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Elvis Grbac
Doug Pensinger/Allsport |
Statistically the results in most cases are only marginally better. Yes, the Ravens under Grbac (4-3 in seven starts) and Randall Cunningham (2-0 in two) have had more a vertical threat in their offense then they ever did under Dilfer and Tony Banks in 2000. But let's play the comparison game through nine weeks and see how much of a difference the change at quarterback has made in the passing game.
Through nine games in 2000, the Ravens were 5-4 and had just played their record fifth consecutive touchdown-less game. They had scored 140 points, or 15.6 per game.
This year's Ravens are 6-3 through nine games. They have scored 157 points, or 17.4 per game. Better? Yes. Dramatically? Don't think so.
Through nine games of 2000, Baltimore had 10 offensive touchdowns, with eight coming via the passing game. This year, Baltimore's offense has 16 touchdowns so far, with 10 coming through the air.
Through nine games in 2000, the Ravens had 95 passing first downs and 56 on the ground. This year, they have 101 first downs via passing and 52 on the ground, a virtual wash.
Last year, Baltimore was averaging just 177.4 yards passing yards through nine games. This year, that number has risen significantly, to 217.2 yards per game, which ranks 11th overall in the NFL.
But nearly half of that 40-yard gain has been negated by Baltimore's decreased running game, which is largely attributable to Jamal Lewis' preseason knee injury and the team's continuing health problems on the right side of its offensive line. The Ravens were averaging 122.9 rushing yards and 300.3 total yards at this point last year. Through nine games this year, they're at 104.4 rushing and 321.7 total yards per game.
Has Grbac improved the Baltimore offense? Yes. Has there been enough improvement so far to warrant the risk of cutting Dilfer, the only Super Bowl-winning incumbent to ever be let go? That's a hard case to make.
With Dilfer and Banks, the Ravens won low-scoring games and played to their defense. With Grbac and Cunningham, the Ravens have won low-scoring games -- Baltimore's winning margin in its current three-game winning streak is a combined 10 points -- and played to their defense. Nothing new there.
Edgerrin James
Antowain Smith
