Ravens: Kevin Zeitler works on OL drills while wife is in labor
By Justin Fried
The Baltimore Ravens signed Kevin Zeitler this offseason to serve as extra protection for quarterback Lamar Jackson. But it looks like Jackson isn’t the only one Zeitler is protecting.
Zeitler’s wife, Sara, posted a video to Twitter on Friday night showing the veteran guard practicing pass sets while she sat in her hospital bed, waiting to give birth.
The happy couple welcomed their daughter, Parker Lou, on Thursday. And evidently, she shouldn’t be concerned with any opposing pass rushers getting to her anytime soon.
Not while her father is protecting her anyway.
Meanwhile while I was in labor, @kzeit70 did pass sets in the hospital 🤣 pic.twitter.com/ktc1s8eYjD
— Sara Zeitler (@Mrs_S_Zeitler) July 10, 2021
The Ravens have high hopes for Kevin Zeitler this season.
The Ravens signed Zeitler to a three-year, $22.5 million contract this past March, shortly after he was released by the New York Giants. It was their biggest signing of the offseason and a relative bargain too.
Zeitler’s contract was recently named the most team-friendly deal on Baltimore’s roster and it’s hard to argue that notion.
While not the same dominant player he was during his days with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, Zeitler remains a rock-solid starter.
He finished the 2020 season with a Pro Football Focus grade of 65.9 that ranked 32nd among all guards in the NFL. It was arguably the worst season of his career, but he still ranked among the top half of all guards.
And consider the fact that he was playing alongside an abysmal Giants offensive line and it’s easy to see him finding more success in Baltimore this year.
For the Ravens’ sake, they’ll sure be hoping that Zeitler lives up to expectations. The team ran into some injury issues along their offensive line last year and it ultimately hindered their offense success late in the season.
Zeitler is expected to slot in as a day-one starter at right guard. Along with fellow offseason additions Alejandro Villanueva and Ben Cleveland, the Ravens could have three new starters on the offensive line.
That’s not even considering Bradley Bozeman who will be sliding over from left guard to center. And even Ronnie Stanley only played six games before his injury last season.
The Ravens’ offensive line will look vastly different in 2021, and Zeitler will be a big part of that.
Next. Ravens: 3 biggest weaknesses on the team’s roster. dark
It’s good to see him getting in the extra reps, even if the setting isn’t ideal.