Ogden to be honored by Ravens

Jonathan Ogden will have his name added to the Baltimore Ring of Honor in a ceremony at Sunday's Ravens home game against Oakland.

Ogden played for 13 years before retiring last offseason. The 12-time Pro Bowl tackle could probably still play well, and would be welcome to rejoin Baltimore's injury-riddled line.

"We're going to introduce him with the team, so if he comes out in full gear you'll know he's playing left tackle," first-year coach John Harbaugh joked.

Ogden was the first player drafted by the Ravens after their move from Cleveland, and his outstanding play made him a shoo-in to add his name to a list of such greats as John Unitas, Lenny Moore and Ravens career sacks leader Peter Boulware.

"To know my name is going to be up there for years to come, it's just really an honor," Ogden said. "I expected it, but when it came it was still kind of a shock. So it's a really good thing."

Ogden might be saying the same thing five years from now, when he's eligible for election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"I can't help but think about it now that I'm retired," he said. "You know, if it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't."

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HOT PEPPERS: His teammates say Julius Peppers is more vocal this season, a year after Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson challenged the defensive end to become a leader.

Peppers claims it's no accident it took so long. He couldn't accept that role until Mike Rucker retired.

"I can't really be myself around him and try to take over, if you want to call it the big dog role of the defense, with him still in it," Peppers said.

Rucker, who started at the other defensive end spot, retired in the offseason, ending a nine-year career with Carolina. Peppers has helped fill the void. He's been seen firing up players on the sidelines and has been more emotional on the field.

"Last year I kind of fell back a little bit and let Rucker do his thing," said Peppers, in the final year of his contract. "Now, I feel like I've been here the longest, and I feel like I can do that a little more."