2008 – 2012
This rebuild was a multi-season effort, finally culminating with an offensive line that was an enormous a part of preserving Joe Flacco clear for the 2012 Tremendous Bowl run.
Filling Ogden’s sneakers at left deal with proved trickiest. The Ravens did not have the luxurious of drafting one early in 2008 as a result of they needed to get a quarterback (Flacco) first. Baltimore took pictures on a pair of mid-round linemen, Oniel Cousins and David Hale, within the third and fourth rounds however neither grew to become full-time starters.
The excellent news was they’d a trio of offensive linemen from the 2007 draft who have been able to step into bigger roles – first-rounder Ben Grubbs, third rounder Marshal Yanda, and fifth-rounder (supplemental draft) Jared Gaither.
Gaither had the particularly tall activity of stepping in for Ogden as a rookie and lasted a year-and-a-half within the function. Grubbs was an anchor at left guard for the following 4 seasons, and Yanda performed guard and deal with (wherever wanted), establishing himself as a perennial Professional Bowler.
Baltimore bought its confirmed heart in 2009, signing free-agent veteran Matt Birk following the retirement of Matt Flynn and free-agent departure of Jason Brown. Birk solidified the unit for years to come back.
Then the Ravens took their first-round deal with in 2009 with Michael Oher. Whereas the film primarily based on his life was referred to as “The Blind Aspect,” Oher spent most of his profession at proper deal with.
The Ravens finally went the free-agent route at left deal with, signing veteran Bryant McKinnie earlier than the 2011 season. He additionally took over for Oher at left deal with within the 2012 playoffs, which shuffled and unlocked the entire unit. The second-round draft choice deal with/guard Kelechi Osemele in 2012 was additionally essential for the Tremendous Bowl-winning offensive line.
- Discovering a alternative left deal with is hard, even within the late first spherical
- Drafting and growing guards is often a very good resolution
- Want an anchor at heart