2006 Baltimore Ravens season
| 2006 Baltimore Ravens season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Brian Billick |
| Home field | M&T Bank Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 13–3 |
| Division place | 1st AFC North |
| Playoff finish | Lost Divisional Playoffs (Colts) 15–6 |
The 2006 Baltimore Ravens season began with the team trying to improve on their 6–10 record in 2005. The Ravens, for the first time in franchise history, started 4–0. The Ravens' ended the regular season with a franchise record 13 wins. The Ravens clinched the AFC North title and a 1st-round playoff bye. Their season ended with a loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional playoff game. The Colts would go on to defeat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
In the 2006 offseason, the Baltimore Ravens were in negotiations to try to obtain veteran quarterback Steve McNair from the Tennessee Titans. On Sunday, April 30, 2006, the Titans allowed McNair to speak with the Ravens and on May 1, 2006, the Baltimore Sun stated that the Baltimore Ravens had been waiting for McNair to be released by the Titans since it was the free agency period. The deal was completed in June 2006.
McNair and the Ravens agreed to an $11 million signing bonus on May 5, 2006.
On June 7, 2006, the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans agreed to trade a 4th round pick in the 2007 draft for McNair, pending a physical.
Steve McNair brought a calm leadership presence to the quarterback role that had been absent from the franchise since its inception. The critical issue in the '06 season remained whether McNair would hearken back to his Pro Bowl performance days or whether the cumulative effect of injuries would continue to hamper his performance.
During the 2006 NFL Draft the Ravens acquired future star defensive tackle Haloti Ngata as well as safety Dawan Landry and punter Sam Koch.
During free agency, the Ravens also picked up former Denver Broncos RB Mike Anderson, who in 2005 posted a 1,000-yard plus season. He was expected to back up Jamal Lewis and to be insurance if Lewis posted stats similar to 2005. The Ravens also acquired DE Trevor Pryce of the Denver Broncos who would prove a strong addition the Ravens defensive line, which had some pressuring problems the previous season.
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