Gut a team of a dozen stars and replace them with untested talent.
Build the offense around a quarterback who has thrown only three NFL passes and a running back who has one healthy leg. Rip apart a record-setting defense, change its philosophy and promote the receivers coach to defensive coordinator.
That's the head-scratcher of a formula devised by the Ravens, the unlikeliest comeback story in the NFL.
Written off as one of the league's worst teams after an 0-2 start, the Ravens transformed growing pains into growing confidence by overcoming a rough start, the national spotlight and the loss of star linebacker Ray Lewis.
Now, nearly halfway in the unpredictable NFL season, the Ravens (3-3) are no longer battling the skeptics. Instead, they're battling the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) for first place in the AFC North.
"Nobody knew what this team was going to be like. Not even us," cornerback Chris McAlister said. "We knew we had talent on the field but didn't know how far talent alone could take us. Now, we kind of know."
The Ravens' turnaround can't be explained by dollars or football sense.
The salary-cap strapped Ravens have a working payroll of $47 million, the third-lowest in the league. They are ranked in the bottom third of the 32-team NFL in both offense (30th) and defense (24th).
"You can't measure passion on paper," outside linebacker Peter Boulware said.
The Ravens' quick change from castoff to contender is the result of these 10 factors:
1. Power of R. Lewis
Before their coming-out party on Monday Night Football, the Ravens discovered their mantra and unquestioned leader.
Standing in the middle of the locker room, Lewis gave an emotional pre-game speech in which he told his teammates to "match my passion." The Ravens went on to upset the Denver Broncos, 34-23, on Sept. 30 and the league's youngest team gained confidence it could compete against an elite team.
"I replay his words in my mind every time I get on the field," said nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu, one of 16 rookies on the Ravens' roster. "I believe that was the turning point."
Lewis' impact extends beyond words. In the Ravens' first two victories, he set the tone with his relentless play and appeared headed for another NFL Defensive Player of the Year award before injuring his shoulder on Oct. 6 against Cleveland.
"We felt that Ray could lead this team. He has been able to do that," said Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' senior vice president of football operations. "They have been able to feed off of him."
2. Recovery of J. Lewis
In a span of four months, Ravens running back Jamal Lewis went from limping to leaping. Coming off a knee injury that sidelined him all of last year, Lewis has reverted back to the same form that powered the Ravens' Super Bowl championship run.
Whether it's hurdling tacklers or running over them, he has become the most consistent offensive threat, accounting for 47 percent of the team's total yards.
"Jamal Lewis has answered the question that he is back," Newsome said. "That was a big question mark. And how could you know? We knew the person. But obviously, you can't evaluate someone until you see them."
3. Mental toughness
Despite their average player being 25 years old, the Ravens have been able to sidestep the psychological pitfalls.
Heading into a bye week after a shutout loss, the Ravens rebounded against the Broncos before a national audience. After a controversial finish at Indianapolis, they came back to defeat Jacksonville.
The biggest surprise is how the Ravens have refused to flop since Ray Lewis went down, going 1-1 over the past two weeks.
"This team is showing some resiliency that a veteran team would be prepared for," Newsome said.
Said veteran defensive end Adalius Thomas: "Sometimes, it seems like we're following a couple of those young guys."
4. Marvin who?
The only defensive coordinator in franchise history, Marvin Lewis, bolted to the Washington Redskins for more money. The heir apparent, Jack Del Rio, had already taken the same position with the Carolina Panthers.
That left Mike Nolan, the Ravens' receivers coach who had a roller-coaster career as defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, Redskins and New York Jets.
Having inherited only four starters (Lewis, McAlister, Boulware and defensive end Michael McCrary), Nolan has kept offenses off-balance by moving players around and disguising blitzes in the team's new 3-4 defensive scheme. Although the defense is allowing nearly 350 yards per game, it has held teams to one or no touchdowns in four of six games.
