Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti held his annual ‘State of the Ravens” press conference last week. The conference in many ways serves as a kick off of the Ravens off season and allows the media and fans to hear what direction Biscotti feels the team is heading. Biscotti was joined by general manager Ozzie Newsome, president of operations Dick Cass and head coach John Harbaugh. For the most part the session was rather bland and little that we did not already know or think was said about the Ravens off season and hopes to contend for a Super Bowl next season. I did find some of Bisciotti comments regarding Joe Flacco interesting and I wonder if there was a need for them to be said in a public forum.
While not trying to pin all of the Ravens hopes on the shoulders of their soon to be 3rd year QB, it seems like Bisciotti did just that. Here is what the Ravens owner had to say about Flacco:
“I think this next year, it’s time for him to do the things that we know he’s capable of doing,”
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that he’s the key to any kind of growth in the system,”
It is surprising to hear Bisciotti come so close to saying that the Ravens fortunes rest so heavily on one players shoulders. As was witnessed last night good QB play does not always lead you to the promised land. Certainly bad QB play will do you in more times than not, but the 2000 Ravens showed that you can win with mediocre play at theposition. I think in some ways Bisciotti painted a target on the back of his franchise QB. Did he mean to, probably not. But I don’t think he e needed to g remotely close doing so.
Flacco is by all accounts a hard working, level headed QB, who does not need external pressure to drive him to improve. Bisciotti would have been better served to say that this off season is bout improving in any area we can, while not creating any more holes on the roster. We need to have improved QB play, get more dynamic players at the receiver position, shore the defensive line and secondary, add depth and become a more disciplined club. After what he said, it seems like sort of a deep play-off run or Super Bowl appearance, Flacco will not have improved enough. Not entirely fair in my opinion. Flacco does need to improve and show that he can win against top flight defenses and that he can make plays that win play-off games, but he is not going to get it done alone.
The Ravens brass also addressed the need to get more playmakers around Flacco, but they were not specific about where those players may come from. Bisciotti expected to have some ability to acquire players via free agency, despite the limitations the expiring CBA has laid on them. It seems like the Ravens will need to get some receivers through the draft, or as Newsome speculated by picking up players who are cut for salary reasons. Either solution seems to leave the Ravens lacking the type of talent they need at the position, or having to wait for it to mature.
Despite the insistence that the Ravens will have the flexibility needed to make moves this off season, Bisciotti did indicate he expects the Ravens roster to remain largely intact. The uncapped year would seem to afford the Ravens the ability to retain most if not all of their restricted free agents. For a team that has a high number of them this is a good thing.
I guess my qestion, after listening to the “state of the Ravens address,” is where are the Ravens headed? After the 2008 season I felt much more confident that the team was headed in the right direction and capable of taking the next steps to the Super Bowl. I am still pleased with the talent level the Ravens will bring back, but I am less sure that those next steps will reflect straight line progress. Considering the make-up of the current roster, are the Ravens in for a bumpy year or two before they can make another run in the play-offs?
Alright, here is where I become the most unpopular guy on the BSR blog…
Say what you want about how "great" an owner Steve Biscotti is, but I will beg to differ.
Biscotti took over full reign of the team in 2004. The 2005 season featured a 6-10 season and major injuries to Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Jamal Lewis who was operated on in the offseason and spent his rehab in jail. This team also featured QBs Athony Wright and Kyle "I shoulda been a" Boller. In the offseason, Biscotti dressed down Billick, a guy to this point who had gone to the playoffs 3 out of 4 years (2000, 2001, 2003), won a Division Championship (2003), a Conference Championship (2000) and a Super Bowl (2000), telling him he needed to "change his ways". Billick did rebound with the help of Steve McNair the next year with a 13-3 record, but this "undressing" by Biscotti in front of the media and his team basically emasculated the coach. Imagine you're a supervisor and your boss comes in front of everybody and tells you "you're not getting the job done and you've gotta change." It's one thing to do this behind closed doors, quite another to do it in front of the whole nation. Billick was essentially done after that. He had to go against everything that gave him those playoff seasons 3 out of his first 4 years and forced him to reinvent himself. Billick was no longer the coach with swagger and the "us against the world" with his players. Biscotti told his successful employee to be something he wasn't! Not sure how that makes you a good owner.
