How the Ravens Have Become the Defining Team of the Quarter Century
There have been a number of "best of the quarter century" lists recently that ranked the top teams in the NFL during that span, and the Ravens were well-represented.
The Super Bowl championship teams from 2000 and 2012 earned recognition, as did the 2019 and 2023 squads of the Lamar Jackson era.
The Ringer’s Diante Lee took a cumulative approach to the subject and concluded that no franchise has been better over the past 25 years than the Ravens.
"The Ravens have had three distinct eras in the past 25 years, from the early-aughts Baltimore teams that featured one of the best defenses in league history, to the Joe Flacco Ravens that caught fire in the playoffs in the early 2010s, to Lamar Jackson's current squad that's on the cusp of breaking through in the AFC," Lee wrote.
Lee said stellar drafting is the foundation of the Ravens' sustained success, beginning with the first-round selections of Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Jonathan Ogden in Baltimore's initial draft in 1996.
"The Ravens planted a seed for growing a healthy franchise, establishing roots as one of the best drafting franchises the league has ever seen," Lee wrote. "So if you want your favorite team to be like the Ravens and win consistently throughout the next 25 years? All it takes is drafting all the best players year after year after year. Good luck with that."
Lee said the Ravens' ability to evolve is also a key factor in their prolonged prosperity.
"Rule changes in the mid-2000s opened up the modern passing game in a way the Ravens couldn't take advantage of since they didn't have high-level quarterback play. As that decade neared its end, it was clear Baltimore needed to pivot," Lee wrote. "Firing [Head Coach] Brian Billick, hiring John Harbaugh, and selecting quarterback Joe Flacco in the 2008 draft started a sea change in Baltimore that led the franchise into a new era, building to its championship run in 2012."
After missing the playoffs from 2015-2017, the Ravens' longest drought of the quarter century, their next run of success began after selecting Jackson in the first round in 2018.
"Jackson gave the Ravens something they never had with Flacco: a quarterback dynamic enough to keep pace with the elite AFC quarterbacks year over year," Lee wrote. "Jackson wasn't just flashing some promise as a pocket passer, he was instantly the most valuable ballcarrier in the organization. The Ravens were evolving in real time, and it was incredibly fun to watch. Jackson has proved himself to be one of the most transformative offensive forces we've ever seen, and essentially as long as he's been healthy Baltimore's been a top-five scoring offense.
"If Jackson and the Ravens can finally get over the hump in the coming seasons, Baltimore would be the only team in the league to have a championship in every decade of the 2000s thus far (New England and the New York Giants are the only other teams who qualify, having also won titles in the 2000s and 2010s)."
Pundits Praise Tyler Loop
No player has been under more of a microscope this offseason than rookie kicker Tyler Loop, and the sixth-round pick has been both accurate and unflappable.
Loop was officially named the Ravens’ starting kicker after converting 5 -of-6 field-goal attempts in the Ravens' 31-13 preseason win over the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, including 2-of-3 from 50 or more yards.
Here's a look at what pundits are saying about Loop:
The Baltimore Sun’s Sam Cohn: "He's ready to be the starter. After splitting the uprights on a 50-plus yarder Saturday night, he looked confident as ever. Maybe more than that, he never showed signs of nerves while cameras zoomed in on the baby face with some stubble hiding behind that face mask."
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec: "It was another benchmark for Loop to clear, and given all the pressure and attention on him as the successor for Justin Tucker, a night like Saturday goes a long way. The reality is it will be difficult to have complete confidence in the rookie sixth-round pick until he delivers on a big stage and in a big spot. AT&T Stadium is a big stage, but the second preseason game is hardly a big spot. For Loop, though, Saturday certainly beats the alternative of missing kicks and triggering talk that the Ravens need to sign a veteran kicker."
The Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer: "The Ravens were hoping to resolve their kicking battle by their preseason finale. Tyler Loop's performance did it. … Justin Tucker's shadow will loom over Loop's debut season, and perhaps his career, in Baltimore. But Loop has a huge leg, a helpful infrastructure and an attitude that should only help him get better."
Zrebiec Ponders David Ojabo's Roster Status
Outside linebacker David Ojabo was perceived to be on the roster bubble heading into Saturday's game against the Cowboys, and pundits' opinions on the 2022 second-round pick were forthcoming after the contest.
With outside linebacker Adisa Isaac expected to be sidelined for at least a few weeks after suffering a dislocated elbow in the game, it would stand to reason that Ojabo makes the 53-man roster, but Zrebiec isn't sure it's that simple.
"It's fair to ask whether Ojabo has done enough to lock down a roster spot, even if one now appears open with Isaac (the No. 5 edge rusher) potentially starting the season on injured reserve," Zrebiec wrote. "Ojabo has shown potential in flashes, but he's been relatively quiet in preseason games beyond an uncontested sack of Anthony Richardson in the preseason opener. His momentum from a strong start in training camp practices has abated a bit, too.
"Starting Isaac on injured reserve wouldn't have to mean that the Ravens use his spot to keep Ojabo, although that would be the most obvious move."
The Baltimore Banner’s Giana Han noted that Ojabo had some good moments against the Cowboys.
"Ojabo displayed his athleticism, helping stop a running play in the red zone by speeding around the edge and tackling the running back from behind," Han wrote. "Ojabo also helped on special teams, a significant factor for depth players on Harbaugh's team."
Harbaugh said after the game that he liked what he saw from Ojabo.
"[David Ojabo] played really well tonight," Harbaugh said. "[He was] very physical. He had a really good night from what I saw. I want to see some more, but I thought he played well."
Mike Green 'Continues to Jump Off the Screen'
Second-round rookie outside linebacker Mike Green followed his impressive performance in the Ravens' preseason Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts with a strong showing against the Cowboys.
The Baltimore Banner’s Childs Walker said Green "continues to jump off the screen."
"As seamlessly as safety Malaki Starks has fit with a battle-hardened starting defense, it's Green who has the highest upside to electrify from this year's rookie class," Walker wrote. "The 6-foot-3, 250-pound rookie is known for his quickness, flexibility and deep bag of rush moves. He also showcased power against the Cowboys, holding his ground against a blocking tight end to stuff Miles Sanders on fourth-and-1 in the second quarter."
Ravens' Secondary Has Talent to Neutralize AFC's Big-Play Quarterbacks and Receivers
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks ranked the top three secondaries, and the Ravens' star-studded group took the No. 1 spot.
"General Manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh have assembled the best back end in football, featuring a collection of playmakers who can counter the AFC's litany of high-profile quarterbacks and big-play receivers," Brooks wrote.
Brooks expects the unit to pick up where it left off last season, when the Ravens ranked first in passing yards allowed from Weeks 11-18.
"This year, the cornerback trio of two-time Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander, who signed in June after being released by Green Bay, two-time All-Pro Marlon Humphrey and 2024 first-rounder Nate Wiggins will force opponents to consistently win one-on-ones against polished technicians with speed, skill and savvy," Brooks wrote. Given the threesome's instincts, awareness and versatility, Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr can deploy various schemes to neutralize opponents without compromising the back end.
"Emerging superstar Kyle Hamilton and first-round rookie Malaki Starks provide the unit with 'rock and roll' flexibility at the safety position, with each defender comfortable playing near the line of scrimmage or in center field. Given the Ravens' superior talent, adaptability and physicality, it will be challenging for opponents to rely on the passing game."
Quick Hits
This Weekend's Most Read: Tyler Loop Officially Named Ravens' Kicker After Memorable Night
- The Ravens are No. 4 in ESPN’s latest power rankings.
