He was a quiet, unassuming guy who we rarely heard from or of. In a way that’s what you prefer from your offensive linemen. It seems like just a short time ago when the Ravens made him their 2007 first-round pick and now Ben Grubbs is set to retire.
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Grubbs Hangs His Hat For The Last Time
Guard Ben Grubbs was the Ravens first round pick in 2007, the 29th overall. He along with the team’s 2007 3rd round pick Marshal Yanda, were supposed to improve the Ravens offensive line and help build on a successful 2006 season, albeit one with a bitterly disappointing end, a playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Unfortunately the 2007 season was even more disappointing – a 5-11 campaign that led to the dismissal of Head Coach Brian Billick.
Grubbs was a solid player for the Ravens yet arguably not worthy of his lofty draft status. Draft classmate Yanda’s accomplishments, accentuate the slight overspending for the Auburn Tiger, but at the end of the day, or more fittingly, at the end of his rookie contract, Grubbs provided five productive campaigns that included 4 playoff seasons and a Pro Bowl appearance in 2011.
The left guard left Baltimore to join the Saints as a free agent and then eventually moved on to Kansas City where he signed a 4-year, $24M deal, with $6.6M in guarantees back in March of 2015. One season later, despite the Chiefs having to eat $5.2M in dead money, they released Grubbs.
Word is that Ben’s career has been derailed by a neck injury and it will force him into retirement.
All the best to a good guy, who represented the Ravens well.
Here’s to your next chapter Ben. Make it another great one!
