The year is 2006, and the Baltimore Ravens are at a crossroads. Head coach Brian Billick, who'd stunned the football world by coaching one of the league's best all time defenses to a Super Bowl in 2000, had seen his influence and credibility wane in the subsequent years due to a decline in on field results. In particular, his failure to draft and develop a competent quarterback stuck out like a sore thumb for the supposed offensive genius, and it was the failure to supplement the Ravens consistently strong defense with a solid attack that cost Baltimore time and again. The seeds of discontent were ready to begin blooming by '06, when a stroke of good fortune hit, and they found the perfect guy for the job to steady things out at signal caller. Steve McNair had gotten close to winning a Super Bowl ring with the Tennessee Titans, but failed to finish the job a number of times. Could his steady veteran presence prove to be what the Ravens needed to get over the hump in what was likely Billick's last gasp at retaining his job under a changing ownership structure? To the embattled head coach, it was well worth a shot - after all, he had nothing to lose.

From writer/producer Jake Louque of Exit 52, "Season In Between" is a follow up to his debut effort "Forgotten Dynasty: An Oral History of the Baltimore Colts." This in depth look at the 2006 Baltimore Ravens covers their season from many different angles, and crisscrossing eras to paint the full picture, and explore not just went wrong, but what made this team special as well.

Follow Jake on social @jakelouque on Twitter/X, and @Exit52Podcast for more of him and the crew week to week.