ProFootballCentral.com

By PFC Ravens Writer Martin Steger
It’s just about impossible for a team to replace the best offensive player in franchise history. It doesn’t get any easier when that player happens to be a left tackle, the quarterback’s first and best line of defense. But this season, the Baltimore Ravens will try to do just that. They need to find the successor to 11-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Ogden, who retired last month. The Ravens also face change at other positions on the offensive line.

Though Ravens fans are understandably worried about the new, Ogden-less line, there is reason for optimism at just about every position—even left tackle, where the Ravens hope to start the young, intriguing Jared Gaither. Gaither is an imposing beast of a man, listed at 6’9” and 350 pounds. His monstrous size is a good thing, because has huge shoes to fill. Though he must succeed a giant, Gaither has the physical tools to succeed at his new gig. And those physical assets will only improve: under new head coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens have installed a new conditioning program that should add even more strength to Gaither’s bulk. Gaither is very young but received some playing time last season, so he’s familiar with the speed of the NFL. Furthermore, coaches have been pleased with his progress this offseason. It’s unrealistic and unfair to expect another Ogden, but Gaither could be anywhere from decent to excellent this season.

Starting alongside Gaither will be Ben Grubbs, who is switching from right to left guard to start his second year. Grubbs is a strong, mobile player with a bit of a crafty side: on one play against the Browns last season, Grubbs flicked a defensive lineman into the grasp of then-center Mike Flynn before racing downfield to maul a linebacker. Willis McGahee proceeded to run for a large gain on the play. Intelligent, crushing plays like that helped Grubbs earn All-Rookie honors from many football observers. He has very high potential and could become a truly dominant player this season.

Thanks to Grubbs’ position switch, Jason Brown can now move from left guard to his natural position of center. With Ogden’s retirement, Brown, 25, is now the oldest starting offensive lineman, edging Adam Terry by a few months. Brown is also the line’s new leader. He is a very skilled player who, as Bart Scott would say, brings the hot sauce. Brown’s tough, gritty play was instrumental in McGahee’s 138-yard performance against the Patriots last season. Brown and Grubbs, a pair of human plows, should form a vicious interior run-blocking duo.

Though Ogden’s absence on the left side is the biggest issue facing this unit, the right side of the line is in flux as well. Marshal Yanda will probably make the switch from tackle to right guard. Yanda got lots of playing time at tackle last season, but right guard may be his true home. At 6’3” and 310 pounds, he certainly has the build for the job. After the Ravens drafted Yanda, SI.com writer Paul Zimmerman described the versatile lineman as an “earthy” player…and there is no earthier position in football than right guard. Yanda started 12 games in 2007, so he has the stuff to make it on the field and should be able to succeed at right guard. Besides, he comes from a pig farming family—it’s hard not to like and root for the guy.

As of right now, Adam Terry is back at right tackle. Though he has drawn the ire of some Ravens fans, he is still young and could have untapped potential. Despite his youth, Terry boasts a relatively large amount of experience compared to his fellow linemen, having appeared in 36 games. He struggled at times last season and has room for improvement, but the new coaching staff could help him on that front.

New offensive coordinator Cam Cameron oversaw a record-setting offense with the Chargers in 2006, which means he also oversaw one of the league’s finest offensive lines. The offensive line Cameron helped create in San Diego is a brutal, swift unit that LaDainian Tomlinson constantly thanks for helping him reach his potential. That line also provides excellent protection for Philip Rivers. Along with Cameron enters new offensive line coach John Matsko. In 1999-00, Matsko held the same position for the Super Bowl-winning Rams, a team that boasted a great offensive line itself. Hopefully this new coaching duo can help the Ravens offensive line reach similar feats. It won’t be easy to make up for Ogden’s retirement, but the new conditioning program, solid coaching and potential at every position are all reasons for Ravens fans to have hope about the new-look offensive line.