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Maybe this year will be the first since 1999 where the Ravens don't have to break out their usual formula of success.<br>
<br>
The Ravens like to pride themselves on having a strong running game and dominating defense, but basically they've been forced into being a running team.<br>
<br>
I have no problems with a strong running game and actually prefer it, but the Ravens resort to it because they can't ever develop a strong passing game.<br>
<br>
Going back to the days of former Ravens coach Brian Billick and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh, the Ravens have always had excuses for not developing a strong passing game.<br>
<br>
They didn't have the right quarterback, they didn't have good receivers or a good enough offensive line. Once the passing game failed, they always resorted to the running game, which became a staple.<br>
<br>
Maybe one year -- just one year -- they can develop a good, strong passing game to complement the running game and strong defense.<br>
<br>
The excuses are getting old.

Is this the year of the passing attack?

( Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton Ferron / August 4, 2012 )

Maybe this year will be the first since 1999 where the Ravens don't have to break out their usual formula of success.

The Ravens like to pride themselves on having a strong running game and dominating defense, but basically they've been forced into being a running team.

I have no problems with a strong running game and actually prefer it, but the Ravens resort to it because they can't ever develop a strong passing game.

Going back to the days of former Ravens coach Brian Billick and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh, the Ravens have always had excuses for not developing a strong passing game.

They didn't have the right quarterback, they didn't have good receivers or a good enough offensive line. Once the passing game failed, they always resorted to the running game, which became a staple.

Maybe one year -- just one year -- they can develop a good, strong passing game to complement the running game and strong defense.

The excuses are getting old.

Comments (9)

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trickister13 at 8:32 PM August 14, 2012

What does bob7834's comment have to do with the Ravens, and why did The Sun even consider printing it? Get rid of the senseless garbage and free advertising for this trash. Do you not have people who actually read what you print?

And by the way - I've gone to your Edit page on numerous occasions to change my log-in name with never a change. My log-in name was to have been trickster13. Y'all act like a bunch of amateurs who allow anything to be printed, and your webmaster(?) appears to know little regarding designing a web page.

Choose to become professionals; Baltimore takes enough negative hits as it is.

Gonewest9 at 4:25 PM August 14, 2012

Less Mike Preston. More Aaron Wilson please. Wilson's camp analysis was probably the best I have ever read from the Sun.

A Real G at 3:49 PM August 14, 2012

Seriously Mikey? You're basing your assessment of Flacco's deep ball based on ONE deep pass thrown to Jacoby Jones, in preseason time?

The best deep ball artists out there might complete 1 of 2 deep balls given the opportunity. MAYBE 3 of 5. So based on a sample size of 1, you're saying you don't see Flacco's knack for the deep ball?

Even after Pittsburg games 1 and 2 last year? Even after the Pats playoff game, etc etc

Come on man.

And tell me, which one is it? Does preseason matter or not? Because when it comes to Krugers good camp, you're saying it doesn't matter. When it comes to ONE DEEP BALL Flacco misses throwing to a new target, you're saying it does.

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