After releasing Eugene Monroe, all eyes are on the Ravens first round pick…
Everything you hear from the Baltimore Ravens about Ronnie Stanley has been over the top positive. The Ravens must believe in Stanley because they released Eugene Monroe. The Ravens parted ways with a starting quality tackle. This makes Stanley poised to be the left tackle for the 2016 season.
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When you have a right-handed quarterback (which most teams do) the left tackle plays a crucial role. They protect the quarterback’s blind side. The speed on the edge in the National Football League is insane. The speed coming at the left tackle is a whole different ball game. There is a reason why left tackles tend to make a lot of money.
Flacco has struggled mightily with pass rush ever since 2013. It should be noted that the offensive line in 2013 was awful. That season Flacco threw 22 interceptions. Flacco has thrown 24 in his 26 games since then. I have theorized that the 2013 scarred Flacco a bit. Flacco has struggled to consistently find his groove since his legendary performance in the 2012 playoffs. Pass rush is the obvious culprit.
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In 2014, Flacco had 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. That is a very good season. 12 interceptions is pretty much the Flacco average for his career. In fact he has had exactly 12 picks in 5 different seasons. The healthy touchdown to turnover ratio of 2014 had a lot to do with a stellar offensive line. If the Ravens want to get that Flacco, the elite Flacco, then they have to protect him.
It can pretty much be assumed that the Ravens will start a rookie at the left tackle position. This is a heavy burden for Stanley. All accounts coming out of the Ravens have been beaming with pride in the sixth overall pick. Stanley better be successful. If he is not, the Ravens offensive line will have problems. If the Ravens offensive line has problems, Flacco has problems.
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The offensive line looks stacked. At left guard the Ravens have numerous options. John Urschel has a real chance to crack into the starting lineup. Jeremy Zuttah and Rick Wagner are proven starters. Marshall Yanda, who just ranked 37th on the NFL Top 100, is as good as it gets. We don’t know what to expect from Stanley until we actually see him on the field. For better or worse, everything could hinge on him.