In explaining Nolan's challenge, Billick said, "Here's what you're going to do. You're going to take the best single-season defense in the history of the NFL and replace a coach [Marvin Lewis] that's well-liked. We're going to gut that defense, and now you're going to do better. That's a lot to step into, but he wasn't going to blink. That's why Mike has the job."
5. Emergence of Heap
When the Ravens have needed a big play, they put their faith in the "Stormin' Mormon," the nickname given to Todd Heap by the coaching staff.
The Ravens' tight end has found his niche with those acrobatic catches in which he outjumps defenders in traffic. Since the team's 0-2 start, Heap has been the spark in the passing game, averaging 14.3 yards on 15 catches in the past four games. His four touchdowns lead the team.
"You love that from a receiver who goes up and gets the ball like Todd does," quarterback Chris Redman said. "It's a lot of trust. It's hard to throw a ball a little bit shorter where the defense still has a chance to get it. You have to really trust the guy that he's going to go up and make that play. Obviously, Todd has shown that he doesn't care who is around him, he's going to get the ball."
6. Defensive playmakers
The Ravens are tied for the AFC lead with 11 interceptions and have spread the wealth. Nine players have come up with interceptions, which have led to 23 points and have ended the Ravens' past two victories.
"I'm excited about our secondary," Billick said. "That secondary has the potential - triple underline that - to be a very special secondary. That group has the athleticism and the pedigree to develop into a first-rate secondary."
Said safety Will Demps: "It's part of the chemistry. You could tell we're playing hard and running to the ball. It's got to be scary for other teams because we're always attacking the ball."
7. Billick's coaching
During the Ravens' championship season, Billick showed that he was a master psychologist and motivator for a veteran team. Now, with a young team, Billick has seamlessly shifted gears as a teacher. He is obsessive about details and has found the right way to make his lessons stick.
"Brian and his staff has done a very good job getting the guys ready to play and putting them in position to make plays," Newsome said.
Said Ravens owner Art Modell: "I'm not ready to anoint him as the next Vince Lombardi or Bill Walsh, but he's giving it a good run. If he isn't now, he is going to be one of the great coaches in the league."
Billick understands his biggest test is getting his team through November. That's when most young players hit the wall because their bodies are used to the college season ending.
"We talk about everything we do is to build toward us being good in November and December," Billick said. "That has to be mitigated a little bit based on how these guys hold up. That's the next big challenge for us."
8. Digging up talent
After the Ravens' offseason salary-cap purge, Newsome was jokingly called "Ozzie the Butcher" in NFL circles. A preseason Sporting News article evaluated the Ravens' talent this way: "Success shouldn't be an issue for the Ravens in 2002 as much as avoiding embarrassment."
But the personnel staff surprised the league by souring deep to field this team. A staggering 34 players on the team's 53-man roster were either undrafted or selected in the sixth or seventh round.
"The conductor of the symphony is Brian Billick and his staff," Modell said. "But the personnel staff under Ozzie's leadership is the composer."
9. Redman's smart play
Redman is understanding the game and his role.
Unlike most first-year starters - or Elvis Grbac for that matter - Redman has protected the ball and leads the AFC with the lowest interception percentage (three in 182 pass attempts). In his past four starts, he has thrown six touchdowns and only one interception.
"He's confident but not overconfident where he's forcing things," left tackle Jonathan Ogden said. "This league is so evenly matched that mistakes are what cost you the game a lot of the times. The fewer mistakes you make, especially at the quarterback position, that gives you a much greater chance at winning."
10. The AFC North
For the most part, the Ravens are keeping a realistic view of their remarkable start.
The Ravens wouldn't be any better than second in any other division and they acknowledge the Steelers as the team to beat in the AFC North. But in a season of no expectations, they will savor wherever this joy ride takes them.
"If we're still in this thing and Pittsburgh hasn't run away with the division, I won't be embarrassed at all to be in the playoff race or to be going into the playoffs at 8-8," Billick said. "Not one bit. We feel pretty good about ourselves."