For the Ravens, it was the year that Ray Lewis departed and Joe Flacco arrived, with the fifthyear quarterback finally emerging as the team leader and most valuable component in the franchise's hierarchy, just as Lewis' 17year career was coming to an inspiring close. Baltimore undoubtedly used Lewis' retirement saga for motivational fuel in the playoffs, but in reality the Ravens played most of the season without their celebrated and injured middle linebacker. And yet they still thrived and persevered without Lewis, and even more critical cogs on defense like rush linebacker Terrell Suggs, cornerback Lardarius Webb and inside linebacker Jameel McClain.."It's the same thing as back in the gladiator days when the gladiators fought to death," Mr Mitnick, who represents Karras and hundreds of others in the suit, has said. "Fans care about these guys when they're playing and they are heroes. But as soon as you're not a hero and not playing the fan doesn't really care what