Raven's blueprint provides keys for copycats .......

[Eastside Terp]

Good article about the Raven's way and how other teams should follow the only team to make the playoffs the past 5 years and the championship game 3 of the past 5 years ......

Baltimore Ravens' blueprint provides four keys for NFL copycats

The copycat nature of the NFL prompts executives and coaches to closely study the reigning Super Bowl champions each year for insight on how to claim future Lombardi Trophies. Following their 34-31 victory in Super Bowl XLVII, the Baltimore Ravens have emerged as the NFL's newest gold standard. The rest of the league will spend countless hours this offseason studying the personnel moves and tactical strategies of Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome and coach John Harbaugh, to see if there is a way to emulate Baltimore's recent success.

http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/story/0...writers_brooks

[OriginalColtsFan]

What I think people might be missing is that the KEY to the Raven's success -- and I've been saying it all along -- is Joe Flacco. Just like the early years with Brady and Peyton; one guy can and does make a difference. The thing is...it's not so easy to go out and get a Joe Flacco. Just ask the 'Skins. Or the Bengals. Or the Browns. Or the Raiders. Or the Lions. Or the Rams. Or the Bills. Or the Jets. You get the picture.

The other element is Ozzie Newsome. He's not infallible, and I've criticized some of his decisions, but he's still better than the average NFL GM. Hell...look at the grief Pioli is getting out in KC, after having been considered a genius when he was at NE.

[Wes]

Ozzie has been the only constant in both of our championships

[ivanbalt]

The reason the Ravens have been successful is that they are not one dimensional. Some games we win with the pass, some with the run, some with defense, and even that occasional big special team play. 49ers have became the same way.

Look at the Packers. Definition of one-dimensional. They have the best QB in the league, but also one of the worst defenses and running games. As a result, one and done two years in a row.