The Baltimore Ravens All-Decade Team - 2000-2009

The Ravens have had a considerably more-successful ten years than the previous team I made a list for. So, it would make sense that naming their All-Decade team would be a somewhat easier undertaking despite having twice as many spots to fill.

The Offense:

Quarterbacks: Joe Flacco (Starter); Trent Dilfer, Kyle Boller.

This might be the most interesting position to judge. A hallmark of the Ravens' success over the past decade, as well as the cause of many of the ills, has been the lack of a top, or often even a truly competent, quarterback.

This list will be out before the official end of the 2009 season on January 3. Because of that, it is not yet known whether the Ravens defeated Oakland to make the playoffs, or choked and gave the spot away. For the purposes of the list, however, I will assume victory for the simple reason that it will make Flacco the only Ravens quarterback to lead the team to consecutive playoff appearances. That accomplishment alone gives him the top spot.

Dilfer and Steve McNair battle for the number-two spot. Despite only playing in fifteen total games, Dilfer was the quarterback who led the Ravens to their Super Bowl victory in 2000. He gets to play the role he was expected to when he was signed, as well as what he did generally after leaving the team: quality backup and mentor to a young quarterback.

McNair, however, gets bumped from the team in an executive decision. No telling of the story of the Ravens this past decade would be complete without the sidebar Saga of Kyle Boller. He was expected to be what Joe Flacco is becoming, a franchise quarterback that can do more than simply manage a set of weapons. His six years as a Raven gives him the edge over two up-and-down years from McNair, and there really isn't another competitor for the spot.

Running Back: Jamal Lewis (Starter); Ray Rice, Chester Taylor

For six years, starting with the Super Bowl year in 2000 and only skipping 2001 when he was hurt on the first day of training camp, the Ravens offense went through Jamal Lewis first*. His 2066-yard 2003 season was the best of five 1000-plus-yard seasons with the Ravens. However, his 2004 mid-season suspension, and subsequent off-season incarceration, for a drug conviction left a bad taste in many fans' mouths, especially when he came back less athletic and more hesitant the next season.

*The offense then proceeded through Jamal Lewis second, Todd Heap third, Jamal Lewis fourth, and Chester Taylor or *insert backup here* fifth.

My backups were almost reversed. Chester Taylor was the primary backup from 2002 through 2005 when he left for a big money contract in Minnesota (and where he quickly became the primary backup to another dominant back in Adrian Peterson). However, he never was the official starter for the team (eight starts in five seasons, including the four Lewis missed in 2004), and Ray Rice has already passed him on the franchise rushing list.

Rice has, in two years, gone from Rutgers star to generally ignored second-round-pick to primary change-of-pace back on a championship contender to starter to legitimate NFL star. And the way things look right now there's a good chance he leads the same list in 2019.

Fullback: Le'Ron McClain (Starter); Ovie Mughelli

Fullback is a difficult position to judge. The primary job is to act as a blocker, both for the quarterback and the running back. However, they also need to be weapons as runners and as receivers, and those are the areas where stats are available.

Both on the list started as almost-exclusively blockers and special-teams players but evolved into weapons. McClain was the most dramatic with his 900-plus-yard season in 2008 as the primary rushing option. Mughelli in 2006 became a dump-off option out of the backfield and finished with 121 yards and two touchdowns catching the ball.

Wide Receiver: Derrick Mason and Travis Taylor (Starters); Mark Clayton, Qadry Ismail, Brandon Stokley

The interesting thing is, if you asked Ravens fans for their nightmare scenario involving receivers, it wouldn't be that different*. Derrick Mason is the no-brainer, best receiver in franchise history, whether it is by receptions, yards, or touchdowns. Mark Clayton is actually ahead of Travis Taylor in receptions and yards, but Taylor bumps him down to the slot position due to more touchdowns and a higher yards-per-reception.

*There likely would be Patrick Johnsons and Clarance Moores involved, but some of the same suspects would be there.

Qadry Ismail and Brandon Stokley were the two real receiving weapons on the 2000 Super Bowl team, though Patrick Johnson and Taylor both started over Stokley. Ismail was the leading receiver (at receiver), and Stokley had the biggest single play of the Super Bowl itself.

Tight End: Todd Heap (Starter); Shannon Sharpe, Daniel Wilcox

Another of those no-brainer categories. Todd Heap has been the one constant* on the Ravens' offense since 2001. He is the franchise leader in receptions and receiving touchdowns, and second to Mason in receiving yards.

*Despite his struggles with injuries, and his occasional disappearance from the offense in recent years, "constant" does seem a little overblown. Maybe. Though my sister and several hundred thousand Maryland women would kill me if they heard such blasphemy.

Despite only two years on the team, Shannon Sharpe was the top receiving weapon for the only Ravens teams to make back-to-back playoff appearances. He still ranks ninth on the franchise receiving yards' list, and eighth in receptions. Daniel Wilcox wins a tight battle over Terry Jones due to his five years on the team.

Tackles: Jonathon Ogden (Left) and Orlando Brown (Right); Jared Gaither and Tony Pashos.

Was there any doubt? Jonathon Ogden is arguably the greatest left tackle in the history of the league, and as the principle of protecting the quarterback's blind side has become better understood his skills (along with his size and athletic ability, of course) have become more appreciated. He went into the Ravens' Ring of Honor almost immediately after he retired.

Orlando Brown spent two three-year stints with the Ravens, and his time in the 2000s saw both dominant play as well as stupid on-field decisions. With the revolving door opposite Ogden, though, he is at worst the best of mediocrity and at best a great player with great flaws.

