Tag: Roger Rosengarten

Former NFL player Chris Long thinks Ravens should start Roger Rosengarten at RT

Former NFL player Chris Long thinks Ravens should start Roger Rosengarten at RT

The offensive line has been the most significant talking point surrounding the Ravens after an 0-2 start to the season. The decision to replace three starting offensive linemen from a season ago is off to a shaky start for the Ravens, particularly on the right side of the line. Daniel Faalele has struggled at right guard, while veteran Patrick Mekari has had a challenging two games at right tackle.

Mekari has played most of the snaps at right tackle so far, but rookie second-round pick Roger Rosengarten has seen playing time and has been part of a rotation through the first two outings. Rosengarten’s performance in Week 2 against star defensive end Maxx Crosby turned heads, leading to many questioning why the rookie should not be the full-time starter at right tackle from now on.

One such person questioning the reluctance to start Rosengarten is former NFL defensive end Chris Long. Long remarked on The Green Light With Chris Long podcast that the rookie was able to hold his own against Crosby on passing plays compared to Mekari.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh hinted at potential changes in the starting lineup on the offensive line this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

 

Has Roger Rosengarten made his case to start at right tackle?

There is some traction on social media, among both fans and media alike, for rookie Roger Rosengarten to be the starting right tackle.

Changes could be coming to the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line in week three. Given how weeks one and two went with the offensive line, many Ravens fans would welcome some change.

There seems to be some traction on social media, among fans and media figures alike, for rookie Roger Rosengarten to take over as starting right tackle.

Rosengarten, currently in a rotation with Patrick Mekari, was impressive in going against Raiders All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby.

The Twitter video posted above by Ravens.com editor Ryan Mink helped fuel the fanbase’s fire for Rosengarten to be the full-time starter. Then, former NFL defensive end Chris Long spoke out very bluntly on his podcast.

Long broke it all down fundamentally while adding in some colorful language as he made the case for coach John Harbaugh to end the rotation and make Rosengarten the RT1

We’ll see what Harbaugh does on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, and he’ll no doubt keep his cards close to the vest until then.

However, the second-round pick out of Washington has made his case and done so very clearly.

Could the Ravens’ offensive line look completely different against the Cowboys?

Ravens’ offensive line will look different against the Cowboys

During his last press conference of the week, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh did everything but hint at changes coming to the embattled offensive line.

Baltimore has been inconsistent upfront through two games, and last Sunday’s shocking loss to the Raiders saw Maxx Crosby earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week after dominating the Ravens’ revamped offensive front.

“I think it’s still a competition,” he said when asked about any possible changes. “It’s still up in the air for certain spots.

“You probably will see some different guys in different spots. That’s just part of it.”

Roger Rosengarten has looked impressive during his snaps at right tackle, and Patrick Mekari could slide over at right guard for Ben Faalele. The undervalued Ben Cleveland could also be in line for more snaps in the rotation.

Baltimore’s offensive line will certainly need to perform well against a Cowboys defense led by one of the NFL’s best pass rushers, outside linebacker Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

John Harbaugh on potential offensive line changes: ‘We’re always going to play the best players’

The Ravens gambled on youth this offseason by letting both starting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson walk in free agency while trading away right tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets. This decision looks quite questionable after an 0-2 …

The Ravens gambled on youth this offseason by letting both starting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson walk in free agency while trading away right tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets.

This decision looks quite questionable after an 0-2 start to the 2024 season, with the most significant issue being a struggling offensive line with three new starters. This has led to questions about whether the team will change the starting lineup, particularly at right guard and right tackle. 2022 third-round pick Daniel Faalele has started both games at right guard to start the year, while versatile veteran Patrick Mekari has handled most duties at right tackle, with rookie second-round pick Roger Rosengarten rotated in on occasions.

Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh was asked if he would consider changing the offensive line following the team’s 26-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2.

