Baltimore Ravens Season Preview: Offensive Breakdown

 Offensive Line: Eugene Monroe, Kelechi Osemele, Jeremy Zuttah, Marshal Yanda, Rick Wagner, John Urschel, James Hurst, Gino Gradkowski, Jah Reid

Sep 16, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens guard Kelechi Osemele (72) blocks during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Ravens 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Again, let’s start with the positive. This group can’t possibly be worse than last season, when Flacco was sacked more than he ever had been and the ground game could barely average three yards per carry.

Eugene Monroe proved to be a great pickup early last year. He is a quality pass protector and should be a great fit in the Ravens’ zone-blocking scheme.

Kelechi Osemele is healthy and had some positive moments in the preseason. Consistency has eluded him thus far in his career, but Osemele remains a high upside guard.

Jeremy Zuttah is a great fit for what the Ravens are trying to do on the offensive line, and he should be a huge upgrade over Gino Gradkowski a year ago.

Oh, and Marshal Yanda is a perpetual all-pro.

Now the bad news. Rick Wagner played well in the preseason, but he is a mid-round pick from a year ago who barely played. Now he is being asked to start. Doesn’t that story sound a bit like Gradkowski’s story last year? At any rate, Wagner has to be considered a major question mark until he establishes himself.

The depth is also not great. Gradkowski should be decent depth at center, as he did improve throughout last season. But the other three spots are held by two rookies (though admittedly John Urschel is an impressive rookie) and a player who has under-performed throughout his career in Jah Reid.

In sum, the line will be improved. How much remains to be seen, but this is still an area of some concern.