/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50008859/usa-today-8112831.0.jpg)
Any Baltimore Ravens fan can tell you who their five greatest players are. With order not being of importance, the five names always figuring on the list are Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Jonathan Odgen, Joe Flacco and Terrell Suggs.
After them, the list gets murky.
If the criteria do not give importance to positions that are thought to brig the most impact, Ray Rice and Jamal Lewis are certainly two names to be considered. The problem with both the running backs, however, comes with the sustainability of their respective productions. Ray Rice gave the Ravens four years. Jamal Lewis also gave them four seasons, though not in succession. His 2000 yards season did come at a time where he was the sole piece of the Ravens offense. Both backs won a Super Bowl. I would give the edge to Rice for what he brought in the passing game.
On the defensive front, Haloti Ngata and Peter Boulware are likely the first two players thought of. In his prime, Ngata was a freak of nature. His matching of brute strength and sheer explosiveness carved up double teams and made the tackle-end stunt with Terrell Suggs untouchable. Boulware was the best pass rusher on the best defense of all-time. He set the standard as a Ravens edge player and subsequent pass rushers were always upheld to it.
Chris McAlister is likely the last name thought of. His prowess in man-to-man coverage and his ability to travel unlocked Rex Ryan's defense, who is heavily predicated on press-man cornerbacks. In his prime McCallister was second to only Champ Bailey and to some, he was even better.
It is a debate that is not often thought of, which only means answers should be interesting.