Season-in-review team reports — AFC
Central
As published in print Feb. 6, 2002
2001 record: 10-6 |
| Overview |
| Taking into account the losses of two key starters — RB Jamal Lewis
and OT Leon Searcy — before the season started, the Ravens probably ended up doing as
well as could have been expected. The defense was still extremely solid, although not
nearly as dominant as the year before, giving up 100 more points (165 in 2000, 265 in
2001) and becoming vulnerable to big plays on a fairly regular basis. Despite that, it was
still great against the run. The offense, in large part due to the shaky play of QB Elvis
Grbac, struggled all season long. |
| Turning point |
| The team’s loss to Cleveland in Week Six, its first of two losses to
the Browns, was a devastating blow. The Ravens seemed to really lose their swagger and the
invincible feeling they had been thriving on. The players also started to have their
doubts about Grbac, who was injured in that game and sat out the next two games. Many
players questioned Grbac’s toughness after that, and a lot of them preferred backup
Randall Cunningham, who won his two starts in Grbac’s absence. |
| Offensive MVPs |
| This is a tie between OLG Edwin Mulitalo and TE Shannon Sharpe. When the
team did run effectively, it was almost always behind Mulitalo, especially in victories
over Tennessee and Minnesota. He was an unsung factor in the Ravens’ success up
front. Sharpe was once again the Ravens’ go-to guy, although WR Qadry Ismail also was
very productive until falling off down the stretch. Sharpe’s contributions
didn’t all show up on the stat sheet. He opened up more opportunities for Ismail when
he was double-covered and served as a clubhouse leader. |
| Defensive MVP |
| Is there any question who this is? MLB Ray Lewis once again led the team
in tackles and was the heart and soul of the league’s second-ranked defense. His
worst game — the first one vs. Cleveland — would have been considered a good
game for any other linebacker. He did get beat in coverage on occasion, but he also was
outstanding at times, especially when he made two interceptions for big return yardage in
a 16-0 win over the Bengals in Week 15. |
| Biggest surprise |
| RB Jason Brookins, who was previously on three different practice squads,
provided a decent spark in the ground game. He’s a big guy who runs small with
surprising elusiveness, and he was unexpectedly productive, offering a contrast to Terry
Allen and Moe Williams. The coaching staff was disappointed with the way he failed to
finish his runs, however, and there were questions about his ability to pick up blitzes.
As a result, it remains to be seen if he’ll be back next year. |
| Biggest disappointment |
| It has to be Grbac. Granted, the injuries to Lewis and Searcy put added
pressure on him, but he just made way too many mistakes and never seemed to have a real
grasp of the offense. He had 17 interceptions and four fumbles in the Ravens’ seven
losses, including the playoffs. His toughness was open to debate, and he is overconfident
in his arm strength, often forcing passes into tight coverage. |
| Rookie recap |
| Top draft pick TE Todd Heap was the only rookie to make any kind of
immediate impact. He showed great athleticism and looks like he has Shannon Sharpe-type
potential for down the road. Neither No. 2 DB Gary Baxter nor No. 3 C Casey Rabach played
a down, but both are expected to see more action, perhaps even as starters, next season.
Sixth-rounder Joe Maese did an adequate job as the long snapper until suffering a
season-ending injury late in the season. |
| Free-agent/trade review |
| Unlike the season before, when the Ravens got big contributions from
players such as DT Sam Adams and FB Sam Gash, there was not much impact from this
year’s pickups. RBs Terry Allen and Moe Williams had their moments, but overall, the
ground game struggled more often than not. Veteran S Carnell Lake was nothing special as
an extra defensive back. |
| Team leaders |
Rushing — Terry Allen, 658 yards on 168 carries, 3.9 avg., 3 TDs.
Passing — Elvis Grbac, 265-467 attempts for 3,033 yards, 15 TDs, 18 interceptions,
71.1 rating.
Receiving — Qadry Ismail, 74 receptions for 1,059 yards, 14.3 avg., 7 TDs.
Scoring — Matt Stover, 115 points on 25 PATs and 30 FGs.
Kickoff returns — Jermaine Lewis, 42 for 1,039 yards, 24.7 avg., 0 TDs.
Punt returns— Jermaine Lewis, 42 for 519 yards, 12.4 avg., 0 TDs.
Punting — Kyle Richardson, 85 for 38.9 avg., 33.6 net, 10 TB, 29 inside 20, 2 blk.,
65L.
Interceptions — Duane Starks, 4 for 9 yards, 2.3 avg., 0 TDs.
Sacks — Peter Boulware, 15. |
| Results |
Pointspread Shown Refers to Baltimore.
| Date |
Opponent |
Spread |
Score |
| Sept. 9 |
Chicago |
(-9.5) |
17-6 |
| Sept. 23 |
At Cincinnati |
(-7) |
10-21 |
| Sept. 30 |
At Denver |
(+5.5) |
20-13 |
| Oct. 7 |
Tennessee |
(-4) |
26-7 |
| Oct. 14 |
At Green Bay |
(-1) |
23-31 |
| Oct. 21 |
At Cleveland |
(-7.5) |
14-24 |
| Oct. 28 |
Jacksonville |
(-7.5) |
18-17 |
| Nov. 4 |
At Pittsburgh |
(0) |
13-10 |
| Nov. 12 |
At Tennessee |
(-2.5) |
16-10 |
| Nov. 18 |
Cleveland |
(-8) |
17-27 |
| Nov. 25 |
At Jacksonville |
(-3) |
24-21 |
| Dec. 2 |
Indianapolis |
(-5.5) |
39-27 |
| Dec. 9 |
BYE |
|
|
| Dec. 16 |
Pittsburgh |
(-3) |
21-26 |
| Dec. 23 |
Cincinnati |
(-10.5) |
16-0 |
| Dec. 29 |
At Tampa Bay |
(+2.5) |
10-22 |
| Jan. 7 |
Minnesota |
(-12.5) |
19-3 |
| Postseason |
|
|
|
| Jan. 13 |
At Miami |
(+2.5) |
20-3 |
| Jan. 20 |
At Pittsburgh |
(+5.5) |
10-27 |
|
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