Well...Shit

It was a great season. No doubt about it. Probably my favorite season the Ravens have ever had, including the Super Bowl year. Of course, that doesn't make losing to the fucking Steelers hurt any less. Despite being outplayed for the second straight week, the Ravens had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. A stupid god damn personal foul penalty by Darren Stone (don't let the door hit your ass on the way out) forced them all the way back to the 14, Flacco throws a gift to Polamalu, and the rest is history.

This game basically summed up the Ravens' glaring weaknesses: cornerback and wide receiver. No one got open all day, and our secondary simply wasn't good enough to hang with the talented Pittsburgh wideouts. While Flacco played one of the worst games of his career, it was obvious when looking at replays that he really had nowhere to throw the ball. Todd Heap was a non-factor (as he has been all season), Mark Clayton disappeared, and Derrick Mason is only one man (he also dropped an early pass, a critical play in a game this close). The gameplan also made little sense. 5 passes to start the game? Flacco throwing down the field into coverage? Running draw plays out of the shotgun? Only playing Ray Rice for about 5 snaps? I could go on.

But let's be honest with ourselves. No one in the world expected the Ravens to get here. I thought they would struggle to win six games. Thought they reached for Flacco. Thought Harbaugh would be out of his league. Clearly, I was wrong on all counts. While these signs seem to bode well for the future, I also wonder if this was our only shot. Rex Ryan is gone, Ray Lewis, Suggs, and Bart Scott are free agents, guys like Mason and Ed Reed are a year older. Not that I think the Ravens are going to fall off a cliff anytime soon, but this season had sort of a "perfect storm" vibe, where the breaks went our way. Now, with the turnover that comes every off season, can this team repeat its success? Impossible to know, obviously, but I think it will be very difficult.

So, what's next? The top priority has to be signing a big time wide receiever. Really, signing one and drafting one (Percy Harvin or Darius Heyward-Bey, anyone?). Second, deciding what to do with the linebackers. Personally, I would sign Ray and Suggs and let Bart Scott leave. Third, the secondary. Does Chris McAlister come back, or do you try to trade him? What about Dawan Landry? Jim Leonhard certainly deserves a chance to be back in the starting lineup, but the safety position is getting mighty crowded. Also, even if CMac does come back, this team desperately needs more depth at corner. When Corey Ivy is your third cornerback, things aren't gonna go well.

But, all of that is for tomorrow. For tonight, I'm going to savor the amazing and unexpected year the 2008 Ravens gave Baltimore fans. I'm going to remember Willis busting a 70 yard touchdown against Dallas, Ed Reed taking it to the house against, well, everyone, Joe Flacco catching a pass from Troy Smith, Joe Flacco making a huge run in his first game, Joe Flacco doing his fucking thing. And, most of all, I'll remember watching the Titans game with my Dad, and wildly screaming and hugging when they pulled it out. God damn this was a great year.