With several Ravens getting ready for the Pro Bowl this weekend, it’s time to look back at the 2010 campaign.
A 12-4 regular-season record was promising. A resounding playoff win in Kansas City brought even more high expectations. But in the end, the Ravens and their fans went home disappointed with a divisional-round loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With that said, here’s a look at those Ravens deserving of awards from the past 18 games:
Offensive Most Valuable Player: RB Ray Rice
For the second-consecutive year, Rice takes this title. Quarterback Joe Flacco was stellar at moments, but Rice was the engine that kept the Ravens going. For a glimpse into what Rice could do with free reign over the field, one only needs to look at his 180-yard outing in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins (83 rushing, 97 receiving), when Rice was the primary chain-mover.
Defensive MVP: DT Haloti Ngata
Ngata made his first Pro Bowl in 2009, but he firmly established himself as the-most dominant defensive lineman this season by completely taking over games at times. Ngata rarely faced a single blocker – if at all – and still was able to blow up offensive lines across the league. The former first-round draft pick carried the pass rush at the beginning of the season and finished second on the team with 5 ½ sacks. We already knew he could stop the run, but he became a complete player in 2010.
Special Teams MVP: K Billy Cundiff
After assuming the kicking duties from Steven Hauschka last year, Cundiff has been more than a pleasant surprise. His 40 touchbacks – which tied an NFL record since the spot was moved to the 30-yard line – showed that he can be a weapon. And the fact that the Pro Bowler nailed 89.7 percent of his field goals might be overlooked, too.
Rookie of the Year: KOR David Reed
The Ravens were hoping for more production from top draft picks Sergio Kindle and Terrence Cody, but they only got a few run-stuffing moments from Cody. It was Reed, however, that burst onto the scene, Reed saw limited time with the offense, but he finished the season leading the NFL with a 29.3-yard average on kickoff returns before a wrist injury cut it short. As Reed works back into Cam Cameron’s attack, look for him to continue taking kickoffs for years to come.
Unsung Hero: CB Chris Carr
Entering their 2010 campaign, the secondary was perceived as a major weakness for the Ravens. Not so, as Carr stepped up to be the Ravens’ top cornerback and really assumed a leadership role. Carr was typically synced up with the opposition’s best wideout, and by the end of the year, teams were throwing away from him. Scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent, expect the Ravens to look to re-sign the veteran.
Biggest Beat Down: LB Ray Lewis
Consider it an apt way to set a tone for the season, but Lewis’ hit on New York Jets’ tight end Dustin Keller was one heard around the world. Immediately after Lewis de-cleated Keller in the fourth quarter of Baltimore’s 10-9 win in Week 1, both names were trending on Twitter. In the fourth quarter, the Jets were driving and the Ravens’ leader made a massive statement. When the NFL began cracking down on helmet-to-helmet hits, they even included Lewis’ crushing blow as an example of what to do in delivering a brutal punishment.
Moment That Made Me Cry: The Ravens’ Meltdown in Pittsburgh
After watching the Ravens jump out to a 21-7 lead over the Steelers in the playoffs, I was wary when I heard people in the press box say, “Game over,” under their breath. Pittsburgh showed that it’s a full 60-minute game in the NFL. The Ravens had it, and multiple bad breaks led to yet another early postseason exit.
Moment That Made Me Break the No-Cheering in the Press Box Rule: Flacco’s Touchdown Pass to Housh
It was a moment that no Ravens fan will forget. In Week 4, the Ravens lost a 10-7 lead in the fourth quarter at Heinz Field, only to have Flacco lead a masterful four-play, 40-yard drive in 36 seconds, amazingly finding T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the back of the end zone for a touchdown with only 32 seconds on the clock. I hadn’t heard Heinz that quiet up to that point, only to be equaled to the second quarter of the playoff battle.
Biggest Fake-out: Reed’s Flip To Landry
Safety Ed Reed takes flak for pitching interceptions, but his perfect toss to Dawan Landry in the fourth quarter of the Panthers game showed that a timely lateral can be effective. Reed picked off backup Brian St. Pierre, ran 19 yards and just as he was about to be tackled, he flipped the ball to a trailing Landry, who took it the next 23 yards to paydirt. The touchdown essentially put the game out of reach and was another example of Reed’s playmaking ability.
Biggest Injury Loss: OT Jared Gaither
Gaither didn’t play a snap this year after injuring his back (thoracic disc) in training camp. This was after he dropped around 30 pounds and simply looked thin considering his 6-foot-9 frame. Gaither’s absence knocked the Ravens’ offensive line out of whack, forcing natural guard Marshal Yanda to play right tackle and promoting Chris Chester to the first team. With Gaither, who knows how dominant the Ravens’ offensive line could have been?
Free-Agent Stud: CB Josh Wilson
When Fabian Washington was demoted after a few rough outings, Wilson more-than-admirably stepped up. The former Maryland Terrapin formally announced his arrival with his overtime pick-six in Houston, but Wilson was reliable all season, grabbing two other interceptions and batting down 15 passes.
Free-Agent Letdown: WR Donte’ Stallworth
Through no fault of his own, Stallworth broke his foot in the preseason, which threw his return to football off-kilter. Then, he had trouble getting incorporated into the offense once he returned. The Ravens mainly used him on reverses, which left fans clamoring for a dose of Stallworth’s trademark speed each week.
Just When It Couldn’t Get Any Worse…: The Ravens Fall to Pittsburgh at Home
Riding an 8-3 record, the Ravens had an opportunity to lock up the AFC North with a Week 13 matchup against the Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Of course, this was with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm. Roethlisberger was up to his typical tricks, keeping Pittsburgh in the game, and then Troy Polamalu came unblocked off the line to sack and strip Flacco. The rest is history.
…You Totally Redeem Yourself!: Monday Night In Houston
The Ravens immediately righted their ship with a Monday Night Football win the following week against the Texans. Wilson’s interception was the defining play, but the Ravens showed plenty of offensive firepower in jumping out to a 21-7 lead. The defense did surrender a fourth-quarter advantage, but those issues were largely shored up as the season waned, and the Ravens closed things out with a four-game winning streak.
