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The History Of The Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens started play in the 1995 after the original Cleveland Browns franchise relocated to Baltimore. Officially, the Ravens are thought of as an expansion team in terms of records and statistics. The city of Cleveland was awarded a new team in 1999 and was allowed to keep the records and history of the old Cleveland franchise.

The Ravens were given their nickname after a fan contest was run to determine the new team's nickname. Ravens was chosen after, "The Raven", by Edgar Allen Poe. Poe lived and worked in Baltimore at various times in his life, so the honor is fitting.

Baltimore played its home games at Memorial Stadium for the first two years of its existence before moving into a stadium at Camden yards. This shouldn't be confused with the ballpark occupied by the Baltimore Orioles as this is a football specific stadium nearby. The stadium is currently named M&T Bank Stadium after M&T bought naming rights.

Baltimore has been known for its defensive play and high quality players on that side of the ball. Its most famous defender is middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who was drafted in 1996 and is still playing at a high level today. He is most likely going to be a Hall of Famer when all is said and done. Other notable defenders drafted by Baltimore include Peter Boulware and Terell Suggs who were outside linebackers/defensive ends.

In 2000, the franchise won its only Super Bowl defeating the New York Giants 31-7. The Ravens defense was key to that game and to its success in the playoffs. That team went 8-8 in the regular season and went 5 straight regular season games without a touchdown. Quarterback Trent Dilfer is considered one of the worst quarterbacks to ever win a Super Bowl title.

2003 saw Art Modell officially sell off 51 percent of the franchise and relinquish ownership of the team. While his legacy may be that of the man who robbed Cleveland of its football team, he was one of the most influential owners in all of football outside of his one action.

In recent years the Ravens have kept up a defensive mindset, but have also tried to fire up their offense. In 2009, Joe Flacco was drafted in the first round as the quarterback who would eventually rid the Ravens of their reputation as a team that is all defense and no offense. Surrounding Flacco in recent years has been running back Ray Rice and wide receivers such as Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth.

The old Cleveland Browns have been the current Baltimore Ravens since 1996 and have seen many things transpire. From seeing great defenders like Ray Lewis walk on to the field, to a Super Bowl title, to seeing one of the game's most controversial owner pass the team on, Baltimore has built a rich tradition and history in only 15 years in the city. The team's fan base can't really ask for too much more out of the franchise they have come to call their own.