“Yes, I’m just going to look and try to coach the guys and keep getting better with the guys,” Harbaugh said. “I’ll look at the tape, and we’ll see. We’re always going to play the best players; that’s part of it, if that is what your question is. We’ll always try to do that.”

Ben Cleveland is the obvious replacement at right guard if Harbaugh decides to bench Faalele, while Rosengarten would take over full-time duties at right tackle from Mekari. Cleveland has performed well when given the opportunity in previous seasons, and Rosengarten appears to offer more pass protection than Mekari.

 

 

Ravens vs. Raiders: Top photos from Week 2 matchup at M&T Bank Stadium

The Ravens have gone from a Super Bowl hopeful, to a team searching for answers after a shocking 26-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.

The loss dropped Baltimore to 0-2 on the season, while creating more discourse centered on the offensive line, secondary, run-pass ratios, and Lamar Jackson. The disappointing loss also creates something of a hotseat for head coach John Harbaugh with a difficult matchup against the Cowboys looming.

Here are the top photos from Week 2.

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Will the Ravens use a double-team to block Raiders’ DE Maxx Crosby?

If the Baltimore Ravens want to avoid a Week 2 upset, they will need to limit the disruption of Raiders DE Maxx Crosby.

Indeed, the Baltimore Ravens have the personnel needed to have offensive success versus the Las Vegas Raiders in week 2. However, with apparent offensive line struggles, the Ravens cannot allow defensive end Maxx Crosby to be disruptive this afternoon.

The Los Angeles Chargers used a heavy ground attack to defeat the Raiders last week, and it makes sense for offensive coordinator Todd Monken to follow suit. Nevertheless, knowing Monken, the Ravens will attempt to sequence intermediate and deep passing plays at a higher frequency than the Chargers. 

Monken better have a plan to keep the pocket from collapsing on quarterback Lamar Jackson, and that might require him to use a double-team to block Maxx Crosby. The Ravens were near the top of the league in sacks allowed last season, and Jackson’s frustration with his revamped offensive line was very evident in week 1.

Ultimately,  the Ravens want to avoid a Week 2 upset. In that case, they’d be wise to double-team Crosby and give running back Derrick Henry as many rushing attempts as possible to weary the Raiders’ defense.

Ravens HC John Harbaugh addresses concerns over the offensive line

John Harbaugh attempted to alleviate concerns over the OL when he spoke to the media after practice on Monday.

It was only the season’s first game, and it came against the most formidable opponent of all, the reigning world champion Kansas City Chiefs, but there was plenty of cause for concern for Baltimore Ravens fans. 

A lot, if not most, of the criticism has focused on the offensive line. They were a huge question mark heading into the season, and they didn’t really provide many answers Thursday night.

Head Coach John Harbaugh attempted to alleviate concerns over the OL when he spoke to the media after practice on Monday.

“I’m not too worried about the offensive line … I watch all the other offensive lines in the National Football League, and I think if you applied the same standard to the other offensive lines out there, you’d be like, ‘Oh boy, that’s a tough position to play against these guys,” Harbaugh said.

“Our offensive line is going to be really good this year. I believe that. And we’re working really hard towards that. … I think by the end of the season, you’re going to feel real good about our offensive line.”

While it’s great to be so optimistic and the right approach, Harbaugh’s comments are a little strange. He’s not going to win over many fans when he says, “by the end of the season…” as all 17 games count, and we’re already on to the second one.

Also, his remark about “the other offensive lines out there” shouldn’t reassure anybody. When he says that most of the NFL’s OL units don’t perform well, it doesn’t make his guys better.

It just lowers the bar for them. The good news is that despite suffering the loss, Baltimore won the total yardage battle by 98 on Thursday night. Typically, this stat indicates who was winning at the line of scrimmage. 

The battle for the line of scrimmage occurs on both sides of the ball, but it does show that the Ravens o-line was doing some things right. Plus, you have the controversy of all the illegal formation calls. This opening weekend saw the number of illegal formation calls in the league reach more than double the amount in week one last season.

