The Baltimore Ravens have just made a move to boost their offensive line by signing tackle Jake Long to a one year deal, pending physical.
Ravens and former No. 1 overall pick Jake Long reached agreement on a 1-year deal, per sources. Long flying to Baltimore tonight to sign.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 26, 2016
Jake Long is a former number one overall draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2008 and a four time pro bowler. He also had played with the St. Louis Rams (now Los Angeles Rams) and the Atlanta Falcons.
This move provides a veteran backup and strong mentor for the Ravens 2016 first round pick Ronnie Stanley. This move also adds depth as Baltimore has James Hurst to be third on the roster. This helps with the recent losses of Eugene Monroe and Kelechi Osemele.
In Jake Long’s career, he has played in 100 games, starting 96 of those. He hasn’t started since 2014, however, as injuries have set him back. These injuries include a torn ACL and MCL in 2013 and a torn ACL in 2014. Long had also had knee complications in both 2013 and 2014. In 2015, he played just four games with the Falcons.
Long told ESPN that “This is the healthiest and best I’ve felt in five, six years. My knee’s back.”
Finally being healthy, Long hopes to stay injury free so he can be able to provide the back up insurance for Ronnie Stanley and Joe Flacco. Nothing is holding him back from contributing to the team as he is going to do everything he can to help the Ravens succeed.
It seems as Jake Long has fallen off of the radar by many and hasn’t been as great as expected, but he can still be a force on the roster and in the locker room.
No other roster moves have to be made to counter this addition, as the signing completes the 90 man roster heading in to training camp. There is no doubt that he will make the 53 man roster by the time training camp is done.
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