Out To Lunch

OTL: Who Can Lift the Ravens to a Super Bowl?

by Darin McCann

July 25, 2024
10:58 am

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Since handing Lamar Jackson the keys to the offense midway through the 2018 season, the Ravens have perennially been on everybody’s short list of Super Bowl contenders.

Obviously, through injuries, sloppy playoff performances or, well, pick your reason, the Ravens have not yet advanced that far. But here we sit again, on the doorstep of a new season, and the Ravens are once again firmly on that list of contenders.

The Sun’s Childs Walker wrote an interesting piece discussing 10 Ravens — outside of Jackson — who could propel the team to where it wants to go this year.

10 Ravens, other than Lamar Jackson, who will determine Super Bowl fate

My initial thought having read the headline was “offensive line.” With three new starters and an injury-related question mark at left tackle, it would make sense that those guys would have a big say in how the 2024 campaign goes in Baltimore. Walker included two linemen on his list, guard Andrew Vorhees, and the aforementioned left tackle, Ronnie Stanley.

“Given all the snaps he played in college and the time he spent learning the Ravens’ system while he rehabbed last season, the powerful Vorhees is not a typical rookie,” wrote Walker. “Of the seven players competing to fill starting jobs around left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum, Vorhees probably checks the most boxes.”

If Vorhees hits, Walker explains, that could have a massive impact on the line.

“Coach John Harbaugh hopes to have most of his starting line set a week or two into camp, with perhaps one spot up for grabs going into the preseason,” explained Walker.” If Vorhees could lock down the left guard job quickly and begin a long run as a dependable starter, he would bring significant clarity to the team’s most unsettled position group.”

As for Stanley, that big question mark remains health, and how much he has left in that body.

“Stanley was present and engaged for all summer workouts and said he feels the best he has since 2020,” said Walker. “He was optimistic going into last season as well, only to suffer an early knee injury that robbed him of mobility and fluidity. He freely acknowledged he was not himself, though he did play his best games at the end of the season.

“Whether or not the Ravens see Stanley as their left tackle past this year, they don’t have a short-term succession plan,” he continued. “They need him to be good — at least 2022 level — and reasonably durable to reach their offensive potential in 2024.”

The rest of Walker’s list makes sense, as well, focusing on new linebacker Trenton Simpson, the health of Marlon Humphrey and the rise of pass-rusher David Ojabo.

Of course, it’s all moot if Jackson does not have a healthy season. The endless parade of picks happening in training camp thus far with the star signal-caller out or greatly reduced due to an illness, shows how quickly things can unravel in Charm City if number 8 misses any significant time.

He made his return to practice yesterday, but it was only a cameo appearance.

The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec wrote a great wrap-up of practice yesterday, and all eyes were obviously on Jackson.

“Jackson, who missed the first three practices with an undisclosed illness, wasn’t on the field for long,” wrote Zrebiec. “He warmed up, participated in some individual drills and then threw five pass attempts during full-team work. A little over an hour into the Ravens’ fourth training camp practice, Jackson walked off wearily with two members of the team’s medical and training staff.”

Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken was happy to have his guy back in the building, but said those extra reps for the other quarterbacks could have also been a blessing.

“We had all offseason. Lamar was a part of that in our offseason,” Monken said, per Zrebiec. “But it was great for the other quarterbacks to get the work. That’s a part of it, so it’s great having him back today, but I don’t feel behind. We didn’t stop — we still installed, we’re still going through the installs.”

Also of note:

Former Ravens RBs Make Debut with New Team

Ravens’ current Cap status = just under $5M in Cap space. This is b4 Worley’s added, but he’s expect to again receive a vet min deal, so that will have no impact on Cap. Ravens will need more Cap space for future expenses, but have plenty of restructure options to create space. pic.twitter.com/xVAyBGG16j

— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) July 24, 2024