Ravens Sign Veteran OT Jake Long
By Hassan Zakai
According to reports, the Ravens have added Jake Long to the roster. This is easily seen as an insurance plan for Ronnie Stanley:
With ample salary cap room and an open roster spot still available to GM Ozzie Newsome, he decided to pull the trigger on a former No. 1 overall pick at a position of concern, signing offensive tackle Jake Long on a one-year deal.
Long was the first pick of the 2008 draft by the Miami Dolphins. The same draft where the Ravens got both Joe Flacco and Ray Rice. At only 31 years old, Long still has some good years left, and seems to finally be healthy after back-to-back ACL tears in 2013 and 2014. While he hasn’t started a game since his last ACL tear, he’s been known as a dependable and tough veteran who can step in and start at either tackle position.
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He’s a four-time Pro Bowl selection, who’s played for the Dolphins, Rams and Falcons. Long can also play multiple positions, and would fit in best as a swing tackle to back up either rookie LT Ronnie Stanley or RT Ricky Wagner. He may even start if the Ravens decide that Stanley isn’t ready.
The Ravens hope Long will be a dependable backup, from whom Ronnie Stanley and others could learn from, as well as a potential spot starter in the case of injury.
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Overall this seems like a great signing, improving the depth at a position of concern and adding a grizzly veteran late in the offseason. It’s a classic Ozzie Newsome move.