Marshal Yanda making his mark at right tackle

By Edward Lee, The Baltimore Sun

November 4, 2010

In the preseason, Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron had said that Marshal Yanda had the talent to become one of the best guards in the NFL. Yanda is trying to prove his coach right — at right tackle.

Since replacing the injured Jared Gaither at the beginning of the regular season, Yanda has solidified the right side of the offensive line. According to "Pro Football Weekly," Yanda is tied with left guard Ben Grubbs and right guard Chris Chester for the fewest number of penalties committed by a Ravens starting offensive lineman, and he has surrendered just two sacks.

Yanda said his objective is to continue his development at right tackle, which he hoped will be his position for a long time.

"Now I want to stay there," he said. "I don't want to play guard now because I feel like I'm settling in at tackle, and I feel like I can get the job done. Now I just want to settle in there and keep stacking games and try to get better and better with each game."

Cameron marveled at Yanda, who hadn't had extended starts at right tackle since 2007, his rookie season.

"Marshal has been tremendous," Cameron said. "There aren't many guys that can bounce out to right tackle and the play at the level that he's playing. Obviously, [there is] a lot of football left, but he's just another one of the good football players we have here."

After stonewalling Pro Bowl outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley in the Ravens' win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 3, Yanda gets another test this Sunday from Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Cameron Wake.

Wake, who finished with 5½ sacks last season, leads Miami with 6½ thus far and is blessed with what Yanda described as two of the quickest feet in the league. Yanda said he must match the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Wake step-for-step.

"His first two steps are what win him sacks," Yanda said. "He can get past the tackle, and then you're fighting to try to chase and keep up and then he can throw you inside or come inside because you're out of position. So I have to match his timing. Get off when he gets off the ball and stay square."