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I'm guilty of this insanity, myself, unable to resist the allure of ESPN Power Rankings and all-decade/ century/ millennial teams. It's eerily satisfying, magnetic, even, listening to a third party break down the various elements that make a group of athletic strangers in my city so superior to another, farther away.
As unsubstantial as these rankings are, it's more ridiculous that Jordan and I have only recently realized that, as authors of our own wildly popular and somehow nonsyndicated blog, we can make our own irrelevant lists!
#10. Ray Rice
It's a testament to how valuable Ray Rice is that he's already found a place on this list. He's 25 and has already produced several years of jaw-dropping statistics and highlight-reel runs. In my opinion, he's the best all-around running back (rushing, blocking, receiving... and sometimes throwing) in the NFL right now.
Even with the short shelf-life of RBs in today's game, Ray Rice figures to be an integral part of the offense for many years due to his versatility.
Career Stats:
Highlights:
2010-2011
2011-2012
#9. Todd Heap
Todd Heap was more than just a down-to-earth guy whose name was a blast to scream at the stadium. He was a hulking presence in the receiving game, with Velcro hands and no fear of taking a hit. He was also the only offensive weapon we had during the mid-2000s when Jamal Lewis started to wear down and Kyle Boller couldn't remember what wide receivers looked like.
The fact that he's still in the league after all of the punishment he took bailing out Boller on poor throws is proof of his toughness. While Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta look like they might be a very talented tight end tandem moving forward, I doubt there are many Ravens fans who wouldn't want to see Todd still playing in purple and black.
Career Stats:
Highlights:
#8. Michael McCrary
After spending four years with the Seattle Seahawks, who selected him in the 7th round of the 1993 draft, Michael McCrary became an unrestricted free agent. Then he became a Baltimore Raven.
McCrary helped build the Ravens defense into a feared unit--a unit that has earned a place in the "best ever" conversation with the Steelers teams of the 70s and the 1985 Chicago Bears. His sack numbers are phenomenal, rivaled only by two other Ravens greats, Terrell Suggs and Peter Boulware.
A two-time Pro Bowler with Baltimore, McCrary helped lead the team to their only Super Bowl in the 2000-2001 season.
Career Stats:
Highlights:
For whatever reason, Michael McCrary is the only one on this list who isn't featured in any highlight videos. Oh well. Believe me, he was great.
So since we don't have a video for McCrary, here's a video of Bart Scott destroying Ben Roethlisberger from a few years ago.
#7. Chris McAlister
Chris McAlister was taken by the Ravens with the 10th overall pick in the 1999 draft; he became a starter four games into his rookie season. After notching nine interceptions in his first two years, teams stopped throwing in his direction and he remained a shut-down corner until age and off the field issues affected his play in the latter half of the 2000s.
Like McCrary--and a good number of the all-time Ravens on this list--McAlister played an integral role in the 2000-20001 Super Bowl Season, and he's etched multiple amazing plays (107-yd field goal return for a TD, anyone?) into the memories of many Ravens fans.
Career Stats:
Highlights:
#6. Peter Boulware
Drafted by the Ravens number four overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, Peter Boulware faced the high expectations that accompany early draft picks. He delivered, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors burning his name into Ravens record books in nearly every sack category.
He played nine years for Baltimore, leading the team in sacks three times and placing second in sacks four other times. He notched a staggering 70 sacks in his career and was named to the Pro Bowl four times.
Career Stats:
Highlights:
Couldn't find any videos that specifically highlighted Boulware, so this video is from a series that examined the top linebacker corps throughout the history of the NFL.
#5. Terrell Suggs
Whether he plays this season or not, Suggs has already proved himself as one of the all-time great Ravens. He holds most of the team's career and season records for sacks and still shines at dropping back into coverage when he needs to.
If you read my post about the effect of his injury on the defense, you know how much credit I give to Terrell. If he's not in the backfield making plays, that generally means the offense if committing 2 linemen and a back to blocking him, which frees up the rest of our defense to make plays.
Career Stats:
Highlights:
#4. Jonathan Ogden
Jonathan Ogden is generally considered the best lineman in Ravens history, and one of the best left tackles to ever play the game. He rarely, if ever missed an assignment or allowed a sack. It's just a shame he never had a great quarterback to protect. Flacco could really use him right now.
Career Stats:
Highlights:
#3. Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lewis lived in beast mode. As a rookie, he was an instrumental part of the 2000 Super Bowl Team. Defenses feared him, and our mediocre offensive talent, including quarterback Trent Dilfer, instantly became better as opposing teams focused on stopping Jamal.
His career ended unceremoniously in Cleveland after ankle and knee injuries slowed him down, but he belongs in the Ravens Ring of Honor and spent more time hitting people than getting hit. Ray Rice may overtake Jamal when Rice hangs up the cleats, but for now, Jamal is top dog.
Career Stats:
Highlights:
Terrible quality video, but a good show of how much he punished defenses. Obviously we love little Ray, but watching this type of power running was awesome.
#2. Ed Reed
I don't think #2 and #1 on this list require explanations. Reed is a living legend--a first-ballot hall-of-famer who will go down as the best free safety ever to play the game.
Reed is in the twilight of his career, but he's the best when it counts most. Although his regular-season statistics are steadily dropping, he's made unbelievable plays in multiple games during each of the past four postseasons.
Career Stats:
Highlights:
#1. Ray Lewis
THE living legend of the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Lewis is consistently mentioned by analysts as one of the best linebackers ever. His physical skills and abilities have been in decline for years now, but he's compensated for it with his preparation, intelligence, and continuing ability to deliver bone-crunching hits.
Ray is, and likely always will be, the greatest player to step onto the field as a Baltimore Raven.
Career Stats:
Highlights:
Honorable Mention
Derrick Mason
The way Derrick left Baltimore was a shame. Rather than handle the business of the game like a man--think Todd Heap--he whined and complained like a petulant teenager. While he was a Raven, though (and he recently stated that he's "always be a Raven" in his heart), he was a warrior for the offense, playing through multiple injuries and producing third-down catches like clockwork.
Jarret Johnson
Probably the most underrated Raven in the history of the franchise, Jarret was quietly consistent against the run, in the passing game and rushing the passer. He was fundamentally sound, a hard-hitter and reliable at linebacker on every down.
Tony Siragusa
"Goose" was the man up front, plugging up the opposing offensive line so that Ray Lewis could roam around and do his thing. A quintessential space-eater, Tony was a key component to the Super Bowl defense, but didn't produce number flashy enough to be considered for the top 10.
Haloti Ngata
My feeling is that Haloti will make this list before his career is over. All the evidence you need for his dominance can be found on the tape from game one against the Steelers last year. Battling injury for the second half of the season, Haloti dropped down from elite to solid in 2011-2012. But his combination of size, speed and athleticism is rare at his position, and his motor and motivation will result in huge numbers within the next few years.
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