How the 2011 Ravens Stack Up Against the 2000 Super Bowl Champs

Ray Lewis has recently compared his current group of teammates with the Ravens 2000 championship team.

While Lewis is deservedly excited about his team's chances, it remains to be seen whether this Ravens team is truly special.

The 2000 Ravens had a legendary defense, elite special teams, and an offense just good enough to win games. Their defense was truly one for the ages.

The 2011 Ravens have a great defense, but they have not been quite as dominant. However, the 2011 Ravens have a more explosive offense than the 2000 Ravens.

Here is how the 2011 Ravens stack up against the 2000 Super Bowl champion Ravens.

Quarterback

Trent Dilfer was the starting quarterback for the 2000 Ravens, but his numbers are far from awe inspiring.

He completed less than sixty percent of his passes, and he threw 11 interceptions in just eight starts. Worse still, he was sacked on ten percent of his dropbacks.

Dilfer was not a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL, and he might be the worst quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl. After winning the Super Bowl, the Ravens tried to replace him with Elvic Grbac.

Joe Flacco, on the other hand, has proven to be a solid starting quarterback in the NFL. His numbers aren't elite, but he is smart with the football and a proven leader.

Further, he has physical tools that Trent Dilfer could only dream of. Flacco has an absolute cannon for an arm, and his mobility is underrated.

This year's Ravens team is much stronger at quarterback than the 2000 Ravens, and this bodes well for the Ravens in the 2012 playoffs.

Running Backs

Jamal Lewis was one of the Ravens' best players in their short history, and his 2,000 yard season was probably the greatest individual effort in Ravens history.

In 2000, though, Lewis was only a rookie. Still, he had an excellent season, rushing for over 1,300 yards despite defenses keying on stopping him. His power and relentlessness was a perfect match for the Ravens' smash-mouth style.

Further, the Ravens had one of the best backups in the league in Priest Holmes. Holmes, who would later go on to star with the Kansas City Chiefs, had an excellent season as well. He was dangerous both on the ground and through the air, and he was an excellent compliment to Lewis.

The 2011 Ravens though, have one of the best running backs in the game in Ray Rice. He has the skills of both Holmes and Lewis. Rice both eludes and punishes defenders, but further, he is also a threat through the air.

Not to be forgotten is Ricky Williams, who compliments Ray Rice well, and has had a solid season in his own right.

Finally, the 2000 Ravens featured Sam Gash and Obafemi Ayanbadejo at fullback, while Vonta Leach mans the position for the 2011 Ravens. Both Gash and Leach are excellent fullbacks, so this is somewhat of a wash.

This is a close decision, but the multi-talented Ray Rice is better right now than Jamal Lewis was in 2000. The advantage at running back goes to the 2011 Ravens.

Receiving Corps

The 2000 Ravens featured Qadry Ismail, Shannon Sharpe, and not much else as receiving threats. 

Ismail was one of the best receivers in franchise history, but he had a down season in 2000.

Sharpe paced the team in receptions and yards, with 67 catches for 810 yards. Despite his advanced age, he was still a dangerous threat for the Ravens.

Besides these two, the Ravens featured Travis Taylor, Patrick Johnson, and Brandon Stokley at receiver. None of these three were very productive in 2000, but Stokley was proven to be a talented player in his time with the Colts. 

The 2011 Ravens have a few more weapons at their disposal. Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith make up a solid, if not spectacular, wide receiver combo, and the young tandem of Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson have a bright future together.

Like the 2000 Ravens though, the 2011 Ravens lack depth at receiver. Beyond Boldin and Smith, not one Ravens wide receiver caught more than four passes in 2011.

The 2000 Ravens had the best individual player in Shannon Sharpe, but the 2011 Ravens have a few more contributors. The group of Boldin, Smith, Dickson, and Pitta make the 2011 Ravens' targets a solid group.

Offensive Line

The 2000 Ravens offensive line consisted of one of the top two Ravens in franchise history, as Jonathan Ogden was in the prime of his career. Further, Edwin Muitalo, Mike Flynn, Harry Swayne and Jeff Mitchell were all long time starters in the NFL as well. 

That offensive line was experienced and talented, and they were very good at run blocking. They did struggle in pass protection though, giving up 40 sacks.

The 2011 Ravens offensive line is a unique group. Two aging veterans and three young, homegrown talents man the Ravens offensive line.

By and large, the Ravens offensive line has been solid this year. They have paved the way for Ray Rice's career year, and Flacco has not seen consistent pressure.

Still, left tackle Bryant McKinney is not an elite pass blocker, and the Ravens' offense has had to adjust accordingly.

Statistically, the 2011 Ravens feature a better offensive line, but the 2000 Ravens featured a very talented group of individual players. All in all, I'd say the 2011 Ravens line had more success as a unit.

Defensive Line

The 2000 Ravens not only had the best defensive line in franchise history, but they may have had one of the best defensive lines of all time.

Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams manned the defensive tackle positions in the Ravens' 4-3 defense, and at a combined 670 pounds, the two of them gave Ray Lewis all the space he could ever ask for.

Further, the defensive ends were stellar as well. Michael McCrary was the first Ravens' player inducted into the Ravens' Ring of Honor, and he was a solid pass rusher in Baltimore for many years.

On the other side, Rob Burnett had a career year, leading the Ravens with 10.5 sacks.

The 2011 Ravens, while not quite as good, are still very talented along the defensive line.

