You Don't Know The Ravens If You Think They're Tanking
By Samuel Njoku
The Ravens are in preparations for their upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins. After a wild finish against the Cleveland Browns on Monday night, there's some buzz around the team for the first time in weeks.
Ravens aren't going to tank the season for draft position
We've reached that stage of the season. You know, when the team is doing poor enough to start contemplating draft position. Many fans were displeased at the fact that Baltimore was able to pull off that win. They have their fingers crossed for Joey Bosa, Vernon Hargreaves, or even Laquon Treadwell. Of course, the Ravens would be lucky to acquire any of those collegiate athletes; but if you think the Ravens are going to tank the rest of the season to get them, you simply haven't been paying attention to your favorite team.
For starters, the Baltimore Ravens are obsessed with winning. Literally obsessed. It's a culture that was brought in soon after Owner Steve Bisciotti took over. When the Ravens lose, you can literally feel the disgust oozing out of every member of the organization. They don't like to lose and insinuating that they would even attempt to do it on purpose is almost insulting. For those wondering whether the Ravens would in fact be willing to do such a thing, Coach Harbaugh did his best to put those inquires to rest.
"We're trying to win football games," stated Ravens Coach John Harbaugh. "These guys work hard, and I'm proud of them, and we're fighting like crazy. December football is when football matters, and we're relevant in December. That's what we needed to be."
Only 2 games out of the wild card spot is not bad considering where many expected them to be. A win on Sunday will get them closer to where they want to be.
Ravens work out Ryan Mallett
The Ravens usually aren't searching for quarterbacks this time of year, but 2015 has been the strangest of times for the organization and the team is another QB injury away from a big problem. So the Ravens worked out former Texan Ryan Mallett on Wednesday. There was no immediate signing following the workout, but it could be a sign that Jimmy Clausen hasn't impressed the coaching staff as much as they would have liked. Of course it could also be a case of Ozzie Newsome doing his due diligence to ensure he fields the best team possible.
Joe Flacco in good spirits following ACL tear
Speaking of quarterbacks, Joe Flacco took to social media to address fans that have worried about the former Super Bowl MVP.
"I want to thank everyone who expressed their concern and sent their well wishes," wrote Joe Flacco via Facebook. "They are greatly appreciated. I also want to let everyone know that I am doing well and with help from modern medicine, combined with old-fashioned hard work, I should be good as new."
That's certainly something Ravens fans love to hear from their quarterback who just suffered an ACL tear. Here's hoping Flacco has a speedy recovery in time for the start of the 2016 season.
Samuel Njoku was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Samuel has covered the Ravens for Examiner.com since 2010. Prior to 2010, Samuel was an avid blogger and radio personality in Salisbury, MD. Samuel Njoku is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Ravens_Examiner.
