The Ravens' first Rookie Camp has descended upon Owings Mills, Md.
So as we get set to get a better look at the newcomers, let's first peer back in the Ravens archives to determine who has had the best rookie season in franchise history.
Without further adieu, the Top 10.
(Please chime in with your own list. And keep in mind, we're only judging based on the players' rookie years, not their career.)
10. Haloti Ngata, NT, 2006Ngata stepped into the starting defensive line from the get-go, which is not an easy task in Baltimore. He began eating up blocks and recorded one sack and one interception (which he returned 60 yards.) Ngata was named to the Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America All-Rookie team.
9. Chris McAlister, CB, 1999McAlister had one of his best seasons – at least statistically – as a rookie. That could have been just because the rest of the league hadn't yet figured out not to throw to his side of the field. McAlister started the team's final 12 regular season games and notched five interceptions and deflected 27 passes.
8. Jonathan Ogden, OL, 1996Ogden was the Ravens' first rookie ever and he immediately delivered on the hype. Baltimore already had a solid left tackle in Tony Jones so Ogden started all 16 games at left guard. He permitted one sack all season, caught one touchdown pass and was a consensus All-Rookie choice.
7. Michael Oher, OT, 2009Oher started all 16 regular season games and both playoff contests and was a consistent force throughout. What gives him the edge over Ogden is that Oher started at tackle and even moved to left tackle for five games, showing his versatility. That switch is difficult for a veteran to make mid-season, let alone a rookie. Oher finished second in the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
6. Ed Reed, S, 2002Reed was an instant playmaker in Baltimore. While starting all 16 games, he tied McAlister for the Ravens rookie interception record with five picks and blocked the first two punts in Ravens history, one of which he returned for his first career touchdown. He ranked fourth on the team with 86 tackles.
5. Ray Lewis, MLB, 1996Lewis immediately became the force of the Ravens' defense. He led Baltimore in tackles with a mind-blowing 142 (10.1 per game) stops during his rookie season. Lewis also notched 2.5 sacks and an interception and was named to the USA Today All-Rookie team.
4. Peter Boulware, OLB, 1997Boulware took home the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year award after notching 11.5 sacks, 57 total tackles and one forced fumble. He immediately became one of the league's feared pass-rushers and joined with Lewis to start forming Baltimore's fearsome linebacking corps.
3. Joe Flacco, QB, 2008Flacco became the first rookie quarterback to ever win two playoff games, leading the Ravens to the AFC Championship. Flacco's stats weren't off the charts – he threw for 2,971 yards, tossed 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions (80.3 QB rating) – but quarterback is the most difficult position to play and Flacco did it with poise. He also won the 2008 Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year award, as voted on by fans.
2. Terrell Suggs, OLB/DE, 2003Suggs was named the 2003 Defensive Rookie of the Year for good reason. As a pass-rushing specialist he notched a career-high 12 sacks while starting just one game. He also logged one interception and a staggering six forced fumbles as he took the league by storm.
1. Jamal Lewis, RB, 2000Lewis carried the Ravens offense to the franchise's first Super Bowl title, so how can he not be No. 1? Lewis had one of his best seasons as a rookie as well, running 309 times for 1,364 yards and six touchdowns. He rushed for four more touchdowns in the playoffs, including one in the Super Bowl, in which he became the second rookie to ever run for more than 100 yards in the championship game.
