Historical Moments:
1996: On September 1st, the NFL finally returned to Baltimore as the Ravens coached by former Colts coach Ted Marchibroda took the field at Memorial Stadium against the Oakland Raiders. Led by Quarterback, Vinny Testeverde, the Ravens would beat the Raiders 19-14 before 64,124 rowdy fans. However, the joy would not last as the Ravens finished with a 4-12 record, despite holding the lead in 11 out of 16 games. Testeverde would have a solid season earning a trip to the Pro Bowl with 4,177 yards passing.
But it was the first team for Baltimore for the season…Everyone had to get to know Baltimore and the fans…It takes time to make a great team!
1998: On September 6th, the Ravens opened their new stadium against the Pittsburgh Steelers by losing 20-13. The Ravens would continue to struggle as newly acquired Quarterback Jim Harbaugh and back up Eric Zeier played mediocre football all year as the Ravens got off to a 2-6 start. On November 29th, the Indianapolis Colts returned to Baltimore, as the Ravens overcame two 14-point deficits and scored 25 second-half points to win a 38-31 thriller. On December 13th, the Ravens and Minnesota Vikings set an NFL record with three kickoff returns for Touchdowns, all in the 1st quarter. Ravens Corey Harris and Patrick Johnson along with Vikings David Palmer all scored Touchdowns on returns in a Vikings 38-28 win. The Ravens would go on to finish the season with a 6-10 record, as Ted Marchibroda was fired at the end of the season. The Ravens would go on to hire Vikings Offensive Coordinator Brian Billick to replace him. Also needing replacement was the Ravens shield logo, which was the focus of a court case that said the team used it without permission of a bank security guard who claimed he came up with design.
2000: The Ravens get off to a solid start winning three of four games in September including two shutout victories over division opponents. In October, they continued to win winning their first two games despite not scoring a Touchdown, while posting another shutout. However, the Ravens offensive struggles caught up with them as they lost three straight games closing the month of October without a Touchdown. Sitting at 5-4 the Ravens had a stellar defense, but Quarterback Tony Bank’s struggles were hurting the team. This led to backup Trent Dilfer getting the starting nod for the rest of the season. Statistically Dilfer was not much better, but the Ravens won all seven games he started to finish with a 12-4 record and qualify for a Wild Card berth. In their final seven games, the Ravens outscored their opponents 193-63 as their defense led by Ray Lewis who overcame an off-season in which he faced murder charges to win Defensive Rookie of the Year set a16-game record with only 165 points allowed. Along the way the Ravens defense shut their opponents out four times and allowed less then 10 points, nine times. In the first playoff game at PSInet Stadium, the Ravens defense continued to overwhelm the opposition shutting down the Denver Broncos 21-3. A week later in Tennessee, the Ravens were heavy underdogs facing the Titans in the Divisional Playoffs. The Titans controlled the game most of the way but the Ravens defense held the game tied 10-10 going into the 4th Quarter. However, the Titans appeared on the verge of taking the lead as Kicker Al Del Greco set up for a short Field Goal. The Ravens defense would step up and snatch the game away as Anthony Mitchell blocked and returned the kick 90-yards for a go ahead Touchdown. The Ravens would seal the game 24-10 on a 50-yard Interception return by Ray Lewis moments later. In the AFC Championship at Oakland, the Ravens were heavy underdogs again facing the Raiders. The Ravens grabbed control early as Quarterback Trent Dilfer hit Tight End Shannon Sharpe on a 96-yard Touchdown pass. It was all the points the Ravens would need as the defense smothered the Raiders in a 16-3 win to earn a trip to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XXXV: Facing the New York Giants in Tampa, the Baltimore Ravens found themselves in an unlikely Super Bowl match up. In the first half the Ravens defense was dominant holding a 10-0 lead. Late in the 3rd Quarter the Ravens defense scored again, as Duane Starks returned an interception 47-yards for a Touchdown. However, on the ensuing kickoff the Giants would get on the board as Ron Dixon returned the kickoff 97 yards for a Touchdown to get the Giants back into the game at 17-7. However, the Ravens would respond in the blink of an eye as Jermaine Lewis returned a kickoff of his own 84 yards to give the Ravens a 24-7 lead. In total a record three consecutive returns for touchdowns were made as fans got whiplash in the most exciting 36 seconds in Super Bowl history. The Ravens would go on to score ten points in the 4th Quarter for an impressive 34-7 victory as Ray Lewis was named Super Bowl MVP.
