Baltimore Ravens: Thoughts on the Offensive Line

Oct 20, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Baltimore Ravens offense lines up against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

After holding our breath as though winter might be here forever we can exhale and sigh with relief.  Eugene Monroe is indeed coming back.  I agree with John Eisenberg when he says that our biggest problem last season was the offensive line.  It was almost as painful as watching the Wrecking Ball video from Miley Cyrus (almost!).  Struggling in the trenches, the Ravens ranked last in the NFL for run blocking and allowed 48 sacks on Flacco.   Not a recipe for success under anyone’s offensive scheme, including our new offensive guru Gary Kubiak who ought to bring a freshness and experience.

Among the possible free agents there is Alex Mack from the Browns.  Although Gino Gradkowski shows potential…he was thrown to the proverbial wolves this past season…and was torn up pretty good.  Matt Birk has expressed a confidence in Gino, but he’ll need more time to be ready.  If the Ravens could outbid the Browns for Alex Mack it would do wonders for the line.  Remember…the Ravens won a Super Bowl two seasons ago.  The only difference (only one!) was that Matt Birk retired and Gradkowski took his place.  Landing Mack could possibly be the best move the Ravens could make this offseason.  My guess is there are still too many holes to fill for the money to get him.

Michael Oher‘s career was painful to watch at times, but especially this season.  He has always been apt to false starts, but this year he looked slow and unresponsive.  Hopefully he’ll benefit from the Bluegrass in Tennessee and be more productive with the Titans.  Sometimes a change of scenery does a world of good.  And the Ravens definitely needed that on the front line.