Are We Still Super Bowl Contenders/Favorites?

[ed.s52]

As we all know, or should know, our #1 corner, Dominique Foxworth, has torn his ACL and will be out for the season[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/34853_brickwall.GIF[/img] .

Although I'm still holding on hope this is some cruel joke, how badly does this affect our Super Bowl chances. Our secondary has been underrated this whole offseason, and still probably is, but we do have possible decent starters in Walt Harris and Travis Fisher, as well and having Fab and Webb begin to transition in as they begin to get healthier and healthier.
Chris Carr should still be solid in the slot, luckily, and hopefully one of the youngsters (KJ Gerard or Cary Williams) can step up.


But, although I still think we are favorites for the Super Bowl, how does this affect our chances this year?

[thewarden86]

*snicker @ my vote*

Doesn't mean a thing. Your secondary was horrible and you still made it to the AFCCG.

[Ed_Reed20]

I voted no because I'm sure certain members of the media will demote the Ravens in their rankings but that doesn't matter to me.

The regular season is still over a month away and the Ravens could address the position with a FA move or trade. And if they don't, we'll see how Fabian, Harris, Fisher, Carr and the rest look in pre-season.

[berad]

I don't understand a thread like this.

Was Dominque Foxworth a big part of our secondary? Sure.

Did losing him hurt us as a team? Yes.

There's not much else to say after that - other than looking for solutions.

([size="1"]which this thread is not)[/size]

[ravensfan160]

I never liked all the hype. For me, until I see them beat the Colts, not a whole lot matters unless we get lucky and don't play them in the postseason. If we do somehow avoid them, I think we are talented enough to beat everyone else in our conference. Heck, its been that way for a couple years now but we kept running into the Steelers and Colts. Steelers souldn't be a problem this season though.

[Alexir]

Are we a great football team? Yes

Are we the frontrunners? Heck no.

Carr Zibby Landry Harris/Fisher

That makes me queasy...

Cody is out of shape, kindle is on a 12 step program (not rehab, but he's only around sets of stairs less than 12), Reed is starting on the Pup, Haloti is still recovering his pec, who knows what gregg will do this year.

Who would of that that the thing holding us back from being a legitimate threat would be our defense?

[XxSizzleXx]

There was a blog the other day where Haloti said he feels like he is back to 100%. We are contenders but no way are we front runners, we weren't even front runners before the injuries.

[J-man]

I dont think we were ever front runners. The Colts in my books are the front runners. Does this downgrade us, yea, but its not like our secondary would be tremendous with him. Washington is back in case you didnt know, he was practicing today. Lardarius will be soon enough. And Ozzie will work his magic and get someone. Combine that with Harris and Fischer and Carr, it still isnt terrible.

[FlaccoFlicker]

Make it to the playoffs then anything can happen this team can make it there

[dpatrickguy]

definitely not favorites

[JEEPercreepermd]

Just wait until Webb returns. Washington/Webb is still going to be a formidable tandem.

[MagicianCamille]

We were contenders with our 2008 squad which wasn't great, contenders with our 2009 squad which had no secondary...neither of these squads had near the amount of offensive potential we have now. Of course we're still contenders. We're better than we've been the last two years.

However I don't know about Super Bowl favorites, I don't think we've ever been Super Bowl favorites during this offseason. The Colts and Saints are still better. We still have a lot to prove.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' date='30 July 2010 - 07:20 PM' timestamp='1280532050' post='441299']
Just wait until Webb returns. Washington/Webb is still going to be a formidable tandem.
[/quote]
good attitude!!!

[Milton145]

Our offense is going to have to put up A LOT of points. Boldin better stay healthy...

[ravensfan2424]

maybe we will drop but for the better. Maybe now we can go back to flying under the radar like we usually do. idk just a thought.

[KyKobra]

Being a Ravens fan i'll say yes, Being a serious person I say maybe. I mean face it were falling apart really.

[dpatrickguy]

[quote name='KyKobra' date='30 July 2010 - 09:58 PM' timestamp='1280541481' post='441441']
Being a Ravens fan i'll say yes, Being a serious person I say maybe. I mean face it were falling apart really.
[/quote]

Easy tiger, we're still a solid contender.

