Thursday, July 29, 2010

Good News for Charm City

If you are a Baltimore sports fan the long nightmare is over. You can now officially divert your attention to the Ravens. Watching and cheering for the Orioles has become painful at best. They have already lost 70 games BEFORE August. I wouldn't be surprised if this team comes close to 110 losses for the entire season. Now we can just ignore the Orangebirds and turn our attention to the Purple and Black.

The Ravens opened training camp on Tuesday and veterans report for workouts tomorrow. One early Power Ranking by Don Banks of Sports Illustrated has the Ravens ranked 3rd overall in the NFL behind just the Jets and Cowboys. I might argue with Don on placing the Ravens 3rd overall but I'm a believer that the Raven's offseason moves make them a true contender to make it to Dallas in February. I think the added weapons for Joe Flacco will make the difference in getting the Ravens to the next level. Anquin Boldin and Dante Stallworth will give Joe more options instead of just Ray Rice and Derrick Mason. In the end the additions may make the Ravens a better running team as well. Teams will not be able to bring all their backers and safeties to blitz Flacco and stuff Rice at the line of scrimmage. For the first time in years the Ravens offense might be better overall than the defense. I also like the confidence Joe Flacco is showing. It is obviously he is very comfortable with the offense and I expect a great season from him.

The Ravens will have to be ready to go at the start of the season. Baltimore opens at the Jets in the new Meadowlands Stadium on Monday September 14th and then the following Sunday goes to Cincy on a short week to face the defending division Champion Bengals. If the Ravens post 2 wins to open the season this will propel them to what could be a special year in Crabtown.

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