BU54

Decision to play or retire still causing Ogden turmoil
Published Mar 10, 2007

Mike Preston


Ravens Pro Bowl left tackle Jonathan Ogden is sitting in his home in Las Vegas, and he acknowledges being perplexed by some of the team's offseason moves, including the release of several veterans. Those decisions, though, will not play any part in his decision to return next season or retire.

Ogden, selected to the Pro Bowl in 10 of his 11 years in the NFL, said he will let general manager Ozzie Newsome know about his plans before the draft in April, in case the team has to select a replacement.

You can tell Ogden still is struggling with the decision. When he talks about it, he runs the gamut of emotions, and the inner turmoil is reflected in his voice.

"Right now, I can't get my focus back," Ogden said. "More than anything, I've got to get that back before I go into next season. Last year was a tough year. It was a good year as far as wins and losses, but my father died before the season started, and then the way it ended. After that, I knew I had to come back to Vegas to focus.

"Next season we're going to play a really tough schedule," Ogden said, "and I can't go in there not ready to play. I'm willing to put in the time as far as training, but my focus has to be there. If it isn't, then I'm just cheating myself and my teammates."

Ogden says he hasn't paid attention to all the team's offseason moves, but acknowledged Thursday that he recently talked to Newsome about some of them. He points out that the Ravens have lost former starting running back Jamal Lewis and two quality offensive linemen in starting right tackle Tony Pashos and left guard Edwin Mulitalo, a starter for four games until he missed the remainder of the season with an arm injury.

Mulitalo and Ogden have been partners on the left side since 1999, when Mulitalo became a full-time starter. The Ravens cut Mulitalo recently to make salary cap room, and also because they thought he couldn't make it through the 2007 season without breaking down physically.

FULL STORY
Decision to play or retire still causing Ogden turmoil - baltimoresun.com

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gruntbygod

Man their Oline is going uis going to be shredded if he leaves Fist Pashos leave, then they cut Mulitalo. If Ogden goes they will be breaking in 3 new starters. Good bye division title

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20edREED20

Yea I agree.you cant win games without a decent O-LINE.Jason Brown and our other rookie or young O-LINEmen are pretty good for their years in the NFL.But its going to take alot of time to break those guys in.

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Live2Chill

Yeah and having a guy like Ogden retire...man, I wonder what is gonna be in store for the Ravens O.

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Professor

Some positive news on the Ogden front

Carroll County Times: Westminster, Maryland

Baltimore optimistic about Ogden’s return

OWINGS MILLS — The Baltimore Ravens remain optimistic that All-Pro offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden will return for a 12th season.

Ogden has been pondering retirement and hasn’t publicly indicated what his plans are. However, he has told several teammates that he plans to return.

Former Ravens offensive guard Edwin Mulitalo, a longtime friend of the nine-time Pro Bowl selection, has predicted that Ogden will play one more season.

Since the season ended, the Ravens exercised a mechanism in Ogden’s contract that guarantees his $6 million base salary.

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20edREED20

Man I hope he comes back.We can fit one more run at the super bowl this year.Dont think we can do it without him.

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Professor

Ravens' Ogden: 'I am coming back' - baltimoresun.com

excerpt:

Jonathan Ogden told The Sun tonight that he will return to the Ravens for his 12th season.

Ogden, a 10-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle, had been contemplating retirement since the Ravens' playoff loss to Indianapolis.

Although team officials remained optimistic about Ogden's return, he made it official tonight, boosting the Ravens' chances of repeating as AFC North champions and returning to the playoffs.

"I am coming back," Ogden told The Sun. "I won't say that it's 100 percent because I don't want to close any door. But unless something drastic happens to make me change my mind -- and I don't foresee that happening -- then I'm playing one more year."

Ogden, however, said he hasn't determined whether this season will be his last.

"I don't know," he said. "I'll probably have to go through this again at the end of next season. I'm not one of those players who want a farewell tour or something like that. As long as I enjoy playing and am willing to prepare, then I'll keep playing."

Ogden, 32, is widely considered a future Hall of Fame lineman after being one of the most dominating blockers of his generation.

But last season was one of the toughest of Ogden's career, starting with the death of his father at the beginning of training camp.

Then, the end of the season was marred when he injured the big toe on his left foot, which sidelined him for the final two games of the regular season.

Ogden said he didn't anguish over the decision.

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20edREED20

Thats good to hear.

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