The People Have Spoken -- Matt Stover, the Kicker, Is Best Raven Ever

There is a reason the blockbuster hit "The Replacements" portrayed the field goal kicker, played by Rhys Ifans, as a guy that smoked cigarettes on the sideline in between appearances. It's humor we can relate to. Kickers aren't necessarily the hard nosed players we're accustomed to seeing on the gridiron.

That is why it was a rather interesting choice by ESPN's SportsNation to pick Matt Stover, member of one Pro Bowl team, as the greatest Baltimore Raven in team history. Granted, the history of the Ravens is only 12 years, but come on, the field goal kicker?

Stover received 54.1 percent of the vote, while linebacker Ray Lewis earned 37.3 percent and most deserving, in my brainless opinion, Jonathan Ogden, only garnished 4.2 percent. 4.2! Obviously, a few observers aren't too happy about this, including ESPN.com's James Walker.

Come on Baltimore Ravens fans. You're kidding, right?

Linebacker Ray Lewis or offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden are not the greatest players in Baltimore's franchise history?

And kicker Matt Stover is?

Usually, the AFC North version of the Blog Network applauds creativity. We try things outside of the box all the time in this space, and everyone is certainly entitled to their opinions. We're family here.

But this is just silly, Baltimore fans. Let's call a spade a spade.

It really is high comedy. Can't you just see Stover, with the family members huddled around their desktop, clicking his name over and over again as the beer drinking buddy laughs hysterically? "No way they let this hold up Matt, but it sure will throw a few people's day in a tailspin!"