Who are the Ravens exactly?

[Peej7245]

While watching the national mediots and reading both Baltimore and other city articles, it seems like noone takes the time to understand the core of this team...well to me anyway.

Therefore, let's chip in some impressions...

Ravens are not:

• A team that is too impressed with statistics
  
• A pretty team
  
• A finesse team
  
• A team that cares what ESPN says about them

The Ravens are:

• A team that lost its DPOY for nearly half the year
• A team that lost its General for nearly half the year
• A team that lost its shutdown CB (one of the 5 best in the NFL) for nearly half the year
• A team that had warriors like Ngata playing with multiple injuries...but playing
• A team that lost a pair of quiet, steady defensive leaders to FA
• A team that replaced those losses with young, below the radar playmakers
• A team that did not panic when those youngsters did not play like 10-year veterans, at first.
• A team that integrated those youngsters and worked with them so that they became veterans quickly.
• A team that did not panic when we all carped over their low defensive rankings.
• A team that transitioned from a defensive powerhouse to a budding offensive one.
• A team that was not afraid to replace an OC
• A team that was not afraid to put the ball in the hands of its QB to win games
• A team that had a plan that included making the playoffs
• A team that had a plan that included getting healthy for the playoffs
• A team that, in the words of the immortal Billick, kicked the door down and screamed "WHERE IS THAT SOB?!?"

Finally, a team that will take the all-important plane ride to NOLA next Monday!

Regardless of what happens on Feb 3, thanks Ravens for a wonderful season!

...and thanks fellow fans for the passion, humor, frustration, etc.!

[Steveg85321]

To me the Ravens are characterized by two words: TOUGH and RESILIENT.

It should be clear by now that the teams that find success in the Super Bowl run are not necessarily the teams that were the best during the regular season. The important thing is to be peaking in the playoffs. It appears the Ravens coaches and players understand that. After all the injuries and shortcomings they have had during the season, they're not having those now (except for guys out for the season ie: Webb, McLain) and they've worked out their problems.

I also believe, and this is something Harbaugh has stressed from the day his appointment was announced, they play as a TEAM. As much as we've complained that Birk, Lewis and Reed are not what they used to be, it cannot be denied that their leadership is at the heart of this team. The Ravens have a good mix of the energy, athleticism, and hunger of young guys with wisdom and experience of veterans.

[Peej7245]

Good points...maybe that will lead them to bring Boldin back next season. He's the kind of Pro that will continue to influence the younger receivers - like he has done for Torrey already.