The Ravens' starters at nearly every position could be named right now – except on the offensive line.
Baltimore is more than a week into training camp and still in experimentation mode as coaches try to find the best combination of blockers.
The Ravens are happy with the players they have, their versatility and depth, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions.
On Saturday, Head Coach John Harbaugh, Offensive Line Coach Joe D'Alessandris and guard/center Alex Lewis shared some insight on the process.
"I don't know what's going to happen by tomorrow morning. I just don't," D'Alessandris said. "You have an idea of who are going to be your so-called projected players and starters, but that could change overnight."
For the most part, the Ravens' first-team offensive line has been, from left to right, Ronnie Stanley, Alex Lewis, Matt Skura, James Hurst and rookie Orlando Brown Jr. However, that's altered because Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda is sidelined (shoulder).
Once Yanda returns, the question is where it bumps Hurst, who started 16 games at left guard last year.
Hurst is currently listed as the Ravens' top right tackle on their first depth chart, ahead of Brown. But Brown has manned that spot throughout offseason practices as the Ravens want to give him the reps to improve. D'Alessandris also said he likes Hurst being next to the third-round rookie so he can coach him up.
So Hurst could take over at right tackle if Brown isn't ready, but Hurst would need practice reps there too considering it would be a new spot for him (he has one career start at right tackle).
Hurst could also go back to left guard, where he felt comfortable last season. That could move Lewis to center and bump Skura from the starting five.
Harbaugh said that by the time the Ravens get to their second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams (Aug. 9), and by their third game versus the Indianapolis Colts (Aug. 20), they'll "start honing in on what we're going to do."
Lewis Is Happy Playing Wherever on Offensive Line
Lewis had always said he'll play wherever he has to in order to be a starter.
After a year on the sideline because of shoulder surgery, Lewis is even more emphatic that he'll line up anywhere to get on the field.
"I love it, man! I'm back out on the field playing football again," Lewis said. "I don't care where they put me at – center, guard, tackle, tight end, quarterback. I'm [going to] play some football."
Lewis was an offensive tackle in college at Nebraska. When he came to Baltimore, he started at left guard and also stepped in at left tackle when Stanley went down with an injury. Lewis started eight games as a rookie and played well.
However, with the departure of Ryan Jensen in free agency, the Ravens are considering the idea of moving Lewis to center because they like his nasty streak and size (6-foot-6, 315 pounds).
"The good news is I think he can [play center]. I think he's smart enough to do it. He likes to do it, he wants to do it," D'Alessandris said.
"So that's encouraging [because] some people rebel. He doesn't. He's grasped every opportunity and said, 'You know what, give me a chance and let's see what I can do with this.'"
Skura is more of a natural center considering it's what he played throughout college at Duke. He's been given the first crack at seizing the job this year, but doesn't have as much size and brings a different style than Jensen and Lewis.
Still, it's a fairly big learning curve for Lewis if he's going to grab the job.
"When you play center, you become essentially the quarterback of the offensive line," Lewis said. "You have to think really hard. It's got to become second nature because you have to do within a matter of two to three seconds. Boom – we're hiking it – we got quick cadence. You got to get up, get set, and let's roll."
Humphrey Chides Himself After Rough Practices
There's no doubt that second-year cornerback Marlon Humphrey is a very good player and has all the tools to be even better. Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale said Humphrey will be a "dominant" cornerback in the NFL.
There's also no denying that Humphrey has had three straight tough practices in which he's surrendered several deep completions, particularly to wide receiver John Brown.
Brown got Humphrey again Saturday, which led last year's first-round pick to having a chat with Secondary Coach Chris Hewitt. Humphrey was later beaten by Breshad Perriman on another deep catch.
It's not that Humphrey has been wildly out of position. He's step-for-step with the wideouts, but they've gained separation in the last seconds and made nice plays on the ball.
As Martindale pointed out, it's also different in training camp when defensive backs are trying to avoid having too much contact with their teammates.
Still, Humphrey chided himself a bit on social media after Saturday's practice.
The Ravens' starters at nearly every position could be named right now – except on the offensive line.
