The Ugly Side, Part I: Our Misery Is At An End!

The Ravens’ Shifting Identity For nearly a decade the Baltimore Ravens’ identity has been a defensive one, almost to the complete exclusion of the offense. For years Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs have been the poster-boys of the franchise, and offensive stars have always shone with a lesser fury. But times are changing, and we may be in store for a Ravens team that doesn’t fit previous molds.Both Lewis and Reed are aging stars, who every year defy the averages. While they continue to be effective players, it is clear that they are getting by as much with veteran know-how as physical skill. Suggs is on the PUP list, and won’t be available until week 7. The injuries and the age couple with the ever-changing rules that favor offensive players to suggest that the Ravens have reached a crossroads in their identity.Joe Flacco has demonstrated ability in the preseason that suggests he is ready to take his game to a new level and that the Ravens are ready to open their offense up an...