Ring’s Standards Are Too Low
The induction criteria for the Ravens Ring of Honor is flawed and unfortunately there’s not turning back. So given the flawed system there is one name missing from the Ring that must be added.
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The Ravens Ring of Honor should consist of only 3 players and Art Modell. Those players are Jonathan Ogden, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. One has been enshrined in Canton and gold jackets have probably already been ordered for the other two.
Todd Heap, Jamal Lewis, Matt Stover, Peter Boulware and Mike McCrary were all very good Ravens but to be in the ring, you should at least be in the discussion for Hall of Fame consideration.
Of course the egregious mistake made by Art Modell was his first inductee, Earnest Byner.
Byner was a fine player but ask someone outside of Baltimore who he played for and most will say the Redskins or Browns. Art Modell should have rewarded Byner’s loyalty with a Rolex, not the inaugural Ring of Honor placard. His inclusion sets the bar extremely low.
As for those Colts…sorry, Unitas Plaza is plenty and this is from a guy who loved Johnny U.
Todd Heap a 2014 inductee and posted good numbers despite being saddled with a ton of terrible quarterback play during his career. Injuries prevented him from posting more impressive numbers. He missed 23 games during his 10 years in Baltimore with a variety of ailments, while posting 467 catches for 5,492 yards and 41 TD’s.
But if you believe Heap belongs in the Ring, another pass catcher should be beside him. This player caught 471 passes for 5,777 yards and 29 TD’s while a Raven and despite his small stature, fearlessness and physical play, he NEVER missed a game due to injury during his 6-year stint in purple and black.
That player is Derrick Mason, the franchise’s all-time leading receiver.
It’s too late to manage the Ring MY way, so if the Ravens are going to do it THEIR way, they better make room for No. 85.
Let’s put D-Mase in his deserving place.
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