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Thursday, 07 February 2013 17:00
Super Bowl champions haven’t come close to repeating in recent year. The last two Steelers championship teams didn’t even make the playoffs the next year. It looks like the Baltimore Ravens will face similiar problems.
By Jamison Hensley, ESPN.com
NEW ORLEANS -- The face of the franchise is gone. The schedule is tougher. But those aren't the only changes for the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. If the Ravens become the first repeat Super Bowl champions in eight years, they will likely do it with a younger team.
In addition to linebacker Ray Lewis playing his last game, others who might have played their final one for the Ravens include safety Ed Reed, wide receiver Anquan Boldin, center Matt Birk, offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie and nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu. This means the Ravens will rely more heavily on a core of players in the primes of their careers, from quarterback Joe Flacco to wide receiver Torrey Smith to guard Marshal Yanda to defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.
Even if the Ravens lose Reed along with Lewis, the defense gets back cornerback Lardarius Webb and linebacker Jameel McClain, two starters who didn't play in the Super Bowl because of injuries. The Ravens will also have a healthier Terrell Suggs.
Read the rest of the story.
Comments (21)
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written by pghfan1992, February 07, 2013 - 03:27 PM
written by pghfan1992, February 07, 2013 - 03:27 PM
Wow, $5.5 million over the cap before dealing with a $20 milion flacco hit if the use the tag on him.
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written by The Blob, February 07, 2013 - 03:33 PM
written by The Blob, February 07, 2013 - 03:33 PM
Steelers in a similar situation. Teams usually figure a way out
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written by heartbeatsings, February 07, 2013 - 03:42 PM
Does anyone know if the Ravens voted to give Jamison Henley a Super Bowl ring?
written by heartbeatsings, February 07, 2013 - 03:42 PM
Does anyone know if the Ravens voted to give Jamison Henley a Super Bowl ring?
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written by alexpo, February 07, 2013 - 03:45 PM
written by alexpo, February 07, 2013 - 03:45 PM
If the Ravens become the first repeat Super Bowl champions in eight years
Forget winning the whole thing. How about just becoming the first defending champion in eight years to win a playoff game?
Forget winning the whole thing. How about just becoming the first defending champion in eight years to win a playoff game?
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written by heartbeatsings, February 07, 2013 - 03:50 PM
In all sincerity, I hope the NFL owners discuss the poor officiating in the Super Bowl. I have never seen such a blatantly bad performance by the zebra's--it almost defies belief.
There were at least 5 blown calls that would have directly affected the outcome of the game.
You just can't have that.
written by heartbeatsings, February 07, 2013 - 03:50 PM
In all sincerity, I hope the NFL owners discuss the poor officiating in the Super Bowl. I have never seen such a blatantly bad performance by the zebra's--it almost defies belief.
There were at least 5 blown calls that would have directly affected the outcome of the game.
You just can't have that.
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written by NJ07035, February 07, 2013 - 03:54 PM
No, it's not.
It is the same schedule they would have faced had they lost in the first round.
The schedule is pre-set for every team with the exception of two games that are played against the teams from your conference in the two divisions you don't face for the year.
Never understand why people still insist on the weighted schedule fallacy for teams in the Super Bowl.
Had the Bengals won the SB, their schedule would be no different than it is after losing to Houston.
But Henley is an NFL 'insider'?
SMH
written by NJ07035, February 07, 2013 - 03:54 PM
The schedule is tougher.
No, it's not.
It is the same schedule they would have faced had they lost in the first round.
The schedule is pre-set for every team with the exception of two games that are played against the teams from your conference in the two divisions you don't face for the year.
Never understand why people still insist on the weighted schedule fallacy for teams in the Super Bowl.
Had the Bengals won the SB, their schedule would be no different than it is after losing to Houston.
But Henley is an NFL 'insider'?
