Ravens running back Jamal Lewis said earlier this week that the team would only go as far as its offensive line takes it. Those playing up front understand this and know that if their play doesn?t improve from last year, they can expect not to make the postseason for the third straight season.
Injuries, inconsistent play and lack of continuity all played a role in the offensive line?s performance in 2005. This included allowing 43 sacks, six of which came in a 25-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
This year, the entire line is healthy and has practiced as a unit in training camp. The lone exception is left tackle Jonathan Ogden, who has missed all of camp due to the death of his father. His absence has allowed second-year tackle Adam Terry to gain experience at both the left and right tackle position ? something he hopes will allow him to contribute in more than just the seven games he played in 2005.
“It?s good to have the opportunity; only now I have to seize it,” Terry said. “If playing left and right tackle is what I haveto do until I find my niche, I?ll do it.”
Guard Edwin Mulitalo started 15 games last year, but the eight-year veteran never got on track after trying to battle back from off-season surgeries to deal with gout in his knee and a torn triceps. He also dealt with the death of his father during the preseason.
Fellow guard Keydrick Vinson was supposed to provide stability on the line after joining the club as a free agent in 2005 from the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, injuries forced him to miss seven games last year.
“Everything in football starts from up front,” Vinson said. “You can?t throw the ball and you can?t pass the ball if you can?t get protection. We?ve got a job to do and now we just have to get it done.”
OFFENSIVE LINE NOTES
» The 43 sacks allowed last season tied the 2000 team?s mark for the second-highest total in franchise history. The Ravens set the franchise record of 56 sacks allowed for a season in 1999.
» Mulitalo said the offensive line benefited from working together during the mini-camps. He added that he has lost about 15 pounds and has kept in shape by combining football workouts with spinning three to four times a week and running twice a week in the offseason.
