"No one is above the team" - Rodney on Ravens’ playoff run

For the second year in a row, the Munich Ravens will play in the postseason. This time, however, the franchise managed to take another step forward and secure a Top-2 seed, which guarantees a place in the semifinals. For running back Justin Rodney, this is more than just a statistic - it is proof of how far the team has come in such a short time.

"Of course, we’re extremely happy to have already taken another step further in the playoffs than in previous years", Rodney said. "Before the season, nobody on the outside expected that from us, but we knew from the start what we were capable of. But all of this means nothing if we don’t build on this performance now and make it to the Championship Game."

The statement shows both the pride in what has been achieved and the clear focus on what still lies ahead: a spot in the ELF Championship Game.

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Growth under new leadership

Much of the Ravens’ progress can be traced back to the arrival of a new coaching staff before the second season. Head Coach Kendral Ellison and Offensive Coordinator Kyle Callahan took over after the first year, and their influence is still shaping the team in its third season. Rodney describes this period of transition as one of the key factors in the Ravens’ current success.

"Last year, both players and coaches were able to build trust in each other and learn in which situations we need to push harder and in which situations it’s better to take some pressure off - and that helps us tremendously," he explained.

Alongside the coaches, several impact players such as Russell Tabor and Cole Coleman joined the roster in the second year. But continuity also played an important role: "Many key players such as Malik Stanley and Wael Nasri stayed, and they pulled the others along and introduced them to the culture of the Munich Ravens," Rodney added.

Team cohesion as the biggest strength

While talent is visible all over the field, Rodney believes that the true reason for the Ravens’ success is the way the players stand together as a unit.

"I see our greatest strength as our team cohesion and the selflessness of every single player," he emphasized. "No one is above the team. Everyone fulfills their role and contributes to the team’s success in their own way."

From scoring touchdowns to executing key blocks on special teams, every player understands his responsibility. "This season, I haven’t experienced a single game where the offense didn’t get rolling and the fans complained, or the defense gave up and the offense started pointing fingers," Rodney said. "That kind of behavior can really eat away at a team when it matters most."

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Areas to improve

Despite all the positives, Rodney also knows that the Ravens are not without weaknesses. One of the issues has been the way the team sometimes starts games slowly.

"Sometimes at the start of a game - or in the first half - we’re still half asleep and only get going later on," he admitted. "Strong opponents, which we’ll definitely face in the semifinals, won’t forgive these mistakes and may not let us back into the game."

This level of honesty highlights the Ravens’ awareness of what it takes to compete at the highest level.

A personal milestone

For Rodney personally, the 2025 season has already been memorable. The veteran running back crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his ELF career, a significant achievement for any player.

"I’m super happy to have finally reached this milestone after so many years in the league," he said. Still, he was quick to deflect the attention: "But I know this is not an individual achievement - it’s thanks to my O-line, the WRs and TEs, and of course our OC, who knew how to use me best and gave me his trust."

His words underline the team-first mentality that has become part of the Ravens’ identity.

Using the Bye-Week

With a bye week before the semifinals, Munich has extra time to prepare and recover. For Rodney, it is all about finding the right balance.

"The bye week will be a healthy mix of recovery and preparation," he explained. "We continue to train and try to perfect our plays, but it’s also good that over the weekend we can switch off a bit physically and mentally, and dedicate some time to friends and family who often have to do without us during the season and always have our backs."

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Looking ahead to possible opponents

The Ravens could face different opponents in the semifinals, each with its own storyline. Rodney sees interesting angles in every potential matchup.

"John Shoop was our HC in the first season of the Munich Ravens and is now HC at Nordic Storm. Chad Jeffries was QB in Munich during the first two years before moving to Rhein Fire. And against Stuttgart, every game has derby character", Rodney explained.

But he didn’t hesitate to point out his personal preference: "I’d most like to play against the league newcomer Nordic Storm, since we’ve already had matchups against all the others."

Handling the pressure

With the semifinals on the horizon, pressure naturally increases. But Rodney shows a relaxed attitude, built on confidence and perspective.

"In the end, it’s a game like any other, and only one team walks off the field as winner," he said. "Since day one, our motto for every game has been '1-0,' and that won’t change for the final either."

Rodney rarely feels the weight of expectation: "I’m incredibly grateful to be able to play football on this amazing team and in this league - I rarely feel pressure here. I also believe it’s important to have a good support system off the field, so you can play freely knowing that no matter if it’s a win or loss, you have people around you who love you and accept you as you are."

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