Jovaughn Gwyn’s grip on the Ravens’ starting center job is already under pressure, and Sunday’s matchup with the Dallas Cowboys could go a long way toward deciding whether he keeps it.
Baltimore knew there would be a learning curve when Gwyn got his first crack as a starter, especially with Tyler Linderbaum having set such a high bar in the middle. Through the early part of the season, Gwyn has shown both sides of the equation. In the run game, he has been a real asset, helping open lanes for Derrick Henry and backing that up with an 86.3 run-blocking grade from PFF, which ranks second in the league.
The problem is what’s happening when the ball has to come out. Gwyn’s pass protection has been rough enough to stand out for all the wrong reasons. His 19.5 PFF grade as a pass blocker is the worst among starting centers, and he has already allowed five pressures.
That puts real weight on every snap going forward. Head coach Jesse Minter made it clear before the season that Gwyn winning the Week 1 job was a deliberate call, not a temporary one. But if the pass-blocking issues keep putting Lamar Jackson at risk, Baltimore may not have much choice but to look elsewhere.
That other option is Ethan Pocic, the veteran center the Ravens signed late in the offseason. Pocic has 97 starts across nine seasons and has generally been a steady performer.
The question is his health after tearing his Achilles in December. Even so, he has been active every week, which keeps him in the mix for playing time and possibly a starting role.
There are obvious concerns about how the 31-year-old will look coming back from that injury, but from a pure experience standpoint, he would be a clear upgrade. That matters even more with rookie guard Vega Ioane struggling early, because having Pocic next to him could help stabilize things inside.
Even with the injury in the background, it is hard to picture Pocic being a downgrade from Gwyn. The biggest unknown is how close he is to full strength, but the possibility of a change at center feels real.
Sunday offers Gwyn a favorable chance to answer some of those questions. Through two weeks, Dallas ranks 25th in pressure rate, which gives him a shot to clean up the pass-protection issues that have followed him so far. But if he has another rough outing against that front, the Ravens’ patience could wear thin fast.
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Ravens Brazil Game Just Got An Unexpected Halftime Twist
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For Baltimore, its another reminder that this game is being staged as more than a regular-season date on the schedule. Martin brings worldwide recognition and prior NFL halftime experience, while Sampaio gives the event a distinctly Brazilian edge, making the midgame break one more part of a night designed to feel like a showcase. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Fans Already Have A Dak Problem Before Rio Kickoff
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Off the field, the pregame presentation has also stirred conversation, especially among Cowboys fans who took issue with the caricatures of Dak Prescott and Lamar Jackson displayed around the stadium. Prescotts likeness in particular drew plenty of criticism online for how unflattering it looked, giving Dallas supporters something else to gripe about before the football even starts. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Week 1 Opener Suddenly Has A Serious Brazil Problem
The Ravens Week 1 trip to Brazil is drawing some unexpected attention before either team takes the field, and it has nothing to do with travel or atmosphere. The Cowboys-Ravens matchup at Rio de Janeiros Maracana Stadium has sparked concerns about the condition of the playing surface, with league and union officials already weighing in on the work being done to improve traction and stability.
NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter and NFL field director Nick Pappas have both addressed the efforts underway to get the surface ready, underscoring just how closely this one is being watched. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has said he feels confident about playing there, but for Baltimore, the bigger question is whether the field is going to be in acceptable shape by kickoff. [Read more 🡒]