Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh held his first press conference since the team’s 16-13 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18. Harbaugh made plenty of good points, was honest, and sounded happy to have a chance to regroup after a tough 2021 season.
Harbaugh answered questions about a plethora of topics, from his coordinators to injury updates and everything in between. When asked about how important he thinks that the offensive line is, he responded in detail about how it is “critically” important, and discussed how he thought some of his linemen played over the course of the year.
“I think it’s critically important. To me, the offensive line is really, really important. It’s the basis…I believed that in 2008; I believed that when my dad told me that, probably, in about 1972. You win and lose in the trenches, and that’s where it starts. Yes, you’ve got to have playmakers, the quarterbacks are kind of important – you’re seeing that this weekend – but no skill player can do anything without the lines in front of them doing that work. So, to me, and in our offense especially, it’s just critically important that we have a really good offensive line, so, yes, Ronnie [Stanley] is a big part of that. Kevin Zeitler – gosh, did he do a good job. What a great signing for us. And then we’ve got some young guys at guard coming along. Ben Cleveland played really well the last game – that was good to see. Ben Powers played well until he got hurt at the end. And then Tyre [Phillips] we’ve just got to keep Tyre healthy. Every time he starts to gain momentum, something happens. [He’s] a very talented guy, but he needs time on task, and if he does, what’s going to happen with him? So, I’m just kind of going through guys. What’s going to happen with Alejandro [Villanueva]? Where is he at? What’s his feeling right now? He played probably his two best games [in] the last two games [of the season].”
"To me the offensive line is really, really important. It's the basis… You win and lose in the trenches." pic.twitter.com/VMNzUxWLpE
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 31, 2022
Harbaugh’s response gives a glimpse into the offseason in the sense that the offensive line could be a major priority for the team. Being able to move defenders in the run game and protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson is critical, so giving Jackson time in the pocket will help boost the offense in a big way.
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