Baltimore Ravens: Examining The Offensive Line
If you ask most Baltimore Ravens fans they’ll tell you that the offensive line is a big issue this offseason. After all the Ravens need to lock up left guard, Kelechi Osemele to a long-term contract and Eugene Monroe has proven to be injury prone.
Ravens fans aren’t wrong that the offensive line is part of the team’s to-do list. But many people might be surprised when I say that the Ravens have it more under control than popular opinion might suggest. Let me explain how it works out moving left to right along the offensive line.
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The Ravens know what they’re getting in Monroe. He is a decent left tackle. The Ravens cannot be content with James Hurst as his understudy (Just ask Joe Flacco’s ACL) but they can go into 2016 with Monroe as the starter. The Ravens may try to find their next left tackle in the draft.
At the left guard position the Ravens left guard position, the services of Kelechi Osemele more than likely will be retained. If Osemele is not retained that would be incredibly disappointing. He is one of the best guards in football and he can fill in for Monroe admirably at left tackle. Yet without Osemele, there would still be sunshine in Baltimore.
John Urschell has made quite the name for himself because of his smarts, but we should be impressed by his ability as a football player. Urschel is a great back up at guard and would be a competent starter. In limited playing time the young offensive lineman has held his own.
At the center position the Ravens have their man in Jeremy Zuttah. Part of me is dying for Zuttah to pick up a fumble or something so I can hear Chris Berman say “Jeremy Zippity Zuttah” on the fastest two minute drill. All jokes aside, Zuttah is a quality center. He is big enough to take on massive nose guards and quick enough to shine in the zone blocking scheme of the Ravens.
At right guard, the Ravens have their rock. Marshall Yanda is one of the most consistent players in football. He is tougher than the winter snow we’re about to get and he drives his blocks more powerfully than a snow plow. Yanda is a leader, there is no doubt about it.
Rick Wagner is a solid player that mans the right tackle position. Wagner is a great run blocker and is fairly good against fierce pass rushers. The Ravens have to worry about depth more than their starters. In a season where nothing really went right, the Ravens offensive line was not one of the biggest problems.
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If the Ravens are able to keep Osemele the offensive line could be great. If they need Urschel to replace Osemele it could still be pretty good.