Tag: Ronnie Stanley

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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Ravens OT Ronnie Stanley shows off his pass-catching chops

Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley showed off his pass-catching chops in a photo on Instagram

The Baltimore Ravens have used their fair share of trick plays throughout their franchise history. There is plenty to look back on and remember, and the team appears to be preparing to open up their bag of tricks once again in 2024.

It was widely reported that at the end of Wednesday’s practice, there was a top-secret touchdown that the media is forbidden to describe based on team practice rules. However, on Thursday, Baltimore offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley posted a picture of him catching a pass, possibly revealing what the team was working on.

Every organization has some form of trick play that they can use at their disposal throughout the year. It will be interesting to see if the Ravens get more creative in Year 2 of Todd Monken’s offense, which is expected to take off this season.

Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley says he’s feeling better than he did last season

Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley says he’s feeling better than he did last season

The Baltimore Ravens decided to undergo a retooling on the offensive line this offseason. Only two starters from last season are returning for the Ravens in 2024, center Tyler Linderbaum and left tackle Ronnie Stanley. Once an All-Pro blindside protector, Stanley has struggled with staying on the field and playing at a consistent level in recent seasons since suffering a major ankle injury in 2020.

Following an up-and-down year in 2023, Stanley was asked if he could build off the finish to last season and if he felt he was improving towards the end of it.

“I definitely felt it get better, but still not to the level where I’m comfortable [and] where I came out of the game knowing I felt like I played at the level that I’m capable of, so I still thought there was room to improve in that aspect,” Stanley said. “And last year was tough just battling through a multitude of injuries and whatnot, and things happen – it’s a part of the game – but right now, everything that I was feeling last year, [I’m] not feeling, so it’s been good. Like I said, [I’m] just having the normal soreness and aches, but other than that, everything is just pretty solid.”

Stanley was then asked if he felt like he was playing better during training camp than he did last season.

“Oh, yes,” Stanley said. “I feel like I’m already playing better than I was at any point last year – for sure.”

The Ravens need Stanley to return to form this season if the offense is to reach its true potential.

 

Ronnie Stanley praises 2nd year offensive guard Andrew Vorhees

Ronnie Stanley praises 2nd year offensive guard Andrew Vorhees

The Baltimore Ravens decided to overhaul the offensive line this year by letting guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler go in free agency while trading away right tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets.

With three openings on the offensive line now, the Ravens are banking on young talent stepping up and solidifying the unit. One such player is second-year guard Andrew Vorhees who appears to be the favorite to land the starting left guard position.

Left tackle Ronnie Stanley was asked about his relationship with Vorhees.

“I think Andrew [Vorhees] is great,” Stanley said. “Ever since he got here, he’s been a student of the game and has just been trying to learn. Even the times he couldn’t really be on the field for practice, he’s been in all the meetings, he’s been here throughout all the offseason, and I come out … I’m very impressed with how fast he’s learning things, how fast he’s getting up to the speed of the game [and] how good of a shape he’s in. Everything is moving really fast for him., but he’s also adjusting really fast, and he’s getting better and better every day.”

Stanley was then asked if Vorhees was performing well with stunt handoffs on the left side of the line.

“Yes,” Stanley said. “There are going to be struggles and passing off twists. That’s why the defensive line runs those twists, because we have to be on the same page – the tackle and guard. Every single time we’ve run it, every single day, [Andrew Vorhees is] getting better and better. It gives me confidence as a tackle, knowing that the guard is going to make sure he’s stopping the penetration – and vice versa – each way it comes.”

Vorhees missed all of his rookie season in 2023 after falling to the seventh round of the draft due to a torn ACL at the NFL Combine.

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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Ravens training camp: Top photos from Day 5 of practice

We’re looking at the top photos from Day 5 of Baltimore Ravens training camp practices

The Ravens had a day off from training camp on Thursday but returned to the Under Armour Performance Center on Friday and Saturday for their first two full-padded summer practices. Lamar Jackson returned to the lineup after a medical evaluation for flu-like symptoms. At the same time, the team honored the late Jacoby Jones on the day that family and friends traveled to New Orleans for his funeral services. With Sunday’s practice quickly approaching, here are takeaways and notes from Saturday’s session. ***

Ravens initial 90-man roster arranged by uniform number ahead of training camp

Baltimore Ravens’ 90-man roster at the start of 2024 training camp

The Baltimore Ravens have officially reported to the Under Armour Performance Center for the start of training camp with the first practice scheduled for Sunday morning.

There will be starting jobs and roster spots up for grabs, which should make for some intriguing position battles throughout camp and the preseason.

Currently, the Ravens have 90 players on their roster, and that will be trimmed down to 53 ahead of the start of the regular season, and by August 27.

With training camp underway, here’s an updated look at the Ravenss’ initial 90-man roster at the start of training camp, organized by jersey number.

PFF ranks Ravens’ offensive line near the bottom of the league

PFF ranks the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line 25th in the NFL

One of the biggest storylines for the Ravens this offseason has been the complete retooling of the offensive line. After losing both right guard Kevin Zeitler and left guard John Simpson in free agency and trading right tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets, Baltimore is set to have three new faces protecting MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson this season.

The only two returning starters from last season’s unit will be left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum. Stanley has struggled to both stay on the field and perform at a high level in recent seasons. Linderbaum, entering his third season, is the stalwart of the line now.

With so much uncertainty regarding the offensive line this season, it should be no surprise that many people are down on the unit, including PFF’s Zoltan Buday. Buday ranked the Ravens’ offensive line near the bottom of the league at No. 25 ahead of the upcoming season.

“For parts of the 2023 season, the Ravens’ offensive line looked like a top-tier unit,” Buday wrote. “However, the team lost three starters: Kevin Zeitler, John Simpson and Morgan Moses. And while Tyler Linderbaum is already one of the best centers in the NFL, Ronnie Stanley has not been the same since his injury in 2020. The rest of the offensive line will consist of either unproven young players or offensive linemen who flashed ability as backups but have yet to show they can repeat those outings as starters.”

Baltimore will rely on a combination of unproven players, Ben Cleveland, Andrew Vorhees, Daniel Faalele, and rookie Roger Rosengarten, this season to keep Jackson upright as they look to return to the playoffs and right the wrongs from last season’s disappointing end in the AFC Championship.

Ronnie Stanley talks about working with different combinations on Ravens offensive line

Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley talked about working with different combinations on the team’s offensive line

The Baltimore Ravens are entering a massive year with their offensive line. After losing multiple critical veterans at the position, the team will rely on an influx of young talent to protect quarterback Lamar Jackson and open rushing lanes for players like running back Derrick Henry.

One of the veterans still with the team is offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, the team’s first-round pick in 2016. He talked about working with the many different offensive line combinations that will emerge over the next few months, mentioning that communication will be one of the most significant factors to look out for.

“It’s a lot about the guy you play next to. In my case, working with Andrew [Vorhees] and Josh [Jones] and the different guys in there, ‘Sala’ [Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu], just making sure the communication from the huddle to the line of scrimmage is clear. We don’t need to repeat a whole play call. There are key words that we need to focus on, and we can remind each other and make the game easier for each other.”

While the Ravens would ideally like their starting offensive line to be set sooner rather than later, many of the competitions are expected to extend far into training camp and the preseason. Baltimore is replacing three starters on their unit, which is no small task, but the team believes they have the talent to do so effectively.