Baltimore Ravens: What They Have Going For Them

The Baltimore Ravens were 5-11 in 2015 with 20 players ending up injured reserve and Murphy’s Law being demonstrated in full effect. We could sit here and act like the sky is falling but there are some things that point to a brighter future in Baltimore.

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First of all, this was the season of perpetual despair. Terrell Suggs getting injured in a tough week one loss to Denver was the first domino to fall. The Ravens lost key player after key player. They lost close game after close game. Honestly, with an easier schedule and less injuries the Ravens may have had a fighting chance.

Aug 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) enters the field before the game against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

So the good news is that it is hard to imagine a worse season than the one the Ravens just had. A football field (counting the end zones) is 120 yards long; it seemed like the Ravens had a thing go wrong for every yard. The Ravens have always had tough breaks and injuries to deal with. This season was just worse than ever before.

The Ravens have two of the most important ingredients of a winning football team, a good head coach and a winner under center. All reports suggest that Joe Flacco will be able to start the 2016 season despite tearing his ACL against the Rams. Flacco and Harbaugh give the Ravens some legitimacy because of their more glorious past.

Steve Smith Sr. and Terrell Suggs are coming back after suffering season ending injuries. Smith Sr. is the emotional leader of the offense and the Ravens only proven star at wide receiver. Suggs is a great all around outside linebacker who is the unquestioned leader of the defense. From an X’s and O’s standpoint the Ravens are glad to have their veteran leaders back but their impact goes way beyond the playbook. “Sizzle” and “Agent 89” give the Ravens an attitude and an edge.

The Ravens are stocked with young talent. On the offensive side Buck Allen and Kamar Aiken are now known commodities. A guy like Jeremy Butler or Chris Matthews could end up making a big impact next season. Crockett Gillmore, Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams are three young tight ends with potential. On the defensive side Brandon Williams and C.J. Mosley are two young studs. The further development of defensive linemen, Timmy Jernigan, Carl Davis and Brent Urban is also something to keep in mind.

Veteran linebacker Daryl Smith is coming off a sensational season. Will Hill and Jimmy Smith are clearly not the problem in the secondary.

On top of all that the Ravens hold the number six overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Ravens have a chance to add a young star to their roster in the first round, and they pick early in every round. A good draft could pay huge dividends for the next season.

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The Ravens clearly have needs but they have key pieces to a bright new beginning. The 2016 Ravens will have much to prove, but if there is any organization that can make a speedy turnaround, it is the Ravens.

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