3. The Ravens feel their future starting offensive linemen are already on their roster.

The Ravens offensive line was scrutinized throughout the regular season as the coaching staff stuck with Michael Oher (above) at left tackle and shuffled underwhelming linemen into the left guard spot vacated when Ben Grubbs signed with the New Orleans Saints last offseason. The running game stalled at times and there were games when quarterback Joe Flacco was under siege on every two or three dropbacks.
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But that was before the offensive line overhaul that will go down in Ravens playoff lore. With Bryant McKinnie back in the starting lineup, Oher in his comfort zone at right tackle and rookie Kelechi Osemele bulldozing fools at left guard, the Ravens offense scored 29.5 points in four postseason games.
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But here we are, back in another uncertain offseason for that group, and the Ravens insist that they have short-term and long-term solutions already on the roster. McKinnie is now a free agent and could also theoretically retire, though his recent financial issues could be motivation to keep playing.
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Center Matt Birk is also a candidate to retire, as is reserve guard Bobbie Williams. Oher is entering the final year of the rookie deal that he signed in 2009, and the Ravens did not choose to endorse him as a potential stopgap at left tackle as they have at these "State of the Ravens" news conferences in recent years past (though general manager Ozzie Newsome did, interestingly, point out that right tackle position has become nearly as important). The only Super Bowl starter locked into a spot on the offensive line is Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda. But Newsome said something noteworthy about Baltimore offensive line.
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"The thing we found out this season is we have probably about eight or nine offensive linemen with starter potential that were able to go and play very good football for us," he said. "You saw that we've got good depth. "I think we like our young guys. I think Juan Castillo is going to be a great addition to our staff. He's known for helping and developing young players. I feel good about our offensive line."
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You might not feel as good about that group as Ozzie does, but it's clear the Ravens have a long-term starter in Osemele. They drafted Gino Gradkowski to eventually replace Birk. Oher, Jah Reid and Ramon Harewood still have room left to grow. The Ravens stashed other young linemen like Jack Cornell and Antoine McClain on their practice squad. And Yanda isn't going anywhere. Unless Newsome was bluffing, it sounds like the Ravens think they will be fine if McKinnie isn't retained, but that doesn't mean we should rule out them selecting another young offensive linemen -- specifically a left tackle -- in April's NFL draft.

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( Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE / October 21, 2012 )

The Ravens offensive line was scrutinized throughout the regular season as the coaching staff stuck with Michael Oher (above) at left tackle and shuffled underwhelming linemen into the left guard spot vacated when Ben Grubbs signed with the New Orleans Saints last offseason. The running game stalled at times and there were games when quarterback Joe Flacco was under siege on every two or three dropbacks.

But that was before the offensive line overhaul that will go down in Ravens playoff lore. With Bryant McKinnie back in the starting lineup, Oher in his comfort zone at right tackle and rookie Kelechi Osemele bulldozing fools at left guard, the Ravens offense scored 29.5 points in four postseason games.

But here we are, back in another uncertain offseason for that group, and the Ravens insist that they have short-term and long-term solutions already on the roster. McKinnie is now a free agent and could also theoretically retire, though his recent financial issues could be motivation to keep playing.

Center Matt Birk is also a candidate to retire, as is reserve guard Bobbie Williams. Oher is entering the final year of the rookie deal that he signed in 2009, and the Ravens did not choose to endorse him as a potential stopgap at left tackle as they have at these "State of the Ravens" news conferences in recent years past (though general manager Ozzie Newsome did, interestingly, point out that right tackle position has become nearly as important). The only Super Bowl starter locked into a spot on the offensive line is Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda. But Newsome said something noteworthy about Baltimore offensive line.

"The thing we found out this season is we have probably about eight or nine offensive linemen with starter potential that were able to go and play very good football for us," he said. "You saw that we've got good depth. "I think we like our young guys. I think Juan Castillo is going to be a great addition to our staff. He's known for helping and developing young players. I feel good about our offensive line."

You might not feel as good about that group as Ozzie does, but it's clear the Ravens have a long-term starter in Osemele. They drafted Gino Gradkowski to eventually replace Birk. Oher, Jah Reid and Ramon Harewood still have room left to grow. The Ravens stashed other young linemen like Jack Cornell and Antoine McClain on their practice squad. And Yanda isn't going anywhere. Unless Newsome was bluffing, it sounds like the Ravens think they will be fine if McKinnie isn't retained, but that doesn't mean we should rule out them selecting another young offensive linemen -- specifically a left tackle -- in April's NFL draft.