Chuck Pagano's Ravens return doubles as a shot at some unfinished business
Every glimpse of Chuck Pagano in the Baltimore Ravens' black and purple forces an immediate smile across the countenance. It's like he never left (even though we know he did). He never looked quite right in that Indianapolis Colts gear, nor did he ever look like a Chicago Bears coach.
Chuck's home is with the flock. It always has been. He's probably forgotten more about defense than some of these younger coaches will ever know.
He has coached for nearly four decades, and he's still going strong. Baltimore recently dropped its look "Inside Rookie Minicamp with Malaki Starks", and the Ravens' secondary coach allowed some behind-the-scenes access.
Coach Pagano knows what he's doing, and he knows great defensive talent when he sees it. After all, he once led a unit that featured Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs. He hasn't paced an NFL sideline since the 2020 NFL season, but it's good to have him back. While he's in town, the Ravens may as well help him handle some unfinished business.
Chuck Pagano has an opportunity to win a Super Bowl that he missed out on the last time
He's the owner of a coaching resume that many would love to have. His journey began in 1984 as a graduate assistant at USC. Fate eventually led him to Baltimore. Pagano spent three years as the Ravens' secondary coach before assuming the title of defensive coordinator in 2011.
That season didn't go as planned. It ended with Billy Cundiff's missed field goal in the AFC Championship Game vs. the New England Patriots. Three days later, Coach Pagano was introduced as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.
Baltimore would win the Super Bowl one year later, in Ray Lewis and Ed Reed's final season with the team. Chuck still has yet to taste Super Bowl glory. You can see where all of this is headed, right?
More than 13 years separate Coach Pagano's exit from his return. This season feels like unfinished business, both for the Ravens and their secondary coach.
As he did many moons ago, he's fortunate to have some talent in the secondary. Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey are his Pro Bowlers. Malaki Starks is the talented rookie.
Pagano has never been a stranger to hard work. Starks recently shared a story of his position coach texting him about film at 5 a.m. That's precisely the type of work ethic this team will need to win it all.
Two seasons ago, they lost in the AFC Championship Game. A year ago, they were bounced in the Divisional Round. Might this be their year? Let's hope so for the fans, this roster, and some returning friends.
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