Then, he fires the guy he gave a 5 year contract extension to, even failing to tell his own General Manager he was going to fire his coach, and hires a coach whom Biscotti himself described as "having a thin resume". A risk, a guy who had never been a coordinator, never more than a special teams coach and defensive backs coach.
Now, the argument against my assesment will be "Biscotti obviously made the right choice…this guy has gone to the playoffs two years in a row . It's a good argument, but I will contend that in year one the team went through what I call the "Joe Altobelli Year", meaning those Ravens' players were determined to show the world that they could "win without Billick", just as the 1983 Orioles had done under Altobelli, who never achieved that sucess again. Also, some former players say that Rex Ryan was the man behind those 2008 Ravens. In Biscotti's guy's second year, they slipped to 9-7 and only went 1-6 against teams that went to the playoffs this past year.
Biscotti, a "great owner"? I say the jury is still out.
It absolutely amazing spot on you are.
That press conference said it all to me.
To me, that moment still resonates.
Make no mistake.
The inmates are still running the asylum.
Bruz – I swear I'm not paying Sadler….
I contend that Mr. Biscotti most closely resembles Michael Scott (The Office) in his managerial style.
Since no one is biting STG's bait. I'll just say that I think the picture of Biscotti in our featured content is hilarious. And that compared to numerous other owners we don't have any issues with the Ravens head honcho here in Baltimore.
Zach, I stand behind those facts. This team now seems content to “make” the playoffs, then see what happens from there. The most disturbing fact is that the Ravens were 1-6 against playoff teams this year and are a combined 1-7 versus the Indy team and the Steelers the last two years. You can’t build a team to just “make” the playoffs, fans will eventually see through that. Eventually you have to beat the quality teams. Too much contentment for my liking. Harbaugh says let’s bring them all back next year…really? A 9-7 team? Ozzie last year said the WRs were “good enough” last year…. Really Ozzie? If the mindest doesn’t change, get ready for a series of 8-8, 9-7 years and “making” the playoffs and hoping to catch lightning in a bottle against the elite teams.
STG … At least the guy with the thin resume has won a road game at least once every twelve months…Something Coach Billick couldn't do despite having four "players of the decade" (at least two of whom are 1st Ballot HoF'ers)!
Look, I know you are just trying to pass time on a slow news day… But when you start throwing out terms like lightning in a bottle without full attribution, well, well, that crosses the line! 🙂 OBTW…Al Del Greco hit an upright and had two FGs blocked (one returned for a TD) way back on 7 January 2001. Per SI.COM "The defending AFC champions dominated the defense that allowed the fewest points ever in a 16-game season, controlling the clock for more than 40 minutes and running All-Pro Eddie George against the NFL's best rushing defense as they amassed 317 yards of offense." But hey, that all led to my Nike Tee with the big circle!
Note to self: Don't steal Bruz's one-liners.
What's tough for me in this debate is that Baltimore still isn't an elite franchise. The Ravens are between rooting for a franchise like the Redskins, without hope, and one like New England, that seems to do everything the right way. I tend to think the Ravens are more on New England's side but somewhere below the Steelers.
Anyway…The expectations for sports franchises are set by the fans of the teams and in some cases all they want is a playoff berth. I want a world championship, but ask a lot of Orioles fans what they want and it's simply a winning season. It all depends on the place, the team, their history, etc.
While STG really covered his bases with stats, on a slow news day (as Bruz pointed out), some fans would kill to have an owner like Bisciotti who wants to build an elite franchise. No matter what you think of the guy it's nice to at least have an owner who has the team's best interest at heart, not a guy that knows nothing about football and is trying to run the team.