Baltimore is more than a week into training camp and still in experimentation mode as coaches try to find the best combination of blockers.
The Ravens are happy with the players they have, their versatility and depth, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions.
On Saturday, Head Coach John Harbaugh, Offensive Line Coach Joe D'Alessandris and guard/center Alex Lewis shared some insight on the process.
"I don't know what's going to happen by tomorrow morning. I just don't," D'Alessandris said. "You have an idea of who are going to be your so-called projected players and starters, but that could change overnight."
For the most part, the Ravens' first-team offensive line has been, from left to right, Ronnie Stanley, Alex Lewis, Matt Skura, James Hurst and rookie Orlando Brown Jr. However, that's altered because Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda is sidelined (shoulder).
Once Yanda returns, the question is where it bumps Hurst, who started 16 games at left guard last year.
Hurst is currently listed as the Ravens' top right tackle on their first depth chart, ahead of Brown. But Brown has manned that spot throughout offseason practices as the Ravens want to give him the reps to improve. D'Alessandris also said he likes Hurst being next to the third-round rookie so he can coach him up.
So Hurst could take over at right tackle if Brown isn't ready, but Hurst would need practice reps there too considering it would be a new spot for him (he has one career start at right tackle).
Hurst could also go back to left guard, where he felt comfortable last season. That could move Lewis to center and bump Skura from the starting five.
Harbaugh said that by the time the Ravens get to their second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams (Aug. 9), and by their third game versus the Indianapolis Colts (Aug. 20), they'll "start honing in on what we're going to do."
Lewis Is Happy Playing Wherever on Offensive Line
Lewis had always said he'll play wherever he has to in order to be a starter.
After a year on the sideline because of shoulder surgery, Lewis is even more emphatic that he'll line up anywhere to get on the field.
"I love it, man! I'm back out on the field playing football again," Lewis said. "I don't care where they put me at – center, guard, tackle, tight end, quarterback. I'm [going to] play some football."
Lewis was an offensive tackle in college at Nebraska. When he came to Baltimore, he started at left guard and also stepped in at left tackle when Stanley went down with an injury. Lewis started eight games as a rookie and played well.
However, with the departure of Ryan Jensen in free agency, the Ravens are considering the idea of moving Lewis to center because they like his nasty streak and size (6-foot-6, 315 pounds).
"The good news is I think he can [play center]. I think he's smart enough to do it. He likes to do it, he wants to do it," D'Alessandris said.
"So that's encouraging [because] some people rebel. He doesn't. He's grasped every opportunity and said, 'You know what, give me a chance and let's see what I can do with this.'"
Skura is more of a natural center considering it's what he played throughout college at Duke. He's been given the first crack at seizing the job this year, but doesn't have as much size and brings a different style than Jensen and Lewis.
Still, it's a fairly big learning curve for Lewis if he's going to grab the job.
"When you play center, you become essentially the quarterback of the offensive line," Lewis said. "You have to think really hard. It's got to become second nature because you have to do within a matter of two to three seconds. Boom – we're hiking it – we got quick cadence. You got to get up, get set, and let's roll."
Humphrey Chides Himself After Rough Practices
There's no doubt that second-year cornerback Marlon Humphrey is a very good player and has all the tools to be even better. Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale said Humphrey will be a "dominant" cornerback in the NFL.
There's also no denying that Humphrey has had three straight tough practices in which he's surrendered several deep completions, particularly to wide receiver John Brown.
Brown got Humphrey again Saturday, which led last year's first-round pick to having a chat with Secondary Coach Chris Hewitt. Humphrey was later beaten by Breshad Perriman on another deep catch.
It's not that Humphrey has been wildly out of position. He's step-for-step with the wideouts, but they've gained separation in the last seconds and made nice plays on the ball.
As Martindale pointed out, it's also different in training camp when defensive backs are trying to avoid having too much contact with their teammates.
Still, Humphrey chided himself a bit on social media after Saturday's practice.
Humphrey's teammates, veteran safeties Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson, told the young cornerback not to worry about it.