2003: The Ravens entered the season with rookie Quarterback Kyle Boller under center, meaning the Ravens defense was going to have be stronger then ever, to help keep the young team competitive. With Boller learning under fire it meant a greater role in the offense for Running Back Jamal Lewis who going into the second Week against the Cleveland Browns, after losing their first game to the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-15. boasted he could break the single game rushing record. Lewis's boast backed up as galloped for a record 295 yards in a 33-13 Ravens win in the home opener. For much of the season the Ravens would alternate wins and losses, but in the weakest division in the NFL they were at or near first place all season. Boller's season would end early due to injury as Anthony Wright stepped in a keyed a dramatic 4th Quarter rally as the Ravens who trailed the Seattle Seahawks 34-17 late in the 3rd Quarter won 44-41 in overtime. With Wright under Center the Ravens offense began to click on a high level as they won three straight games, including a 31-13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14 to surge to the top of the division. The Ravens would go on to win the AFC North with a record of 10-6, as Jamal Lewis won the Offensive Player of the Year award by rushing for 2,066 yards the second highest total in NFL history. While Jamal ran led the team on offensive Ray Lewis again led on defense winning his second career Defensive Player of the Year award while newcomer Terrell Suggs won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. However in the playoffs the Ravens offensive weaknesses would catch up against the Tennessee Titans who held Jamal Lewis to just 35 yards rushing in a 20-17 win, which ended the Ravens season in disappointment.
2006: The Steve McNair era in Baltimore began with the Ravens using their defense to earn a road win as they blanked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-0. A week later the defense was just as strong in the home opener allowing just two field goals in a 28-6 win over the Oakland Raiders. It would not be as easy the following week as they needed a 52-yard Field Goal by Matt Stover with 20 seconds left to beat the Cleveland Browns 15-14. A week later they needed 4th Quarter magic again, as McNair found Todd Heap in the end zone from ten yards out for a dramatic 16-13 win over the San Diego Chargers with 34 seconds left. A week later, there would be no magic as their offense sputtered in a 13-3 road loss to Denver Broncos. A week later there would be more frustration as the Ravens lost Steve McNair to an early concussion then lost the game to the Carolina Panthers 23-21. Steve McNair would return a week later, and would pass for two touchdowns and run for another in an impressive 35-22 win over the New Orleans Saints, over the next four weeks the Ravens would take a stranglehold for the NFC North winning five in a row. After a frustrating 13-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens second ranked defense continued to lead the way as they would close the season with four straight wins, winning the division championship and earning a first round bye with a record of 13-3, their best regular season ever. In the playoffs the Ravens faced the ghosts of Baltimore as they faced the Indianapolis Colts with a trip to the AFC Championship Game on the line. Once again the Ravens defense rose to the occasion, not allowing a Touchdown and intercepting Peyton Manning twice. However, the Ravens would have their own offensive struggles as the surging Colts held the Ravens to just two field goals, while the Colts with Adam Vinatieri hit five field goals and won the game 15-6, on the way to winning Super Bowl XLI. Following the season the Ravens would say good bye to Jamal Lewis, as they acquired Running Back Willis McGahee from the Buffalo Bills.
