Veteran line now key for Ravens
Four starters return on offensive front
By Kevin Langbaum
SunSpot Staff
Originally published June 11, 2002, 4:52 PM EDT
Things are far from typical for the Ravens' offensive line.
On a team hit hard elsewhere by roster turnover, four of the five starters return from last year's line and all five projected starters were on the team last season.
Then there are the positions. Edwin Mulitalo, a fixture at left guard the past 2 ? seasons, is now the starting right tackle. Second-year man Casey Rabach, who practiced mostly at center and right guard last year, has taken over at left guard for Mulitalo.
Finally, there are the expectations. The line, considered by many a question mark in recent years, is now one of the more experienced units on the squad and is expected to be one of the team's strengths.
"The last couple of years we had new guys coming in and we were never the supposed key to the team to win," said Mike Flynn, who is beginning his second year at center after shifting from right guard. "Now that we have some veteran guys, they're looking at us to be leaders out there and perform well. That brings a different kind of pressure. We're going to have to step up as a unit."
Jonathan Ogden, a perennial Pro Bowl selection, anchors the line at left tackle with Mulitalo, a former college tackle, on the right side. Flynn is in the middle with Rabach, a third-round draft pick last year, on his left. Bennie Anderson, who signed with the Ravens last year after playing in the XFL and then worked his way into the starting lineup, returns at right guard.
"It's time for that to be a real strength," coach Brian Billick said. "That is the most experienced [group], and the group that's been together the longest. It's time for them to take that leadership role."
Still, there are plenty of questions, the biggest of which is Rabach, who was thought of highly when picked last year but spent the entire season on the sideline.
"That was real hard," he said of not playing in his rookie season. "I learned a lot from the guys that were in front of me. This year I'm just going to take everything that I've learned and put it into play. It's a good position for me. I'm coming in where there are a lot of guys that know a lot about the game -- sitting next to Jonathan Ogden, sitting next to Mike Flynn -- very experienced guys, guys that can really help me out."
Another issue is Mulitalo's switch from left guard to right tackle, necessitated by the team's inability to land a free agent because of salary cap restraints.
"He feels very natural at it," Billick said. "The communication, his knowledge about the schemes so easily serve him out at tackle. So far it's going very well."
Speaking from experience, Flynn said Mulitalo and Rabach will likely have some struggles early as they adjust to their new positions.
"Once they realize what they have to work on, they'll play well," Flynn said. "They'll have some ups and downs in the first couple of games, but I think after that they'll play well. They'll be fine because they're good players. Good players play no matter where you put them."
One thing in the unit's favor is the familiarity they have with each other. Anderson, who joined the team last summer and missed most of the off-season workouts, said he has noticed the difference this year.
"We had the whole off-season to work together. That's going to help a tremendous amount," Anderson said. "Last year, I didn't have the opportunity to go through minicamps, so being able to go through that has really helped me a lot."
The fact that the line has returned basically intact while the rest of the team was overhauled has not been lost on its members.
"It's different here now," Flynn said. "I look around and I honestly don't know many people. So when you go in the offensive line room and you have guys you've played with for three years, it's a good feeling to have.
"It'll be a lot of responsibility on us. I think we can be a pretty good line."
Billick out Wednesday
Billick will miss tomorrow's practice to attend his daughter's high school graduation. Any players who think that might mean an easier day are mistaken.
"My baby's graduating. I'm feeling old so I'm going to be pissed off," Billick said. "I told them I'm going to come back and look at that film. I want to see energy and finish."
Four starters return on offensive front
By Kevin Langbaum
SunSpot Staff
Originally published June 11, 2002, 4:52 PM EDT
Things are far from typical for the Ravens' offensive line.
On a team hit hard elsewhere by roster turnover, four of the five starters return from last year's line and all five projected starters were on the team last season.
Then there are the positions. Edwin Mulitalo, a fixture at left guard the past 2 ? seasons, is now the starting right tackle. Second-year man Casey Rabach, who practiced mostly at center and right guard last year, has taken over at left guard for Mulitalo.
Finally, there are the expectations. The line, considered by many a question mark in recent years, is now one of the more experienced units on the squad and is expected to be one of the team's strengths.
"The last couple of years we had new guys coming in and we were never the supposed key to the team to win," said Mike Flynn, who is beginning his second year at center after shifting from right guard. "Now that we have some veteran guys, they're looking at us to be leaders out there and perform well. That brings a different kind of pressure. We're going to have to step up as a unit."
Jonathan Ogden, a perennial Pro Bowl selection, anchors the line at left tackle with Mulitalo, a former college tackle, on the right side. Flynn is in the middle with Rabach, a third-round draft pick last year, on his left. Bennie Anderson, who signed with the Ravens last year after playing in the XFL and then worked his way into the starting lineup, returns at right guard.
"It's time for that to be a real strength," coach Brian Billick said. "That is the most experienced [group], and the group that's been together the longest. It's time for them to take that leadership role."
Still, there are plenty of questions, the biggest of which is Rabach, who was thought of highly when picked last year but spent the entire season on the sideline.
"That was real hard," he said of not playing in his rookie season. "I learned a lot from the guys that were in front of me. This year I'm just going to take everything that I've learned and put it into play. It's a good position for me. I'm coming in where there are a lot of guys that know a lot about the game -- sitting next to Jonathan Ogden, sitting next to Mike Flynn -- very experienced guys, guys that can really help me out."
Another issue is Mulitalo's switch from left guard to right tackle, necessitated by the team's inability to land a free agent because of salary cap restraints.
"He feels very natural at it," Billick said. "The communication, his knowledge about the schemes so easily serve him out at tackle. So far it's going very well."
Speaking from experience, Flynn said Mulitalo and Rabach will likely have some struggles early as they adjust to their new positions.
"Once they realize what they have to work on, they'll play well," Flynn said. "They'll have some ups and downs in the first couple of games, but I think after that they'll play well. They'll be fine because they're good players. Good players play no matter where you put them."
One thing in the unit's favor is the familiarity they have with each other. Anderson, who joined the team last summer and missed most of the off-season workouts, said he has noticed the difference this year.
"We had the whole off-season to work together. That's going to help a tremendous amount," Anderson said. "Last year, I didn't have the opportunity to go through minicamps, so being able to go through that has really helped me a lot."
The fact that the line has returned basically intact while the rest of the team was overhauled has not been lost on its members.
"It's different here now," Flynn said. "I look around and I honestly don't know many people. So when you go in the offensive line room and you have guys you've played with for three years, it's a good feeling to have.
"It'll be a lot of responsibility on us. I think we can be a pretty good line."
Billick out Wednesday
Billick will miss tomorrow's practice to attend his daughter's high school graduation. Any players who think that might mean an easier day are mistaken.
"My baby's graduating. I'm feeling old so I'm going to be pissed off," Billick said. "I told them I'm going to come back and look at that film. I want to see energy and finish."
