Ravens' Ogden Set To Announce Retirement

Baltimore Ravens tackle Jonathan Ogden will announce his retirement from the NFL at a news conference this morning, formally ending a 12-year career that likely will put him in the Hall of Fame.

Ogden, who will turn 34 next month, has been one of the cornerstones of the Ravens' franchise; he was the organization's first draft pick -- fourth overall in 1996 -- and one of its best, earning Pro Bowl honors 11 straight years. He declined to speak to reporters as he walked up the stairs inside the team's training facility late yesterday afternoon, saying that he'll tell stories at today's news conference.

Ogden's announcement comes nearly two months after veteran quarterback Steve McNair retired following a 13-year career. But while McNair's decision caught the Ravens by surprise -- he was regularly working out at the team's training facility and teammates expected him to play at least one more season -- Ogden's did not.

He considered retiring last year after hyperextending his left big toe during a game in December 2006, but he decided to return, in part, because he felt that Baltimore had a chance to win a Super Bowl. The 2007 season, however, turned out to be a frustrating one: The Ravens staggered to a 5-11 record, while Ogden aggravated his toe in the season opener, never really recovered and started a career-low 10 games.

"I know it's got to be emotionally draining on him. That big toe, as big as he is, you've got to have that thing," said quarterback Kyle Boller, who suffered a similar toe injury during the 2005 season. "I'm sure he got very frustrated with the whole situation. He probably sat down and decided that he wasn't going to be able to do it anymore."

Ogden did not attend mandatory minicamp in mid-May or organized team activities. Jared Gaither, a second-year player out of Eleanor Roosevelt High and Maryland, has been playing left tackle. He missed yesterday's practice because of a migraine.

"He's young; he's not J.O. by any stretch," Coach John Harbaugh said of Gaither. "But he's had a chance to watch J.O. for a year, and he's got some of the same kind of skill set that J.O. has. He's got a long way to go to become a great offensive tackle in this league, but we're really pleased with his progress."

Gaither, who is 6 feet 9 and 350 pounds, has Ogden's size. But it remains to be seen if he has all of the other qualities that made Ogden so special. Few players do.

Ogden was so dominant as an offensive lineman at St. Albans that he was The Post's All-Met Offensive Player of the Year in 1991. He started from Day One with the Ravens -- he played left guard as a rookie and then moved to left tackle -- and helped protect 15 different starting quarterbacks. He won a Super Bowl during the 2000 season, and anchored a line that helped running back Jamal Lewis rush for 2,066 yards during the 2003 season.

Tight end Todd Heap described Ogden as "the smartest guy I've ever been around." The big tackle could often be seen during the season wandering through the team's training facility with a James Patterson hardback or a golf magazine tucked under his arm.

"It was a blessing. To know I wasn't going to get touched on the left side was huge," Boller said. "I'm going to miss him."

-- Camille Powell