2008: It was an era in Baltimore, as a rookie Coach, Jim Harbaugh, and a rookie Quarterback, Joe Flacco led the Ravens into the season. In their opener, the Ravens jumped out fast thanks to a 42-yard run by Receiver Mark Clayton on a double reverse. Flacco, would take care of the ball just fine, and would add a touchdown run of his own of 38 yards as the Ravens beat the Cincinnati Bengals 17-10. The Ravens would end up getting an early rest a week later, as damage from Hurricane Ike in Houston, forced the Ravens to reschedule their game against the Texans to Week 10. After beating the Cleveland Browns in Week 3, Flacco and the Ravens faced their first test as they faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Monday Night Game on the road. The Ravens played well early, holding a 13-3 lead at the half. However, the Steelers clawed their way back into the game as a Joe Flacco fumble led directly to a Steelers touchdown, as the Steelers won the game in overtime 23-20. The Ravens would see another game slip through their fingers a week later, as the Tennessee Titans scored ten unanswered points in the 4th Quarter to stun the Ravens in Baltimore 13-10. After a 31-3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts dropped them to 2-3, Flacco and the Ravens went to Miami, and came up with a big win, as Terrell Suggs returned an interception 44 yards to lead the Ravens to a 27-13 win over the Dolphins. The win would be turning point for the Ravens, as they won seven of eight games, entering a rematch with the Steelers at home. Once again the Ravens controlled the game early, only to see the Steelers rally late winning the game 13-9 with ten unanswered points in the 4th Quarter. Needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive the Ravens played spoiler to the Dallas Cowboys in the final game ever at Texas Stadium, winning 33-24 behind to dazzling 4th Quarter Touchdown runs, one by Willis McGahee who streaked 77 yards down the field, and the other by Le'Ron McClain who galloped 82 yards down right through the heart of Texas. Entering the final week of the season controlling their own playoff destiny the Ravens jumped out early and never looked back as Joe Flacco passed for 297 yards to lead the Ravens to a 27-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars to clinch the Wild Card with an 11-5 record. While his number were not overwhelming, Flacco was good enough to take care of the football and let the Ravens running game and defense lead them to a playoff berth. Facing the Miami Dolphins again in the Wild Card round the Ravens defense led the way as Ed Reed returned a Chad Pennington pass 64 yards for a touchdown to give the Ravens the lead, as they picked off the Miami Quarterback four times on the way to a solid 27-9 win. In the Divisional Round the Ravens were underdogs facing the Tennessee Titans, who secured home field in the AFC with a 13-3 record. However, the Ravens defense held the Titans in check all game, as a 48-yard touchdown pass from Flacco to Derrick Mason enabled the Ravens to answer the Titans only touchdown quickly in the 1st quarter. Still tied 7-7 entering the 4th Quarter the Ravens took the lead for the first time with a 21-yard field goal from Matt Stover. After Rob Bironas tied the game, with a 27-yard kick, it was Stover again with the game winner, nailing a 43-yarder with just 53 seconds remaining to give the Ravens a 13-10 win, to send them on to the AFC Championship Game where they would get another shot at the Steelers. This time it would be the Steelers jumping out early, as the black and gold led 13-0 early in the 2nd Quarter. The Ravens would finally get on the board late in the half as Willis McGahee scored from three yards out. After the Steelers added a field goal in the 3rd Quarter, McGahee again got the Ravens on the board with a 1-yard run in 4th Quarter to get the Ravens within two points. However, it would get no closer as Joe Flacco had a pass intercepted by Troy Polamalu who returned it 40 yards for a touchdown to put the game out of reach, as the Steelers advanced to Super Bowl XLIII with a 23-14 win.