Once they figure this out, the group could improve rapidly. It will be very interesting to see Mark Andrews’s role this week and as the season rolls on. 

He had a very quiet night as the Ravens just didn’t target him enough. Meanwhile, Isaiah Likely was dominant, so that’s where many of his pass-catching opportunities went.

However, playing tight end is just as much about blocking as it is about pass-catching, so Andrew can make a significant impact in ways that don’t show up in the stat sheet on Sunday.

 

 

Todd Monken hints at Patrick Mekari starting at RT For Ravens in Week 1 vs. Chiefs

Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken hinted at Patrick Mekari being the starting right tackle for the Ravens vs. the Chiefs in Week 1

The Ravens have known for about a week who’ll be the starting offensive line for the gigantic Week 1 matchup against the Chiefs, but the names were withheld for competitive reasons.

Some of those names are starting to trickle out, and there’s an upset at the right tackle spot.  Roger Rosengarten was drafted in the second round, but OC Todd Monken hinted at veteran Patrick Mekari getting the call in a hostile environment.

https://Twitter.com/jeffzrebiec/status/1830698513363018118

Mekari has logged snaps in five NFL seasons at all five offensive line positions. He’s essentially become a five-tool utility man of immense value, especially on this roster.

Mekari made seven starts between the right and left side, filling in for Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses, who dealt with knee and shoulder injuries.

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Ravens GM Eric DeCosta is prepared for growing pains with young, retooled offensive line

Baltimore Ravens GM Eric DeCosta is prepared for growing pains with young, retooled offensive line

The Ravens saw the decline last summer, decided to let two looming free-agent offensive linemen walk, and traded Morgan Moses to the New York Jets.

During his Thursday press conference, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged that an offensive line imploding could take place, and it would ultimately set the franchise back.

Baltimore wanted a younger offensive line, and DeCosta acknowledged that there could be growing pains.

Starting left guard John Simpson exited, and the Ravens replaced him with Andrew Vorhees, a seventh-round pick out of USC who missed his entire rookie season while rehabbing a knee injury.

Talented right guard Kevin Zeitler (34) departed, and the younger and bigger Daniel Faalele was inserted.

After Morgan Moses was traded, former Washington Huskies stud Roger Rosengarten was drafted in the second round in April, and he looks like a future All-Pro.   Next Thursday night will see the offensive line feature three first-year starters, with Vorhees, Rosengarten, and Daniel Faalele inserted in critical positions and likely to see a lot of All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones.

Baltimore is also adjusting to a new offensive line coach. George Warhop is joining John Harbaugh’s staff, replacing longtime offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, who passed away from an “acute illness.”

Head coach John Harbaugh says he knows who the starters will be but has declined to announce them for strategic purposes.

John Harbaugh says Ravens have made a decision on starting offensive line for Week 1

John Harbaugh says Ravens have made a decision on starting offensive line for Week 1

The Ravens are about 24 hours away from trimming their roster down to a 53-man juggernaut. With the season opener at Kansas City closing in, head coach John Harbaugh has an idea about his starting offensive line in this crucial season.

Following Monday’s efficient practice, Harbaugh told the media a decision has been made, although he didn’t reveal.

Andrew Vorhees, the 2023 seventh-round pick out of Southern Cal who spent his entire rookie season on the non-football injury list as he recovered from a torn ACL, will start at left guard.  Daniel Faalele, a 2022 fourth-round pick trying to become this franchise’s Jordan Mailata, will start at right guard.

Veteran Patrick Mekari has split first-team reps with second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten throughout camp. Still, he’s probably better served being the sixth man and a guy who can play four or five positions.

Tyler Linderbaum will start at center, while Ravens rookie seventh-round pick Nick Samac should make the roster as his backup.

Josh Jones, Ben Cleveland, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, and Tashawn Manning should make the roster and give Baltimore a solid ten-man unit.

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