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Defining history

Ravens' defense prepares for another season

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Although the Ravens had early season struggles on offense, Ray Lewis and the Baltimore defense remained a constant. AP

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- Statistically speaking, the Baltimore Ravens' defense is among the stingiest in NFL history. That distinction is meaningless now that the playoffs are underway.

"What will that get you? Maybe a free Coke at the local deli, but that's about it," Ravens defensive tackle Tony Siragusa quipped.

Baltimore set NFL records for fewest points (165) and yards rushing (970) allowed over a 16-game season. The Ravens also had four shutouts, one short of the 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers' modern-day record, and have gone 33 games without allowing a 100-yard rusher.

Such accomplishments are noteworthy, but the defense will ultimately be defined on how it performs in the postseason.

"I think we're the best defense ever. Our stats will show it, and no one can take that away from us," Siragusa said. "But all the records we broke really doesn't matter anymore. You're never going to satisfy anybody until you win the big one."

Being compared to the Steel Curtain and the 1986 Chicago Bears certainly gratifying. But the Ravens know they will ultimately be measured by how they perform in the playoffs, beginning with Sunday's wild-card game against the Denver Broncos.

"Everything we did accomplish, if you lose in the first round, you just played a week longer than everybody else. That's not where we want to be," Pro Bowl safety Rod Woodson said. "We want to be in the big show in January. You have to take steps to get there, and this is the first step."

If the Ravens don't high-step into the Super Bowl, then they might be hard-pressed to take their place among the best defenses that ever played the game.

Wiggin: Broncos-Ravens Paul Wiggin, the Minnesota Vikings' director of pro personnel, will have a keen eye on this weekend's playoff games. Wiggin, who has spent more than 40 years in the NFL, is responsible for league-wide player evaluation and advance scouting of opponents. Wiggin breaks down the wild-card matchups for CNNSI.com: The Broncos will beat the Ravens if ... they play like the complete team that they are. That's what allows them to win. They don't rank first in any category, yet their package is more complete than most teams. I think if Brian Griese plays, rather than Gus Frerotte, their chances dramatically rise. He's done everything they could have hoped for and more. Head coach Mike Shanahan is something of a quarterback guru. He's got some Bill Walsh in his blood. No one ever thought Griese would amount to much and he has. The Ravens will beat the Broncos if ... they do what they do best -- play suffocating defense and hope that Trent Dilfer can get something done for them. He did nothing last week. It was incredible. And that can't happen. You're not going to beat Denver that way. The Broncos have enough on offense that you're not going to shut them out. For Baltimore to win, it has to generate some offense.

"If you're dealing with numbers, then people can put us up there," said linebacker Ray Lewis, who had a team-high 184 tackles. "But I think to go down in history as the best of all time, you have to win the big one. You have to get into that big game and show people that you are for real."

The Ravens can't afford to look past Denver to the Super Bowl. Denver's offense ranks second in the NFL. Mike Anderson ran for 1,500 yards and Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith had more than 100 catches apiece.

"They have a pretty balanced offense. You have to respect the running game, and that opens up the passing game," said Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister, who ran back an interception 98 yards for a touchdown against the New York Jets last week.

The Jets amassed 481 yards passing, but Baltimore forced six turnovers in a 34-20 victory. Duane Starks, the Ravens' other cornerback, had two interceptions.

"I made some big plays and Chris made an excellent play," Starks said. "We're definitely believing in ourselves, that we can get the job done and we're two of the best corners in the league right now."

They'll have to prove it Sunday if Baltimore's defense is to maintain its reputation.

"In our minds we've always wanted to be the best. That's our goal," linebacker Peter Boulware said. "I think we're headed in the right direction for that."

 

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