Tag: Roger Rosengarten

3 big questions for the Ravens coming out of preseason finale

We’re looking at 3 biggest questions or concerns for the Baltimore Ravens coming out of the preseason finale

The Ravens completed their preseason with a 30-7 loss to the Packers on Saturday afternoon. While the coaching staff works to trim the roster down to 53 players, we’re looking at the three biggest questions for a club searching for a Super Bowl berth.

Baltimore had the NFL’s best record in 2023 but could not defeat the Chiefs at home, suffering a 17-10 loss to Kansas City in the AFC Championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens added Derrick Henry to the running back position and have Isaiah likely ascending as one of the top young tight ends in the league.  Even with a stacked roster, there are still questions, and we’re looking at the three most significant concerns coming out of the preseason finale.

1. Ravens’ offensive line depth

Baltimore will will likely roll with a group that includes Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, Roger Rosengarten, Patrick Mekari, Ben Cleveland, Josh Jones, Sala Aumavae-Laulu. The Ravens led the NFL in rushing last season and then added Derrick Henry during the free-agency frenzy. The team saw Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson depart via free agency, while Morgan Moses was traded to the Jets. Baltimore has the offensive talent to be explosive and dominant, but can the offensive line be physical at the point of attack while giving Lamar Jackson time to be efficient in the passing game?

2. Can Trenton Simpson develop into an All-Pro?

Simpson will replace Patrick Queen at one linebacker spot, and Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr prepared the former Clemson star linebacker.

Simpson played into the third quarter of the preseason finale to get more game reps for the second-year linebacker, and he even came away with a big interception. Simpson doesn’t have to be dominant from Day 1, but he has the athleticism and physicality of a future All-Pro.

3. Can Lamar Jackson achieve postseason success

Lamar Jackson will enter year 7 in the NFL, having never passed for over 4,000 yards in a regular season. Thanks to Derrick Henry’s arrival and Isaiah Likely’s emergence, Jackson will shatter his career-high 3,678 passing yards from 2023. That won’t matter if the Ravens flame out in the postseason. Jackson’s career playoff record is 2-4, and he has a passer rating of 75.7, 1,324 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions in six playoff games. Baltimore hired Todd Monken last off-season to take his talents to the next level while adding more weapons like Derrick Henry to mesh with Zay Flowers, Isaiah Likely, Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, Keaton Mitchell, Nelson Agholor, and more.

Ravens vs. Packers: Top photos from preseason finale at Lambeau Field

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens preseason loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field

It’s only the preseason, but the Ravens will head towards the 53-man roster cutdown date with a sour taste after a 30-7 loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field on Saturday afternoon. Josh Johnson was 5-7 for 71 yards and one passing touchdown, while Michael Pratt led Green Bay in passing, going 8-12 for 80 yards and one touchdown. The Packers were dominant on the ground, amassing 193 rushing yards, as Ellis Merriweather led all ball carriers with 16 yards for 74 yards. The Packers held the ball for nearly ten minutes longer than the Ravens and out-gained Baltimore by 326 yards to 177 for John Harbaugh’s bunch. With Baltimore now turning its attention toward the Chiefs, here’s an instant analysis of the loss. ***

John Harbaugh says Ravens are close to naming starting offensive line for Week 1

John Harbaugh says the Baltimore Ravens are close to naming starting offensive line for Week 1 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs

The Ravens are eight days away from trimming their roster down to a 53-man juggernaut, and 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 he’s closing in on his decision, but it’s likely already been decided.

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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Has Roger Rosengarten done enough to win the Ravens starting right tackle job?

There were no shortage of stellar performers for the Baltimore Ravens today, and rookie Roger Rosengarten was certainly one of them.

There was no shortage of stellar performers for the Baltimore Ravens today, and rookie Roger Rosengarten was undoubtedly one of them. While the starting offensive line isn’t set in stone yet, we do have a pretty good idea now about who the first-choice five will be.

There will be three new starters, one of which is right tackle. Rosengarten has taken the new opportunity and grabbed it by the scruff of the neck. In Saturday’s preseason win over the Atlanta Falcons, Rosengarten looked dominant, consistently winning his one-on-one battles during the snaps he was in.

This builds on a solid first preseason game. The video below gives you a chance to judge for yourself.

The Ravens took Rosengarten out of the University of Washington, where he anchored a line that led the way for college football’s most high-octane offense.

Rosengarten has drawn praise from all corners this summer. From reporters in the media to the coaching staff to observers on social media, the rookie right tackle has turned heads.

That starting spot is well-earned.

Ravens vs. Falcons: Top photos from Baltimore’s 13-12 win in preseason Week 2

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 13-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason Week 2 matchup

Backup quarterback Josh Johnson was perfect on the afternoon, and rookie Emory Jones added a 56-yard touchdown throw to Dayton Wade in the second half to lift the Baltimore Ravens to a 13-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium.  The Ravens snapped a three-game preseason losing streak, while Atlanta had 343 yards of total offense but was 4-13 on third downs. Baltimore had another putrid day on the ground, rushing for 71 yards on 30 attempts.  With the team set to start preparation for the preseason finale, here are the top photos from the win over Atlanta. ***

Ravens seem to have made their decicison on starting offensive line for 2024 season

The Baltimore Ravens seem to have made their decicison on starting offensive line for 2024 season

Retooling the offensive line has been the highest priority this off-season. Even though John Harbaugh has talked about not having made a final decision on his starters, the Week 1 depth chart seems to have been finalized.

Against the Falcons on Saturday afternoon, Baltimore had Josh Jones (LT), Andrew Vorhees (RG), Patrick Mekari (C), Daniel Faalele (RG), and Roger Rosengarten (RT) as the starters.

