Best NFL Players Of The Millennium: Jonathan Ogden

by Bruce Raffel on Jul 5, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

With the NFL Top 100 Players for 2011 history as of yesterday, NFL.com turned to the top players of the millennium. Steve Wyche made a case that former Baltimore Ravens left tackle Jonathan Ogden deserves mention as one of the two best offensive linemen of this era along with Seattle Seahawks LT Walter Jones.

Wyche mentioned the rare combination of of how "fluidly and violently Jonathan Ogden played left tackle." At 6'9" and 340 pounds, Odgen enjoyed a size, reach andjust as importantly, an athletic advantage over much smaller pass rushers in protecting the blind side of the many quarterbacks who passed through Baltimore in JO's 12 seasons in the NFL. Other than his rookie season Odgen made the Pro Bowl every other year he played, an incredible testament to his abilities.

Not only does Wyche consider Ogden one of the top two, if not the best offensive lineman of the new millennium, he thinks he should be considered one of the best player overall in this era, as well as one of the top ten offensive linemen of all time.

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It’s easy to forget he played guard his rookie year. JO was the best of his generation, no doubt.

by JoshuaStein on Jul 5, 2011 7:12 PM EDT reply actions

So true. His competition was stiff in his era, yet he bested all of them.

by E-ROC on Jul 5, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Jones was considered the best by many of his peers.

by TheShadow on Jul 6, 2011 6:56 AM EDT up reply actions

If any Steelers are on record as not voting for him, the statement is invalid.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel

by Ampallang on Jul 6, 2011 6:58 AM EDT up reply actions

"Jones was considered the best by many of his peers."

I know some people like to bust on you, but you truly are an asshole. It’s obvious you hate the team and have nothing positive to say, so why are you on here?

by JoshuaStein on Jul 6, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

JKones is always mentioned before Ogden when picking teams of the decade.

“You can argue that the left side of the Seattle offensive line from 2001-05 is the best side of a line in history. In 2005, Jones and Steve Hutchinson cleared the way for Shaun Alexander to be the NFL MVP with 1,880 yards and 28 touchdowns. Jones, a powerful man, was superb at dancing with quick speed rushers and steering them away from the pocket.”

“A smidgen behind Walter Jones, but that shouldn’t diminish his greatness. He had the biggest wingspan of any offensive lineman I’ve seen, and his side-to-side quickness made him a natural for keeping rushers out of the face of his quarterback. The first basketball player to morph into a great tackle. I thought about keeping this a right tackle slot and putting Jon Runyan here, but Ogden was too good for too long at left tackle.”

by TheShadow on Jul 6, 2011 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

your argument is that Jones helped Shaun Alexander get 1880 yards. Ogden helped Lewis almost get the most rushing yards in a season.

Ogden and Jones are really really close though, so I think a tie is in order for the rest of the NFL. A little biased being a Ravens fan, we should put Ogden first.

by Mstevens_Design on Jul 7, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Ogden may have been better than perceived

Most of the time we never had a quarterback of any stature worth protecting. Imagine if Ogden was drafted by the Colts or Patriots.

by TheShadow on Jul 7, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I definitely agree with that. His legacy was diminished a bit by never having a star to defend.

by Mstevens_Design on Jul 7, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

have to agree

1. Ogden
2. Pace
3. Jones

Theres the top three! a pretty good list!

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by nycsteelerfan on Jul 5, 2011 7:28 PM EDT reply actions

I'd say one of the best ever

not just in his generation. He played against bigger, stronger and faster players than any LT before him. Even during his playing time, he was always against the best his generation had to offer, so he never had a season where he was playing against scrubs.

I’d be willing to bet he could show up on day 1 and start for the team, no problems.

by Mstevens_Design on Jul 5, 2011 11:35 PM EDT reply actions

Knowing what we have now,

I relly miss that complete offensive line. Just imagine if….

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jul 6, 2011 9:11 AM EDT reply actions

Gaither at LT, Yanda resigned and Oher back at RT is the best OL we could have since 2000.

Flacco's first 3 years vs. Brady's, Manning's and Brees' first 3 years

Flacco threw for just 21 fewer passing yards than Brady and tossed four fewer interceptions. Flacco threw for 1,655 more yards than Brees, two more touchdowns and four fewer picks. Manning, who averaged 88 more passes per season, threw for way more yards and touchdowns than Flacco, but also tossed 24 more interceptions.

by Mr MaLoR on Jul 6, 2011 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Gaither is in the doghouse, buddy... I doubt he wears purple&black again

you know how hard it is to get out of the doghouse

by Evan Skev on Jul 6, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

yes

There is a fine line between showing players that you aren’t to be f-ked with, and then actually appearing to hold a personal grudge against them.

