Will Simeon Rice Be Too Much For Jonathan Ogden?

From my earliest Ravens posts at NFL Fanhouse, I've told you that the Ravens' offensive line has been something of a question mark. But up until now, I've only expressed concern for the right side of the line. After all, the left is anchored by veteran left tackle Jonathan Ogden, consistently one of the best in the game over his time in the NFL.

But due to the death of his father, Ogden got to camp late and has been playing catch up ever since. With opening day only four days away, it's Ogden himself who is openly questioning whether or not he'll be able to handle Bucs right defensive end Simeon Rice. As Mike Preston points out this morning, outside of Dwight Freeney, nobody has had more success against Ogden than Rice. Here's what Ogden told Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times:

"I have a lot of respect for him," Ogden said of Rice, who finished third in the NFL last season with 14 sacks. "It's going to be tough, I ain't going to lie, but I'm going to compete like I always do. The X-factor is going to be my stamina because when we get down there it will be hot."
[...]

"My footwork, it's still not where it needs to be," Ogden said. "It's close and it's almost there. It better be right by Sunday.

"I'm doing OK. I'm still behind where I would like to be. I'm definitely almost ready to go."

Let's hope so. And I'm not the only one who's concerned. Both Tony Lombardi and Paul Mittermeier are worried too.