2007 Baltimore Ravens
The 2007 Baltimore Ravens season will be the 12th season for the team in the National Football League. They will try to improve upon their 13-3 record in 2006 and are coming off the heels of their AFC North division title.
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[edit] Coaching staff
Head coach Brian Billick will be entering his ninth year with the Ravens. He will be joined with offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.
[edit] Offseason
During the offseason the Ravens cut Jamal Lewis, with the intent of re-signing him at a lower salary. However, he then signed with the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens also choose not to place the franchise tag on Adalius Thomas, who then signed with the New England Patriots. Fullback Ovie Mughelli was also lost in free agency, signing with the Atlanta Falcons.
The Ravens then traded a 3rd and 7th round draft pick in the 2007 draft and a 3rd round pick in 2008 for Willis McGahee. In the 1st round of the draft, the Ravens selected Auburn offensive tackle Ben Grubbs. In the 5th round, the Baltimore Ravens drafted Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith.
[edit] Regular Season Games
[edit] Week 1 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravens | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Bengals | 9 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 0 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Game time: 7:00 PM EDT
- Game weather: 82°F (Mostly Cloudy & Slight Rain)
- Game attendance: 66,093
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers: (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Tony Kornheiser, Ron Jaworski, Michele Tafoya & Suzy Kolber
The Ravens began their 2007 campaign on the road against their AFC North foe, the Cincinnati Bengals, in the first game of a Monday Night Football doubleheader. In the first quarter, Baltimore lost two fumbles early on, with the Bengals turning the second fumble into QB Carson Palmer's 39-yard TD pass to WR Chad Johnson. Later, another Raven fumble allowed Cincinnati to cash in as Bengals kicker Shayne Graham nailed a 23-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Baltimore finally managed to get on the board as RB Musa Smith got a 6-yard TD run. Later, Cincinnati increased its advantage with Graham kicking a 40-yard field goal. The Ravens would end the half with kicker Matt Stover getting a 36-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Baltimore's turnover problems continued as QB Steve McNair fumbled the ball as he got sacked, allowing Bengals LB Landon Johnson to return the fumble 34 yards for a touchdown for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Ravens finally took the lead with Stover kicking a 23-yard field goal and Safety Ed Reed returning a punt 63 yards for a touchdown. However, later in the period, a McNair pass would end up intercepted by DE Robert Geathers. The Bengals would quickly cash in as Palmer would complete a 7-yard TD pass to WR T. J. Houshmandzadeh, followed by a 2-point conversion run by RB Rudi Johnson. With McNair having groin problems, QB Kyle Boller would take over. Near the end of the game, he almost helped the Ravens score, but a Michael Myers interception ended any hope of Baltimore's comeback. In the end, the Ravens would end up with 6 total turnovers on the night.
With the loss, Baltimore began its season at 0-1.
[edit] Schedule
The NFL released the 2007 NFL schedule and the Ravens get five of the first eight games on the road, including a season opening Monday Night contest at Cincinnati. It is the first of three Monday Night games on the season and 4 total nationally televised games, including a preseason game televised by NBC.
[edit] Preseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time/Result | Game Site | TV | Final Score | Record | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 13, 2007 | Philadelphia | 7 PM EDT | M&T Bank Stadium | FOX 45 | 29-3 | 1-0 | |
| 2 | August 19, 2007 | New York Giants | 8 PM EDT | M&T Bank Stadium | NBC | 12-13 | 1-1 | |
| 3 | August 25, 2007 | Washington | 8 PM EDT | FedEx Field | FOX 45 | 7-13 | 1-2 | |
| 4 | August 31, 2007 | Atlanta | 7:30 PM EDT | Georgia Dome | FOX 45 | 10-13 | 1-3 |
