(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Head Coach—John Harbaugh
Former Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach John Harbaugh was hired as Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens on January 19, 2008. He beat out several other candidates interviewing for the job, including the recently fired Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.
Initial response to Harbaugh's signing was mixed, as fans in Baltimore wondered if he had enough experience to lead a pro football team. Although Harbaugh achieved a wealth of success as the Eagles' special teams coordinator, he had no previous head coaching experience at the professional level.
Fan favorite Rex Ryan had been considered the likeliest choice for the position, but Harbaugh won over Ravens management with his charisma, winning attitude, and leadership potential. It didn't take Baltimore fans long to see why he was the right man for the job.
What Harbaugh lacked in experience, he made up for by surrounding himself with one of the top coaching staffs in the league. His first moves were to resign Rex Ryan as defensive coordinator and bring in Cam Cameron to run the offense.
Despite entering the season inexperienced, with a rookie quarterback, and a young, shaky offensive line, John Harbaugh led the Ravens to an 11-5 regular season record. Harbaugh led the team on a marvelous post season run that ended in a heart breaking loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game.
Former Head Coach: Brian Billick
Led the Ravens to five winning seasons, one Super Bowl victory in the team's only Super Bowl appearance, four total playoff appearances, and a 5-3 playoff record
Offensive Coordinator—Cam Cameron
One of Harbaugh's toughest choices upon taking on the head coaching position was finding someone to run the offense.
Under Brian Billick, the offense coordinator position had been a revolving door of coaches including Jim Fassel, Rick Neuheisel, Matt Cavanaugh, and even Billick himself. None of these men were able to find any consistent success on the offensive side of the ball.
Enter Cam Cameron, coming off a disastrous head coaching stay with the Miami Dolphins in which his team finished 1-15 in 2007. Despite his failure as a head coach, Cameron had an illustrious track record as offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers (2002-2006).
During this time, the offense broke numerous team and league records, and sent multiple players to the Pro Bowl including quarterbacks Drew Brees and Philip Rivers, running back Ladainian Tomlinson, and tight end Antonio Gates.
As offensive coordinator of the Ravens in 2008, Cam Cameron led the unit to finish 18th in the league in total offense. Cameron played to the strengths of the Ravens, choosing to run the ball early and often.
However, at times he showed flashes of his more innovative side, making use of the Wildcat formation and various reverses and trick plays.
Cameron was also integral in the development of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco.
Former offensive coordinator: Brian Billick
Unit finished 22nd in 2007, 17th in 2006, 24th in 2005, 31st in 2004, 21st in 2003, 26th in 2002, 14th in 2001, 16th in 2000, 24th in 1999 in total offense
We're going to send you the most entertaining Baltimore Ravens articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
0 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete