As the Ravens embark upon their 20th season, you tell me Ravens Nation… Are you proud of the success the Ravens organization has achieved?
When comparing the success of the Ravens organization to the other 31 NFL organizations, Ravens Nation has a lot to be proud of.
The Ravens are the second youngest organization behind the Houston Texans. Yet, relative to the other, more storied NFL organizations, the Ravens have achieved a great deal of success in a short amount of time.
Just how successful? You might just be surprised how the success of the Ravens’ first 19 seasons compares to the other 31 NFL teams.
Take a look at the table below. I compiled data for the first 20 seasons for all 32 NFL teams. (Note: Two teams, the Texans and the Ravens, have not been around a full 20 seasons yet.)
Listed in the table are the year founded, the # of post season appearances in the first 20 seasons, total # of postseason appearances, years since last playoff appearance, total # of Super Bowl appearances, total # of Super Bowl wins, and years since last Super Bowl appearance.
The Ravens are in the top 5 of most postseason appearances in their first 20 seasons of existence, tied with the Oakland Raiders with 10. Above them (in order) are the Browns (14), Cowboys (13), Dolphins (12), and Vikings (11).
Three of the teams above the Ravens are in the top 10 of number of years since their last Super Bowl appearance. Don’t they know this is an era of ‘what have you done for me lately?’
The leader of this category, our AFC North brethren, the Cleveland Browns, has yet to appear in a Super Bowl.
While the Browns won seven championships in their first 10 years of existence (pre-Super Bowl era), which is both remarkable and unparalleled, they have not been very successful lately with only one postseason appearance in the past 15 seasons. Their fan base is begging for some success.
How about the rest of our AFC North comrades, the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers?
Well, the Bengals are in the middle of pack with five post season appearances in their first 20 seasons. Lately, their 26 year lay-off since their last Super Bowl appearance ranks them 5th in that category, which is topped by the New York Jets at 46 years and the Chiefs at 45 years.
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* – Baltimore has only played 19 seasons. **- Houston has only played 13 seasons. [Stats Courtesy of pro-footballl-reference.com]
The Steelers believe it or not only had one…one postseason appearance in their first 20 seasons. They indeed had a rough start early. However, they currently stand at the top of all the other categories in the table, most notably the most Super Bowl wins with six. Admittedly, their fans still hold the bragging rights.
I wonder though, how will the Ravens’ numbers compare to the Steelers’ in these categories after they exist for 81 years?
The future of the NFL is shaky and might make that comparison impossible to ever make. Maybe we can match them in Super Bowl titles before the league turns in to an official flag football league? (Oops. Did I just say that?)
How about our real rivals, in my opinion, the New England Patriots?
The defending champions are at the top of the league in Super Bowl tiles, with four, but they are toward the bottom of the league in postseason appearances in their first 20 seasons, with three. Unfortunately, we will continue to see them in the postseason going forward.
What about our neighbors, the Washington Redskins? They are in the middle of the pack with six postseason appearances in their first 20 years. Respectable, but what is going on with that 23-year (and counting) Super Bowl drought? Got any answers Mr. Snyder?
Other notables at the bottom of the league in postseason appearances in their first 20 seasons: Denver Broncos (3), Philadelphia Eagles (3), and San Francisco 49ers (2).
How has the Ravens organization achieved their success?
I will argue that the Ravens philosophies for their player personnel decisions have contributed greatly to the success of this organization.
We have read about them – ‘right player – right price’ when signing players; sticking to their draft board by choosing the ‘best player available’ in the first four rounds or so instead of reaching for a needed position; and letting veteran free agents leave by applying the ‘80/20 rule’ (80% of the production of an established veteran for 20% of the cost).
The person who puts these philosophies to work is GM Ozzie Newsome.
The person who ultimately has to execute at a high level to achieve success on the field with the talent provided to him, is head coach John Harbaugh.
The combination of the organizational foundation started by the late owner Art Modell, the business mind of current owner Steve Bisciotti, their player personnel philosophies, GM Ozzie Newsome, and Head Coach John Harbaugh & his staff, has produced one of the most successful franchises over its first 19 seasons, success that is nearly unrivaled.
At the end of the day, compared to the other 31 NFL teams, with 10 post season appearances in 19 seasons and two Super Bowl trophies in two Super Bowl appearances, you can’t expect too much more.
Ravens Nation is a fan base with high expectations which is a result of the success the Ravens organization has achieved. Could this success be also spoiling us… Are we spoiled Ravens fans?
Perhaps it’s best if we don’t ponder neither the question nor the answer, and just enjoy the ride! Here’s to year 20, and to the future!
