Driving Force: Ravens Offensive Line Shines

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DRIVING FORCE ravens offensive line shines by jack carney In the run up to the Ravens' 2019 season, head coach John Harbaugh hinted that his retooled offensive unit just might revolutionize the way offense is played in the NFL. On paper, Harbaugh possessed many of the necessary ingredients to make his dream a reality.

He had a truly electric dual-threat quarterback in Lamar Jackson, a two-time Pro Bowl running back in Mark Ingram II and a bevy of young pass catchers like wide receiver Marquise Brown and tight end Mark Andrews.

But as talented and exciting as these skill-position players are, the secret sauce may actually be found in the combination of 300-pounders up front. None of it will work without the right mix of offensive linemen leading the way.

Fortunately for Harbaugh and the Ravens, Baltimore’s offensive line, which consists of four returning starters from 2018, including seven-time Pro Bowler Marshal Yanda, has been exceptional through five weeks.

The lineup of Ronnie Stanley (left tackle), Bradley Bozeman (left guard), Matt Skura (center), Yanda (right guard) and Orlando Brown Jr. (right tackle) has started every game together in 2019 and provided the time and space for this offense to deliver on its coach’s preseason prediction.

Entering today’s Week 6 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore’s offense finds itself at the top or

near the top of numerous statistical categories. The team basically rewrote its single-game record book in an emphatic 59-10 Week 1 win at Miami, and the offense has continued to pile up touchdowns and yards in the weeks that have followed.

The O-line has certainly done its part, paving the way for the Ravens’ league-leading rushing attack and helping Ingram to the best statistical start of his nine-year career.

“I can't do it without them,” Ingram said. “They're a complete unit. They're as good as it gets, and I'm happy to be running behind them.”

In the passing game, the line has given Jackson time in the pocket to prove he can be a prolific NFL passer, far more than just an elusive scrambler. This year, Jackson became the only player in league history to post over 1,100 passing yards and 200 rushing yards in the first four weeks of a season.

“The linemen are doing a great job,” Jackson said. “I've had a lot of time back there to throw the ball. They've been opening up holes for the running backs to hit and do their thing. Driving the ball down the field behind those big fellas has been great.”

The story of the 2019 Ravens’ offensive line as a unit has been a success so far, but, as with any great offensive line, it is a whole made up of five unique parts with five unique stories.

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LG BRADLEY BOZEMAN

Orlando Brown Jr. is also in his second year with the Ravens after being selected in the third round (83rd overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. It’s been said that Brown Jr. was born to be a Baltimore Raven. His father, Orlando ‘Zeus’ Brown Sr., played six seasons with the Ravens, also at right tackle. Zeus groomed his son to be an offensive lineman from a young age, encouraging him to study and learn from Ravens legend Jonathan Ogden. And again following in his father’s footsteps, Brown Jr. has been given a nickname.

himself as a starter in there, and he’s done a good job of it. And yet, as well as he’s playing, he can certainly play better, whether it’s a little footwork thing here or there.

So, he’s working on those things. But Matt has done a good job. He makes all our calls, and I’m very proud of how he’s been playing.” – John Harbaugh

RG MARSHAL YANDA

LT RONNIE STANLEY

“He’s just like his father, a great right tackle. It’s hard for guys to get around him. He’s just pushing guys like little kids out there. I call him ‘Big Drip’ because he’s got a little style to him. He’s been drippin’ ... He's the drippiest lineman in the league.” – Lamar Jackson

C MATT SKURA Bradley Bozeman, or ‘Boze’ as Ingram, a fellow Alabama alum, calls him, is the lone new starter to this group.

Bozeman was selected by the Ravens in the sixth round (215th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He saw time as a reserve lineman as a rookie last season before beating out the competition in training camp and the preseason to earn the starting left guard spot in 2019.

As the sixth-overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, expectations are sky high for Ronnie Stanley, and the fourth-year left tackle embraces them fully. Coach Harbaugh told the media earlier this year that Stanley aims to be the best left tackle in football. Stanley is well on his way. He was named a second-alternate to the Pro Bowl last season and continues to improve.

“I love running behind him. I’ve had some big runs with him pulling, creating some big holes for me. He’s just developing. He’s going to continue to improve. He has the desire to be great, and he’s only going to keep getting better.” – Mark Ingram II “He’s been doing good. He’s a smart, talented, big, physical guy. He’s been getting after it. He’s like ‘Baby Marshal’ right now.” – Lamar Jackson

RT ORLANDO BROWN JR.

Matt Skura’s story is one of a true underdog who worked his way up to his position as the established starting center. The Duke alum was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2016 and spent his first season on the team’s practice squad. Injuries on the line gave him an opportunity to climb up to the active roster in 2017, when he started 12 games at right guard before moving over to center in 2018.

“He gets the offense. He puts us in good positions. If we have to make an adjustment in our protection, he does it. If we have to make an adjustment in our run-game blocking, he does it. So, he’s a smart player, very aware of situations. Obviously, he can block well in the run game, blocks great in the pass game. He’s a complete center.” – Mark Ingram II

“I've had the chance to play with some good tackles, and I'd say he's one of the top in the league for sure. He always has to handle the monsters, the premier pass rushers in this league. Nothing you ask is too big for him.

He can do it all. Whatever block, whatever run block, whatever pass protection, he can do it all. He's one of the best tackles in the league for a reason.”

– Mark Ingram II

What’s left to say about Marshal Yanda? The kid that grew up on an Iowa dairy farm has become one of the best guards of his generation. Now in his 13th season in Baltimore, Yanda has earned seven Pro Bowl nods, the most among active NFL guards, and multiple All-Pro selections. He has played in 167 games (156 starts) for the Ravens, the second most among O-linemen in franchise history (Ogden, 177). Jackson and Harbaugh have both pegged him as a future Hall of Famer.

“He’s the 'OG.' Everything starts with him. Just him being around so long and the great things he has brought to the table for the City of Baltimore and also to the team, has been tremendous. We need him as a leader on our team.” – Lamar Jackson “Marshal, obviously, you don't need to say much about him. He's been doing it at the highest level for 13 years, one of the best ever to do it. He shows it week-in and week-out, day-in day-out, just being a leader, knowing all the different schemes, all the different calls, run game, pass game, leadership, poise. He is everything you want from your premier lineman.” – Mark Ingram II

"I’m really proud of all the guys, really. Their work ethic, their commitment day in and day out. Our offensive line is leading that charge. They come in, they work extremely hard, and on Sundays, they come ready to play."

– OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR GREG ROMAN

“Matt has earned the job. He’s the starting center, and he’s playing like a starting center. He’s establishing 12 | 2019 BALTIMORE RAVENS GAMEDAY

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