He appointed a GM that has done pretty well for himself. I know a few fans in DC that would really appreciate a guy like that.
Don't use New England as an example. They cheated. We of course will never know how much they cheated, but they cheated. As for the Steelers, they have a great franchise yet they found a way to wallow in mediocrity for a decade. Sometimes, it takes a good team playing great football at the right time. throw in a little luck and there you have it.
Seriously, the Ravens might not win the AFC Championship game against Oakland in 2000 without Gannon getting hurt.
The Saints don't make it to- the Super Bowl if Brett Farve doesn't implode at the worst possible moment.
Billy Beane had it right in Moneyball. All you can do is build a team to make it to the playoffs. After that, you hope for the best.
Alright…. this is good night.
I don't believe you Sadler. You'll be up til midnight.
Honestly though I think we see eye to eye on this one. I don't think the cheating in New England was nearly as much of a big deal as everyone made it out to be, but use Pittsburgh as an example. They are an elite franchise and I know that's what Biscotti wants to build.
Getting to the playoffs is really all you can ask for, it's a whole new season from there. But Ravens fans, myself included, want the playoffs to be expected and want to feel like they've got a chance every year. I understand that desire and I hope that Biscotti's business model and Ozzie's brain can formulate a team that will do that for years to come.
Bruz
Your vendetta against Billick is way too transparent. He won a Super Bowl. You say you aren't trying to discredit it but that's exactly what you are doing.
Zach
The reason we don't know enough about New England's cheating is because the league and the four letter network made it go away. There is no way in hell they were gonna let that thing out because it would've been the biggest scandal since the 1919 Chicago Black Sox. Except this involved 3 championships and a dynasty.
ESPN has become a disgrace. Notice how the UCONN basketball stuff quietly went away last year? If that's an SEC team it's covered like you wouldn't believe.
Bruz,
I figured I'd get you with that "lightning" comment!
Harbaugh wouldn't have to worry about winning all those "road playoff games" if he would stop trying to "eek" into the playoffs and have to play all his games on the road. All hail Harbaugh Medicority! 9-7 and "making" the playoffs is our rallying cry!!! Who needs home playoff games and a bye. Byes are for wimps! Any game, anyplace, anytime (except Pittsburgh on Monday night to open the season).
What? What?
Saw some awesome Mariner's commercials!!! Looks like you guys are stepping it up. Maybe Zach and Co. could give you some space here on BSR to tell the fellas what Mariner's football is all about. If they'd go, they'd love it!
STG, working forward to working with Zach on the away game webcasts. Should be a great season. Team has really taken it up a notch all around. Camp starts next week. Maybe can get the BSR's guys out there.
I might be inclined to see the Mariners when they play here is Richmond. I'm looking forward to watching Rodney Landers and the Revolution destroy all in their way…..
I aprreciate some of the sentiments that have been expressed here. And I also appreciate what Billick did during his time here. The 2000 team was a joy to watch and other teams under Billick were very good as well. That being said, after the '06 team(the last that really had a shot to win a SB in my opinion) failed to advance in the play-offs, the Billick magic had run out.
Enter Harbaugh and the team responds by winning 3 play-off games in what, for most teams, would have been rebuilding years. I am not suggesting that the success of the last 2 years is all due to Harbaugh, but lots of pro sports teams need the shot in the arm that a fresh message gives them. I think Harbs has done well considering that he has won with largely the previous regimes players. It seems quite evident that he would like to eliminate some of the stronger personalities from his locker room. Time will tell if he can win with the roster of players that he wants.
Jeff,
Exactly my point with the "Joe Altobelli" remark, let's see what Harbs does with his own crew. Now when we refer to "Harb's guys" can we count the guys brought in this year? Haushcka as the full time kicker (I know he was here the year before as the kick off guy), LJ Smith – Man, what an impact Harb's former guy from Philly had this year!?!?, David "Fair Catch" Carr?, Dominique "Mr. Softy" Foxworth, who was chosen over Leonhard….If his first year of helping choose players is any indication, the 9-7 years should be expected.
