For more than two decades, the Ravens have given themselves reasons to be optimistic, even through the toughest times.
At the outset of the team's existence, three straight losing seasons were discouraging. But a young, fast defense led by future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis was noticeably rounding into one of the league's best units, one that spearheaded a Super Bowl run during the 2000 season.
A salary-cap blowup in 2002 seemed to portend doom and gloom, with 19 rookies and first-year players on the Week One roster. But the Ravens were in playoff contention with two weeks to go and followed up the next season with their first of four AFC North titles.
