Offensive linemen are the most important players in football.
As they go, so goes the team. Regardless of scheme, offensive linemen must be consistent and cohesive, or else the team will suffer.
Think of the most successful clubs. When you hear of winning streaks or deep playoff runs, you’ll often hear how that offensive line has played the entire season together. Conversely, when a team is struggling, announcers will note how the team has gone through multiple different starting units.
Whether led by a rookie or a veteran, the best offensive lines keep their offense and team moving forward. Progress doesn’t need to be dramatic, but it does need to be consistent. If not, even top-end quarterbacks can only do so much.
As we look toward training camp beginning on July 25, we preview our final offensive position group: the offensive line. At first glance, they have good balance. Led by tackles Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses, as well as right guard Kevin Zeitler, the Ravens’ will operate from a high floor. Second-year center Tyler Linderbaum anchors the middle of the line after an exceptional debut campaign. The lone unknown spot is the left guard position, which will be fiercely contested in training camp. Depth will be tested, too.
Let’s take a closer look at its league-wide rankings and individual members.
DVOA, according to Football Outsiders, measures “a team’s efficiency by comparing success on every single play to a league average based on situation and opponent.” The two main functions of an offensive line, run blocking and pass blocking, yielded mixed results for the Ravens in 2022.
Last season, the Ravens ranked 1st in running back yards per carry (4.92), and 5th in second-level yards per carry (1.39) and open field yards per carry (1.08).
However, when it came to pass blocking, Baltimore’s performance dropped considerably, as it ranked 22nd in adjusted sack rate (which looks at sacks allowed divided by total pass plays and factors in all passing situations). For reference, here are notable ASR from a season ago:
- Tampa Bay (1st): 3.4 percent
- NFL average: 7.1 percent
- Baltimore: 8.4 percent
- Chicago (32nd): 13.0 percent
An interesting correlation appears when looking at average time per play. In addition to having the lowest ASR last year, the Buccaneers led the league in quickest time in between plays (25.37 seconds). That makes sense, as decreased down time between plays will only increase a defense’s fatigue, and thus, hinder their ability to get after the quarterback.
The Ravens, though, had to navigate a stark imbalance of tempo based on score discrepancy. When they were leading by a touchdown or more, they ran a play every 31.37 seconds. When they were trailing by the same margin, they ran a play every 22.84 seconds. That 8.53-second gap led the NFL. It’s notable because, as soon the score swung out of their favor, this Ravens tendency gave them very little margin for error. Expect Todd Monken to restore balance in 2023.
As far as players go, Stanley, Linderbaum, and Zeitler could all be the best at their position. They’ve had different paths to this point, but they’ve all performed at an elite level. Moses is a very good player in his own right, and rookie Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu is in pole position at the left guard spot. Three elite players, one very good player, and an unproven rookie is a pretty good starting five. Besides that, Baltimore has a dozen more offensive linemen currently on its roster. Patrick Mekari is the “best of the rest,” as he has starting experience and true position versatility. Everyone else besides Mekari was drafted in 2021 or later, so youth is plentiful. That’s a double-edged sword.
In the first half of 2022, the Ravens ranked 5th in weighted pass DVOA (33.9 percent). But in the second half of 2022, that rate plummeted 50 points to a mark of -16.2 percent (30th in the league). It’s great to have a core of young players to mold, but when the games matter most and your passing attack has struggled mightily, young offensive linemen isn’t exactly what you want to have.
While there’s usually a “holding” provision to sign a veteran backup during training camp, that’s not meant to be a comprehensive solution. Those signings, ideally, should augment an already robust position group.
How this offensive line plays in 2023 will be impacted by the health of Lamar Jackson and the running backs. If they can stay healthy, the offense should take off. If they suffer through injuries for a 3rd straight season, there’s only so much the offensive line will be able to do.
The hidden gem of this entire conversation is Offensive Line Coach Joe D’Alessandris. Entering Year 7 in Baltimore and Year 14 coaching in the NFL, Joe D has been one of the very best position coaches John Harbaugh has had. His intellect and coaching style has helped make good players great, and he’s showing no signs whatsoever of slowing down.
If this offensive line determines the trajectory of the team, the team is in pretty good shape. Ravens fans can look forward to this season with secure hope and excitement. I wouldn’t advise fans to book tickets to Las Vegas just yet. But barring the improbable, Baltimore will be on the short list of contenders to claim this season’s Super Bowl championship.
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.