…and Reality
Ray Lewis retired after the Super Bowl, and with so much cap space devoted to Flacco, the Ravens decided to let go of other key contributors like receiver Anquan Boldin, safeties Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard, and some budding young defenders. The hit to the team’s chemistry in 2013 was palpable, as was the drastic decline in Flacco’s efficiency. He finished the season with more interceptions than touchdowns and the Ravens missed the playoffs with an 8 – 8 record.