Lamar Jackson’s accidents the previous two years have grabbed nearly all of headlines when it has come to Ravens gamers being sidelined. But he’s not the one important participant who has struggled to remain on the sphere.
Over the previous three seasons, left sort out and former All-Pro Ronnie Stanley has performed simply 18 video games, together with six in 2020 and one in 2021.
So think about the 29-year-old’s pleasure not having to spend this offseason rehabilitating.
“The majority of my time the past couple of years has been spent on rehab — 80% of that offseason time, probably, and 20% on training,” Stanley mentioned Wednesday through the second day of the Ravens’ three-day necessary minicamp. “So, I’ve been in a position to actually put most of my time on coaching and constructing and getting stronger, getting extra endurance. And simply turning into an total higher athlete has been a giant distinction for me.
“This is as good as I’ve felt since 2019, preseason 2020.”
While Stanley did play in 11 video games final season, returning in Week 5, his play didn’t come near matching that of 2019, when he was one of the best pass-blocking sort out within the NFL, in response to Pro Football Focus. That season, he bought a 93.3 pass-blocking grade and an total mark of 88.5.
In October 2020, the Ravens signed him to a five-year, $98.75 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman within the NFL on the time.
Two days later, although, Stanley suffered a season-ending left ankle damage in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Back for the season-opener the next yr, it was clear he wasn’t totally healed. He underwent one other surgical procedure and missed the remainder of the yr.
Now coming right into a season wholesome for the primary time in years, Stanley is raring to return to his pre-injury stage.
“[It’s] a big difference to be able to go through a full offseason healthy,” he mentioned. “I’ve been able to build off what I did last season and just get better. I really feel a big difference from the past couple years.”
Still, it might take a while.
For one, there’s a brand new offense to be taught below coordinator Todd Monken. For one other, Stanley solely simply reported this week; he didn’t seem for the voluntary organized staff actions the previous few weeks.
After Thursday, the Ravens are off till the beginning of coaching camp in late July.
“It’s hard for me to tell but I don’t think I will be [back to my 2019 level] until … I feel confident in just the way I move and it kind of feels the same to me,” he mentioned. “But for the usual I’ve for myself, I need to be higher.
“I think [I can get back there]. After this offseason, my confidence level that I will get back [is] further [along] and that level has gone up because, just the things I’ve been able to work on and build through the offseason.”
Even being near that may be useful to a Ravens offensive line that has needed to shuffle gamers round in his absence and misplaced beginning left guard Ben Powers to the Denver Broncos in free company this offseason.
His return can also be excellent news for Jackson, who was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player the identical yr Stanley was an All-Pro after throwing for 3,126 yards and a league-high 36 touchdowns whereas speeding for 1,206 yards and 7 touchdowns.
This yr, expectations are additionally excessive for the quarterback and the offense after the Ravens remade their extensive receiver group by signing former All-Pro Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor and drafting Zay Flowers. Earlier this offseason, Jackson joked about having the ability to throw for six,000 yards.
But so as to do this, he’ll have to remain wholesome. Having Stanley again goes a good distance.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com