Patchwork Ravens line keeps McNair from harm

By Darrell Laurant  |   Thursday, December 14, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Baltimore Ravens
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One of the factors in the Baltimore Ravens' 10-3 start in 2006 might be peanut butter and jelly. Or is that two factors?

Anyway, it was PB&J, along with lots of chocolate shakes, that enabled Chris Chester to pack on 60 pounds his first two years at the University of Oklahoma. In the process, he ate himself from a tight end into an offensive guard.

This year, now at 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, the rookie has been an important cog in the Ravens' offensive line, stepping in at right guard when Edwin Mulitalo suffered a season-ending triceps injury. Meanwhile, second-year man Jason Brown filled in at the other guard spot when Keydrick Vincent was shelved by injury for three games, and the Ravens' forward wall never missed a beat.

When Baltimore signed Steve McNair during the off-season to play quarterback, the conversations in sports bars and on talk shows and blogs invariably turned to yin and yang. Yes, McNair is a great player, and a winner. The problem is, he gets hurt all the time.

Not this year, and a large part of the reason (literally) is an overachieving O-line manned by guys like Brown, Chester, Vincent, Jonathan Ogden, Mike Flynn, Tony Pashos and Adam Terry. Of that group, only Ogden is a recognizable name.

And yet, the Baltimore line has allowed only 20 sacks this season, on pace to break the team record of 35. Moreover, McNair wasn't sacked even once in the last three games with Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Kansas City.

"The only time I get touched," McNair said, "is when I'm trying to run for a first down."

This is a remarkable stat, considering the prime-time responsibility forced upon the inexperienced Chester and Brown.

"You've got to take your hats off to the young guys," Vincent said. "Evidently, they've been paying attention in the meetings."

Natural ability doesn't hurt, either. Eric DeConti, director of college scouting for the Ravens, calls Chester "probably one of the best athletes on the offensive line to come out in the last five years."

Still a bit undersized for an NFL blocker, Chester has used that athleticism to make up the difference.

Brown, from the University of North Carolina, is plenty big (6-3, 320) and strong enough -- it was technique that he had to learn. Nevertheless, as a Tar Heel senior in 2004, he didn't allow a sack.

"Jason has stepped in and held his own," said Ogden, "and that's all you can ask for."

There have been some glitches, of course. Only in recent weeks has the line begun opening holes for RB Jamal Lewis to burst through. And Brown and Chester were flagged for false-start penalties on consecutive plays against Kansas City.

"Obviously, with new guys, it takes some time," said offensive line coach Chris Foerster.

But time, a priceless gift, is what they're now helping to give Steve McNair.

Pass the PB&J.
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