Stanley Is Excited About the Remade Offensive Line
The Ravens addressed the middle of their offensive line during the offseason, signing free agents John Simpson, Ethan Pocic and Danny Pinter while drafting Vega Ioane. Pocic and Pinter are competing with Jovaughn Gwyn and Corey Bullock to start at center. Simpson is penciled in as the starting left guard in his second stint with Baltimore, while first-round pick Ioane is expected to start at right guard.
When asked about Simpson, Stanley’s face lit up. They played next to each other in 2023, when the Ravens finished 13-4 and advanced to the AFC Championship game. After the season, Simpson signed with the New York Jets. Stanley is happy they’ve reunited.
“John’s a great player, great guy,” Stanley said. “He brings his energy to the room every day. He’s always in an upbeat mood, doesn’t matter what time it is.”
New Offensive Line Coach Dwayne Ledford has also impressed Stanley, and Head Coach Jesse Minter said on the “The Lounge” podcast that the offensive line is often a barometer for how a team performs.
Stanley doesn’t disagree.
“I truly believe the same thing,” Stanley said. “A lot of the team, whether they know it not, they look to the offensive line for encouragement, leadership. For a head coach to embody that same mentality, especially a defensive head coach, I think says a lot to his understanding of the game within the game.”