2008 Baltimore Ravens season
The 2008 season was the Baltimore Ravens' 13th in the National Football League, their 1st under head coach John Harbaugh, and their 12th season under general manager Ozzie Newsome.
The Ravens completed a major turnaround from the 2007 season, finishing the season with an 11–5 record and a playoff berth. They defeated the Miami Dolphins in the wild-card round of the playoffs, and then in the divisional round they defeated the Tennessee Titans, who had compiled the best record in the NFL over the regular season. However, in the AFC championship game, the Ravens' season came to an end as they were defeated by their division rival and eventual Super Bowl XLIII champion Pittsburgh Steelers 23–14, denying what would have been a bird-themed Super Bowl, with the other finalists being the Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles.
Quarterback Joe Flacco, drafted 18th overall in the 2008 draft, became the first quarterback in NFL history to win multiple playoff games in his rookie season. Flacco would be joined by Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets the following year. That team would be led by Rex Ryan, formerly the Ravens' defensive coordinator.
Offseason
Coaching staff
Head coach
On December 31, 2007, Brian Billick was fired after coaching the team to a 5–11 record, finishing last overall in the AFC North Division. Three weeks later, on January 18, 2008, John Harbaugh was hired to replace Brian Billick as the third head coach in the franchise's young history. Harbaugh was the defensive secondary coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, coaching such players as Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard and free safety Brian Dawkins.Coordinators
After not having a true offensive coordinator during the 2007 season, addressing this position was as much of a priority for new head coach John Harbaugh as it was for owner Steve Bisciotti to find a new head coach for his team, at the time. Recently dismissed as head coach from the Miami Dolphins, Malcolm 'Cam' Cameron was highly sought after for his offensive expertise from his time in San Diego with the Chargers. After some deliberation amongst offers he received from around the league, Cameron chose to come to the Ravens, and John Harbaugh announced him as the offensive coordinator on January 23, 2008.Rex Ryan was 'released from duty' as the team's defensive coordinator, but was still under contract to the Ravens as a defensive coordinator in name for one more year, should new head coach John Harbaugh decide to hire him onto his staff, thus making him ineligible to accept the same position with any other NFL football team. Ryan, at the time was applying for a head coaching position himself, but got no offers for any of the four head coaching vacancies in Atlanta, his own team in Baltimore, Miami, or in Washington. On January 28, 2008, Ryan was re-hired as the Ravens' defensive coordinator and was subsequently promoted to assistant head coach and defensive coordinator after rumors of potential Redskins head coach Jim Zorn circulated that he wanted Ryan to coach the Redskins as its defensive coordinator.
Personnel
Offseason / Free agency
During the 2008 free agency period, the Ravens acquired linebacker Brendan Ayanbadejo from the Chicago Bears and cornerback Frank Walker from the Green Bay Packers. Both were added to the Ravens roster primarily for their special teams ability, but also to fulfill a pressing need for depth at two positions which were diminished by injuries as the 2007 season wore on. On February 28, 2008, center Mike Flynn was released after failing his annual physical. Flynn was one of the few players remaining from the team's Super Bowl championship season in 2000.After suffering multiple injuries and having to be placed on injured reserve during the 2007 season, veteran quarterback Steve McNair announced his retirement on April 17, 2008, from the NFL. McNair had played a combined 13 seasons with the Ravens and Titans. After being voted to 11 Pro Bowls in 12 seasons, veteran left tackle and the first ever draft selection by the newly created Baltimore Ravens franchise in 1996, Jonathan Ogden announced his retirement on June 12, 2008.
2008 NFL draft
The Baltimore Ravens had nine selections going into the 2008 NFL draft, including four compensatory selections. The Ravens traded the eighth overall pick to the Jaguars for Jacksonville's first-round choice as well as two third-round selections and a fourth-round pick. The Ravens then traded the 26th overall pick as well as their third-round and sixth-round picks to Houston for its first-round pick. The Ravens traded their 38th overall pick to the Seattle Seahawks for their second-round pick and gained another selection in the third-round, which were at 55 and 86, respectively. The Ravens then traded their second fourth-round pick to the Oakland Raiders for cornerback Fabian Washington.Staff
Final roster
Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
Division standings
Game summaries
Regular season
Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Ravens began their 2008 campaign at home against their toughest AFC North foe, the Cincinnati Bengals. In the first quarter, Baltimore opened the scoring with WR Mark Clayton scoring on a 42-yard TD run from a double-reverse play. In the second quarter, the Ravens increased their advantage with Matt Stover kicking a 21-yard field goal. The Bengals responded with Shayne Graham kicking a 43-yard field goal to end the first half. In the third quarter, Baltimore responded with rookie quarterback Joe Flacco scoring on a 38-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Cincinnati tried to rally as CB Johnathan Joseph returned a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown. Ultimately, the Ravens defense stopped a potential Bengals scoring drive on fourth down late in the fourth quarter and won the game.With the win, the Ravens began their season at 1–0.
