Much of the Baltimore Ravens’ fan base prepares for another regular season. Fantasy football is a topic of conversation, and so are Madden NFL ratings. Somehow, in terms of the latter, Derrick Henry has been left off the famed 99 club. How is that even possible? Then again, their ratings adjustor is a Cincinnati Bengals legend.

No one is accusing Chad Johnson of collusion.

We sometimes spend so much time diminishing our favorite NFL stars to Madden ratings and Fantasy points that we sometimes forget they are human, just like we are. They’re fueled by success. They’re heartbroken by disappointment.

Marlon Humphrey still struggles with the Ravens’ playoff failures

Fans will often tell you that they care more about the game than the stars who play in it. Fans believe NFL stars care only about their next extension. While that may be true in some cases, more often than not, our favorite Ravens find no pleasure in failure. Look no further than a recent conversation between Mina Kimes and Matlon Humphrey for evidence.

Let this be a lesson to many of you. Yes, this game doubles as these guys’ profession, but it’s also a game they have played since they were youths. As shocking as this may be to some of you, there’s no way you can be more devastated by a loss than the Ravens. They give everything of their bodies for three hours.

It’s July. The Ravens have entered another training camp, yet Humphrey is still bothered by the most recent Divisional Round loss. Don’t believe that? Ask yourselves a question. How can these guys be this competitive, see an opportunity for glory, and walk away feeling nothing when things don’t go as expected?

Occasionally, we’ve heard guys who have reached the mountaintop say the agony of losing the Super Bowl far outweighs the elation felt by raising the Lombardi Trophy. That sometimes never made sense before. It makes perfect sense now. Oh well… We know the drill.

The Ravens must dust themselves off. They must refocus on the here and now. They must do all they can to get to football’s biggest game on February 8 and win it all.

That won’t erase the pain of playoff misses, but it will dry the tears a tad. The three preseason games approach. Then, we dive headfirst into the 18-week, 17-game season. Expect the best effort from Humphreay and his Ravens teammates.