Peter Boulware
Drafted
1997, Round 1, Pick 4
Seasons in Baltimore
Nine (1997-2005)
Key career stats
- 403 combined tackles
- 70 sacks
- 14 forced fumbles
- 15 sacks in 2001 (second-best total in the NFL that season)
- Played a big role on the NFL’s best scoring defense of all-time, as Baltimore allowed 165 points during the 2000 regular season, including four shutouts. They only allowed an additional 23 points in their four postseason games that year.
Major awards
- Super Bowl XXXV Champion
- 1997 NFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
- Four-time Pro Bowler (1998-99, 2002-03)
Analysis
Although he was drafted as a defensive end, Peter Boulware played outside linebacker for the Ravens. It turned out to be a seamless transition, as Boulware became the first true pass rusher the Ravens had.
He was excellent at timing the snap count and knew how to maneuver around offensive linemen to quickly get to the quarterback from either side, on a regular basis.
One reason the 2000 Ravens defense was so legendary was because each defender, starting or otherwise, had a defined role. As Ozzie Newsome said in this video, “Peter was the consummate pass rusher.”
