Baltimore Ravens Tickets

2008 Baltimore Ravens Season Preview The Baltimore Ravens were considered a Super Bowl contender entering 2007, but injuries decimated an aging team and they finished a stunning 5-11.

Now the Ravens enter 2008 in an interesting position following the retirement of quarterback Steve McNair and offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden.

The clearly aging Ravens still have a number of veterans who play at a very high level and want to make a push for a Super Bowl title, but the team is in desperate need of a franchise quarterback and injecting some youth into the roster.

The result is a team that wants to win now but isn't likely built to do so because of the quarterback situation.

Instead of using an early first round draft pick to select an immediate impact player who could help push them deep into the playoffs in 2008, the Ravens went with a quarterback who didn't play Division I football.

Joe Flacco could be a great quarterback down the road, but he isn't likely to play this year barring terrible play from the top two guys on the depth chart or injuries. The Ravens would prefer to let Flacco sit and watch for a season, afraid that throwing him into the mix from the start could hamper his development.

Kyle Boller has shown time and time again that he isn't the guy, and while Troy Smith showed flashes last season, no one seemed convinced he can be a consistent NFL quarterback either.

Part of the reason for the struggles at the quarterback position can be attributed to the players surrounding him. Tight end Todd Heap is constantly injured, while the team's wide receivers have underperformed and lack a playmaker.

The Ravens believe Mark Clayton can be a solid performer if he can stay on the field, and they have very high hopes for Demetrius Williams, who is being counted on to stretch the field.

The offensive line will also be an issue, as they will be one of the youngest but most talented units in the entire league. With the retirement of left tackle Jonathan Ogden, protecting the quarterback's blind-side is now a concern.

However, this group has the potential to be special together for a number of years to come.

Given the past two seasons, the fantastic but aging defense and suspect quarterback play, the Ravens could be anywhere from the dark horse winner of the division to a third place team.