The Best of Baltimore Football
When Tony Lombardi asked me to come up with an All-Time 26 for Baltimore professional football, I jumped at the opportunity. It wasn’t easy, but here’s my list (you can vote on yours as well):
Offense
Quarterback
#Goat
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Running Back (2)
The Ravens’ franchise leader in rushing, Jamal put up the NFL’s second-ever 2,000-yard season in 2003.
Rice put up 2,000 scrimmage yards in a season twice, and while it feels funny to leave off a man with 111 TDs (Lenny Moore), Rice gets my nod.
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Fullback
Part of some of the most successful run games in Ravens history, including his 902 rushing yards and 10 TD’s in 2008
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Wide Receiver (2)
Berry hauled in 68 career TD receptions and averaged 14.7 yards per catch. This is a guy who many considered “slow.”
A route-running maestro. Remember the days when it felt like the “out” was always open?
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Tight End
The revolutionary, five-time Pro Bowler put up insane numbers for his era (click his name to peruse them).
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Offensive Tackle
J.O. was a blind-side pass-rusher eraser (except for those few times Dwight Freeney got the better of him), and is one of the best football players I’ve personally ever watched play.
Of the 10 full seasons he played, Parker was a first-team All Pro in nine.
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Offensive Guard
The best guard in football today, Yanda has made six consecutive Pro Bowls.
An absolute road grader, Edwin was pivotal in Lewis’ aforementioned magical 2003 season.
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Center
A five-time pro bowler, Donaldson was also the first African American starting center in league history. He is also the only member of this list to play in both Baltimore and Indianapolis as a Colt.
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Defense
Defensive End
A dominant pass rusher at his peak, Mike is third on the Ravens’ all-time sack list.
Gino the Giant made the Pro Bowl in every one of his 11 seasons, and was a first-team All Pro in nine of them.
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Defensive Tackle
A force of nature, Ngata is one of the most uniquely gifted athletes we’ve seen on the football field.
“The Bulldog” made five straight Pro Bowls and endeared himself to the working-class citizens of Baltimore throughout his life.
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Linebacker
What needs to be said?
Hitting the ground running (or, hitting the ground putting quarterbacks on the ground), the underrated Boulware put up 11.5 sacks as a rookie, and never let up on opposing QBs throughout his career.
The Ravens’ career leader in sacks with 114.5 and counting, Suggs is a future Hall of Famer.
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Cornerback
For my money, CMAc is the best corner in team history.
This was a tough one. Though Lardarius Webb may have been better at his peak, it’s tough to ignore Starks’ ball production (20 INT in four yrs).
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Safety
Watching the most feared “Ballhawk” ever was like waiting for fireworks on the fourth of July: you knew they were coming. The only question was “when?”
Woodson will be remembered more as a Steeler but it took a move to Baltimore to get him a ring. Never forget to remind your Steeler-fan friends of that.
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Special Teams
Kicker
Stover’s spot on this list is shaky when you look at the career trajectory Justin Tucker is on. Still, the Ravens’ all-time leading scorer gets the honor for now.
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Punter
While many Ravens fans wanted him gone after 2013, Koch has really bounced back since. He changed the punting game in many ways with his “golf bag” of different spins and trajectories.
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Long Snapper
Ya’ll know any other long snappers?
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Head Coach
Coach Shula a great seven-year run in the 1960’s, enough to edge Harbs and Billick in my book. (Ed note: Shula even looks a little like Harbs in that picture, doesn’t he?)
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