Baltimore Ravens Ricky Wagner – Early Preseason Thoughts

Jun 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Rick Wagner (71) blocks offensive tackle Brett Van Sloten (61) during minicamp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The one member of the Baltimore Ravens’ first team offense who did play for an extended time during the first preseason game was Right Tackle Ricky Wagner. He is the least-experienced member of the line, and the team obviously wanted for him to get some more time on the job. He seemed to handle the work well.

On the opening series, he took on 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks multiple times and held his own. Most telling was that veteran Jah Reid did not take over the spot until the second half. Wagner is on the way up while Reid is obviously on the way out.

The 6-foot 6-inch Wagner played at Wisconsin where he was on the Outland Trophy watch list in 2012. He was selected in the fifth round, 168th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Ravens. Last year, his rookie season,  he started two games and seemed to hold his own well.

Wagner’s long arms make him ideal at the right tackle position. If he can keep from the penalties and poor public perception that Michael Oher enjoyed, Wagner may be the man for the job. Well, at this point, he may be the man for the job nearly by default.

Wagner is a disciplined player who has always needed to work on his footwork. He has been able to stay tough and motor through plays. Hopefully the lack of power that was seen in college was fixed by a year with the weights.

Wagner was often better with the run than with the pass while at Wisconsin. He has always seemed like the kind of player that can be coached up to the next level. We will have to see if the Ravens’ coaches were able to do so, especially with his footwork, but his first extended action went well.