[News] Will Alex Lewis Or John Urschel Start At Left Guard?

[BR News]

The rookie fourth-round pick started the final three preseason games, but Urschel has returned from a shoulder injury.

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[stixfix69]

I think both will get reps, LG was always going to be a unknown going into this year with KO leaving......I imagine we will see a lot of TE help as well on that side......If the pocket is getting crushed, hopefully they roll Flacco out more on passing downs, to buy some time, and limit hits on him.........

[Peej]

Well, a good running attack should take some of the pressure off - avoiding 2nd and long situations, allowing play-action, bootlegs, etc.

[January J]

Start out with lewis and the first signs of him struggling throw in ursch. Or the other way around. We should be fine and hopefully this year we can "make teams pay" when they bring the heat- like we supposedly worked on all last year to no avail. This year we've got more weapons  that teams will have to account for.

[steelcityraven]

I think that Urschel gets the start for several reasons: 1. He is experienced and that experience can help Stanley pick up intricate blitzes and recognizes assignments vs a complex defense like Rex Ryan's. 2 Urschel is smart and he can adapt on the fly with a little more fluidity. 3. Continuity... Zuttah has familiarity with Urschel and Urschel is more familiar with Trestman's system.

With all that being said, I believe Urschel will start on Sunday but I also believe that at some point in this season... we will see Alex Lewis as the starter... (we may see small samples on short yardage and goal like at first like Trestman is hinting but I think eventually he will win that position. Good to have depth no matter how you slice it however!

[law215]

A lot of people seem to be concerned about the blitzing and stunts. I would start Lewis cause he seems stronger and may provide better push for the run game. If Bills blitz, then Smith Sr, Wallace, Perriman, Aiken , Pitta, or Moore is one on one with one of the worst pass defenses season.. I think Ravens was better versus the past and the Bills did not add anything in the secondary. Ravens must stop their runs game though.

[b93333]

Lewis seems to be the better run blocker... Urschel the better pass blocker. I guess it will depend on Trestman's game plan. Lewis seems to have the greater upside... Urschel the better versatility. Either should be solid.

[stixfix69]

Teams just can't play 8 in the box all the time, since we do have 3 legit deep threats, and so it might make life easier for the O-Line, it's just the exotic packages they haven't faced, is what the youngsters have to be careful with, and they will get help with Juice, or a TE....Right now its just a unknown, but we will have a much better idea around 4 p.m. on Sunday when the game is over....

[billiejean]

"Urschel has 10 starts under his belt, and he has played well in each of those outings" That is a bit of a stretch. He really had some bad games last year and gets overwhelmed by bigger DTs.

[Ravensfansince03]

First game is 2 days away and we don't know who our starting Guard is??

[mc_red23]

8 minutes ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

First game is 2 days away and we don't know who our starting Guard is??

Could be worse, LA don't know who their starting QB is

[designermaryland]

Lewis has earned the start by virtue of his health, the chemistry they have going in camp and his solid performance so far. I think you go with the 2 rookies on the left unless there is some major issue and he looks lost. There is going to be a learning curve and he has the potential to be better at guard. Urschel is a center and can fill in should Zuttah look bad.

[January J]

20 minutes ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

First game is 2 days away and we don't know who our starting Guard is??

its not like we don't have one- its that we have 2 candidates with starting potential. Which isnt a bad problem to have.

[eze17]

I think that Urschel gets the start for several reasons: 1. He is experienced and that experience can help Stanley pick up intricate blitzes and recognizes assignments vs a complex defense like Rex Ryan's. 2 Urschel is smart and he can adapt on the fly with a little more fluidity. 3. Continuity... Zuttah has familiarity with Urschel and Urschel is more familiar with Trestman's system.

With all that being said, I believe Urschel will start on Sunday but I also believe that at some point in this season... we will see Alex Lewis as the starter... (we may see small samples on short yardage and goal like at first like Trestman is hinting but I think eventually he will win that position. Good to have depth no matter how you slice it however!

Very intelligent and thoughtful reply...I would have to agree with your logic, and I do believe Lewis will eventually start on this line before the year ends. Really nice to have a player who can not only start at LG, but I have confidence he could play well at the tackle positions in case of emergency situations.

[ellicottraven]

I'm hoping it is Alex Lewis because he has a chance to be a great guard. Urshcel while smart isn't as big or strong as Alex and he may be best suited to a cerebral postion - Center. This year as a back up to both Lewis and Zuttah and next year may be as our starting Center.

[BirdWatcher]

1 hour ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

First game is 2 days away and we don't know who our starting Guard is??

WE don't, but I'm pretty sure the coaching staff does. 

[20306cab]

I hope Lewis gets a chance to start. He's been playing while Urschel has been laid up. Urschel is a genius who is a serviceable backup guard/center. Maybe he has improved this year, but how can you tell?

[Maryland]

It all comes down to which they value more: better pass protection or better run-blocking. Urschel is going to be more sound in pass protection due to his experience, but he's not the mauler that Lewis is. Lewis is going to get better push in the run game, but as we saw in preseason, he's going to have some mental mistakes against the blitz. It's a trade-off.

[Crusader]

If third year John can not beat out a rookie Lewis then Ravens has some serious issues.

[757RavensFan]

4 hours ago, Crusader said:

If third year John can not beat out a rookie Lewis then Ravens has some serious issues.

Rookies replace vets EVERY year on EVERY team.  

[Crusader]

  6 hours ago, Crusader said:

If third year John can not beat out a rookie Lewis then Ravens has some serious issues.

Rookies replace vets EVERY year on EVERY team.  

Point is if you have three years experience and your about to lose your job then your not very good anyway. To me that would be embarrassing.