To get you ready for Super Bowl Sunday, sportsnet.ca takes a position-by-position look at the AFC Champions, the Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback:Joe Flacco isn’t always in the “elite quarterback” conversation but the Ravens signal-caller continues to get it done in the post-season. He struggles with his accuracy at times, but Flacco has a monster arm and is one of the most accurate downfield throwers in the NFL. The biggest step Flacco has made is in his decision-making as he’s just about played mistake-free football during his three playoff wins this year. Flacco doesn’t put up the mind-blowing numbers like many of today’s quarterbacks but the Delaware product has won a post-season game in each of his NFL seasons and has already outplayed Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in January wins.
Why are the Ravens in SB? Joe Flacco leads league in completions, attempts and TD-Int differential on passes more than 20 yards downfield — trey wingo (@wingoz) January 28, 2013
Why are the Ravens in SB? Joe Flacco leads league in completions, attempts and TD-Int differential on passes more than 20 yards downfield
— trey wingo (@wingoz) January 28, 2013
Running Back: John Harbaugh’s Ravens were originally built as a run-first offence but have developed into a much more balanced attack under new offensive co-ordinator Jim Caldwell. Ray Rice hasn’t been the centrepiece of the offence but has scored rushing touchdowns in back-to-back playoff games. Rice’s yards-per-carry and reception totals have decreased in the post-season (4 in 3 games) but he still possesses explosiveness and game-breaking ability any time he touches the ball. The team also uses the bigger back, Bernard Pierce, as a change of pace runner, who has been extremely effective in his limited action.
For the first time in six years, both Super Bowl teams have a 1,000-yard rusher (Frank Gore, Ray Rice). #SB47 #49ers — Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) January 28, 2013
For the first time in six years, both Super Bowl teams have a 1,000-yard rusher (Frank Gore, Ray Rice). #SB47 #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) January 28, 2013
Wide Receiver: Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin have stepped up for Flacco, combining for five touchdowns during the team’s three post-season victories this year. Smith is one of the best deep threats in the league and his speed could give the 49ers trouble if they are unable to jam him at the line. Boldin is very familiar with the 49ers personnel from his time in the NFC West with Arizona and is at his best in jump-ball situations, where he can use his frame and outstanding strength. Jacoby Jones is primarily a special teams contributor but offers outstanding speed and is at his best on deep plays down the field.
‘Trivia: Anquan Boldin is the 7th starting WR to reach the Super Bowl with two different teams’- footballperspective.com/?p=6425 — Chase Stuart (@fbgchase) January 27, 2013
‘Trivia: Anquan Boldin is the 7th starting WR to reach the Super Bowl with two different teams’- footballperspective.com/?p=6425
— Chase Stuart (@fbgchase) January 27, 2013
Tight End: The Ravens have rarely featured the tight end in their offence during Joe Flacco’s tenure, but Dennis Pitta is an emerging player that has become the third option in the passing game. The second-year player had seven touchdowns in the regular season and was highly-targeted when he finished with 55 yards and a touchdown during the Ravens’ playoff win in New England. Backup Ed Dickson is a big target but has not consistently contributed to the offence.
Offensive Line: After a wildly inconsistent regular season, the Ravens finally were able to stabilize their offensive line down the stretch. Baltimore is loaded with talent in the group but struggled to find the right combination of players all season long. The offensive line clicked in the post-season as Bryant McKinnie was moved into the starting lineup at left tackle, allowing left guard Kelechi Osemele and right tackle Michael Oher to shift back to their natural positions.
Defensive Line: The Ravens don’t get a ton of pressure from their interior players but their collection of big bodies help fill gaps to create room for their group of impressive linebackers. Haloti Ngata is the most notable player on the line and has been a Pro Bowl player for most of his career. Ngata consistently fights through double teams and opens up holes for his teammates. The other two starters, Arthur Jones and Maake Keomatu, are servicable role players that won’t end up on any highlight reels.
Linebackers: Ray Lewis gets all the attention but the Ravens are loaded at the linebacker position. Lewis doesn’t have the sideline-to-sideline ability he once had, but is still one of the league’s best tacklers. In the middle of their base 3-4 look, Lewis plays beside Dannell Ellerbe, who some believe is a more complete player than Lewis at this point of his career. Ellerbe is aggressive and makes plays all over the field. On the outside, Terrell Suggs is starting to round into form and provides the majority of the pass rush along with edge rusher Paul Kruger.
Defensive Backs: This is a real boom or bust group for the Ravens. The safety play has been a strength down the stretch with strong performances from Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard. Reed may not have the range he had in his prime, but the savvy safety still grades out highly in coverage and can make plays around the ball. Pollard is the hard-hitting defensive back that is best suited at the line of scrimmage and could be used in the box to stop Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore. The cornerbacks have been far more inconsistent throughout the year. Cary Williams is the right starting cornerback and is mostly used in Cover 2 and can get beat on big plays. Corey Graham, on the other hand, has shown massive improvement in the post-season and has been a major reason why the Ravens were able to slow down both Denver and New England.