[FlaccoFlicker]

*Insert Eye Of the Tiger here*

[Purple Nurple]

We're still a contender but we were never the frontrunner in the first place. I can't vote.

[Marc2k6]

It is July, every team has a shot at winning the Super Bowl! Wow! How about we just sit back, see what happens in training camp and then play some football games before we decide who is going to the Super Bowl. Right now all of the Super Bowl talk is getting out of hand, let the season begin first.

[macbrak]

I'll take "no secondary" if it means our secondary is still better in all measurables then 50% of the rest of the teams in the NFL.

Foxy was a stable part by in no means a linchpin.

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

I know there has been a lot of hype over the Ravens so far this early offseason about Super Bowl contenders. Its nice for the recognition as to the Ravens building a respectable team. We have been marching that direction for the past few years.

I think there is 6 or 7 teams that fall into that same category. Its easier to say that we are without a doubt a playoff calibre team. Once there anything becomes possible and any team can dig just a little deeper than the rest to find what it takes to be the champion.

To answer the original question: Yes we are still a playoff calibre team. We may limp, scratch, and crawl, but we will still get there. After that I guess we will see who makes the biggest gutt check.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Are we favorites? Probably not. Contenders? Hell yes we are.

Warden was correct, as big a hit as Foxy going down is to us, we did make it to the AFCCG with next to nothing going on at the corner position. Saying it's the next man up is a stretch right here, however with Fabs back and (hopefully) Webb being back by week one or shortly thereafter, we'll be on the right track. We have a mixture of veterans and young guys down the depth chart. Guys like Gerard, Williams, and undrafted rookie Prince Miller could very well get a chance to step up and prove themselves. Is it the ideal situation? Not at all, but (as Franny said) it's sink or swim time. There's also the chance that Walt Harris or Travis Fisher could step up and play good ball. Who knows right now how the whole situation will pan out.

Let's hope that the pass rush is ramped up this season to help compensate for our question marks in the secondary. If Suggs returns to form and perhaps Barnes can step up in passing down situations (he's no Kindle, but hey), maybe the secondary won't get the chance to be exposed often. It's one heck of a time for Foxy to go down though... right after our expert pass rushing rookie goes down for who knows how long.

[TXRaven]

Things have not changed. Yes the injuries will make it tougher, but it is Next man up and keep rolling.

[PurpleChaos]

Playoffs yes
Deep run no
We'll put up points like never before this season but a patchwork secondary won't cut it for the big prize. Barring Suggs and company pulling off an award winning pass rush we will be looking at a buffet of high scoring games with a solid chance of us being on the losing end.

[RavensAllTheWay]

Does it really matter if were considered favorites or even contenders? We're not favorites, but that's not stopping us from being contenders. Everyone is a contender until the playoffs start, then it's down to 12. But as long as were in it, we're contenders and we have a chance.

[KyKobra]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' date='31 July 2010 - 11:23 AM' timestamp='1280589839' post='441690']
Does it really matter if were considered favorites or even contenders? We're not favorites, but that's not stopping us from being contenders. Everyone is a contender until the playoffs start, then it's down to 12. But as long as were in it, we're contenders and we have a chance.
[/quote]
We've never been favorites....

[Milton145]

Our offense and D Line/linebacker unit staying healthy will be key. All of our guys including Boldin will have to step up like never before if we seriously want to get to the big game. Boldin will have to show he's our #1 guy which I think he will if he stays healthy. With the way he lit up the NFL as a rookie, I think he can do some special things now being more experienced and more determined now that Fitz isn't around.

Suggs, Ngata, and Cody should be key factors on passing downs with Antwan Barnes being an X Factor.

We'll be fine because as mentioned, we only had a pass rush and Ed Reed going into the AFCCG.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='KyKobra' date='31 July 2010 - 11:17 AM' timestamp='1280593039' post='441702']
We've never been favorites....
[/quote]

Have you been ignoring what the media's been saying about Baltimore since after the draft (obviously until recent events)? We were favorites in the AFC for the Superbowl in a lot of people's minds.

[gmackenzie82]

I think we have a realy good chance this year !!!