Terrance Cody and Haloti Ngata are just as big and talented as Siragusa and Sam Adams. They are perhaps the best tandem of tackles the Ravens have had since 2000, and Ray Lewis and Jameel McClain are usually free to make tackles.

At the defensive end position, the Ravens feature Cory Redding. Redding has been excellent against the run, and he has contributed a decent pass rush. Still, Redding cannot compare to the duo of Burnett and McCrary.

While the 2011 Ravens have a very talented defensive line, the 2000 Ravens' defensive line was special, and was a key cog in their Super Bowl victory.

Linebackers

The only player remaining from the 2000 Super Bowl victory, Ray Lewis, anchors the linebacker units for both the 2000 and 2011 Ravens.

Both groups revolve around Lewis. In 2000 Lewis became the only middle linebacker in history to win a Super Bowl MVP. His contributions were especially important as the Ravens ran a 4-3 at the time. This gave Lewis more room to operate and allowed him to use his speed more.

On the outsides, the 2000 Ravens featured Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper. Boulware is probably the second best pass rusher in franchise history (after Terrell Suggs), but he still holds the single season franchise sack record with 15.

Sharper, meanwhile, was a very solid player who was rewarded with a big contract from the Houston Texans. Both a quality pass rusher and run defender, Sharper played a big role on the Ravens' record setting defense.

In 2011, the Ravens linebackers run four deep with Lewis and Jameel McClain on the inside, and Terrell Suggs and Jarret Johnson on the outsides.

Lewis is still an elite player, but he may have lost a step compared to where he was in 2000. Still, he is perhaps the most knowledgeable linebacker in the entire game and what he has lost in speed he has made up for in experience.

Terrell Suggs has been absolutely dynamite this year and he is the best pass rusher in Ravens franchise history. His contributions have played a large role in the Ravens improved defense in 2011.

Finally, Jarret Johnson and Jameel McClain are both solid defenders, but neither are really difference makers. They do their job well, but not much more.

Because the 2000 Ravens defense featured three true difference makers at linebacker they have the better unit, but it's very close.

Secondary

Both the 2000 and the 2011 Ravens featured one of the best safeties in NFL history. Rod Woodson in 2000 and Ed Reed in 2011 anchored talented secondaries.

Woodson and Kim Herring anchored the defense from the safety position. Woodson is one of the best safeties in NFL history and is among the all-time leaders in interceptions. Herring, meanwhile, was a solid talent who eventually signed a nice contract with the St. Louis Rams.

At corner the 2000 Ravens featured the best tandem in franchise history. Duane Starks and Chris McAlister, both first round picks by the Ravens, dominated opposing receivers all year. Starks went on to sign a big contract with the Arizona Cardinals, while McAlister had several solid years with the Ravens.

In 2011 Ed Reed leads a solid secondary. Reed has lost a step, but he is still dangerous and incredibly intelligent. He makes opposing quarterbacks pay for mistakes.

Bernard Pollard, who plays opposite Reed, has had a tremendous year, and if not for shaky hands would have had numerous interceptions. He provided a hard hitting edge that the secondary had lacked before his arrival.

At corner the Ravens feature Lardarius Webb and Cary Williams. Who compliment each other very well. Webb has had a great season for the Ravens and he looks like he will be a key part of this defense for many years.

The 2011 Ravens have a talented secondary, but they cannot compare with the talent and experience that the 2000 Ravens bring to the table.

Special Teams

One area that has plagued the 2011 Ravens has been special teams. The 2000 Ravens had no such issue with an elite returner and kicking game.

Matt Stover is a franchise legend and his steady kicking leg provided the Ravens with confidence when the offense sputtered in enemy territory.

Punter Kyle Richardson was decent but nothing special.

Punt coverage as well as kick coverage was tremendous as they did not allow a touchdown on returns all year.

Jermaine Lewis, meanwhile, is perhaps the best returner in franchise history. He scored twice on punt returns in 2000 and his score in the Super Bowl turned a close game into a rout.

The 2011 Ravens have not had the same success on special teams. Kicker Billy Cundiff is usually solid, but he struggled with injuries this year.

Sam Koch is an excellent punter and he excels at pinning teams deep.

The punt coverage though, as well as kick coverage, has been awful. The Ravens have given up three total return touchdowns and this has often resulted in losing the field position battle.

The 2011 Ravens return units have been spotty as well. Lardarius Webb is capable of big plays, but his decision making is questionable on punt returns. The kick return unit has generally not produced big plays.

Without question the 2000 Ravens had a stellar special teams unit that completely outclass the current Ravens unit.

Overall

Clearly, the 2000 Ravens' defense was special. The 2011 Ravens defense is great, but they are outclassed by the level of talent of the 2000 Ravens.

Offensively the 2011 Ravens are better than the 2000 Ravens, and are one of the better units in franchise history. Still, the current Ravens offense is merely average and they struggle passing the football.

All in all the 2000 Ravens defense was so good that they could have won a Super Bowl with little to no production on offense.

The 2011 Ravens defense is good, but not that good. With inconsistent offensive production, the Ravens will be hard-pressed to replicate the success of the 2000 Ravens.

Still, if Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense can get hot at the right time anything can happen.

Flacco has shown to be capable of big plays and big games. If he can do it throughout the playoffs the Ravens might just be the best team in the league.

It remains to be seen whether this Ravens team is in the same league as the 2000 Ravens, but they do compare favorably.

With a similar talent level to the best team in franchise history, the 2011 Ravens have a legitimate chance to win it all this year.