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The Beat with Aaron Wilson - Ravens' rematch against Titans brings back memories
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Posted On: 1/6/09
Written By:
OWINGS MILLS -- The symmetry is eerily reminiscent to the ghosts of football past, an intersecting set of characters and circumstances that hearkens back to the Baltimore Ravens' vintage Super Bowl championship year.
Once again, the Ravens' most formidable obstacle toward manufacturing another extended playoff run is the Tennessee Titans.
Eight years after the Ravens' 24-10 triumph over the Titans in an epic upset in the AFC divisional round in Nashville, Tenn., that propelled them on the road to claiming a Vince Lombardi trophy, Baltimore is primed for another opportunity to advance to the AFC title game.
The Ravens (12-5) are just two wins away from another Super Bowl bid and will need to successfully retrace their history Saturday against the top-seeded Titans (13-3) in the second round of the playoffs in Music City to keep up an impressive run that has seen them win 10 of their past 12 games.
Although Steve McNair and Eddie George are retired, coach Brian Billick has been replaced by John Harbaugh and rookie Joe Flacco is under center instead of Trent Dilfer, middle linebacker Ray Lewis still headlines the Ravens' defense that also features game-changing free safety Ed Reed, Matt Stover is still the Ravens' kicker and Jeff Fisher remains the Titans' long-tenured and well-respected coach.
Even the Super Bowl is being held at the same site where the Ravens won it all: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
"It does feel pretty familiar as far as all the historical stuff," said defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who was the defensive line coach for the Super Bowl team when he coached Tony Siragusa, Sam Adams, Michael McCrary and Rob Burnett. "It gives you a lot to think about, but we're focused on today. .. We expect to win it all, but we'll see. We know we've got a tough one in Tennessee, but we ain't afraid of nobody."
Harbaugh was coaching the Philadelphia Eagles' special teams the last time Baltimore was in this position, and Flacco was a high school student in Audubon, N.J.
So, channeling history wasn't on Harbaugh's agenda as the Ravens launched preparations Monday for Saturday's game at LP Field.
"Will I draw on that? I don't think so," Harbaugh said. "The guys who were part of that can draw on that. Rex has talked about that with me, and I've talked to Ray about that. I know they talk to different guys about it. It's neat.
"I think it's something t hat's positive, but this is a new year. That's a long time ago. This is two new football teams. We're different football teams from the first time we played them, so I don't think that will have any relevance in this game."
What hasn't changed about the Ravens and the Titans is their ultra-physical approach to the game, especially on defense.
The Ravens finished the regular season ranked second in total defense, establishing team records for opposing quarterback rating (60.6) rushing touchdowns allowed (four) and rushing first downs allowed (58).
Baltimore led the league with 26 interceptions, and Reed has picked off 11 passes, including two interceptions and a 64-yard touchdown return in a 27-9 AFC wild-card win over the Miami Dolphins to open the playoffs.
"We have arguably one of the greatest players to ever play the game in Ray Lewis, and we do have the greatest safety in the game," outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "He proves it week in and week out. Ed Reed can cover everybody on the field. When you've got a duo like that, scary things can happen."
After the Ravens thrashed the Dolphins behind the strength of five turnovers Sunday, including four interceptions of quarterback Chad Pennington, and caged their unpredictable Wildcat formation, Lewis marveled over the team's chemistry.
"Life kind of just takes care of itself," Lewis said. "It's almost overwhelming to come back where God actually started my journey years ago. It doesn't get any better all the way across the board. Every man looks at each other and asks a simple question, 'Are you fighting for yourself or are you fighting for the man beside you?' And that's the beauty of this team as well as this defense.
"We fight for each other. You take Ed Reed, you take Fabian Washington, take Jim Leonhard, take Terrell Suggs, take Samari Rolle, everyone on our defense contributed and that's what you need when you're trying to win a championship."
Eight years ago, the Ravens were piggybacked by one of the top defenses in league history. Now, this edition of the Ravens' defense is making a convincing argument for its own time stamp.
