OWINGS MILLS — Ravens coach John Harbaugh hoped to have the starting offensive line set by the first preseason game, which is a week from Friday against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium. However, it looks as though the team will need more time to evaluate the candidates.
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum are the only returning starters, which means the Ravens have to fill both guard positions and right tackle to protect quarterback Lamar Jackson and create openings for the running game.
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken said the team wants to make sure it has the right mix of players.
“First off, would you prefer to already have it set? Of course,” Monken said. “Would you prefer to have every position set? Yes. There is no assigned date of when we have to have it, if that makes sense. We prefer that it’s the same 11 – every position we’re going to play these guys – that way we build that continuity, but it’s our job as coaches to utilize the personnel we have and keep finding who may emerge; when that happens, then we will end up in a position to where we can say, ‘Alright, here’s our left guard. OK, here’s our right guard. Here’s our right tackle.’ All of that.”
There is competition between Josh Jones and Andrew Vorhees at left guard. Ben Cleveland and Sala Aumavae-Laulu are competing at right guard. Daniel Faalele, Pat Mekari, and rookie Roger Rosengarten are the top candidates to become the starter at right tackle.
Faalele also could be the starter at one of the guard positions.
Monken said none of the offensive linemen have separated themselves from the pack.
“I think some guys have stepped forward – [it’s] still too early in camp to say that, but I like our group,” Monken said. That’s why you draft – I said that the other day – that’s why you draft, and that’s why you develop; I mean, there is a salary cap; there are issues you’re going to have in terms of your players – so that’s why you do a great job, as an organization does, of drafting players and developing them, so when this time comes, and you have to make tough decisions, you’ve got guys ready to go and able to compete for these spots, which we do. We’ve got a good number of guys – I’m excited about it.”
