Baltimore Ravens: 20 Years in Perspective

In their short history, one can easily argue per capita that the Baltimore Ravens are the most successful franchise in NFL history. They were the fastest expansion team to win a Super Bowl.

2015 will mark the 20th season in the team’s history. The team has accomplished a lot while making their mark in NFL history and has had many indelible memories etched in the league.

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The Ravens began their story in the 1996 NFL Draft when they selected two Hall of Famers in the first round: left tackle Jonathan Ogden and middle linebacker Ray Lewis. Not a bad start I’d say. Spearheaded by general manager Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens would make drafting successful players a common theme.

Brian Billick: 1999-2007

The Ravens’ second head coach had a 85-67 record in the regular season, 5-3 record in the playoffs and took home the team’s first Lombardi Trophy in 2000. Their Super Bowl year was a historic season, not just for the Ravens but for the NFL.

Lewis was defensive player of the year and arguably the single best player in the NFL. And personally, I was always quite proud Baltimore gave Hall of Fame safety Rod Woodson the Super Bowl ring he so rightfully deserved.

The 2000 Ravens defense set NFL records that still stand today. Fewest points allowed in a season (165): They broke the record of legendary 1985 Chicago Bears defense (187) including three shutouts.

They did not allow one 100 yard rusher the entire season. The team went through offensive droughts, but the defense was so dominant, it did not doom their season. You’re welcome Trent Dilfer.

In Ozzie We Trust

In 2002, Newsome selected safety Ed Reed in the first round of the NFL draft. Combined with Ray Lewis at the helm, he would maintain the best defense in the NFL for years ahead and become the greatest safety to ever play. Special shout out to Shannon Sharpe and Deion Sanders, it was great seeing you guys play in purple.

In 2007, we saw the biggest transition in the franchise’s short history. I personally feel 2007 changed everything. Billick’s tenure as head coach came to a conclusion, and quarterback Steve McNair would play his last season in the NFL. The events set in motion something no one saw coming.

The New Head Coach: John Harbaugh

As first order of business, they drafted an unknown quarterback out of Delaware, Joe Flacco. Ray Lewis even recalls the first time he saw Flacco throw, he has such a commanding presence on the field, a natural leader.

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In their first season, Harbaugh and Flacco led the Ravens to the 2008 AFC Championship. Again not a bad start, I’d say. The Ravens wouldn’t miss the playoffs until 2013; however, it did not seem like it when Ray Lewis left a game in 2012 with what appeared to be a career-ending injury.

Many Ravens’ fans hit the panic button. And the long term questions arose. Is this really how Lewis is going out? Will Terrell Suggs and Reed ever claim their the Super Bowl rings? The future seemed bleak.

And I was wrong.

Incredibly, the Ravens rallied and made the playoffs. The aging middle linebacker shocked the NFL world and announced 2012 would be his final season. The Ravens defense would go through elite quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady to arrive at the Super Bowl. Flacco put up a postseason performance statistically on par with Joe Montana.

The season made for a nice feel good story. Lewis walks off into the sunset raising the Lombardi trophy one more time: next stop, Canton. Suggs and Reed now are world champions and bound for the Hall of Fame, and now Flacco sits among the NFL’s top quarterbacks.

It’s been a great 20 years for Baltimore and their fans alike. On behalf of The Baltimore Wire, we thank you for the many memories. Here’s to the next 20 years.

Next: Baltimore Ravens: Healthy Secondary Needs more Clutch Plays