The Ravens are allowing just 261.1 yards per contest, an 81.4 rushing-yard average to rank third overall, a 179.7 passing-yard average to rank second overall and 15.3 points per game, third-best in the league. Reed has intercepted 10 passes in the past seven games, including two interceptions per game for the past three weeks.
"Our defense is one of a kind," running back Willis McGahee said. "I just can't explain it. We go against these guys every day, and we know what they can do. But when you sit back and watch what they do against other teams, it's ridiculous.
"Coach Rex is doing a great job with them. We have Ed Reed who is the best safety in the game right now and we have Ray Lewis who is the best linebacker in the game. We have a lot of weapons on defense."
Unlike the Super Bowl squad that went five games without scoring a touchdown during a memorable drought where Stover took care of all the scoring, this edition of the Ravens has an emerging young quarterback in Flacco. Like the Super Bowl team that bashed defenses with Jamal Lewis, this Ravens team has a bruising running game ranked fourth in the NFL and is led by Pro Bowl fullback Le'Ron McClain.
"We're not waiting on the defense anymore," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "We're looking to score points and set the tone."
Meanwhile, the Titans rank seventh in total defense led by defensive linemen Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch, linebacker Keith Bulluck and cornerback Cortland Finnegan.
Titans quarterback Kerry Collins, who was victimized by Baltimore in Super Bowl XXXV when he was with the New York Giants, has revitalized his career and threw a game-winning touchdown pass in a 13-10 win in Baltimore earlier this year. Plus, young running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White have had strong seasons.
"They're good, you can go across the board," Harbaugh said. "What makes them so good is they've got great talent, they're well-coached and they play football the fundamental way. They're tough, they're disciplined, they run the ball, they stop the run, they play great defense, they play great special teams. They block, they tackle. They're just a good fundamental football team all the way across the board."
One common thread between the 2000 Ravens and this year's team is their shared ability to win on the road.
The Ravens are 6-3 away from M&T Bank Stadium this season.
"Our guys love playing anywhere, anytime, anyplace," Harbaugh said. "If it's in a parking lot, our guys will play. That's just the kind of guys we have. They just love football, and they can't wait to play. They love to play the game, wherever it is."
Once again, the Ravens' most formidable obstacle toward manufacturing another extended playoff run is the Tennessee Titans.
Eight years after the Ravens' 24-10 triumph over the Titans in an epic upset in the AFC divisional round in Nashville, Tenn., that propelled them on the road to claiming a Vince Lombardi trophy, Baltimore is primed for another opportunity to advance to the AFC title game.
The Ravens (12-5) are just two wins away from another Super Bowl bid and will need to successfully retrace their history Saturday against the top-seeded Titans (13-3) in the second round of the playoffs in Music City to keep up an impressive run that has seen them win 10 of their past 12 games.
Although Steve McNair and Eddie George are retired, coach Brian Billick has been replaced by John Harbaugh and rookie Joe Flacco is under center instead of Trent Dilfer, middle linebacker Ray Lewis still headlines the Ravens' defense that also features game-changing free safety Ed Reed, Matt Stover is still the Ravens' kicker and Jeff Fisher remains the Titans' long-tenured and well-respected coach.
Even the Super Bowl is being held at the same site where the Ravens won it all: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
"It does feel pretty familiar as far as all the historical stuff," said defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who was the defensive line coach for the Super Bowl team when he coached Tony Siragusa, Sam Adams, Michael McCrary and Rob Burnett. "It gives you a lot to think about, but we're focused on today. .. We expect to win it all, but we'll see. We know we've got a tough one in Tennessee, but we ain't afraid of nobody."
Harbaugh was coaching the Philadelphia Eagles' special teams the last time Baltimore was in this position, and Flacco was a high school student in Audubon, N.J.
So, channeling history wasn't on Harbaugh's agenda as the Ravens launched preparations Monday for Saturday's game at LP Field.
"Will I draw on that? I don't think so," Harbaugh said. "The guys who were part of that can draw on that. Rex has talked about that with me, and I've talked to Ray about that. I know they talk to different guys about it. It's neat.