Because of both Ogden's consistent brilliance and the opposite at right tackle, there isn't much available for backups. Pashos developed into a quality right tackle right before he left in free agency. Gaither is the present left tackle and has done a very good job stepping into Ogden's shoes, but in another year would likely be passed by the skilled play of Michael Oher.

Guards: Edwin Mulitalo (left) and Bennie Anderson (right); Ben Grubbs

Edwin Mulitalo was literally Ogden's right-hand man. For six years in the decade, they were the left side wall that gave Jamal Lewis the opportunity to work his own magic. He also became a fan-favorite for his gimmicks (radio appearances and much of the idea behind "Festivus" in 2000) and his charity work.

As solid as the left side of the line was as a whole, the right side saw quite a few issues over the decade. Bennie Anderson started at right guard for four years, and did a competent job (despite my personal dislike to the point of hearing "Holding, 66 on the offense, ten-yard penalty" in my nightmares).

In his three seasons with the Ravens, Ben Grubbs has become a Pro-Bowl lineman and played well at both guard positions.

Center: Mike Flynn (Starter); Jason Brown

Both started at guard before moving inside. Mike Flynn spent seven seasons as the primary center for the Ravens after playing right guard on the 2000 team. When he left, Jason Brown moved over from left guard and spent a stellar 2008 at center before getting a big-money deal with St. Louis.

The Defense:

Defensive Ends: Michael McCrary and Terrell Suggs (Starters); Anthony Weaver, Trever Pryce

Michael McCrary was the first Ravens player, aside from Earnest Byner, inducted into the Ravens' Ring of Honor. His career ended early in the decade, but he was a defensive catalyst on the 2000 team and had 16 sacks in the 2000s.

Terrell Suggs has spent the majority of his career as a linebacker due to the 3-4 defense, but I'm making him a 4-3 end to help fit some additional players in. He is currently second in sacks (first in the decade) and sixth in tackles in franchise history.

Anthony Weaver was a four-year starter at end before moving on to Houston. Trever Pryce came over from Denver in 2006 and has 26 sacks in those four seasons.

Defensive Tackles: Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg (Starters); Tony Siragusa, Sam Adams

The pair of tackles that started the decade, and the pair that finished. Haloti Ngata is regarded as one of the dominant players in the NFL at his position four years into his career. Kelly Gregg came to the Ravens as a free agent in 2001 and has become a seven-year starter and fan favorite.

Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams were the anchors that allowed the rest of the front seven to have one of the best defensive seasons ever.

Linebackers: Adalius Thomas (Left), Ray Lewis (Middle), Peter Boulware (Right); Jamie Sharper, Ed Hartwell, Bart Scott

Adalius Thomas started out as a standout special-teams player before famously acting as a jack-of-all-trades in the 46 defense Rex Ryan installed. His 32 sacks in four years as a starting linebacker got him big money from New England.

Ray Lewis doesn't really need an explanation*.

*Seriously, he doesn't.

Peter Boulware is the franchise leader in sacks, and is second to Suggs in the 2000s. He was the second Raven inducted into the Ring of Honor.

Jamie Sharper was the "other" linebacker on the 2000 and 2001 Ravens before being picked in the expansion draft, but is still seventh in tackles. Ed Hartwell and Bart Scott both made their names replacing Lewis while he was hurt, than both played the other inside linebacker with him for several years before moving on in free agency.

Cornerbacks: Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle (Starters); Duane Starks, Gary Baxter

Chris McAlister leads Ravens cornerbacks in basically every category, up to and including insanity. In the 2000s, he was one of the top cornerbacks in the entire NFL, let alone in Baltimore. Samari Rolle came in after a series of cornerbacks through the middle of the decade, and had an up-and-down time both on and off the field.

Duane Starks was arguably a better corner than Rolle, and helped win a Super Bowl. However, Rolle was here twice as long, with just as many trips to the playoffs. Gary Baxter split time between safety and cornerback, but was a quality player at both spots*.

*And whenever I think of him I remember his ads for his radio show: "You can NEVER get enough of Gary Baxter. That gives him credit over anyone else.

Safeties: Ed Reed (Strong) and Rod Woodson (Free); Dawan Landry, Chad Williams

Right now, the Ravens have three former players* in their Ring of Honor. In addition to those, I can count at least eight other players that likely deserve enshrinement. A couple of them are likely Hall of Famers, including Reed. The franchise leader in interceptions and defensive touchdowns, and could finish the season by passing McAlister for second on the overall tackles list.

Rod Woodson was the leader of the 2000 defense. Despite only two years in the decade, he still managed seven picks and 123 tackles in that time. Even his legacy as a Steeler can't bump him down.

Dawan Landry has been a four-year starter at safety, discounting his mostly-injured year in 2008, and is already sixth on the interception list. Chad Williams even surprised me, but in his four years backing up Reed he had eight picks, 138 tackles and 4.5 sacks, and even recovered four fumbles.

Special Teams:

Kicker: Matt Stover

Did I say eight in the Ring of Honor? Make that nine.

Punter: Sam Koch

Both Sam Koch and Dave Zastudil punted four years in the 2000s*, but Koch leads in total yardage and yards per punt.

*Interestingly enough, Kyle Richardson also punted four years for the Ravens. Only two were in the decade, though.

Returns: B.J. Sams

I really, REALLY wanted to just give this spot to Jermaine Lewis. However, not only did Sams act as the primary returner for three years in the decade, he handled both kicks and punts in that time. At least it didn't have to be Lamont Brightful.

***

So that's the Ravens. Even left three spots for special-teamers.