Baltimore Ravens And Their Great Defenses
The Ravens have always been synonymous with great defenses. The Ravens won their first Super Bowl in the 2000 season with an all-time great defense. For over a decade, the Ravens were known as a tough and gritty defensive minded team. In fact the Ravens ranked in the top five defensively, seven times from 2000-2011. There is nothing quite as exciting as Ravens football, when the defense is rocking M&T Bank Stadium.
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It has been a while since the Ravens were the toughest defensive team in the league. The last time the Ravens defense ranked in the top five defensively was in 2011. People forget that the Ravens needed a great performance from Joe Flacco and the offense to win the franchise’s second Super Bowl Championship in 2012. The Ravens greatness was built largely by the contributions of great defensive football players.
The Ravens just finished their 20th season in Baltimore. It wasn’t the greatest year, scratch that- it was their worst season ever. This offseason the Ravens are focused on becoming dominant on the defensive side of the football. There is a high probability that the Ravens take a defensive player in the 2016 NFL Draft. As we’re starving for football already this offseason, let’s take a look back at the Ravens history of great defense.
Next: The Legends Of Great Ravens Defense
The Legends Of Great Ravens Defense
Related: Top 5 Ray Lewis Moments
It all started with Ray Lewis, who is arguably the greatest linebacker of all time. Lewis was the leader of some incredible defensive units. Lewis put up insane production from the linebacker position. We’re talking about 1,558 tackles. We’re talking about 41.5 sacks and 31 interceptions. He had seven seasons with 100 total tackles or more. There has never been (and probably will never be) a greater leader in the history of professional football than Lewis.
In 2002, the Ravens drafted Ed Reed. Reed is the greatest ball hawk in the game has ever seen. Reed had 64 interceptions in his 12 season career. He racked up 1,590 interception return yards. He had seven interceptions which he returned for a touchdown. Reed also scored on two fumbles returns. He returned one punt for a touchdown and he also blocked some punts. These sound like numbers that could only be accrued in the Madden video game, but its all real. Reed has the record for longest interception return (108 yards), a record that he broke twice. He had three seasons with seven interceptions or more. In 2008, he had nine interceptions and two touchdowns. Reed was flat out better than anybody who ever played his position.
In 2003 Terrell Suggs came to the party. Suggs is one of the greatest all time outside linebackers. He is a freak athlete who can do it all. From outstanding run defense (which didn’t come naturally to him) and amazing pass rushing, Suggs is a one man wrecking crew. Suggs has racked up 508 total tackles, 106.5 sacks, seven interceptions and two touchdowns. One of the most impressive stats is his 27 forced fumbles. That’s amazing when you consider that Suggs has forced eight more than Ray Lewis.
Another great player that needs to be mentioned is Haloti Ngata. Ngata was drafted by the Ravens in 2006. He quickly established himself as the fourth leader on the Ravens defense. All four of these players are potentially hall of famers of the future. Lewis and Reed will get in on their first ballot. Ngata is the most rare combination of size and quickness the NFL has ever seen. He has 470 tackles, 28 sacks and an insane 5 interceptions as a defensive lineman. He now plays for the Detroit Lions, but he is a Raven in our hearts.
Next: Ticket To Head Coaching Job
Ticket To Head Coaching Job
Being the Ravens defensive coordinator is a pretty good resume builder for potential head coaches. Marvin Lewis, Mike Nolan, Rex Ryan, and Chuck Pagano went from Ravens defensive coordinator to head coaching positions. Mike Smith, and Mike Singletary ended up being head coaches after being assistant coaches with the Ravens.
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All of these head coaches have a lot to be thankful for. Ray Lewis may be at the top of that list for everyone of them. Lewis was a game changer and an all-time great preparer for competition. Being Lewis’s coach was no easy task. If you could work with somebody as passionate and intense as Lewis and get him to buy into what you were selling, you could do anything in the NFL. The Ravens had defensive legends who were essentially coaches on the field. There were many teams who desperately wanted to adopt that kind of model of success.
The most successful head coach of this group has been Marvin Lewis. Lewis has been to the playoffs seven times since taking the Bengals job in 2003. He lost all seven playoff games the Bengals have had. Rex Ryan took the New York Jets to back to back AFC Championship games. With Mark Sanchez as his quarterback, this almost deserves a medal. Chuck Pagano has had regular season success, but hasn’t been able to get past the New England Patriots (and Ravens in 2012) in the playoffs. After a bad 2015 season, Pagano looks to turn the Colts around.
Next: Defensive Legacy
Defensive Legacy
The Ravens defense has done some amazing things over the years. Here is a list of records held by the Ravens and their legendary players.
Ray Lewis Accomplishments:
- Super Bowl 35 MVP
- 13 Pro Bowls
- 3 Time Defensive Player Of the Year (2000, 2001, 2003)
- Won two Super Bowls with the Ravens
Ed Reed Accomplishments:
- 7th most interceptions in NFL history
- Longest interception return in NFL history
- Tied for most interceptions in the playoffs
- Only player in NFL history to return a punt, blocked punt, interception and fumble for a touchdown.
- 2004 Defensive Player of The Year
- 3 seasons as NFL interception leader
- Most interception returns for a touchdown
Terrell Suggs Accomplishments:
- 2011 Defensive Player of The Year
- 24th Most Sacks In NFL History (106.5)
Ravens Defensive Records and Achievements:
Related: Why Ravens 2000 Defense Is Greatest Of All Time
- 2000 Season: Fewest Points in a Single Season (165)
- 2000 Season: Fewest Rushing Yards Allowed In Season (970)
- Four Potential Future Members Of Pro Football Hall Of Fame
- Over a decade of consistently being a top-tier defense
Next: Grades For Every Single Ravens Draft Class
The Ravens defense has always been something Baltimore has been proud of. The Ravens have had some of the greatest defensive players of all time. They have had many amazing moments of defensive dominance. The 2000 Ravens defense was truly historic. It in my eyes was the best season of defensive football ever.