After a week of having his nose in the playbook (on his iPad), left tackle Eugene Monroe feels he's ready to play this Sunday against Green Bay.
"I feel I have a pretty good grasp of what's going on," Monroe told reporters Wednesday.
"I'm ready. I'm ready to go. I'll get this work in practice this week, starting today, and I'll start getting in there with the guys, building a relationship on the line and be ready."
Monroe participated in practice last week, but was more of an observer than actually getting action. The Ravens were preparing Bryant McKinnie for the Dolphins while Monroe was immersed in learning the system before he tried to practice it.
Monroe has been putting in the work.
He said he's been the first player in the building and the last one out each day. He's met with all of the offensive line coaches and even spent four hours in the office Tuesday on the players' day off. Center Gino Gradkowski joined Monroe to watch film.
Monroe also put in more work at home after he left the team facility Tuesday. He's had a lot of homework.
"It's been a grind, but it's part of the job," Monroe said. "It's actually been fun integrating into a system like this."
Monroe traveled to Miami but was inactive for the game. He stood on the sidelines and got every play call before it happened. Then he was able to watch it all play out. While it was difficult to sit, Monroe said being able to watch for a game was "invaluable."
"Now that I've had time to learn the system, ball is ball," he said. "So I just go out and do my thing."
The Ravens could use help at left tackle. McKinnie struggled there in Miami, both in run blocking and pass blocking. He was beat around the edge in the fourth quarter, leading to Joe Flacco's game-tying interception that was returned for a touchdown.
The very athletic Monroe should help immediately both in run and pass blocking.
According to Pro Football Focus, McKinnie has allowed 15 quarterback hurries in five games while Monroe surrendered 10. They each yielded one sack. Monroe received neutral run-blocking grades from PFF in three games and is at -4.6 overall. McKinnie has been in the negative range in four of five games and is a -9.5 overall.
Right tackle Michael Oher called Monroe a "great addition."
Right guard Marshal Yanda said the rest of the offensive linemen have been available for any questions, and have done their best to try to bring him a long.
"[Now] you grab him and let's roll," Yanda said. "He's part of us now and he's going to be good for us. I haven't seen him in practice yet, but he's a smart guy, mature guy. He seems like a pro, handles his job like a pro and is a good guy."
