Throughout the preseason, Ravens head coach Brian Billick preached that his team had made acquisitions to improve the character on the roster. With his team now 4-0, Billick can puff out his chest a little bit about those additions.
“There is a maturity to [this team] that maybe needed to be developed last year, and because of some of the things we went through, it is being exhibited now,” Billick said.
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The franchise has suffered from a bad-boy image for several years, and that came to a head in last year?s penalty-marred debacle against the Detroit Lions. In the 35-17 loss, the Ravens were flagged 21 times, one short of the NFL record.
During the offseason, the team attempted to repair its image when it boasted to the media about its track record of selecting character individuals. That claim was met with skepticism by some longtime observers of the team who pointed to off-the-field issues involving Ravens players.
The 2005 team had been tagged as one plagued by chemistry issues, but this year?s players have been cohesive and supportive of one another inside the locker room.
Team management made a concerted effort to bring in veterans with solid reputations in the offseason, and so far, it appears to be paying off.
Linebacker Terrell Suggs attempted to kick a teammate during a skirmish in training camp, and in the Oakland game on Sept. 17, cornerback Chris McAlister was flagged and ultimately fined for confronting a referee. But aside from those few blemishes, this year?s squad has been on its best behavior.
“I?ve spoken many times about the great additions, personality-wise, of Trevor Pryce, Justin Bannan, Corey Ivy, Gary Stills, Mike Anderson, Steve McNair,” Billick said. “That?s a lot of maturity, a lot of character that has added to the things that I think we grew from last year.”
The maturation theme has spread to the players, as well.
“I definitely think we?ve got the right kind of attitude in here,” cornerback Samari Rolle said. “Everyone is just gelling together right now.”
