PREVIEW: The Baltimore Ravens (13-5)

Behold, your 2008-09 Baltimore Ravens. The image includes the hero and the namesake of this very blog, Willis McGahee.

The Ravens entered the playoffs with a record of 11-5, and registered the sixth spot in the American Football Conference's bracket. They have been sporadic this season, as Joe Flacco was just a kid dumped off from Delaware, where his former team's nickname was the 'Blue Hens.' It's quite an upgrade to go from Blue Hens to Ravens, but at first, Flacco went into camp saying "I can throw a football farther than you can drive a golf ball."

There is no doubt that Flacco has a cannon, but the kid had zero control over it. In 13 of his games, including the playoffs, Flacco threw for under 200 yards, six of which he went under 150 yards. Most experts and coaches would look at those numbers on the stat sheets and throw up, but the kid has been able to get the job done many times this season.

Of course, there is more than one facet to an offense. Baltimore's running game has been exquisite, as some dude with the best first name in all of the NFL had a breakout season. His name? None other than Le'Ron McClain. McClain was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., which is a mere 10 minutes from my hometown. In his second year (well, first, if you want to count this season as a real season compared to last) McClain, an Alabama product, rushed for 902 yards on 232 carries. His 10 rushing touchdowns makes him look ridiculous for a fullback. Yes, a FREAKIN' fullback. Balls.

The Hero (McGahee) makes the Raven's rushing tandem look really good, as he rushed for 691 yards and ran into the end zone seven times, just to pretty up their rushing game. Establishing the run is definitely first on Baltimore's to-do list.

Derrick Mason, this year's winner for "Manliest Player of the Year" has another 1,000 yard receiving season. Running down the sidelines with a damned near-destroyed shoulder, has 1,037 yards on 80 catches, with five scores. He is a true weapon, but should he go down this weekend against Pittsburgh, the Ravens can look at other options, including Mark Clayton, Demetrius Williams, and Yamon Figurs (another sweet name) as aerial threats. Even though Flacco doesn't feel like throwing a perfect pass every now and then, whether it's overthrowing or underthrowing, he'll have his buddies there to carry the team down the field.

Baltimore's much vaunted defense, led by the likes of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, has stopped many opposing offenses at the goal line, or simply on a fourth down play. Checking out the defense's stat sheet:

POINTS ALLOWED: 15.2 per game (3rd best)
TOTAL YDS ALLOWED: 261.1 per game (2nd best)
PASS YDS ALLOWED: 179.9 per game (2nd best)
RUSH YDS ALLOWED: 81.4 per game (3rd best)

Yes, you really should ask yourself, "Seriously?" Baltimore is that good on both sides of the ball, folks. Ed Reed has nine interceptions on the year, including three of them being returned for a touchdown. Ray Lewis is just flat mean. Well...just look!





Ladies and gentlemen, do not be surprised of the Pittsburgh Steelers get shut down on their home turf despite the fact that the Steeler's have had their number twice this season. It should be another colossal matchup. But for now, soak in what you now know of the Ravens...and evaluate whether or not you respect them. They certainly earned it this season.