SMH
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written by Yotzee, February 07, 2013 - 03:57 PM
written by Yotzee, February 07, 2013 - 03:57 PM
NJ - I think the statement meant that the 2013 schedule is going to be tougher than 2012 due to opponents, not because it changed due to winning Super Bowl
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written by Max, February 07, 2013 - 04:07 PM
What else do you need to know about the Steelers recent picks?
written by Max, February 07, 2013 - 04:07 PM
Gil Brandt @Gil_Brandt
In 2011, 1st 30 picks in 1st round of #NFLDraft became starters. Only @Steelers (Heyward) and @Packers(Sherrod) failed to yield starter.
What else do you need to know about the Steelers recent picks?
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written by Hanover Bill, February 07, 2013 - 04:19 PM
The price for winning the Super Bowl is a steep one, and that is why it is almost unheard of in this day and age for a team to repeat, or to even make it back to the big game.
Everyone thinks they are solely responsible for the victory, and thus deserve a huge raise, other teams place a target directly on the back of the previous years Super Bowl victor, a win over them makes the season for many teams, and there is the unavoidable Super Bowl hangover to deal with, very real, and very potent in it's own right.
It takes a special set of circumstances, and a special group of athletes, to deal with all of
these distractions. I doubt that the Ravens are the team to do it, so get ready for a different Super Bowl winner in 2014.
written by Hanover Bill, February 07, 2013 - 04:19 PM
The price for winning the Super Bowl is a steep one, and that is why it is almost unheard of in this day and age for a team to repeat, or to even make it back to the big game.
Everyone thinks they are solely responsible for the victory, and thus deserve a huge raise, other teams place a target directly on the back of the previous years Super Bowl victor, a win over them makes the season for many teams, and there is the unavoidable Super Bowl hangover to deal with, very real, and very potent in it's own right.
It takes a special set of circumstances, and a special group of athletes, to deal with all of
these distractions. I doubt that the Ravens are the team to do it, so get ready for a different Super Bowl winner in 2014.
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written by Jackagain, February 07, 2013 - 04:29 PM
written by Jackagain, February 07, 2013 - 04:29 PM
I've been saying this since the SB win that I was thrilled that Flacco won the SB MVP and that they won. It's going open up a good chance that the Ravens have a SB hangover and major defections to their team.
Here's the FA list for the Ravens:
http://www.spotrac.com/free-agents/nfl/baltimore-ravens/
Here's the FA list for the Ravens:
http://www.spotrac.com/free-agents/nfl/baltimore-ravens/
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written by Retire#21, February 07, 2013 - 04:38 PM
written by Retire#21, February 07, 2013 - 04:38 PM
The schedule is tougher because they won the division. The draft picks are lower because they won the Super Bowl. I don't think Hensley was implying that the Super Bowl championship made the schedule tougher, although, indeed it may have because everybody gets up to play the Super Bowl champion.
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written by Dobreshunka, February 07, 2013 - 05:32 PM
written by Dobreshunka, February 07, 2013 - 05:32 PM
Article's last sentence speaks volumes about the amount of respect the Steelers, and particularly Roethlisberger, currently command around the league. Steelers are Ravens biggest rival yet don't rate any mention whatsoever on the list of fearsome foes the Ravens will face next year.
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written by 123, February 07, 2013 - 05:41 PM
written by 123, February 07, 2013 - 05:41 PM
There are reasons SB champs rarely repeat and sometimes even struggle to get even back to the playoffs.
The schedule IS TOUGHER! While the Steelers play opposite Tennessee and Oakland, Baltimore plays Houston and Denver. And although that's only two games, the other issue is the number of prime time games, late Sunday, Monday night..even some of the weird Saturday late season games and even a Thanksgiving game, perhaps as they play at Detroit in 2013.
In 2001 and 2002 the Steelers made the playoffs and then didn't in 2003. That same pattern happened exactly for the next three cycles. So the pressure will be on to show '12 was a blip and not the slip...into mediocrity for a spell.
The schedule IS TOUGHER! While the Steelers play opposite Tennessee and Oakland, Baltimore plays Houston and Denver. And although that's only two games, the other issue is the number of prime time games, late Sunday, Monday night..even some of the weird Saturday late season games and even a Thanksgiving game, perhaps as they play at Detroit in 2013.