When the Ravens line up to face the Chiefs in the NFL season opener, the expectation is that Ronnie Stanley will be at left tackle, and Tyler Linderbaum will be inserted at center.

The Ravens could shift Patrick Mekari to the starting right tackle spot, but all indications are that Rosengarten will win that job as a 2024 second-round pick. Voorhees will enter the lineup after missing the 2023 season with a torn ACL, while Faalele becomes one of the biggest offensive guards in the NFL after shifting over from the offensive tackle position.

This isn’t set in stone, and we’re about ten days from the 53-man roster cutdown and a little under a month away from the season opener, but this lineup looks to be the most efficient group.

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Top photos from Ravens 16-13 loss to Eagles in preseason opener

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 16-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason opener at M&T Bank Stadium

The Ravens returned to the field for live game action for the first time since their heartbreaking, 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game.

Baltimore hosted Philadelphia at M&T Bank Stadium, with both teams on similar arcs, and championship paths. Starting quarterback Lamar Jackson sat out along with key starters on both sides of the football.

Eagles kicker Jake Elliott made a 49-yard field goal with no time remaining to give the Philadelphia Eagles a 16-13 victory after Baltimore quarterback Emory Jones — who had just entered the game — was sacked and fumbled on the next play.

The recovery by Patrick Johnson gave Elliott his final opportunity of the night.

With Baltimore set to start preparation for the Falcons in the second week of the preseason, we’re looking at the top photos from Friday night.

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John Harbaugh says the Ravens starting offensive line is still TBD

John Harbaugh admits the starting offensive line we’ll see Friday night is not the same as the first choice OL once the games count.

We knew entering training camp that the Baltimore Ravens were going to have to break in three new starters on the offensive line. Coach John Harbaugh previously indicated that he had hoped to have the starting offensive line settled by the preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

However, he also implied that if that goal wasn’t reached, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. Which is good because the head coach has now admitted that the starting offensive line we’ll see Friday night is not the same as the eventual first choice OL once the games start to count.

Harbaugh said we’ll continue to see a rotation of players throughout the preseason.

“We’ll see most of those guys out there,” Harbaugh clarified.

“I don’t know about this game if every one of those guys will be out there. I’m not sure about the offensive line completely, yet. But, they probably won’t be out there with Lamar.

“But as far as the rest of the guys—we’re pretty young. It’s not like we have a ton of guys not playing over the course of the preseason.

“So, we’ll see all the guys we need to and it will be quite a few guys.”

Reading in between the lines, it appears that the starting o-line will play together at some point this preseason, but we already know that it can’t possibly happen until the preseason finale against the Green Bay Packers.

That’s because one of the two returning starters, center Tyler Linderbaum, is out until then, due to injury.

And given the current timeline for his injury recovery and return, he could face a late fitness test in order to be cleared for that game.

The other returning starter in the group is left tackle Ronnie Stanley. Both guard positions and the right tackle slot are up for grabs.

Ronnie Stanley says Roger Rosengarten definitely belongs in the NFL

Roger Rosengarten is on a quick learning curve in the NFL, as Ronnie Stanley noted.  

Right tackle Roger Rosengarten is only a rookie, but his professionalism is already impressing Ronnie Stanley, the man at the opposite tackle position.

Rosengarten, the Baltimore Ravens second-round pick out of Washington, is likely the opening day starting right tackle.

While Stanley has been manning the left tackle position and thus protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson’s blind side for several years, he’s been slowed by injury and seen his effectiveness drop off these past couple of seasons.

The LT position is thought to be a wide-open competition, but Stanley will likely be the first choice. And according to him, his counterpart on the other side is very pro-ready.

“He’s going through those same things that any rookie would go through,” Stanley said after practice on Monday.

“Just adjusting to the speed, learning the new plays and what not, and as those things come along, the game will just slow down for him.”

Rosengarten is on a quick learning curve, as Stanley noted.

“All in all, Roger’s a pro,” the notable veteran continued. 

“He’s a pro football player and he definitely belongs in the NFL.

“I see it in the way he prepares, thinks about the game, his IQ. Just his tenacity and the way he’s not scared to go after blocks, and he does it in a controlled way.”

If Stanley can get back to a level somewhat on par with where he was in his prime, and Rosengarten quickly lives up to his promise, then the Ravens OL could be very special.

Ravens OC Todd Monken talks about replacing three starters on the offensive line

Ravens OC Todd Monken talks about replacing three starters on the offensive line

The Baltimore Ravens decided to revamp their offensive line this offseason by letting both starting guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler go in free agency and trading right tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets. The Ravens will have to turn to inexperienced players to protect reigning MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken was asked about setting the first unit of starters and how much offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris will help dictate its appearance.

“Joe [D’Alessandris] has a big voice in that, and we’ve got talent, otherwise we wouldn’t have made the moves we did,” Monken said. “We are still in the business of winning, so the part of that, is that we think those guys can play. We just need to let them go play, and they’re going to continue to develop and get better. All of those young players that have been draft picks that eventually get that opportunity; every player at one time that happens. Whether it was Tyler [Linderbaum] at center or Ronnie [Stanley], other players, they just need the opportunity. We’re excited to let those guys go play and continue to develop. They’re only going to get better, and we’re going to get better with them.”

Andrew Vorhees, Ben Cleveland, and Daniel Faalele appear to be the main competitors for the openings at both guard spots, while veteran swingman Patrick Mekari and rookie second-round pick Roger Rosengarten compete for the starting right tackle duties. Veteran Josh Jones, who Baltimore signed this offseason, is another name to keep in mind at both tackle and guard.

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