Legendary general manager Ozzie Newsome established the guiding principles that have driven the success of the Baltimore Ravens organization. During the Ted Marchibroda and Brian Billick era, Ravens Way version 1.0, Newsome drafted franchise icons Jonathan Ogden, Ray Lewis, Peter Boulware, Chris McAlister and Jamal Lewis using a ‘Best Player Available’ strategy. He supplemented his homegrown stars with star free agents including future Hall of Famers Rod Woodson and Shannon Sharpe, resulting in the franchise’s first championship.
Head coach John Harbaugh helped usher in a new era of Ravens football, version 2.0. Joe Flacco, the first franchise quarterback in team history, was added to an established core of future Ring of Honor members: Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata and Marshal Yanda.