"I think it's something t hat's positive, but this is a new year. That's a long time ago. This is two new football teams. We're different football teams from the first time we played them, so I don't think that will have any relevance in this game."
What hasn't changed about the Ravens and the Titans is their ultra-physical approach to the game, especially on defense.
The Ravens finished the regular season ranked second in total defense, establishing team records for opposing quarterback rating (60.6) rushing touchdowns allowed (four) and rushing first downs allowed (58).
Baltimore led the league with 26 interceptions, and Reed has picked off 11 passes, including two interceptions and a 64-yard touchdown return in a 27-9 AFC wild-card win over the Miami Dolphins to open the playoffs.
"We have arguably one of the greatest players to ever play the game in Ray Lewis, and we do have the greatest safety in the game," outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "He proves it week in and week out. Ed Reed can cover everybody on the field. When you've got a duo like that, scary things can happen."
After the Ravens thrashed the Dolphins behind the strength of five turnovers Sunday, including four interceptions of quarterback Chad Pennington, and caged their unpredictable Wildcat formation, Lewis marveled over the team's chemistry.
"Life kind of just takes care of itself," Lewis said. "It's almost overwhelming to come back where God actually started my journey years ago. It doesn't get any better all the way across the board. Every man looks at each other and asks a simple question, 'Are you fighting for yourself or are you fighting for the man beside you?' And that's the beauty of this team as well as this defense.
"We fight for each other. You take Ed Reed, you take Fabian Washington, take Jim Leonhard, take Terrell Suggs, take Samari Rolle, everyone on our defense contributed and that's what you need when you're trying to win a championship."
Eight years ago, the Ravens were piggybacked by one of the top defenses in league history. Now, this edition of the Ravens' defense is making a convincing argument for its own time stamp.
The Ravens are allowing just 261.1 yards per contest, an 81.4 rushing-yard average to rank third overall, a 179.7 passing-yard average to rank second overall and 15.3 points per game, third-best in the league. Reed has intercepted 10 passes in the past seven games, including two interceptions per game for the past three weeks.
"Our defense is one of a kind," running back Willis McGahee said. "I just can't explain it. We go against these guys every day, and we know what they can do. But when you sit back and watch what they do against other teams, it's ridiculous.
"Coach Rex is doing a great job with them. We have Ed Reed who is the best safety in the game right now and we have Ray Lewis who is the best linebacker in the game. We have a lot of weapons on defense."
Unlike the Super Bowl squad that went five games without scoring a touchdown during a memorable drought where Stover took care of all the scoring, this edition of the Ravens has an emerging young quarterback in Flacco. Like the Super Bowl team that bashed defenses with Jamal Lewis, this Ravens team has a bruising running game ranked fourth in the NFL and is led by Pro Bowl fullback Le'Ron McClain.
"We're not waiting on the defense anymore," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "We're looking to score points and set the tone."
Meanwhile, the Titans rank seventh in total defense led by defensive linemen Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch, linebacker Keith Bulluck and cornerback Cortland Finnegan.
Titans quarterback Kerry Collins, who was victimized by Baltimore in Super Bowl XXXV when he was with the New York Giants, has revitalized his career and threw a game-winning touchdown pass in a 13-10 win in Baltimore earlier this year. Plus, young running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White have had strong seasons.
"They're good, you can go across the board," Harbaugh said. "What makes them so good is they've got great talent, they're well-coached and they play football the fundamental way. They're tough, they're disciplined, they run the ball, they stop the run, they play great defense, they play great special teams. They block, they tackle. They're just a good fundamental football team all the way across the board."
One common thread between the 2000 Ravens and this year's team is their shared ability to win on the road.
The Ravens are 6-3 away from M&T Bank Stadium this season.
"Our guys love playing anywhere, anytime, anyplace," Harbaugh said. "If it's in a parking lot, our guys will play. That's just the kind of guys we have. They just love football, and they can't wait to play. They love to play the game, wherever it is."
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
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Posted On: 1/6/09
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