Greatness Starts Up Front For The Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have always been on of the most physical teams in football. Often in Ravens history, that has started with the offensive line. The first Ravens draft pick was Jonathan Ogden. The gigantic left tackle happens to be the Ravens first inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Obviously Ogden is at the top of the list.
I wanted to do this in a different way. Instead of making a simple list of the Ravens best offensive linemen, today we’re picking the best players at each offensive line position. From left tackle to right tackle, this is the all-time Ravens offensive line.
The Ravens offensive line has had some pretty incredible moments. Remember, when Jamal Lewis ran for 2,066 yards in 2003, the guys up front deserved a ton of credit. For years the Ravens depended on a strong rushing attack. The saddest part of Ogden’s amazing career was he spent most of it without a legitimate quarterback to protect.
In 2014 the Ravens offensive line was as good as ever. The Ravens built their offensive success off their running game and they protected Joe Flacco splendidly. The offensive line has had ups and downs. Here are is the best grouping of Ravens offensive linemen ever:
Next: Left Tackle
Left Tackle: Jonathan Ogden
Ogden was the obvious choice here. The 6’9″ 345 pound giant man was possibly the greatest left tackle to play football. If you went to the dictionary they may just have Ogden’s picture by the word consistency. Ogden was consistently great. Ogden is one of the biggest and strongest players the NFL has ever seen.
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When I think of Ogden I think of a class act. The only blemish on his resume was bad dancing in commercials. He couldn’t even screw that up though, I remember the commercials and laughed hard each time. Ogden’s class really was on display in his enshrinement speech. He is a positive person and a hard worker. Yes he is a giant. Yes he has physical gifts that few humans have ever had. But Ogden was great because he combined those great attributes with a sharp mind and a great attitude.
It is amazing that turf toe is what ended his career. The biggest, toughest player in the NFL ended up having a toe be his downfall. Ogden was a legend. He played with the Ravens from 1996-2007. He went to 11 Pro Bowls and is in the Ravens ring of honor.
Next: left guard
Left Guard: Ben Grubbs
Ben Grubbs was the Ravens first round draft pick in 2007. He played for the Ravens through the 2011 season, then signed a lucrative deal with the New Orleans Saints. Grubbs was a Pro Bowl player in 2011. He also had a Pro Bowl season with the Saints.
The 6’3″ 310 pound guard was a one man wrecking crew. He was solid in every facet of the game. He could pass block, he dominated in run blocking and he had a high football IQ. Kelechi Osemele just became the highest paid guard in NFL history, but Grubbs was probably better. The Ravens knew they could not keep two Pro Bowl guards in Grubbs and Yanda. That’s just the facts of life.
I know one thing is for sure. Willis McGahee and Ray Rice loved to run behind Grubbs. Joe Flacco loved the protection he provided as well.
Next: Center
Center: Matt Birk
Matt Birk was one of the brighter players the Ravens ever had. He was a Harvard grad who spent most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings. In 2009 he kept wearing purple, but for the cooler purple team. He came to the Ravens a six time Pro Bowl player.
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Birk is one of those players that was great on the field, but he does great thing off the field as well. This is evidenced by his Walter Payton Man Of The Year award in 2011. He also received an Ed Block Courage Award in 2006. The 6’4″ 310 pound center was a good football player but he’s an awesome person. I don’t agree with many of his political views, but I am a fan of the way he conducts himself.
Birk was the leader of the Ravens offensive line. The center is the quarterback of the offensive line. This is where his high football IQ really came into play. Birk was a strong run blocker and a very solid pass protector. The Ravens only had him for four seasons of his 15 seasons.
Next: Right Gaurd
Right Guard: Marshall Yanda
The Baltimore Ravens have had one constant since the 2007 NFL Draft, Marshall Yanda. Yanda has been the Ravens right guard for a long time now. It is clear how important he is to the Ravens. Offensive linemen have come and gone, but Yanda remains. Yanda is arguably one of the best Ravens of all time. He could end up enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame some day.
I don’t think the Ravens have ever had a better run blocker than Yanda. The 6’3″ 305 pound guard has been to five Pro Bowls. Since Yanda has been with the Ravens the team has gone to three AFC Championships and won a Super Bowl. Yanda has been a big part of every success the Ravens have had in that time. The offensive line has had it’s struggles but the Ravens never had to worry about good old number 73.
When you think “Play Like a Raven” you think of guys like Lewis, Reed, Ogden and Yanda. Yanda is up there with the best Ravens of all time. He is a consistent pro that only seems to get better every season.
Next: Right Tackle
Right Tackle: Rick Wagner
Look, this is the hardest position to fill with a great player. The options were essentially between Wagner, Michael Oher and Orlando Brown. You could make an argument for any of these three players, but Wagner has been very strong for the Ravens. Wagner is a great run blocker and a solid pass protector on the right side.
Wagner was a fifth round pick in 2013 and he has been a good tackle for the Ravens. He’s not a left tackle for a reason but he is also on the field for a reason. He has a high football IQ, he is a big 6’6″ man with all the physical tools needed. Wagner has been pretty good.
Next: Ravens Legends: Brian Billick
This is your all time Ravens offensive line. These are the best players at each of the five offensive line positions the Ravens have ever had. Keep tuned into Ebony Bird to make it through the off season.