All-Time Ravens Team – Offense

The offseason is long, and there is a lot of time to write fun and interesting articles you might not be able to write during the season. Therefore, I decided to make a list of the best Ravens at each position in the history of the franchise, or an all-time Ravens team. First, I decided to review the offensive players in Ravens history.  

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

Joe Flacco – Quarterback

Flacco is a flawed quarterback, and in many ways I understand why people don’t like him. As a fan that gets emotionally involved in the game, Flacco’s seemingly nonchalant demeanor combined with a sometimes mind boggling inconsistency, it might not seem like he was worth the ginormous contract he was given in 2013. But even so, it’s impossible to deny Flacco is the best quarterback in the history of the Ravens. He statistically dominates others, with 17,000 more yards and 91 more touchdowns than any other quarterback in Ravens history, but it’s not just that. He has also helped orchestrate the best stretch in Ravens history and helped lead his team to a Super Bowl with one of the best post season performances in NFL history since Joe Montana. This isn’t even a contest.

Jamal Lewis – Running Back

Ray Rice makes this deceptively close, but even recent events notwithstanding, Jamal Lewis was easily the better running back for the team. Lewis leads the team in rushing yards and touchdowns, and also churned out one of the best rushing seasons of all time in 2003. He was a prototypical power running back, and was like Teflon to opposing defenders. Watch some highlights of him here.

Did you see that? My face hurts just WATCHING defenders trying to tackle him. I’d have better luck trying to stop a bus at full speed than those defenders had trying to stop Jamal. 

Vonta Leach – Fullback

Fullbacks are not nearly as useful in today’s game as they were in the past. With more teams valuing a player that can be flexible over one-dimensional players, big beefy fullbacks are becoming a thing of the past. But sometimes, one of those one-dimensional players is so good at what they do, it’s they’re still worth it and then some. Leach was one of those players. Leach was a terrorizing lead blocker, reaching two pro bowls with the Ravens and helped reinvigorate the team’s run game.  

Derrick Mason – Wide Receiver

It’s weird that the first word that comes to mind when thinking about the best wide receiver in Ravens history is “versatile”, but it’s true.  Derrick Mason could do it all: run deep routes, make difficult catches in coverage, or pick up yards after the catch. In a way, it’s almost fitting that the leader in receiving yards didn’t come to the Ravens until after he turned 30 – he is one of the best examples of an Ozzie Newsome signing that has kept the Ravens one of the best teams in the league.

Torrey Smith – Wide Receiver

From Mark Clayton to Travis Taylor, the Ravens have a long history of picking wide receivers that have ended up bust once they reach the NFL. But Smith represents a reversal of that trend. Smith was the perfect receiver for Flacco, a speedy deep route receiver that could burn opposing cornerbacks and stretch the defense. Not only is Smith one of the team leaders in receiving yards, but his addition also allowed Ravens fans to appreciate a new and wonderful feeling of one the funniest plays in the game– the anticipation and excitement that comes with a Flacco dropping back and uncorking a deep ball.

Todd Heap – Tight End

Pass catching tight ends are the most popular things now a days. From Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham, these players are one of the best ways to create mismatches in the NFL. But at risk of sounding like the hipsters that populate Hampden, the Ravens totally had a pass catching tight end before it was cool. Todd Heap was such a good player, he accumulated the second most receiving yards in team history with the rotating cast of Chris Redman, Anthony Wright, and Kyle Boller playing quarterback. That might be more impressive than anything else on this list.

Marshal Yanda – Offensive Guard

Yanda is currently in the prime of what might end up being a hall of fame career. While he won’t ever be the offensive lineman that Ogden was (more on that later), he still has taken his place as the anchor of this current incarnation of the offensive line. He’s been one of the bedrocks of the recent run of success under Harbaugh, and since that success has led to a super bowl victory, that’s pretty impressive.

Edwin Mulitalo – Offensive Guard

Mulitalo didn’t have the luxury of playing in a distinguished era of Ravens football. He was only a second year player when the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2000, hardly a key player on a team defined by their defense. And he left in 2006, with the team in flux for years, searching for a bedrock at quarterback. But just because Mulitalo played in a transition era for the Ravens doesn’t mean his impact should be forgotten by fans of the team.

Matt Birk – Center

Birk was past his prime when he came to the Ravens, but still was a huge boost to the Harbaugh era Ravens. He contributed to the team for four good years, and helped the team win a super bowl in 2013. And when he finally retired, the Ravens had the worst offensive line in the history, further illustrating his worth to the team.

Orlando Brown – Offensive Tackle

Brown was one of the original Ravens that came when the team moved from the Browns. While he could be inconsistent, he was one of the best in the game when he was playing well. Sadly, Brown died of complications from diabetes. But he remains one of the best tackles in Ravens history.

Jonathan Ogden – Offensive Tackle

Ogden is probably the most decorated and deserving player on this list. The 6’ 9”, 345 pound giant was one of the best offensive tackles of the past fifty years. He was elected to eleven pro bowls and five all pro first-teams. He was the first Raven to be elected to the pro football hall of fame. And most importantly, he was an absolute monster on the field, absolutely dominating the best defensive pass rushers of his day. He was the best offensive player in the history of the team. He’s in.