Posted Jan 11, 2008
By BaltimoreRavens.com
Despite a season that didn't go as planned for the Ravens as a whole, many individual players had successful campaigns.
Despite a season that didn't go as planned for the Ravens as a whole, many individual players had successful campaigns. Here is a look at some of the individual milestones reached last year:
WR Derrick Mason
Mason set a career high and Ravens franchise record this year by reeling in 103 catches, a total that breaks the previous single-season record of 86, which he set in 2005. He was one of only six NFL players to surpass 100 grabs this season. The veteran wideout was so prolific, he led the Ravens in receptions in 13 of 16 games in 2007.
He has 257 catches as a Raven, second to tight end Todd Heap, who is in first with 339. In 2007, Mason also moved into second on the franchise's receiving yards chart, passing Qadry Ismail (2,819). Mason has 2,910 during his Ravens career, behind Heap's 3,897 yards.
Mason also surpassed the 700-career receptions mark this season. He has 710 catches during his 11 seasons. He also hit 9,000 yards for his career (currently has 9,024).
K Matt Stover
With 1,822 career points, Stover moved into fourth on the NFL's all-time scoring list. The Chiefs' John Carney is fifth with 1,812 points, while George Blanda is third with 2,002 points. Also, with his 107 points in 2007, Stover hit the 100 mark for the 5th straight season and 11th time in his 18-year career.
RS Yamon Figurs
After B.J. Sams suffered a knee injury in the opener in Cincinnati, Figurs, a third-round draft pick out of Kansas State, stepped in to become one of the most-prolific returners in the NFL.
The rookie finished with 1,138 kickoff return yards, second in team history only to B.J. Sams (1,251 in 2004). Figurs also became the first player in Ravens history to return both a punt and kickoff for a TD in the same season.
Figurs' performance earned him a nod on the Pro Football Weekly and Professional Football Writers of America All-Rookie team as the kickoff returner.
QB Kyle Boller
Boller became the Ravens' all-time leading passer on Nov. 18 against the Cleveland Browns, moving past Vinny Testaverde into the franchise's top spot. Boller currently has 7,846 passing yards for his career, ahead of Testaverde's 7,148. Boller is also tops in all-time passing attempts (1,311) and completions (746).
On the season, Boller went 168-of-275 (61.1 percent) for 1,743 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
DT Kelly Gregg
Gregg set a career high with 111 tackles (78 solo), becoming the second-leading tackler in Ravens history. Gregg has 616 career stops, just behind linebacker Ray Lewis
(2,022) in team history. The eight-year veteran was honored with a spot on USA Today's All-Joe Team.DT Haloti Ngata
The second-year Ngata tallied career highs in tackles (94) and sacks (three) in his breakout campaign. Ngata also joined Gregg on USA Today's All-Joe Team as a defensive tackle.
RB Willis McGahee
McGahee scored a touchdown in seven consecutive games (between Oct. 21 - Dec. 3), to set a franchise record. Also McGahee fell just 41 rushing yards short of his single-season career-high of 1,247 yards from 2005. The prolific runner's 1,207 yards finished eighth in the NFL.
OLB Terrell Suggs
Suggs surpassed the 45-sack milestone, and currently boasts 46 for his career, which stands third most in team history. Suggs also posted a career-high 95 total tackles.
G Ben Grubbs
There were high expectations for Grubbs after the Ravens made him the 29th-overall selection in last year's draft, and the guard from Auburn met them. After four games, Grubbs stepped into the starting lineup at right guard, where he stayed for 12 consecutive starts.
His stalwart play earned him a place on Pro Football Weekly and Professional Football Writers of America All-Rookie team along with Figurs.
