Ravens Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden should retire.
It's not that Ogden can't play at a high level anymore. In fact, he could play three or four more seasons and still be one of the best in the NFL.
The problem is that Ogden is a perfectionist and is used to being the best. And when he isn't playing up to his expectations, it eats at him.
At age 33, and after playing 12 pro seasons, Ogden can never meet his expectations again. What else is left for him to accomplish? He has made 11 Pro Bowls, won a Super Bowl and is possibly the best offensive lineman to ever play the game.
There were moments last season when he was the Ogden of old. Just ask New England defensive lineman Richard Seymour or Patriots outside linebacker Adalius Thomas.
But overall, Ogden knew he wasn't his old self, and his immense pride probably won't allow him to have another subpar season.
The Ravens would love for Ogden to play in 2008. When in decent playing shape, he is still better than 90 percent of the other tackles in the league. He would give the Ravens veteran leadership on a young offensive line.
"I'm still in the same place; I'm still leaning toward not coming back," Ogden told The Sun on Monday at the Super Bowl in Phoenix. "If I do, I have to feel healthy. I can't go through what I did last season. I can't be getting treatment every day. And with a new regime, it's going to be more work."
Ogden has never liked to work out in the offseason. He is one of those freaks of nature who was just bigger, stronger and faster than anyone else on a football field.
Some years, I think he just woke up, looked at his watch and calendar, scratched his head, threw some clothes in a duffel bag and reported to training camp.
But that can't happen anymore. Nobody beats Father Time. Ogden learned that during the 2005 season when Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney embarrassed him on national TV.
As a player gets older, he has to work harder. Ogden hired a personal trainer during the offseason heading into 2006. He watched his diet and kept his weight down.
The old Ogden showed up in 2006 and earned another Pro Bowl appearance.
But I'm not sure Ogden wants to put his body, or his mind, through those grueling offseason workouts again. I'm not sure the commitment is there.
Ogden got married a couple of years ago and has a son who will soon be 3 years old.
