Ever since 2011, when the NFL introduced their Top 100 Players list (as voted on by current players), the exercise has been mighty kind to the Baltimore Ravens.
How kind you may ask?
Well…
"In the 10 years the players have chosen the #NFLTop100, no team has had more pros make the list than the Ravens."
Tune in on @nflnetwork now ? pic.twitter.com/cqfc4GEmPt
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 28, 2020
In 2019, the following Ravens (from 2018) made the list:
100. S Eric Weddle
71. LB C.J. Mosley
Only two?! That was it, believe it or not. Just two players from the 2018 Ravens, AFC North Champions, made the list (and none in the top 70), perhaps proving that that team was indeed greater than the sum of its parts.
The squad with the most players on the list in its history has some ground to make up here.
Somehow, something tells me the 2019 Ravens will do just that and be a litter better represented, even considering that the two players on the list last year are no longer with the team. With this year’s list currently being unveiled on NFL Network, it’s already safe to say that’s going to be the case.
#86 Marlon Humphrey
Hump makes his first appearance on the list after a first-team All Pro campaign in which he set career highs in tackles (65), interceptions (3), forced fumbles (2), fumble recoveries (3), and touchdowns (2).
I want to be a top 100 player
— Marlon Humphrey (@marlon_humphrey) May 16, 2017
That’s how you do it, kids. Set a goal, do the work, reach the goal.
#79 Calais Campbell
Many Ravens fans may not realize what a beast this new addition is. In addition to making the list here, Campbell was #54 last year and #14 just two years ago. Though his sack totals have fallen from 16.5 to 10.5 to 6.5 over those three seasons, the bet here is that he’ll revitalize his career a bit playing in the purple and black (as did some other players below).
#75 Earl Thomas
Though he may be a bit removed from his Legion of Boom days, Thomas was a valuable addition to the Ravens’ back end in 2019, and racked up his first two career sacks in Wink Martindale’s creative scheme.
#74 Ronnie Stanley
Megatronnie was another first-team All Pro, and solidified his status as Baltimore’s bookend left tackle. Making sure we have him protect Lamar Jackson’s blind side for years to come is certainly high atop Eric DeCosta’s to-do list.
#53 Marcus Peters
Speaking of DeCosta, how about this trade? Juiceman made his presence felt in Baltimore immediately, with two pick sixes, including one in the season-defining win in Seattle. And, ho hum, another first-team All Pro (DB).
#44 Mark Ingram
Ingram was #80 on the list last year, after coming in at #43 two seasons ago. Safe to say a union with Lamar Jackson and Greg Roman has more than revitalized the career of this veteran from Alabama.
So three times as many players as last year already, with 40 slots to go. I’m thinking we’ll have another Raven or two, aren’t you?
