Ogden

Since moving to Baltimore from Cleveland for the 1996 season, the Ravens have been one of the NFL's best performers in the annual draft. They have had their share of great picks, but some busts as well. The Ravens have participated in 13 drafts and have selected a total of 15 players in the first round. Of those, eight are currently on the roster. Those 15 players have earned 39 Pro Bowl invitations. At the beginning of last season, 60.8 percent of players the Ravens drafted were on NFL rosters, the second-highest rate in the league.

Comments from a player criticizing the head coach should be handled internally, but linebacker Ray Lewis' public criticism last week of Brian Billick's play-calling was justified. It was only a matter of time before a veteran spoke up. It could have been offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden or cornerback Chris McAlister, but when it came from Lewis, it carried a lot of weight. That's a good thing. Don't believe this wasn't calculated. Lewis is a smart man when it comes to football. His message on his radio show was intended for the ears of general manager Ozzie Newsome and owner Steve Bisciotti, and you can bet he got their attention.

This was The End, in so many ways. Ravens-Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium yesterday was it, for an awful season and for an awful losing streak. And, possibly, for an era, for better and for worse. When the Ravens' 27-21 victory concluded - their only win in the season's final 11 weeks - the players and coaches talked about relief, that the nine-game skid was over, and the season, too. You can make a case for this being the worst season the team has experienced since it left Cleveland. Even with the win, the atmosphere was as bleak as the franchise has seen in a season finale: too many empty seats, Terrible Towels, soaked spectators and Pro Bowl players wearing jackets and ski caps.

Jared Gaither may no longer be a project. Selected by the Ravens in the supplemental draft this summer, the offensive tackle was expected to dive into the playbook and serve as an understudy to Jonathan Ogden and Adam Terry. But injuries to Ogden and Terry have accelerated Gaither's development to the point where the former University of Maryland player might make his first career start at left tackle against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. "You don't have time for nervousness in this game, baby," Gaither said after the team's 9-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The Ravens will place Jonathan Ogden on the physically-unable-to-perform list when they report to training camp Sunday, but team officials said the 10-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle should be ready to play by the regular-season opener. Ogden hyperextended the big toe on his left foot against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 17 and did not participate in any offseason minicamps with the team. Coach Brian Billick said Ogden will remain on the PUP list for an "indeterminate amount of time," although the Ravens knew this would be the plan for Ogden since the end of last season.

JONATHAN OGDEN RAVENS OT HT: 6-9 WT: 345 YEAR: 12 vs. SHAWNE MERRIMAN CHARGERS LB HT: 6-4 WT: 272 YEAR: 3 Last season, Ogden embarrassed Merriman by taking him to school. Ogden doesn't appear to be in game shape yet this season, but he still can outplay most opponents. Ogden has long arms and strong hands that allow him to keep pass rushers away from his body. Merriman is tied for sixth in the AFC with 5 1/2 sacks. He has great speed to the outside but enough strength and size to overpower most pass blockers.

With the Ravens set to conclude the 2007 season with a regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, speculation about offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden's career path has become rampant. As proficient as Ogden has been at warding off pass rushers, Brian Billick tried to do the same yesterday when the subject of Ogden's possible retirement was broached during the coach's weekly news conference. "We've all kind of kept that at arm's length," Billick said.

The matchup between Ravens left offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney will be worth the price of admission on Saturday. Because Freeney beat Ogden so badly in the past two meetings, I think Ogden took it personally, and that's part of the reason he hired a trainer in the offseason. Ogden has a lot of pride, and Freeney will see a new Ogden on Saturday. This time, Freeney won't have the home crowd as an advantage. He won't be able to beat Ogden off the ball because of crowd noise.

Regardless of what offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden decides about retirement and what the team does in the NFL draft in a few weeks, Ravens offensive line coach Chris Foerster already knows that the 2007 season will be one of transition. The team's starting left guard, Jason Brown, is going into only his third season and was fortunate enough to start 12 of 16 games last season. Third-year player Adam Terry has started only two games and will play either right or left tackle, depending on Ogden's decision.

Five seconds. That's all defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is asking of Ravens fans who intend to create as much noise as possible to disrupt the rhythm of the Indianapolis Colts offense, which visits M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday in an AFC divisional playoff contest. While acknowledging the need for as much crowd noise as possible to make it difficult for Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning to call an audible or make other changes at the line of scrimmage, Ryan implored Ravens fans to turn down the volume for just several seconds while the defense makes its calls to counter the Colts' formation.

On September 6, 2009, MARTHA SPEICHER OGDEN, 91, of Siesta Key, Sarasota and formerly of Gibson Island, MD died. Mrs. Ogden was born in Chestertown, MD on May 15, 1918. She attended Bucknell University and because of an illness, had to move back to Chestertown where she graduated from Washington college. She was married to Harry Ford Ogden, a prominent Baltimore attorney and President of the Fidelity and Guarantee Insurance Corporation. Mrs. Ogden was a member of the Field Club and Junior League of Sarasota.

