Growing Pains

In my first article for Raven Fan, titled Focus, I said that focus was paramount to long-term team success. I also mentioned the importance of individual internal focus, and how that focus drives a player in the most meaningful moments. Well, I received an e-mail after that article telling me I was way too serious about it. My answer is, maybe, but I also know that the focus of Ray Lewis on 4^th and 2 in San Diego caused him to make what he himself deemed one of his best plays ever. Unfortunately, it was a lack of focus that led to WR Mark Clayton dropping what would have been a first and goal-to-go in the waning moments of Sunday’s game in Foxboro. To his credit, Clayton was quick to “man-up” and take responsibility for the gaffe, and that fact alone earns him the respect of players, coaches and fans.

To say that Clayton’s drop cost them the game would be wrong…very wrong. Anyone with a hint of football sense knows that throughout the course of the game there are plenty of opportunities to change its outcome; remember 4^th and 1 with 5:09 left and McGahee was stopped. These are all growing pains for a relatively young team. Yet, Clayton’s ownership of the non-catch will provide a growth spurt, because teammates can now move forward, there is nothing lingering on the field and, more importantly, in the locker room. And because of that, these Ravens will rally together, these Ravens will support each other, these Ravens will grow together and these Ravens will win together.

Yeah, Sunday’s loss to the Patriots was a tough one, but, that will only make this week’s thrashing of the Bengals even sweeter. The importance of the game against Cincinnati is a higher priority since it is against a division rival sharing the top spot with Baltimore. I think you will see just how much and how fast the Ravens have grown in a week. Growing pains indeed! This game will highlight the Ravens growing and the Bengals’ pains.