Offseason preview for the Ravens' AFC North foes

We started to look ahead to the NFL offseason as soon as Billy Cundiff’s field goal fluttered off-target and we will dive headfirst into the offseason two weeks from now when the scouting combine begins in Indianapolis. In the meantime, let's take a glance at what the Ravens' AFC North opponents are tasked with this offseason.

Looking at where the Ravens stand at running back

The retirement of Ricky Williams leaves the Ravens with one running back who has more than five career NFL carries -- and that’s Ray Rice, who is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Ricky Williams' retirement casts Ravens' running back situation into uncertainty

The long, circuitous ride that is Ricky Williams' football career again swerved abruptly Tuesday when the Ravens' enigmatic reserve running back announced that he was retiring from the NFL.

Eagles claim D.J. Jones off waivers from Ravens

The Philadelphia Eagles have claimed D.J. Jones off waivers from the Ravens, who waived the undrafted rookie offensive tackle from Nebraska before their win over the Houston Texans in the AFC divisional round.

Ravens given 20-1 odds to win Super Bowl XLVII

The confetti has been vacuumed up in Indianapolis, so the sports book at MGM Grand in Las Vegas released its Super Bowl odds for the 2012 season. Apparently, their oddsmakers think the Ravens' championship window is narrowly open.

Jonathan Ogden is up for the Hall of Fame in 2013

Saturday, six men were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: defensive linemen Chris Doleman and Cortez Kennedy, offensive tackle Willie Roaf, center Dermontti Dawson, running back Curtis Martin, and cornerback Jack Butler. Meanwhile, former coach Bill Parcells, running back Jerome Bettis, wide receiver Cris Carter, and defensive end Charles Haley were among the finalists who learned that their busts won’t be bronzed this year.

Comparing Joe Flacco and Eli Manning through four NFL seasons

For the second time in five seasons, New York quarterback Eli Manning has led the Giants to the Super Bowl title -- not too shabby for a former first-round draft pick who was criticized often in his first four NFL seasons.

Instant analysis: Giants hold on to beat Patriots, Ravens ask 'What if?'

Matt Vensel, Sports Blitz: A fun game down to the whistle, this one was eerily reminiscent of the last times these teams met in the Super Bowl. Eli Manning -- who said before the season the he was elite and lived up to it -- was so cool down the stretch and the Giants put enough heat on Tom Brady to seal the win. Can you believe Eli has more titles than Peyton and one fewer than Brady? Believe it.

Terrell Suggs selected AP Defensive Player of the Year

The award that Terrell Suggs really wanted will be handed out Sunday as the New York Giants and New England Patriots play for the Lombardi Trophy. The Ravens outside linebacker got a nice consolation prize Saturday night when he was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the 2011-12 season.

Birk named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

Ravens veteran center Matt Birk was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year on Saturday night, recognition for his consistent play on the field and his commitment to community endeavors.

Is the window closing? Bisciotti doesn't think so

Is the window closing for the Ravens to win a Super Bowl? It definitely is for stalwart linebacker Ray Lewis and free safety Ed Reed. But Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti believes the window is wide open for his franchise.

Ravens won't raise ticket prices for 2012 season

Citing already competitive prices and a difficult economy, the Ravens have decided not to raise ticket prices at M&T Bank Stadium for the third straight season.

"State of Ravens" address produces no surprises but spurs some obvious conclusions

By now, we’ve all had some time to digest the annual “State of the Ravens” address. It was interesting and somewhat informative, yet I gather that nothing said by Owner Steve Bisciotti or General Manager Ozzie Newsome was truly surprising to the Ravens’ fan base.

Bisciotti on the training camp move: 'It hurts me'

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and the team released a lengthy statement about the decision to permanently move training camp from Westminster to the team's headquarters in Owings Mills when that decision was announced in December. On Wednesday, Bisciotti was asked about appeasing the many disappointed fans.

Will there be more interest in restricted free agents?

When the NFL’s current collective bargaining agreement was hammered out by NFL owners and the NFLPA last summer, a tweak was made to the rules regarding the compensation a team can receive if one of their restricted free agents signs an offer sheet with another team.

