting any money on Baltimore as a Super Bowl champion next season. They could surprise me, and I do fully expect another playoff appearance, but I just don’t think Flacco will be ready to take his team to that level so soon.
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