In 2001 and 2002 the Steelers made the playoffs and then didn't in 2003. That same pattern happened exactly for the next three cycles. So the pressure will be on to show '12 was a blip and not the slip...into mediocrity for a spell.
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written by jilted32, February 07, 2013 - 05:42 PM
@NJ07035--yes, they play a standard schedule but it's still gonna be harder than last year. Last year they played the easy divisions of AFC West and NFC East. Next year I think that it's NFC North (with Chicago, Minnesota, Green Bay) and AFC East (Patriots, Jets, Dolphins). So yes, it's a harder schedule. Of course, though, you can't always predict anyway. A team that won the Super Bowl this year might not even be in the playoffs next year.
The only team to win back to back Super Bowls TWICE is the amazing Steelers back in the 1970s. The new Steelers of course can't hold a candle to that team.
written by jilted32, February 07, 2013 - 05:42 PM
The schedule is tougher.
No, it's not.
@NJ07035--yes, they play a standard schedule but it's still gonna be harder than last year. Last year they played the easy divisions of AFC West and NFC East. Next year I think that it's NFC North (with Chicago, Minnesota, Green Bay) and AFC East (Patriots, Jets, Dolphins). So yes, it's a harder schedule. Of course, though, you can't always predict anyway. A team that won the Super Bowl this year might not even be in the playoffs next year.
The only team to win back to back Super Bowls TWICE is the amazing Steelers back in the 1970s. The new Steelers of course can't hold a candle to that team.
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written by fantasyneverends, February 07, 2013 - 05:47 PM
That you are a moron for even posing that question. Over the last 3 drafts, the Steelers have drafted 8 starters.
D.Decastro
M.Adams
C.Rainey (return man)
M.Gilbert
M.Pouncey
E.Sanders
A.Brown
J.Dwyer
Without going team by team, I don't think I'd be going to far out on the limb in thinking that 8 starters for every 3 drafts is probably right on par with the rest of the NFL.
written by fantasyneverends, February 07, 2013 - 05:47 PM
written by Max, February 07, 2013 - 05:07 PM
Gil Brandt @Gil_Brandt
In 2011, 1st 30 picks in 1st round of #NFLDraft became starters. Only @Steelers (Heyward) and @Packers(Sherrod) failed to yield starter.
What else do you need to know about the Steelers recent picks?
That you are a moron for even posing that question. Over the last 3 drafts, the Steelers have drafted 8 starters.
D.Decastro
M.Adams
C.Rainey (return man)
M.Gilbert
M.Pouncey
E.Sanders
A.Brown
J.Dwyer
Without going team by team, I don't think I'd be going to far out on the limb in thinking that 8 starters for every 3 drafts is probably right on par with the rest of the NFL.
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written by hammertime, February 07, 2013 - 06:15 PM
written by hammertime, February 07, 2013 - 06:15 PM
decastro started fours games after an injury and wasn't much of a factor. adams started only because the was about the only healthy o lineman left. rainey never started a game and they cut him at the first opportunity. dwyer was an occasional starter and seemed to fall off at the end of the season. that's really not a real impressive list of high round draft picks.
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written by buffalo_bob, February 08, 2013 - 08:18 AM
written by buffalo_bob, February 08, 2013 - 08:18 AM
Oh, and have Ray lay his hands on everybody before the game!
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written by Steelcity, February 08, 2013 - 08:38 AM
written by Steelcity, February 08, 2013 - 08:38 AM
Even if the Ravens were to lose many of their star players I still think that they will be a better team overall than our Steelers. They are better coached, they have a better OL and DL, and now even a better quarterback. However if they lose Boldin this will be a huge loss for them.
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written by luvyablue, February 08, 2013 - 10:43 AM
written by luvyablue, February 08, 2013 - 10:43 AM
The schedule IS TOUGHER! While the Steelers play opposite Tennessee and Oakland, Baltimore plays Houston and Denver.
Sadly the Steelers would probably have a better chance against Houston and Denver. Can't do any worse than the 0-2 they did against Oakland and Tennessee last year.
Sadly the Steelers would probably have a better chance against Houston and Denver. Can't do any worse than the 0-2 they did against Oakland and Tennessee last year.
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