Constructing the 'Ultimate Offensive Line'

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Chances are the majority of fans outside AFC North viewing territory could not describe the mug of the left offensive tackle of the Ravens for sculpting purposes. Never mind Ogden's seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections or the fact that the first player drafted by the Ravens' franchise is widely considered the best offensive lineman in football.

"We're not stats guys," said OLG Alan Faneca, a division rival with great credentials of his own. "An offensive lineman has had a good day if you don't hear our names. We only get noticed if a flag is thrown."

Pro Football Weekly will spotlight the men in the trenches in the first of a two-part look at the best linemen in the NFL. In this chapter, we put together our Dream Team offensive line. With apologies to Walter Jones – he lost out as our second tackle to Orlando Pace in an extremely scientific coin flip – and right tackles around the league (Willie Anderson, John Tait, Kareem McKenzie, etc.), we listened to OL coaches around the league who convinced us that the second-best left tackle (Pace) could be the best right tackle.

Our "Ultimate Offensive Line" is massive. The unit, from left to right, is Ogden, Faneca, Kevin Mawae, Will Shields and Pace. Mawae, who weighs 289, is the lightest and oldest (33 years, eight months); Shields (6-foot-3) the shortest; and Faneca (27) the youngest.

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