No one associated with the Ravens is saying publicly that offensive tackle Jared Gaither will be the next Jonathan Ogden. Ogden, however, said the comparison is not that far-fetched. "Yeah, I do," Ogden said Tuesday when asked if he sees a lot of himself in Gaither. "I see a lot of the God-given size and athleticism that you can't coach. This is really, what, his third year now, and what did he come out of Maryland as - a sophomore? He could still be in college or a rookie this year. The guy's got plenty of room to grow.

Since moving to Baltimore from Cleveland for the 1996 season, the Ravens have been one of the NFL's best performers in the annual draft. They have had their share of great picks, but some busts as well. The Ravens have participated in 13 drafts and have selected a total of 15 players in the first round. Of those, eight are currently on the roster. Those 15 players have earned 39 Pro Bowl invitations. At the beginning of last season, 60.8 percent of players the Ravens drafted were on NFL rosters, the second-highest rate in the league.

On February 16, 2009, MARY IDELLA BEATTY; beloved wife of the late James Ogden, Leonard Windsor and Russell Beatty; devoted mother of Gary, James and Wenzel Ogden, Carolyn Schwanke and Sherrie Cyr; loving sister of Betty Habicet, Jean Whitehead and the late Grace Williams. Also survived by 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the family owned and operated MCCULLY POLYNIAK FUNERAL HOME. P.A., 237 E. Patapsco Avenue (Brooklyn), on Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 11 A.M. Interment to follow in Lorraine Park Cemetery.

It's a bit dangerous to peddle in hyperbole, so let's allow Jason Brown to offer up the grand pronouncement. "He could be that guy," the Ravens center said the other day. "He could be that guy who makes people forget about Jonathan Ogden." Before you declare sacrilege against one of your own, catch your breath and let's slowly digest this a bit. Brown is referring to fellow offensive lineman Jared Gaither, the second-year giant who has forced defenders all across the NFL to memorize his name in pretty short time.

1 Texas tussle: When last we saw Yao Ming (left), he was towering over the opening ceremony at the Beijing Olympics. Now, he's back with the Rockets, who face Dallas (8 p.m., TNT). 2 Nick Lachey: will watch: There are probably lots of reasons to watch South Florida play Cincinnati in football (7:30 p.m., ESPN). We just don't know any. 3 One more day: Just a reminder: Tomorrow is Halloween, so you'd better get out there and buy your Joe Flacco mask today. 4 Fighting for cause: The Jonathan Ogden Foundation hosts a charity boxing card at Martin's Valley Mansion, (cocktail hour at 6 p.m., followed by dinner)

The Ravens placed starting guard Marshal Yanda and backup linebacker Tavares Gooden on injured reserve yesterday. Yanda, who injured his knee in the final two minutes of Sunday's 31-3 loss at Indianapolis, is expected to have surgery soon. Gooden, a rookie third-round pick, had played in four games this season. To replace those players, the Ravens signed tight end Edgar Jones and wide receiver Ernie Wheelwright from the practice squad. Two rookies - defensive back Derrick Roberson (Rutgers)

Last month, when he officially retired from the NFL, Jonathan Ogden pledged his loyalty to his adopted hometown, proclaiming, "I'm a Baltimore Raven for life." Unbeknownst to the other assembled onlookers at the Castle in Owings Mills that day, Ogden's younger brother and former Ravens teammate, Marques, had already made his own commitment to Baltimore. Starting in summer 2006, Ogden had been studying the construction business in the hopes of starting his own commercial company. However, he had more in mind than just creating a post-career livelihood, he said recently.

Jared Gaither, a second-year player out of Maryland, will have the first shot to replace Jonathan Ogden at left tackle. Gaither, who was selected in the fifth round of last year's supplemental draft, started two games at left tackle as a rookie. He was has the size of Ogden at 6 feet 9, 350 pounds, but it's unknown whether he has the same commitment. With Gaither sitting out yesterday's practice with migraines, Mike Kracalik worked at left tackle with the starting offensive line. A practice squad player the past two seasons, Kracalik has impressed the coaching staff with his athleticism.

In two minicamps under first-year coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens' offensive line has been a revolving door. But if there is one player the team would like to see help end the shuffle, it's fourth-year offensive tackle Adam Terry. If Terry finally plays up to the Ravens' expectations, he could be the replacement for Pro Bowl left tackle Jonathan Ogden if Ogden decides to retire. If Ogden doesn't, then Terry could be the starting right tackle. If, if, if ... And if Terry doesn't start this season, he could be in the unemployment line by the beginning of next season.