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Ozzie Newsome: His top 10 accomplishments with Ravens

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE - 2006: Ozzie Newsome of the Baltimore Ravens poses for his 2006 NFL headshot at photo day in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Getty Images)
BALTIMORE - 2006: Ozzie Newsome of the Baltimore Ravens poses for his 2006 NFL headshot at photo day in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – FEBRUARY 05: Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with The Vince Lombardi Trophy as he and teammates celebrate during their Super Bowl XLVII victory parade at M&T Bank Stadium on February 5, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Ravens captured their second Super Bowl title by defeating the San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – FEBRUARY 05: Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with The Vince Lombardi Trophy as he and teammates celebrate during their Super Bowl XLVII victory parade at M&T Bank Stadium on February 5, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Ravens captured their second Super Bowl title by defeating the San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

2. The greatest draft of all-time:

The Baltimore Ravens started in 1996 when the Cleveland Browns relocated to The Charm City. The first draft for the Ravens gave the Ravens Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis. Ogden was the fourth pick overall. Ray Lewis was the 26th player taken in the draft. The Ravens first two picks became the best ever to play their positions and were elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While I have already given Newsome credit for his ability of drafting Hall of Fame players, drafting two all-time greats in the same round of the same draft is something to marvel at.

The Ravens also drafted Jermaine Lewis who was a history making kick returner who scored a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXV. The Ravens got three of the most important players in their history in one year at the NFL Draft. Jermaine Lewis after drafting two of football’s all time great’s is just gravy.

The number one question I have is how did Ogden and Lewis not go in the first two picks? I know hind sight is 20/20 but these players were a notch above everybody else. With Ogden it was obvious. He was this freakishly tall and powerful offensive lineman with all the intangibles. Lewis was undersized but it didn’t seem to matter. Newsome knew he got the two best players in the draft class. He  knew it the second the picks were announced.

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