2009: The Ravens made news in the NFL Draft when they traded with the New England Patriots to select Guard Michael Oher from Ole Miss., with 23rd overall pick. Oher was on hand with his guardians Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy completing a heartwarming story, where Oher was left homeless due to his mother's drug problems, while his father was in prison. The Tuohys tutored Oher allowing him to get his grades up to attend a private school, where he first excelled at football. The Oher story would be the subject of blockbuster movie "The Blind Side," which earned an Oscar Nomination for Best Picture, while Sandra Bullock won the Award for Best Actress for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy. In his rookie season with the release of the "The Blind Side" Oher became an instant star on the Raven line starting every game, while finishing second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. Coming off an appearance in the AFC Championship Game, the Ravens jumped out to a fast start winning their first three games. However, Joe Flacco struggled and the Ravens lost three games in a row. From there the Ravens alternated wins and losses for the next six weeks, and stood at 6-6 with four games remaining. The losses included a second frustrating loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and Indianapolis Colts while, the wins included an overtime 20-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Needing to finish strong to reach the playoffs, the Ravens delivered a 48-3 pounding of the Detroit Lions, and a 31-7 win over the Chicago Bears. However, with a chance to clinch a playoff spot the Ravens suffered a 23-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. Through most of the season Ray Rice emerged as the Ravens go to Running Back, with a 2,041 All-Purpose Yards. However, in the finale it was Willis McGahee who ran the Ravens into the playoffs with a career high 167 yards rushing and three touchdowns as the Ravens beat the Oakland Raiders on the road 21-13. At 9-7 the Ravens were underdogs as they faced the New England Patriots for the second time in Foxboro, where they suffered 27-21 loss in Week 4. This time with Ray Rice running the first play from scrimmage 83 yards for a Touchdown the Ravens were able to get off to a quick start, scoring 24 points in the 1st Quarter, as the Ravens picked off Tom Brady three times. With Rice rushing for 152 yards the Ravens took the crowd out of the game and did not even need Joe Flacco, who completed just four of ten passes for 34 yards as the Ravens won 33-14 to hand Tom Brady and Bill Belichick their first home playoff loss, and only home loss during the season. A week later the Ravens would not be as fortunate, as they committed four turnovers and were eliminated by the Indianapolis Colts 20-3.
And so entails a few of the main years that Baltimore has had the Ravens…The Ravens do practice out in Westminister, MD and I and others have had the distinct pleasure of going out there and watching our Ravens practice…Then after practice, some of us were lucky enough to get pictures of our favorite players or autographs of anyone we could get…I’ve been very fortunate to get a lot of the Baltimore Ravens players autographs…Matt Stover just retired and I am very lucky to have several of his autographs, along with Rod Woodson and many others…I miss going to the practices, standing near the fence and clicking away with my camera and hoping to get an autograph…I hope one day to be able to go to a practice again…It sure was a lot of fun even tho it does get hot! C’mon Football! I am ready for some Football! This may be Ray Lewis’ last year of football so I hope our team can get behind him and win a Conference game and head to the Super Bowl…That would be so sweet….Pretty soon I will be putting out all my Ravens logo stuff to show my spirit although I am between Houston Texans Football area and Dallas Cowboys Football area…Move those Chains!!! That’s what I love to hear on game day…
Some more facts:
Coach:
John Harbaugh 2008-
Stadium:
M& T Bank Stadium* 1998-
*-Known as: NFL Stadium @ Camden Yards 1998, PSInet Stadium 1999-2001 & Ravens Stadium 2002
Nickname:
Ravens was selected from a poll conducted by the Baltimore Sun. Baltimore fans selected the name in honor of Edgar Allan Poe, the American poet who penned his famous poem, “The Raven” while living in Baltimore.
Colors:
Purple
Black
Gold
White
Coaches: (3)
Ted Marchibroda 1996-1998
Brian Billick 1999-2007
John Harbaugh 2008-Present
Stadiums: (2)
Memorial Stadium 1996-1997
M & T Bank Stadium* 1998-Pres.
*-Known as: NFL Stadium @ Camden Yards 1998, PSInet Stadium 1999-2001
Ravens Stadium 2002
Super Bowl Champions: (1)
XXXV (2000)
Super Bowls Appearances: (1)
XXXV (2000)
AFC Championship Games: (2)
2000, 2008
Division Champions: (2)
2003, 2006
Playoff Appearences: (7)
2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
Record in Playoff Games:
9-6 .600
Hall of Famers: (3)
Deion Sanders CB 2004-2005
Shannon Sharpe TE 2000-2001
Rod Woodson S 1998-2001
Defensive Rookie of the Year: (2)
1997 Peter Boulware LB
2003 Terrell Suggs LB
Defensive Player of the Year: (3)
2000 Ray Lewis LB
2003 Ray Lewis LB
2004 Ed Reed S
Offensive Player of the Year: (1)
2003 Jamal Lewis RB
Super Bowl MVP: (1)
XXXV Ray Lewis LB (2000)
Best Season:
2006 (13-3)
Worst Season:
1996 (4-12)
