RadioOnFire.com - For the third time in four seasons, the Ravens packed their locker rooms and headed into the offseason without participating in the playoffs.
While the team improved to 8-8 after an injury-plagued 5-11 season in 2015, the Ravens still ended the 2016 season feeling frustrated with several questions heading into 2017.
“I think the team will be different next year, just like it always is,” Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco told reporters. “In some senses you are starting fresh. It is going to be a completely different group of guys than it was this year. You have to start over and build that confidence and get that work in to get back to even close to being where you were this year.
“Just because you improved a little bit or even if you won the Super Bowl, it does not mean you are guaranteed anything that next year. I think we know that more around here than anybody, and we will be starting … In some senses, we will be starting from square one from this point forward.”
How far away the Ravens are from becoming a serious championship contenders again is up for debate. The Ravens are 31-33 in the four seasons since winning the Super Bowl.
However, the Ravens were just a few plays away from beating the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas and possibly competing for the AFC North title and hosting a home playoff game this week.
Ravens linebacker Zachary Orr said the .500 record shows the team is just average, but with the potential to be better.
“That’s going to be in our minds for a long time, especially throughout as long as the season lasts,” Orr told reporters of the Steelers loss. “The type of men we have in this locker room are going to use this as fuel to the fire.
“I know, for me, I’m going to use it as fuel. Any rep, any set, anytime I’m feeling tired, I’ll just push the extra mile. It’s definitely going to be motivation. It’s not something that’s going to go away right now. It’s still pretty tough to take right now.”
If the Ravens return to the playoffs next season, it will be with a much different roster. Wide receiver Steve Smith announced his retirement, while several key players, including fullback Kyle Juszczyk, right tackle Rick Wagner and nose tackle Brandon Williams are unrestricted free agents.
The Ravens must also decide on whether to retrain several key veterans such as linebacker Elvis Dumervil, safety Lardarius Webb and tight end Benjamin Watson.
“I don’t have any idea what’s going to happen on that front,” Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta told reporters. “It’s a league of change, and you anticipate that every year. There’s always a lot of turnover with players; there’s turnover with coaches. Personally, I’d like to see us have some consistency and stay with the group that we’ve got. I think we have a lot to build upon, but I’m not the decision-maker, so I don’t know."
However, Ravens coach John Harbaugh confirmed on Tuesday that offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, defensive coordinator Dean Pees and special teams coach Jerry Rosburg will return in their respective roles next year.
Mornhinweg replaced Marc Trestman early in the 2016 season, making him the Ravens fifth offensive coordinator in as many years.
"I look forward to going forward with all three coordinators next year," Harbaugh told reporters on Tuesday.
Source WBAL
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