[News] Reports: Ravens Reach Agreement With Veteran OT Jake Long

[BR News]

The former No. 1-overall pick is flying to Baltimore tonight to sign, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Long would provide more competition at the tackle spot.

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[hen826957]

Not a bad pickup. It would me a much cheaper backup for Ronnie Stanley than keeping Monroe. :-)

[bioLarzen]

I like to think he was first and foremost brought in to mentor Stanley. If he can compete for the backup job, it would be an added bonus.

Anyway, there's no real downside of this move, with a ton of potential upside. A kind of Trent Richardson 2.0. We had the roster spot,, we have ths cap space, we could definitely use a proven mentor for Stanley... So, why not? It makes so much sense even I can see it.

[Maryland]

Really like this move, since an upgrade at backup OT was sorely needed. Anything he can contribute as a mentor is an added bonus. My only concern is that he could be the kind of injury-prone player you can't quite count-on as a backup if needed.

[bnyce52]

Oh yea baby. I never liked the idea of just handing the starting job to Ronnie. If Jake is over his two ACL injuries from his Rams days, then we've got a pro bowler on a low risk (depending on how much we're giving him) one year deal. Unlike Ronnie, he was the unanimous highest ranked tackle in his draft class and likely isn't coming to Baltimore to back up a rookie by default if he is in fact healthy which he very well may be. The Falcons have the talent and depth at left tackle (really the only position on the 0-line where they're set) so they could afford to pass off his re-injury risk to another team. Ozzie shows his stellar patience once again. Competition everywhere. Now we have options to get Ronnie on the field if he isn't ready for LT. He can play left guard or go to right tackle to compete with Rick Wagner. Harbs must love the competition and flexibility. Now get one more inside linebacker and let's go. Camp time baby!!!!!!

[hen826957]

I like to think he was first and foremost brought in to mentor Stanley. If he can compete for the backup job, it would be an added bonus.

Anyway, there's no real downside of this move, with a ton of potential upside. A kind of Trent Richardson 2.0. We had the roster spot,, we have ths cap space, we could definitely use a proven mentor for Stanley... So, why not? It makes so much sense even I can see it.

I agree. :-)

[bnyce52]

Really like this move, since an upgrade at backup OT was sorely needed. Anything he can contribute as a mentor is an added bonus. My only concern is that he could be the kind of injury-prone player you can't quite count-on as a backup if needed.

Who says he's a backup? He's a pro-bowler who may finally be healthy again. Also who says Ronnie is ready to start against the Bills at left tackle? Jonathan Ogden wasn't.

[ellicottraven]

I think it's a sensible signing. Let him have the opportunity to prove he can be healthy and back our tackles up through training camp and earn a roster spot. Sometimes these are the signings that Ozzie has that end up improving our team a whole lot. Case in point: Daryl Smith.

[cbrook1862]

I think he adds more than just "competition" and veteran advice. If he proves himself in camp I don't see a reason why he shouldn't start.

[cbrook1862]

  19 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

I like to think he was first and foremost brought in to mentor Stanley. If he can compete for the backup job, it would be an added bonus.

Anyway, there's no real downside of this move, with a ton of potential upside. A kind of Trent Richardson 2.0. We had the roster spot,, we have ths cap space, we could definitely use a proven mentor for Stanley... So, why not? It makes so much sense even I can see it.

I agree. :-)

What makes him a backup? He might be the starter. I can see Stanley struggling. Had KO stayed, he'd take some of the load off Stanley and be like a big brother in the trenches. Defenses are going to come at him hard, and a beast OG, right next to him would've helped a lot.

[harfordravenfan]

Only one not liking this move is Hurst