Billick isn't sure if he will coach in the NFL again

Former Ravens head coach Brian Billick, the man who wore the headset when the Ravens seized their only Super Bowl title back in 2000, is at the Super Bowl in Indianapolis this week as a member of the media. But on Wednesday, he fielded questions from fellow media, including a few about his coaching future in the NFL.

Ravens owner Bisciotti feels Cundiff's pain

At Wednesday’s “State of the Ravens” news conference, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti was asked about Billy Cundiff’s missed field-goal attempt against the Patriots, a 32-yard kick that could have sent the game into overtime.

Ravens announce Martindale as inside linebackers coach

The Ravens announced Thursday that they have hired Don Martindale as their inside linebackers coach. Martindale, 49, has coached in the NFL for seven seasons, most recently as the Denver Broncos’ defensive coordinator in 2010.

Ravens go overboard with Joe Flacco love-fest

After nearly 30 minutes, it was apparent that the theme of the "State of the Ravens" address was about kissing up to quarterback Joe Flacco.

Ozzie Newsome has no plans to retire

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has been with the Ravens since they arrived in Baltimore in 1996, and he constructed the 2000 Super Bowl squad. It seems as if speculation about his future in Baltimore is an annual rite of winter, but Wednesday, Newsome indicated that he has no plans to leave anytime soon.

Ravens' front office shows support for Cameron

Last week, Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that offensive coordinator Cam Cameron would be back with the Ravens next season. Bisciotti and Newsome also supported Cameron on Wednesday, though Newsome declined to say whether Cameron’s contract was a one-year deal or longer.

Flacco receives praise from Ravens' Bisciotti, Newsome

Joe Flacco’s performance in the AFC championship game might not have silenced all his critics, but in the minds of owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Ozzie Newsome, there is no question the 27-year-old quarterback is the man to lead the Ravens back to the Super Bowl.

Ravens lose two coaches to Indy, hire Martindale

As expected, former Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano is taking a few coaches with him to Indianapolis.

Lewis will be back in 2012; no word on Reed

Linebacker Ray Lewis told reporters after the season-ending loss to the New England Patriots that he planned to return for a 17th NFL season, but the team is still awaiting word from free safety Ed Reed.

State of the Ravens review: Rice will return

The Ravens held their annual season-ending “State of the Ravens” press conference Wednesday at the team’s practice facility in Owings Mills, with owner Steve Bisciotti, president Dick Cass, general manger and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh fielding questions from reporters.

'State of the Ravens' press conference is Wednesday

The Ravens announced today that the team will hold its annual “State of the Ravens” press conference Wednesday at the team’s practice facility in Owings Mills. The annual season-review press conference, which starts at 2 p.m., is our rare opportunity to chat about all Ravens topics with owner Steve Bisciotti, president Dick Cass, general manager and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh.

Ray Lewis headlines ESPN's 'All Era' team

Last week, ESPN revealed its NFL “All Era” team, which recognized those current players whose attitudes and styles of play would make them successful in, well, any era, whether it is today’s pass-happy NFL or the days when Dick Butkus and Jack Lambert roamed the field and the word “concussion” was crazy medical jargon.

NFL mock draft roundup: Who will the Ravens pick?

We are less than three months away from the 2012 NFL draft. We have plenty of Ravens draft coverage in the works, but we are focused on tying up the loose ends from the 2011 season. In the meantime, to quench your thirst for draft coverage, here is a quick roundup of players the Ravens are linked to in early mock drafts.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh a finalist for Salute to Service Award

Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who helped institute the team’s annual Military Appreciation Day and was among the first coaches to partake in the NFL-USO Coaches Tour, could have another armed services-related honor on his résumé by Saturday: the inaugural Salute to Service Award.

Jim Caldwell joins Ravens as quarterbacks coach

Three days after he confirmed that offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will be retained, Ravens coach John Harbaugh gave his offense -- and Joe Flacco -- an additional voice, hiring Jim Caldwell as the team's quarterbacks coach.