Baltimore Ravens

Wednesday, 21 October 2009 - administrator

Baltimore Ravens

Franchise History

The Move (1996-2000)

In 1996, owner of the Cleveland Browns, Art Modell, announced that he was planning to move his team to Baltimore. Controversy stirred with the city, but came to a settlement with the NFL that state while Modell’s team would retain all the current player contracts, they would be officially an expansion team and a “new” franchise. The Cleveland Browns would retain their name, colors, uniform design and franchise records would remain in Cleveland. That year, the Ravens hired Ted Marchibroda as head coach and started the season winning against the Oakland Raiders. Although it seemed like a promising start, the Ravens finished the end of the season with a 4-12 record. In 1997, that had a strong start with 3-1 but finished poorly with a 6-9-1 record. The next year would end similarly with a 6-10 record. Marchibroda was fired as coach and replaced by Brian Billick in 1999. That year Billick would lead the Ravens to an 8-8 record after a rocky start of 3-6. On March 27, 2000, Steve Biscotti was approved to purchase 51% of the Ravens.

Super Bowl XXXV (2000)

In 2000, defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis would lead the team to a NFL record in holding opposing teams to 165 total points. The previous record was by the Bears in 1986 for 187 points. They finished strong with a 12-4 record for the season, but had to play in the wild card round since their rivals Tennessee Titans finished with a 13-3 record. The crushed the Denver Broncos in their first game 21-3 and moved on to beat the Titans in the next game 24-10. After the win in Tennessee , they were set to play the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Champion match. The Ravens won the game 16-3. Finally, there was Super Bowl XXXV at Tampa against the New York Giants whom the Raven crushed with easy Super Bowl victory 34-7.

2001-2005

The Ravens looked to go to the Super Bowl a second year in a row, but after a 3-3 start things started to look bleak. Luckily, Ravens were able to complete the season 10-3 and clinching the wild card spot. Things looked promising in the first round, where the Ravens pummeled the Miami Dolphins 20-3, but had their dream of a Super Bowl repeat shattered when they lost to the Steelers 27-10. The Ravens ended the next season with a losing streak eliminating their chances into the playoffs.

In 2003, Art Modell officially transferred the remaining 51% ownership to Bisciotti, ending a 40-year tenure. Kyle Boller was drafted from Cal and was announced to be the starting quarterback that year. He finished the season leading the Ravens to a 10-6 record and winning their first AFC North division title. Boller started again the next year, but didn’t go to the playoffs ending the season 9-7. 2005 wasn’t any better after they finished the season 6-10.

2006- Present

In 2006, Ravens tried to improved from their last years record by signing Steve Mcnair, former quarterback for the Titans. They went to finish the season with a franchise best of 13-3, securing the AFC title and a spot in the playoffs. Their playoff run ended to a devastating lost to their rival the Colts in the second round of the playoff.

The Ravens had high hopes going into 2007 after an excellent season the year before, but were hugely disappointed finishing with a 5-11 record. Billick was dismissed after immediately after the season ended. In 2008, the Ravens started with two rookies. Rookie head coach, John Harbaugh, and rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco. With a lot of uncertainty, the Ravens would play well enough to make it to the playoffs. In their run in the playoffs, they fell one game short of reaching the Super Bowl, losing to the Steelers 23-14 in the AFC Championship game.

Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball past Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 14, 2008 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.

Logo

The first Baltimore team logo featured Raven wings spread out from a shield with the letter B displayed in the center with the words Ravens above and was used from 1996-1998. However, Frederick Bouchat sued the Ravens on copyright infringement stating he had fax his design to Maryland Stadium after he learned about the new Baltimore NFL team. The court ruled in his favor although he was not awarded any monetary compensation. The logo was later changed to the profile of a Raven’s head with a “B” superimposed on it based on a poll taken.