A week ago, coach John Harbaugh made it clear there'll be adjustments made to the Ravens' lineup, particularly the offensive line, and Monday he confirmed he's sticking to it.
"It’s not like we’re going to switch everything around and make some huge moves. But, we’re always trying to look at the best batting order," Harbaugh said Monday after his team exits its bye week. "We’re always trying to look at the best lineup that we can put on the field at any particular time and getting as many good players involved as we possibly can."
The most changes have taken place on the offensive line, which has allowed 18 sacks of Joe Flacco which is five more than after seven games last season even though he actually passed 10 times more in 2011.
Ramon Harewood was the starting left guard until two weeks ago. He was replaced by veteran Bobbie Williams.
Left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who has had a hip flexor strain, recently said he expected to be in the starting lineup by the second half of the season.
Right tackle Kelechi Osemele is coming off an injured knee and ankle from a 43-13 loss to the Houston Texans.
Backup right guard/tackle Jah Reid has returned from a calf injury and appears finally ready to make his first appearance of the season.
"There are young guys on the offensive line that we want to look at. There are veteran guys that can help us in doing different things. I just think that football is kind of evolving into where you have to try to get as many players involved as you can," Harbaugh said. " So, without giving away too much, I can just tell you that the whole offensive line is not going to re-ordered on Wednesday. We’re not doing that."
The defensive line has had trouble with being pushed around. In the last three games, it has given up more than 200 yards rushing per game on average. Defensive end Pernell McPhee only has one-half sack after six last season.
The Ravens, however, are 2-1 in those games. Tackles Haloti Ngata and Ma'ake Kemoeatu have had knee injuries. Kemoeatu missed the Texans game.
They're expected to be able to play for Sunday's game at the Cleveland Browns.
"The whole defensive line is not going to be restructured either," Harbaugh said. "But there are some things that we think we can do in getting some guys involved and using them as we go and kind of taking advantage of all of our guys.”
