1999 record: 8-8 (3rd place, AFC Central)

Last five years: 24-39-1 record since moving to Baltimore

Coach: Brian Billick, 2nd year, 8-8/8-8

Playoff Past: Franchise last appeared in playoffs in 1994, when still the original Cleveland Browns.

Outlook

No doubt, Brian Billick holds enough oratory skills that he can make it all sound better next January if things haven't worked out.

No doubt, the Baltimore Ravens coach will be able to put a forward-thinking spin on where the franchise is headed if the 2000 season does not produce a postseason spot.

But in the here and now, the Ravens push toward the start of the season with a simple vision. It is a playoffs-or-bust mentality.

The Ravens need Jamal Lewis to come back healthy to balance their offense. (AP)

This is the year Baltimore expects to turn the corner. Billick's inaugural season represented the first major step, an 8-8 finish that included a 4-0 December and some signs quarterback Tony Banks is ready to maximize his considerable natural talent.

After an offseason full of offensive upgrades, the Ravens think they can be a complete team. The defense was ranked No. 2 overall last year. It figures to be solid again now that middle linebacker Ray Lewis' status is not in question since the dismissal of double-murder charges against him in June.

Around Baltimore, fans express high anticipation.

Billick tries to temper it somewhat, especially when people's minds wander onto what St. Louis was able to do last year after such terrible results in 1998 and '97.

"Right now, we only have a right to talk about getting into the playoffs," Billick said. "Again, with the Rams, if you go back and look it wasn't a Super Bowl-or-die mentality. It was, let's take the first step of the progression and take it to the next level."

Some of the guidance for those steps will fall on the shoulders of tight end Shannon Sharpe, signed as a free agent from Denver.

With Sharpe and newly acquired tight end Ben Coates, the Ravens have turned their weakest position into what is arguably one of the league's best tandems at that spot.

"Well, on paper -- but that's not the way you play the game," Sharpe said. "You look at what we did in the '90s and what we meant to the ballclubs we came from, and obviously you could say that. But now we're in a different system."

For a team that has seen no small degree of misery since moving to Baltimore from Cleveland, what's different now is a tangible inner confidence.

There is enough talent to reach the playoffs now. The wild cards for Baltimore are whether Banks can avoid turnovers and continue to grow in poise, whether No. 5 overall draft pick/running back Jamal Lewis can avoid more injuries.

The Ravens experienced a jolt just a week into training camp on two offensive fronts. Lewis suffered a dislocated elbow on his first carry in a scrimmage with Washington, when a Redskins player landed on his arm. Meanwhile, speedy receiver Patrick Johnson broke his collarbone in practice. He was due to miss six weeks.

The Ravens hoped to have Lewis back for the season opener at Pittsburgh. By then, they expect to be ready for their first playoff season in Baltimore.

Said Coates, "I wouldn't have come here if this team wasn't a contender."

Schedule preview: The challenge for the Ravens lies early, with five of the first seven games on the road. The team would take a 4-4 start, because the tail end of the season offers four of the final five games at PSINet Stadium. That stretch includes a bye week and potentially easier games if the Cowboys, Jets, Chargers and Browns are having down years.

1999 offensive ranking: No. 26 overall, No. 16 rushing, No. 24 passing

1999 defensive ranking: No. 2 overall, No. 6 vs. the pass, No. 2 vs. the run

Key players lost from '99: RB Errict Rhett (to Cleveland), OL Jeff Blackshear (released), CB DeRon Jenkins (to San Diego)

Key additions for 2000: TE Shannon Sharpe (from Broncos), TE Ben Coates (from Patriots), DT Sam Adams (from Seahawks).

Rookies to watch: RB Jamal Lewis, WR Travis Taylor. Lewis offers a combination of speed, size and power the Ravens like as an answer for their poor red-zone offense. Opportunities only increased for Taylor with the broken collarbone WR Patrick Johnson suffered (probably will miss two games), but Taylor hurt himself by not being in camp on time.

Offensive line: OT Jonathan Ogden is the best in the business. But there are lots of questions. Can second-year OG Jeff Mulitalo continue to show the promise he offered as a rookie starter the final eight games? Can OT Harry Swayne stay healthy? The tackles and center Jeff Mitchell are solid, but the team could be exposed at guard with Mulitalo and RG Mike Flynn.

Wide receivers/tight ends: This is where the Ravens have made their most dramatic improvement. WR Jamal Lewis has worked doggedly during offseason to regain his 1998 form. WR Qadry Ismail thrived in coach Brian Billick's system. Once Johnson's collarbone heals, he gives the Ravens great speed -- so long as he holds on to the ball. Biggest upgrade is at tight end with Sharpe and Coates, and WR Taylor should have an impact.

Running Backs: Look for Priest Holmes to begin the season as the starter. But rookie Jamal Lewis has more big-play speed and should take over around the midway point, or sooner. Charles Evans is a solid, diverse fullback well-acquainted with Billick's system from their days in Minnesota.

Quarterbacks: In leading the Ravens to a 4-0 finish in December, Tony Banks appeared to blossom. Now Billick wants him to be the leader and take command, and Banks is showing a comfort level now that he is with the same offense and same coordinator for consecutive seasons. If he falters in terms of pocket presence and ball-handling, backup Trent Dilfer is waiting. Third-round draft pick Chris Redman, whom the team considered a steal, is the QB of the long-term future.

Defensive line: Addition of Adams helps Ravens make up for loss of Larry Webster for at least eight games due to substance-abuse suspension. Mike McCrary remains a leader of this unit and one of league's top defensive ends. With Rob Burnett on this line, unit offers much cohesion. Thorny holdout with veteran Tony Siragusa was a hovering cloud at start of training camp.

Linebackers: The absolute strength of the whole team. MLB Ray Lewis is in best shape ever and is the NFL's best at his position. He is likely to channel frustration from his legal trial (double-murder charges later dropped by Atlanta authorities) on opposing offenses. Peter Boulware's right shoulder must heal effectively. Even playing with one arm last year, he made the Pro Bowl. Jamie Sharper needs to show his improvement last season was no fluke.

Secondary: A continually improving unit. The player to watch? Safety Anthony Poindexter, a punishing hitter and a standout at Virginia before a devastating knee injury. Ravens played a hunch by making him a seventh-round pick in 1999 draft. After a year of rehab, Poindexter has a chance to play a lot. He is a ferocious hitter who was among the top players at his position in college before the injury. First-round picks Duane Starks (1998) and Chris McAlister ('99) are coming into their own at cornerbacks. Veteran Rod Woodson made the Pro Bowl last year after conversion to safety. He's 35 now.

Special teams: Ravens need more consistency from PK Matt Stover. Poor work on kickoffs cost the team its home opener with Pittsburgh last year. P Kyle Richardson was steady last year but has occasionally been to blame on big plays that hurt team. Look for Jermaine Lewis to regain the form he showed as a '98 Pro Bowl punt returner. Coverage on kickoffs needs some improvement.