My main problem with Gaither is the whole underweight thing last summer. You have to think that probably contributed to his mystery injury and I think it demonstrated irresponsibility and that he’s not a guy to rest your hopes on.

But if he’s healthy and cheap, then sign him and play him.

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jul 7, 2011 6:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I was under the impression he lost weight after being placed on IR.

I think any doctor will tell you that less weight will help heal physical injuries, it is less strain on the body. From what I recall reading his weight is back again and he is ready to play. Don’t be like Harbaugh and cut off your nose in spite of your face.

by TheShadow on Jul 7, 2011 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions

He reported to camp underweight, then was hurt and missed most of camp, never played, and was placed on IR for the rest of the regular season. The weight loss was long before IR.

Less weight is sometimes good but not when it means less stregnth for such a physical position.

Like I said above, if he’s ready to play and affordable, play that dude.

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jul 7, 2011 8:14 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Everyone wants to bash Gaither for losing weight last offseason. I think it really shows some initiative to be honest. Now, he should have checked in with the Ravens or better yet, worked out with the Ravens.

Just think about what he heard a lot before that though. “Your’e too big and bulky, you need to lose some weight to get a little faster and take some pressure off your feet and knees”. So he goes out and loses a ton of weight like he thought he had to. However, he doesn’t build up his muscle like he needs to in order to withstand an entire season of beatings.

Whether he faked or really had any injuries is up to speculation and its unfortunate really. It made him look bad when I think he was trying to do the right thing. He just needed to get rid of the ego and show up to train with the team and he’d be insanely good and in good standing with the team.

by Mstevens_Design on Jul 7, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Gaither won't be cheap... he'll be an UFA

Harbaugh makes emotional decisions… he hasn’t shown that he’s fit to be a CEO

as for Gaither, mystery injury… enough said.

Maybe we can package Gaither, Harbaugh, and Cameron…for Nnamdi?

by Evan Skev on Jul 7, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

where is people getting this dog house phrase from ? I dont see how Gaither is in the dog house

and dont understand why he would.

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?-langton Hughes

by jazz20 on Jul 7, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Its pretty obvious that Harb’s has a “doghouse” (see Ellerbe).

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by StuckInUtah on Jul 7, 2011 10:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

yeah but Ellerbe didnt do much to help himself at all to see playing time I heard he came to camp out of shape,he sucks in pass coverage, he not good on specal teams, and etc.

It could be that fact the fact that harb’s has a so call dog house but Ellerbe put it on himself to not be able to see the field more

by jazz20 on Jul 7, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Ellerbe has the best feel for the game of our young LBs. He’s a playmaker, and he doesn’t see the field nearly enough.

Like Utah said, he’s in the doghouse.

The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.

by El.Dude on Jul 7, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

i agree

I think Ellerbe is clearly better so far than McClain, and the dog house is the only explanation for that guy not starting

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jul 7, 2011 12:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I don’t know about Ellerbe being better than Jameel, but there’s definitely no explanation for Ellerbe not being given more playing time other than the “doghouse” theory.

"I hate your sig…" -Mr MaLoR

by StuckInUtah on Jul 7, 2011 12:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I think this article would help you better understand you can read the article but I think you should read the comments some the Ravens fans said about Ellerbe. Im sure these are Ravens fans that watched the game just like you and me so check it out here

by jazz20 on Jul 7, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

The problem isn't that the doghouse exists...

the problem is that we have a HC that makes decisions based on emotion so it’s difficult to get out of the doghouse once you get in…

Jazz, that is the fact

by Evan Skev on Jul 7, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I need proof other than your opinion Evan if thats all you got then you wasting your time.

I don’t mean this in a disrespectful way but just sometimes Ravens fans dont know what they talking about and that means me to. we all know( I mean defense also especailly linebacker) if players are not very good in special teams, not good in pass coverage, and make bone head penalties( like Ellerbe did) you are not going to see much time on defense.

If you think Ellerbe was held back because of a emotion decision by John Harbuagh then so be it I just don’t believe that.

by jazz20 on Jul 7, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

JO

Was effortless in his play. At times, he appeared bored. Cannot say that about Jones or Pace. JO was not only the best LT of his era, he will go down as one of the best LT’s of all time. And, I have said it before, I think one could make the reasonable argument that he was one of the best football players of his era irregardless of position.

by vlad755 on Aug 1, 2011 2:32 PM EDT reply actions