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Baltimore
Ravens Tyler Linderbaum is turning the corner at center.
OCT 30, 2022 3:27 PM
EDT
OWINGS
MILLS, Md. — The Ravens
offensive line has bullied opponents over the past several games. The run
blocking has been especially dominant, and the Ravens have rushed for more than
200 yards in two of the last three games.
Rookie center Tyler Linderbaum has
helped set the tone for that unit and he's turning into a dominant player. In
this week's 27-22 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Linderbaum had a
team-high 91.3 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.
The Ravens are now looking smart for
drafting Linderbaum in the first round of the 2022 draft.
"He told me after Week 4, we were talking about a couple of
things, he said, ‘Hey, it’s only my fourth game. I’m going to keep getting
better,’" coach John
Harbaugh said. "And I believed him, and it’s been true. He’s just that kind of guy; he’s
all business, he’s all ball, he loves it, he works really hard at it.
"He’s been playing
well. He’s already playing really well, so to say that he’s going to
keep getting better is quite a statement, and that’s a good thing.”
The
return of left tackle Ronnie Stanley also has helped stabilize the offensive
line. Left guard Ben Powers has quietly put together a solid season. The right
side of the line is anchored by stalwart guard Kevin Zeitler and tackle Morgan
Moses. Pat Mekari has also been a key contributor at both tackles and is
rewarding the team for his contract extension in the offseason.
"The offensive line is coming together," Harbaugh
said. "They’re time on task, and I just think that they’re playing at a
really high level right now, but we have to keep doing it, keep building
it."
