Baltimore Ravens: Ranking the 10 Best Players in Team History

Peter Boulware

Jan 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of Super Bowl XXXV championship ring to commemorate the Baltimore Ravens 34-7 victory over the New York Giants on January 28, 2001 on display at the NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sport

Boulware was the top pass rusher in franchise history until Terrell Suggs came to Baltimore. He finished with 70 career sacks and had seven or more sacks in every season but his final year with the Ravens.

The four time Pro Bowler was Baltimore’s first-round pick in the 1997 draft and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He played his entire NFL career in Baltimore and was a key part of the Ravens defense that won the Super Bowl in 2000. He played eight years before being released at the start of the 2006 season due to injuries and he ultimately decided to retire.

In addition to the 70 sacks, Boulware finished his career with 493 tackles, 26.5 tackles for losses, 13 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 19 pass deflections, and one interception for in 126 games. He held the franchise record for most sacks in a season with 15 in 2001 until Elvis Dumervil finished with 17 last season.

Boulware’s ability to get after the passer was just one key figure on a defensive unit that reigned as the best in the NFL for a decade. The 2000 Ravens defense is arguably the best defense in the history of the NFL and it is hard to imagine them being as effective without Boulware.

Next: No. 9: The All-Purpose Back