RAVENS WINNING RECORD OUT OF QUESTION

It's too late for the Baltimore Ravens to correct the misdeeds that long ago eliminated them from playoff contention. At this time, the best they did for themselves is that they proved that they're not just a part of awful last-place teams in their match-up against the Packers. It was a great opportunity for the Ravens to show the country that they were better than their record and that the passion that this team has had for a number of years exists even in these circumstances. Moreover, the notion of watching Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis chase down quarterback Brett Favre and running back Ahman Green made this interconference matchup that much more attractive. Though the match-up was only a formality that looked like a game that was played for pride and for a lofty position in the 2006 NFL draft. Worse, because of a spate of injuries that have depleted both teams. But, it was truly a rare occurrence for the Baltimore Ravens’ which has usually an anemic offense. Not only did the Ravens register a franchise record for points and touchdowns as they crushed the Green Bay Packers 48-3 in the most lopsided Monday night game ever, but they finally put on a balanced offense. Running back Jamal Lewis rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Kyle Boller delivered three touchdown passes. The Ravens (5-9) finished with 435 yards of total offense and an average of 6.7 yards per play. The team’s defense was not that good, but still contributed heavily with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The Ravens' random 2005 season took another strange turn Wednesday when the league announced the Pro Bowl teams, and for the first time in team history, only one Raven made the AFC squad. Jonathan Ogden will represent Baltimore for the ninth consecutive season, but he may go alone. Tight end Todd Heap and safety Ed Reed were named as first alternates, but they will only make the trip to Hawaii if someone gets hurt.

FOR THOSE WHO BET ON RAVENS, HOPEFULLY HAVE LEARNED HOW THEY FORMED A FLOP TEAM

Lack of offense, a lackluster performance, a sluggish line-up, and a bad luck, the Ravens have now doomed with a cloud of inconsistency this season. As the Ravens fell to the Bengals 21-9, it was the same story of the team’s recent loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Baltimore is a poor offensive team, regardless of who the quarterback is. Kyle Boller returned to the lineup, but the Ravens didn’t see much more success in the passing game. Anthony Wright replaced Boller early in the second half after throwing a few interceptions, but the passing game was also largely ineffective with Anthony Wright throwing for just 153 yards on 19 of 30 passing. There were a couple of anxious moments for the Baltimore Ravens but they were but they were destined to register a disappointing season. They have fallen behind their AFC North rivals not only in the big-picture developmental sense, but also in the standings. Jamal Lewis' lurid season continued with the running back putting up just 49 yards on 15 carries. The Ravens defense held up for the majority of the game, even though they gave up 97 yards to Rudi Johnson, and a Matt Stover field goal in the fourth quarter brought the team to within 14-9. But the defense finally went down, as Carson Palmer led the Bengals on a 12-play, 91-yard touchdown drive to put the game away.

RAVENS-BEARS UPDATED

Now when both the teams are without quarterbacks they expected to be starters, it has become obvious that both the teams have become determined to play more correctly. The Bears have somehow managed to retain their hold with the help of Thomas Jones' 100.4-yard average. Jones and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad has taken all the pressure off Orton, a rookie. And now on the other front it’s up to the Ravens defense to overcome the incompetent offense and win games. As a matter of fact the Ravens have survived with that formula for years. However, Ray Lewis and the defense have slumped considerably and no longer can carry the team. Jamal Lewis, who missed offseason workouts and training camp while serving a prison term, has yet to rush for 100 yards in a game but appears to be improving. The Ravens must win only to remain in the chase with the Bengals and Steelers in the AFC North, and a Bears win would keep them in atop the weak NFC North. For the Chicago Bears, 2-3 means a first-place tie in the NFL's worst division, the NFC North. The Ravens and Bears should try to reach the .500 mark when they meet at Soldier Field.

But the Ravens should remain prepared for every possible thing as rookie wide receiver Mark Clayton, fullback Ovie Mughelli and All-Pro safety Ed Reed have suffered ankle sprains in the game. Another concern for Baltimore is whether Jamal Lewis can get back to battering defenses the way he usually does.

Ravens QB Wright to have shoulder surgery; CB Carter signs

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Anthony Wright will undergo surgery to repair a labrum tear in his right shoulder and is expected to be sidelined for at least a month.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome confirmed that the surgery likely will take place in the next five to six days.
"It could be a four-to-six week injury. It could be longer," Newsome said.
Wright started the last seven regular season games and Baltimore's playoff loss to Tennessee last season. He completed 114-of-215 passes for 1,413 yards and 10 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

Pro Bowler Chris McAlister and Gary Baxter are the starters with Corey Fuller and Carter serving as backups or at nickel back.
Carter was voted to the Pro Bowl four straight years from 1994-97 as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs and also played with Denver and Minnesota.

Coaching Staff Of Ravens

Assistant Coaches
Matt Cavanaugh - offensive coordinator; born October 27, 1956, Youngstown, Ohio. Quarterback Pittsburgh 1974-77. Pro quarterback New England Patriots 1978-1982, San Francisco 49ers 1983-85, Philadelphia Eagles 1986-89, New York Giants 1990-91. College coach: Pittsburgh 1993. Pro coach: Arizona Cardinals 1994-95, San Francisco 49ers 1996, Chicago Bears 1997-98, joined Ravens in 1999.
Jim Colletto - offensive line; born October 2, 1944, San Francisco. Fullback-linebacker UCLA 1964-67. No pro playing experience. College coach: UCLA 1967-68, Brown 1969, Xavier 1970-71, Pacific 1972-74, Cal State-Fullerton 1975-79 (head coach), UCLA 1980-1981, Purdue 1982-84, Arizona State 1985-87, Ohio State 1988-1990, Purdue 1991-96 (head coach), Notre Dame 1997-98. Pro coach: Joined Ravens in 1999.
Jim Fassel - senior consultant; born August 31, 1949, Anaheim, Calif. Quarterback Fullerton College 1967-68, USC 1969-1972. No pro game experience. College coach: Fullerton College 1973, Utah 1976, 1985-89, Weber State 1977-78, Stanford 1979-1983. Pro coach: Hawaii Hawaiians (World League) 1974, New Orleans Breakers (USFL) 1984, New York Giants 1991-92, Denver Broncos 1993-94, Oakland Raiders 1995, Arizona Cardinals 1996, New York Giants 1997-2003, joined Ravens in 2004.

Baltimore Ravens Archives

Baltimore Ravens, professional football team and one of six teams in the Central Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) of the National Football League (NFL). Under the league’s realignment plan, which will take affect in 2002, the Ravens will play in the North Division of the AFC. The Ravens play at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, and wear uniforms of black, purple, and gold. The team is named after a poem entitled “The Raven” (1845) by American writer Edgar Allan Poe, who lived in Baltimore during the 1830s.

After finishing the 1998 season with 6 wins and 10 losses, the Ravens hired Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Brian Billick as head coach.Through shrewd draft picks and free agent signings, the Ravens rebuilt their team around a standout defense. The team was led by linebacker Ray Lewis, who became one of the leading tacklers and top defenders in the NFL. The Ravens’ defense gave up a record-low 165 points during the 2000 season, then allowed just 23 points in the postseason, including a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.