Haloti Ngata becomes part of family with 13-3 Baltimore

By jason vondersmith

The Portland Tribune, Jan 12, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Raven Haloti Ngata takes down Redskin Ladell Betts in a game late last year. The former Duck says he’s adjusted well to Baltimore and the pros.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/GETTY IMAGES

Some speculated that Haloti Ngata might struggle in the NFL, especially off the field, after both his parents died and the mammoth defensive linemen left behind all of his Polynesian friends on the Oregon football team.

Nope, the Baltimore Ravens’ big D-tackle says, “I’m loving the life here.”

Adds Ngata: “It’s pretty much work all day and then go home and rest as much as you can. It’s good not going to school. There are a lot of things I like about the NFL, and it’s something I want to do for a long time.”

Ngata had a good rookie campaign, with some calling him one of the AFC’s top first-year players.

“A lot of guys think it’s all about the physical part, being fast and strong,” the 6-4, 340-pounder says. “The most important thing is you have to be really smart — mentally tough and smart.

“Our defense, we have so many packages — if something doesn’t go right, you have to be strong enough mentally to get out of it.”

The Ravens (13-3) play the Indianapolis Colts at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. It’s expected to be a great duel between Baltimore’s ravenous defense, led by linebacker Ray Lewis, and the Colts’ passing with QB Peyton Manning.

Ngata, who left Oregon after his junior season, will be right in the middle of it — literally. He plays directly in front of Lewis and makes holes so one of the NFL’s top all-time linebackers can wreak havoc.

Veterans prove welcoming

Ngata says Lewis and other Raven veterans, such as fellow tackles Kelly Gregg and Trevor Pryce, make the rookies feel at home.

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