Ravens rookie Tyler Linderbaum is still a ‘work in progress’
By Kristen Wong
Many have already touted Baltimore Ravens’ Tyler Linderbaum to become the franchise’s long-term starting center, but the rookie still has much to learn.
The Ravens’ first-round picks are not getting any slack this year. Safety Kyle Hamilton recently got torn apart on social media for an embarrassing play, and now Linderbaum is feeling the heat after the first few days of training camp.
Heading into the 2022 draft, Linderbaum was criticized for his lack of size compared to other offensive linemen, and this year he must prove he can match the intense physicality of the NFL.
On Day 1 of camp, Linderbaum successfully stuffed linebacker Patrick Queen at the line of scrimmage, but he got pushed back by 345-pound defensive lineman Michael Pierce on the next play and struggled to hold his ground.
Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris said of Linderbaum’s ups and downs: “It’s a work [in progress]. You can’t judge it just on today. It’s part of the equation of teaching.”
Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum is focused on honing his craft at training camp
Head coach John Harbaugh has also spoken optimistically about Linderbaum’s development and shared a comical anecdote about his interactions with the rookie.
John Harbaugh on first round pick and Iowa product Tyler Linderbaum: "He doesn’t say a lot. I say hi to him, sometimes he says hi back, sometimes he’s in a center world. He’s thinking about blitzes."
— Hayes Gardner (@HayesGardner) July 28, 2022
Linderbaum fills a crucial need on the offensive line after center Bradley Bozeman walked earlier this summer, though letting go of Bozeman may yet haunt Baltimore in the 2022 season.
Last year, Ravens quarterbacks were pressured in 2.5 seconds or less at a league-worst rate of 28 percent according to Sharp Football Analysis, and Linderbaum will be expected to play a large role in improving pass protection as he allowed pressure on just 1.1 percent of pass blocks in his collegiate career at Iowa.
The return of Ronnie Stanley should also buoy the offensive line’s performance this year, but until he steps onto the field, all eyes will be upon Ravens rookie Tyler Linderbaum.
Baltimore took a chance on him despite concerns surrounding his arm length, size, and scheme versatility, and behind Linderbaum the team doesn’t have great backup options.
The versatile Patrick Mekari could fill in at center in a pinch, but the Ravens drafted Linderbaum as a Year 1 starter and want to see an immediate impact in 2022.
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So far, Tyler Linderbaum has put both his strengths and weaknesses on display and clearly needs more time to grow into the starting center position.