Baltimore Ravens OLs on facing big Green Bay Packers DLs

Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda (73) celebrates after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers only have a three-man front, but their three starters are all huge and have the eyes of the Baltimore Ravens interior offensive line. Nose tackle B.J. Raji isn’t even the biggest of them at 337 pounds, as Ryan Pickett, who suffered a very minor hand injury at practice yesterday and is fully expected to play, weighs 338 pounds. Johnny Jolly is the most fleet-footed of the three at 325 pounds, and the Packers have some depth on the line too in Mike Neal, UCLA rookie Datone Jones, Mike Daniels, and C.J. Wilson.

Baltimore Ravens right guard Marshal Yanda is one of the best offensive linemen in the game, and here’s what he had to say about facing the Packers front seven, via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, “The Packers have a lot of weight upfront. They’re a good front. We’re going to have to be ready to roll again.”

Here’s what Iowa State product and fellow Ravens starting guard Kelechi Osemele said, “Everybody is over 320 pounds to 330 pounds. They’re big guys, strong, can move a lot. It’s going to be a challenge this week. They’re a really good defensive line. Raji’s a big dude. I’m going to have my hands full this week.”

Osemele is set to play after missing last week’s game against the Miami Dolphins, and the Ravens will start Eugene Monroe for his debut with the team following his trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Monroe is a top left tackle in this league, and he is a clear upgrade over Bryant McKinnie. Without Monroe and Osemele, the Ravens left side of the line was horrendous last week.

Mike Daniels and Ryan Pickett are the two players to watch for the closest on the Green Bay Packers D-Line, as both players have been, as expected, excellent against the run. Neither Ray Rice nor Bernard Pierce could get much going against an extremely tough Miami Dolphins front seven last week, so they are looking for a better week behind a better OL and a worse LB corps on the other side.

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