OTL: EDC Expects Growing Pains Along Young OL

It feels weird, but we are less than a week from the Opening Night of the NFL Season. In just six days, the Ravens will be looking for some sweet revenge on the Chiefs for a game that I am sure will go down in Ravens playoff history with some of the all-time worst losses. Don’t worry, today is not about grieving; today is about moving forward, looking ahead, and learning to cherish this Ravens team.

But before we do that, we have some housekeeping to do.

The Cleveland Browns have released Tyler Huntley, and some Ravens fans are already clamoring for the former backup to come home.

Here is what EDC said to the media today about the backup quarterback spot.:

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said he likes their quarterback room. Didn’t rule out bringing somebody else in, but it didn’t sound like it’s a pressing issue for team officials.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 29, 2024

EDC definitely kept that door open if they like someone, but here is why a Huntley reunion may not be in the cards. For one, the cap situation is rough. The Ravens are actually over the Cap right now and have some work to do before the season begins. Spending that precious capital on another Backup when the team likes Josh Johnson might not be the best use of resources.

Of course, I have nothing against Snoop himself here. Sure, if he wants to come back for cheap, let’s do it. For now though, it seems as if Josh Johnson will be Lamar Jackson’s backup, and the team has no interest in turning back the clock when it comes to that.

Another point of EDC’s presser yesterday was that, just like the rest of us, he expects growing pains along this young offensive line.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta understands there might be ‘hiccups’ with younger O-line https://t.co/LWHU4Wmjt1

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 29, 2024

There are going to be plays, series, even entire games early on when this line will drive fans mad. There will be struggles, so we should steel ourselves. However, if they can unite as a unit, grow through these struggles, and build a core of great young players, I will take that. Opening night is not going to be pretty, but if it leads to a stranger version of themselves down the road, we need to live with that.

They wanted to get younger this offseason and they’ve certainly accomplished that. While we don’t know the starters yet, it can be assumed that from left guard over, the Ravens will have one of the younger offensive lines in football.

This might be for the greater good, Ravens fans. It will be frustrating at first but, hopefully, worth it in the end.

We now have a fun announcement to talk about: uniforms. The Ravens are unleashing the best ones they have in primetime home games.

You asked, we answered

: https://t.co/Gkw1jJb7yM pic.twitter.com/hu7KFhSGgH

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 29, 2024

Ravens breaking out the all black on Sunday night will feed families. That uniform combo is so elite, and when they wear it, man, it just fits. It is like Batman putting on the costume and fighting crime; it is so aesthetically pleasing, and I wish they would wear them more often.

To end this off, I want to share this speech by Marlon Humphrey:

A different side of Marlon Humphrey pic.twitter.com/4sya4LsQ2v

— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) August 29, 2024

While the speech was mainly about the team cherishing the season, I think we should take his words to heart as fans. We know that last year didn’t end as we wanted it to. I am not here to play the blame game, but the result is what matters. However, I did not cherish what the 2023 season gave us as Ravens fans because I got caught up in the what-if scenarios. Well, this year, I don’t want to do that. We have a Super Bowl-caliber team in front of us, and their journey starts in less than a week.

So, I will do my best and cherish what the 2024 Ravens give us and not get caught up looking ahead to February, and I hope some fans will join me in that.

The post OTL: EDC Expects Growing Pains Along Young OL appeared first on Russell Street Report.