What if the 2000 Baltimore Ravens Had a Different Quarterback?
What if the 2000 Baltimore Ravens Had a Different Quarter...
By Jocelyn Alano August 08, 2024 23:09
The 2000 Baltimore Ravens are famously known as one of the fiercest teams in NFL history, thanks for their sheer dominance at that infamous decade, playing arguably what we call the best defense in a league all time. The team's success, though largely due to their defense, was also greatly attributable to quarterback Trent Dilfer. In this article, we will take an imaginary journey and replace the Marshall quarterback with a different leader in their offense from that record season. Here, we will examine the makeup of those teams and play what if about other quarterback options. We will also consider how those changes could have affected wins on that field, and legacies after they left Baltimore.
We're excited to welcome back Super Bowl XXXV winning QB Trent Dilfer Saturday as the Legend of the Game! pic.twitter.com/frfdaGkUzt
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 9, 2020
2000 Ravens
Defensive Prowess
In 2000, their defense was the key to success as they allowed a scant 165 points throughout the regular season, which is only an average of just about 10.3 per game played by them. That defense was headlined by legends of the game like Ray Lewis, who lived and breathed for his team, and Ed Reed, who played with a buzz saw mentality out the gate as an emerging safety. Combining judicious coverage calls with relentless blitz packages, the Ravens fielded intimidatory physical fast defenses who knew how to punch their keys and hit whatever went by.
Running Game
The Ravens were a run-first team offensively, led by running back Jamal Lewis, who rushed for over 1,300 yards and averaged an unimpressive 3.8 per carry in the regular season but did find the end zone six times. A stout offensive line, including Jonathan Ogden and Edwin Mulitalo, helped craft running lanes and protect their quarterback. Baltimore engineered an offense based on controlling the clock, running effectively, and avoiding mistakes; it was just that simple.
Trent Dilfer's Role
No one mistook Trent Dilfer, who took over as the starting quarterback following a mid-season injury to Tony Banks, for an unstoppable aerial machine. He was instead a game manager who played smartly and protected the football. Dilfer only completed 47.9% of his passes in the playoffs, yet he came through with key throws when they were needed, like a touchdown pass in Super Bowl XXXV against the New York Giants. While his numbers did not resemble those of a typical championship quarterback, his leadership and poise during clutch moments were pivotal to Baltimore's triumph.
Quarterback Contingency Plan
Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson, Baltimore Ravens free agency option before going to Tampa Bay Buccaneers Johnson, had a cannon for an arm. He was notorious for his ability to throw the deep ball. With Johnson as the Raven's quarterback, they may have been more effective changing up their offensive game plan and finding a balanced pass-to-play call ratio similar to one that features some of those intermediate passes heavy on the play-action end. Johnson would have added a veteran presence and led to more fun taunts, maybe even contributing to an explosive Ravens offense.
Elvis Grbac
The Ravens followed Dilfer's exit by signing Elvis Grbac, fresh from a Pro Bowl year with the Kansas City Chiefs. Grbac had a powerful arm and could make any throw that was needed. But his style of play fit more within a pass-heavy system that would've likely clashed with the Raven's running philosophy. Had Grbac been the starter on that 2000 team, could the Ravens have put a different stamp and identity to their games by trying to open up with him?
Kerry Collins
Another intriguing possibility is Kerry Collins, the strong-armed quarterback celebrated for his uncanny ability to read defenses. Collins has taken teams to the playoffs before and has a certain level of confidence that could have rubbed off on the Ravens' offense. His deep threat optimizes the box count with an improved running game and a higher likelihood of scoring.
How He Affects the Strategy and Game Plan
Had a different, less able quarterback been under center, the Ravens' offensive strategy would no doubt have changed. While it is not unthinkable that a more run-heavy quarterback could have led to some heavier passing offenses, perhaps forcing them to approach their offensive play calling differently.
More Offensive Output: A quarterback with a stronger arm may have opened up the offense to be more vertically inclined and given them an increased chance for scoring.
Defensive Adjustments: With a new and more diverse pass game, opposing defenses would have had to call their coverage differently, which could have given the Ravens' WRs better matchups.
Game Management: A new quarterback may have changed the Ravens' game management. A careless quarterback could have resulted in more turnovers and the defense being put on short fields more often.
Potential Outcomes
Higher-powered offense: The defense could win more games if the Ravens had a quarterback capable of making big plays and turning wins into blowouts, so they would not have to play from behind as often.
More Pressure: Conversely, a turnover-prone quarterback could have put the defense in tough spots, which translated to closer games and more pressure on the defense to perform.
Super Bowl Performance: Dilfer should have put up impressive statistics. However, he played an effective game in Super Bowl XXXV. Another quarterback would have either boosted the Ravens' offensive production or floundered on such a playoff stage, directly affecting that final score and this team's legacy.
Long-Term Consequences and Tradition
The 2000 Ravens have a legacy, and that was their defense and leadership, Trent Dilfer. The story of the Ravens' Super Bowl win could have been drastically different if a different quarterback had led them to victory.
Legacy Considerations
Franchise Trajectory: The Ravens' choice to dump Dilfer after he won a Super Bowl was controversial. With another quarterback, things might have gone differently long-term at the most important franchise position, which affects future wins and losses.
Cultural Identity: It could have redefined how Baltimore's franchise is remembered historically within the context of NFL history, taking what has been a tough-infused defensive identity for decades and making it secondary to something that would be as unique offensively.
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