Sure as long as we can count Oher, Flacco and Rice as Harbs' guys as well. Clearly some of the personell decisions did not work this year, but Foxworth/Leonhard was never an either or. The club wanted to keep Leonhard, hut already had the younger Landry under contract. Besides not having Jim Leonhard on the 2009 Ravens probably made little to no difference in the way the season turned out.
Oher is a stud, no doubt. Rice is dynamic, but I'm not so sure he has the durability to be a 25-30 carry back on a consistent basis. Flacco is better than Boller.
While it never was a Foxworth or Leonhard issue, they paid Foxworth a ton of money for having never been a starter in either of his other NFL stops. Perhaps that money could have been better distributed on a guy like Leonhard, who is just a flat out football player. Not the fastest guy, not the biggest, just a football player.
Other "Harbaugh" guys, 2nd round pick Paul Kruger, who couldn't even get on the field. Ladarius Webb, yes he was a diamond in the rough, but Harbaugh didn't have the good sense to get him on the field until his secondary (Harb's last job was as secondary coach in Philly) got toasted over and over. Phillips, Drew, Peerman, inconsequential picks.
So, I will stand by my assertion that the jury is very much out on Harb's ability to win with "his guys". We'll see and as a fan, I hope I'm dead wrong.
BTW…Landry and Leonhard are the same age…
WW?
What did Bart Scott say back in September? I think he said "Rex Ryan ran that team" (referring to the 2008 Ravens. Rex departs and the squad slips to 9-7 and 1-6 against playoff teams. Also during Harbs tenure the media loves to ballyhoo how they "beat every team this year with a losing record", great, but no mention of the fact that they are 1-3 against Pittsburgh with the only win against the 3rd string QB and 0-3 against Indy. Fellas unless Cleveland or Detroit or Oakland are the opponents in the post season, 1-6 against the biggest roadblocks in your way to the Super Bowl aint going to cut it.
I was always a big Billick fan, still am. You can talk road wins, etc. Bruz, but the bottom line is he brought the big one home and as STG said made the playoffs three of those four seasons before Bisciotti came on board. Modell wasn't able to get the Browns to the Super Bowl, but he was the ultimate football guy, and he had Billick's back and will forever appreciate him getting him a Super Bowl trophy. Now Harbaugh, a surprise pick by everyone's estimation, was hand-picked by Bisciotti. Got to give him credit for making the playoffs for two seasons in a row, but yet there is obviously something missing — maybe its that swagger STG talked about.
Don't get me wrong, I like the direction that the Ravens are going but I don't think Harbaugh was hand picked by Bisciotti. I think he was choice 'B' after Jason Garrett turned down the job.
Couple of things.
THANK GOD Ryan wasn't hired. His act is old and tired and he will crash and burn up in NY.
And I'm also extremely thankful that Garrett decided he was too good for this job.
I'm rooting for Rex, but I agree that he wouldn't have been a good fit here in Baltimore. Garrett on the other hand, I hope he does crash and burn. His stock will never be as high as it was when he interviewed here in Baltimore.
I also get the high expectations in Baltimore. It would not be fun to follow them if 2000 did not set us up expecting success on a regular basis. Clearly, this team was up and down, but you could argue that they were 3 plays away (kick @Minn, drop by Clayton @NE and drop by Mason @PIT) from having a 12-4 season. And if they win any one of those games a trip to San Diego could have resulted in a 2nd straight AFC Championship game appearance.
I don't think owenrship or management is content with just making the play-offs, but I do think there maybe some more bumps in the road before this team is a legit SB contender. In the meantime I would rather have play-off appearances rather than 6-10 seasons, even if we just barely get in.
Couldn't have said it better myself. Bisciotti and Newsome definitely want more than playoff appearances, but in the meantime getting there isn't so bad. The playoffs are completely different than the regular season. We saw it last season in Baltimore and the Jets were a great example this year.