Fixing The Offensive Line

Free Ben Cleveland

Yesterday I wrote about the story of Bryant McKinnie and his residency in John Harbaugh’s doghouse. When Coach Harbs finally gave McKinnie a get-out-of-doghouse-free card, the Ravens offensive line play jumped dramatically and helped the franchise earn its second Lombardi Trophy.

The Ravens and Harbaugh can deny the existence of the doghouse all they want, but actions speak louder than words.

The puppy palace has had several residents over the years and as discussed on these pages before, Ben Cleveland’s mail is delivered there. Maybe Cleveland doesn’t practice the way Harbaugh wants. Maybe Cleveland doesn’t love the game quite like John hopes. Maybe the concept of stir-fried squirrel repulses Harbaugh. But all that aside, Cleveland gives the Ravens a better chance to get the running game going, a better chance to keep Lamar Jackson upright and a better chance to win than Project Faalele.

I’ll do you one better Ramey.

Every Ben Cleveland snap at RG against the Seahawks & Lions.

Do with this information what you will. https://t.co/5CQwjbQDQE pic.twitter.com/6VVqrXZard

— Matt King (@yappmatt) September 19, 2024

Even if Harbaugh can’t get extend a work release to Cleveland, he must see that Faalele is an abject failure at right guard. Right? There are options other than Cleveland if Big Ben isn’t coach’s preferred option.

Never Promised You a Rosengarten

I’ve always believed that players know players best. If I hear a player give accolades to a teammate, emphatically endorsing said teammate’s skill set, I’m buying. Same goes for former players. Chris Long, a retired and decorated defensive end, knows a thing or two about opposing offensive linemen. And he had some complimentary things to say about rookie Roger Rosengarten, particularly after his one-on-one efforts against a formidable defender, namely Maxx Crosby.

“Rosengarten comes in the game and I’m like, ‘holy shit, is he blocking Maxx Crosby a little bit? And this is [during] 2-minute at the end of the half.’ So [Rosengarten] is getting a drive when they’re throwing the ball.”

“This kid is setting out and he’s dancing with Maxx Crosby.”

Listen to Long’s complete explanation below.

Chris Long on Rosengarten pic.twitter.com/d32NqnVNe3

— mcnulty (@basedphantomz) September 19, 2024

Speaking of Crosby going up against the Ravens, he may have shared a few vital clues on ways that the Ravens can clean up some things so as not to tip their hand when on offense.

Among other things, Crosby shared this:

“[The Ravens] were in a crack-toss looking formation. Nelly Agholor is right next to me, my former teammate. Our feet are opposites, so I’m like, ‘ok’, it looked like they were about to run the crack-toss. So, I’m looking at [Agholor], I pointed him out. [Now] I’m looking at Lamar and Lamar looks at me right in the eyes as I’m pointing [Agholor] out and he checks the play. Right tackle moves his foot back a little bit. I widen out. I’m like, ‘here it comes’. I know it’s a pass. And I took off.”

The conversation above begins at the 45:15 mark in THIS VIDEO (which for reason only known to the NFL I cannot embed here)

Former Ravens Shines

Staying with the topic of offensive line, many have wondered why the Ravens didn’t retain Kevin Zeitler who was named to the Pro Bowl team for the first time in his career in 2023 as a member of the Ravens. And then when you consider the rather modest contract that Zeitler signed to go to Detroit (1 year, $5.94M), retaining him seemed to make sense.

Zeitler is 34 years old and that could be why, despite a dearth of offensive line talent around the league, that KZ didn’t have many suitors. But that still doesn’t explain why the Ravens didn’t retain Zeitler, given the modest cost and familiarity with the organization and Todd Monken’s offense. But maybe there’s more to the story.

If you recall, Zeitler struggled with an ailing knee down the stretch. He missed the team’s last two regular season games including a needed win in Week 17 against the Dolphins. Ben Cleveland started in KZ’s absence, a game the Ravens won 56-19. So obviously Cleveland was hardly a drag on the offense’s success.

That knee, I’m told, was cause for concern for the Ravens, a team that was going to be bumping up against the cap without Zeitler. They worried that if Zeitler couldn’t make it through the season, it could trigger other cap complications. So Eric DeCosta & Co. were ready to move on.

Apparently, the Lions’ medical staff thought that signing Zeitler was a reasonable risk and so far, he’s paying dividends.

Kevin Zeitler among Gs in Week 2:

78.8 PFF grade (6th)
58 pass-blocking snaps
1 pressure allowed

The only guard with a 70+ grade in both pass-blocking and run-blocking in Week 2 pic.twitter.com/G03whMVGwr

— PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) September 18, 2024

Here’s to continued success for a solid dude.

Purple reign heading to Dallas @OfficialTylan2 | @Invisalign pic.twitter.com/lhIpcm5pBF

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 19, 2024

105.3 The Fan

Shan Shariff is the co-host of the morning drive time show on 105.7 The Fan’s sister station in Dallas, 105.3 The Fan. I’ve known Shan for close to 20 years when he worked in Cambridge, MD as a host for Delmarva’s ESPN Radio. Shan and co-host RJ Choppy invited me on their show this morning to discuss the upcoming game between the Ravens and Cowboys.

You can hear the 12-minute convo at the link HERE.

Fortunately, 105.7 The Fan’s Chuck Sapienza isn’t the program director for 105.3 The Fan. Otherwise, Shan & RJ, despite their talents, probably wouldn’t be the 6th highest-rated morning sports talk show in the country. Oh, and Sapienza wouldn’t have allowed me on air.

Thanks again Shan and RJ for your hospitality.

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