Kelly Gregg spent 10 years in Baltimore as a fixture on the Ravens defensive line. In those 10 seasons*, the Ravens went 92-68 and finished the season with a Top 10 run defense nine times.
*Note: Gregg didn’t play during the entire 2008 season.
I caught up with Kelly this week to see what he was up to and what his takes were on the Ravens–past, present, and future.
Mike Fast: What are you up to now?
Kelly Gregg: I have three little boys. 13, 11, 8. They take up most of my time. I play Mr. Mom. I do a little radio, too. A typical day for me is when I take my kids to school, then I head out to my farm. I don’t miss football one bit. I enjoy every day, spending time with my kids, on my farm, and with my wife.
MF: Do you still follow the Ravens? Do you miss the game?
KG: That’s one thing I do miss. I miss getting out there, running, stretching. I still got my disdain for the Steelers. I really enjoy sitting back on Sundays, watching the Ravens, and doing 16 oz. curls.
MF: You were a Raven when the rivalry with the Steelers was at its peak. What moments stick out the most from that rivalry?
KG: It was like a fight. I still won’t buy Heinz ketchup. I always hated Jeff Hartings and Alan Faneca. It was a lot of fun. It was like a legalized street fight. I still got my hate for the Steelers. I saw a Steelers car flag the other day here in Oklahoma, and I wanted to shoot the guy the bird.
 MF: What’s your opinion on Brandon Williams? How good do you think he can be?
KG: I think the sky is the limit. He definitely plays like a Raven, down and dirty. He’s going to be a great one…he already is.
[youtube]https://youtu.be/Kfg97nPrXNk[/youtube]
MF: In 2006, the Ravens had all the momentum heading into the playoffs. What was it like after losing to the Colts that season in the playoffs?
KG: I still remember at halftime…Coach Brooks said they can’t beat us kicking field goals. That was the best team I ever played on. That hurt.
MF: Some believe that too many years of the Ravens great defensive clubs, of which you were a part, were wasted by a bad offense. Looking back, what are your thoughts on that?
KG: Those guys tried, they fought. It just never seemed like we found our groove. I got no ill will towards those guys. I thought Ozzie and the personnel staff always found guys with that mentality [that played like Ravens]. Those offensive guys worked their tails off.
MF: Compare Coach Billick to Coach Harbaugh.
KG: I loved playing for them both. With Billick, some guys may have been too comfortable. Sometimes change is good. Both guys were [good coaches]. The guy that was always in my corner the most was Rex.
MF: How will Ed Reed do as a coach with Rex Ryan?
KG: I think Ed will be great. Ray, Ed, Suggs…those guys understood the game. He will put the time in. Rex will be great with him.
The coaching game is a different breed. I have a hard time coaching my kid’s little league team. It’s a lot easier playing. The coaching game is a different breed. My farm is calling my name.
MF: What was it like playing for Clarence Brooks?
KG: He worked. He always took great pride in how prepared he was. I had Rex, and I had Coach Brooks—two great defensive line coaches. They always stood up for you. They’re cut from a different cloth.
MF: What did you think after the hit [that injured] Jamal Lewis during the 2001 training camp?
KG: I thought I was gonna be run out of Baltimore. I still give Mike Flynn a hard time…I tripped over him. I remember fans giving me a hard time out at Westminster. I was packing up my bag at the Best Western. I thought I was gonna be run out of town.
MF: What’s your prediction for the Ravens this season?
KG: AFC North champs.
RSR would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Kelly for participating in this interview. We miss you, Buddy Lee!