Joe Flacco in his rookie debut, completed 15 of 29 passes for 129 yards.
Week 2: Bye week
The Ravens' Week 2 game against the Houston Texans was postponed from September 14 to November 9, the Ravens' original bye week, due to structural damage to Houston's Reliant Stadium caused by Hurricane Ike.Week 3: vs. Cleveland Browns
Coming off an unexpected bye week, the Ravens looked to improve their division standing in the AFC North, playing host to the 0–2 Cleveland Browns. Joe Flacco threw his first career interception in the first quarter, which was scoreless for both teams. The Browns, however, capitalized on the turnover by driving 52 yards for a touchdown, finishing the drive with Derek Anderson completing a 19-yard pass to Jerome Harrison. Baltimore would respond with Willis McGahee scoring on a 5-yard touchdown run, his first of the season. The Browns closed out the first half with a Phil Dawson Field goal to make the score 10 – 7, Browns, at the half. Strong Safety Dawan Landry suffered a mild spinal injury and was taken to the hospital, where X-rays were negative for damage. In the second half, Baltimore won the turnover battle and their defense proved to be the deciding factor in this contest. After Ray Lewis delivered a big hit on Browns' Tight End Kellen Winslow while deflecting a pass, Chris McAlister intercepted the tipped ball and returned the interception to the Browns 10-yard line. Four plays later, Fullback Le'Ron McClain would score on a 1-yard run. On the next possession, Ed Reed intercepted a Derek Anderson pass intended for Tight End Steve Heiden and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown. After forcing another 3-and-out, Baltimore capitalized on a Browns personal foul from the 50-yard line, driving 35 yards for a touchdown, finishing the drive with a 1-yard run from Le'Ron McClain. The Browns tried to rally late in the game, but Samari Rolle intercepted Derek Anderson with less than two minutes to play, ensuring no chance of a comeback.With the win, and the Pittsburgh Steelers losing 15–6 to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Ravens not only improve to 2–0; they now lead the AFC North after 3 weeks.
Week 4: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Coming off their home win over the Browns, the Ravens flew to Heinz Field for their first road game of the year, as they played a Week 4 MNF duel with the throwback-clad Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first quarter, Baltimore trailed early as Steelers kicker Jeff Reed got a 49-yard field goal. The Ravens responded with kicker Matt Stover getting a 33-yard field goal. Baltimore gained the lead in the second quarter as Stover kicked a 20-yard field goal, while rookie quarterback Joe Flacco completed his first career touchdown pass as he hooked up with TE Daniel Wilcox from 4 yards out.In the third quarter, Pittsburgh took the lead with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completing a 38-yard TD pass to WR Santonio Holmes, along with LB James Harrison forcing a fumble from Flacco with LB LaMarr Woodley returning the fumble 7 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the Steelers increased their lead with Reed getting a 19-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Ravens tied the game with RB Le'Ron McClain getting a 2-yard TD run. However, despite winning the coin toss in overtime, Baltimore was unable to gain ground. In the end, Pittsburgh sealed Baltimore's fate as Reed nailed the game-winning 46-yard field goal.
With the loss, the Ravens then fell to 2–1.
Week 5: vs. Tennessee Titans
Hoping to rebound from their tough divisional road loss to the Steelers, the Ravens went home for a Week 5 defensive duel with the Tennessee Titans. Baltimore scored in the first quarter on a 38-yard field goal by kicker Matt Stover. In the second quarter, the Titans tied the game as kicker Rob Bironas made a 35-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Ravens reclaimed the lead on a 1-yard TD run by RB Le'Ron McClain. However, in the fourth quarter, Tennessee pulled away with Bironas nailing a 26-yard field goal and quarterback Kerry Collins completing an 11-yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler.With the loss, Baltimore fell to 2–2.