Ebony Bird
FanSided

Handing out 5 Ravens game balls for the 2018 regular season

By Richard Bradshaw

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 18: Running Back Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley #79 after scoring a two point conversion in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 18: Running Back Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley #79 after scoring a two point conversion in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Ronnie Stanley:

Ronnie Stanley has been a rising star since being drafted sixth overall in 2016, but 2018 had to be his coming out party. Despite not being elected to the 2018 Pro Bowl roster, Stanley finally began receiving praise for his outstanding play this season. Stanley is only getting better with each passing year, but 2018 was particularly amazing.

As a pass protector, Stanley was as good as they come. Undoubtedly the best left tackle, perhaps even tackle entirely, in the AFC North, Stanley frustrated and embarrassed his opponents every week. If you got a sack on Stanley, you were either really good or the Ravens quarterback simply held onto the ball for a bit too long. Regardless, you weren’t getting passed the brick wall that Stanley made himself into.

When it comes to run blocking, there’s room for improvement, however we can’t overlook Stanley’s adjustment from a pocket-passer in Joe Flacco to a mobile-quarterback in Lamar Jackson. The two were about as different as chalk and cheese in their play-styles, yet we didn’t hardly see any struggles in Stanley’s adjustment to the two’s differences.

Must Read. The Baltimore Ravens are dramatically AFC North Champions. light

Offensive tackles get some credit from the media, but it isn’t nearly enough considering how important they are to their offense’s success. Ronnie Stanley rounded out the Ravens offensive line in 2018 and made them one of the better units in the league. Because of his efforts, we proudly give our second game ball to offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley!

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