The Baltimore Ravens' first team was in 1996, but they have still found plenty of success during their short franchise history. Their success has been led by some elite players who were not only good for the Ravens but some of the best in NFL history.
Let's look at the five greatest Ravens team of all-time.
5. Justin Tucker
How many teams can say a kicker is one of their best players in franchise history? A reason might be because of the Ravens' short history, but Justin Tucker has 100 percent earned this spot on the team. When Tucker lines up for a kick, no matter where it's from, there is really no doubt that it's going to go through the uprights. During Tucker's career, he is hitting 90.8 percent on field goals. He also is hitting 99 percent of his extra points. From 50+ yards, Tucker has hit 39 of his 55 kicks.
For some kickers, it only takes one or two misses to throw off their entire career, but with how consistent Tucker has been, who knows how many years he will have left in the league.
4. Jonathan Ogden
Jonathan Ogden was the first-ever draft pick for the Ravens, and what a draft pick he ended up being. Ogden was selected fourth overall by the Ravens during the 1996 draft.
He played with the team all the way through the 2007 season. He was named to 11 Pro Bowl's and now has a bust in Canton, in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ogden was unique because he was equally as strong in both the run and pass game. Ogden also had two passes thrown his way during his career, with both ending in touchdowns for the Ravens.
3. Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco received a lot of flack the last few years with the Ravens, but that doesn't take away from what he accomplished, he led them to a Super Bowl victory.
During the 2012 season, Flacco had a strong regular season, but where he really shined was in the playoffs. He threw for 1,140 yards, 11 touchdowns, and didn't have any interceptions.
In his 11 years with the Ravens, he finished with a 96-67 record, throwing for 40,067 yards, 218 touchdowns, and 141 interceptions. The only question left for Flacco is, did he do enough to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
2. Ed Reed
Ed Reed, for many years, might have been the best player in the NFL, not just the best defensive player, but the best player in the entire league. Opposing quarterbacks often wouldn't even look to Reed's side of the field because they knew what was going to happen if they did, it was going to be a turnover. Once Reed picked off the ball, there was a chance he was going to take it for a house call.
Reed finished his career with 64 interceptions, with seven of them being returned for a touchdown. Reed's best season was in 2008 when he had nine interceptions, with two of them returned for a touchdown.
1. Ray Lewis
There really isn't any doubt about the best Ravens player in history.
Ray Lewis let his play and his mouth do all the talking on the field. Lewis was a high-level player from day one with the Ravens. He was the middle linebacker on some of the best defenses in NFL history. Reed finished his career with the Ravens with 2,005 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 31 interceptions, and 20 fumble recoveries. He was named to the All-Pro First Team seven teams. He was also the MVP of Super Bowl XXXV.
There were some off the field issues with Lewis, but on the field, he is one of the best players in NFL history. Lewis has his bust in Canton, Ohio.
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