A left tackle's job is to protect whoever is playing quarterback, no matter the name on the back of their jersey.
But with Joe Flacco stepping back onto the field following knee surgery, the importance of being his blindside protector isn't lost on rookie sixth-overall pick Ronnie Stanley.
"Protecting Joe, he's a very valuable man," Stanley said. "We know how much worth he is to this team and how valued he is."
Flacco said his biggest hurdle remaining will be mentally getting over defenders coming at his legs. Stanley will be responsible for keeping them away and giving his quarterback peace of mind.
Flacco said he does get a "sense of security" from having veteran tackles who have done it before. But he also said the most important thing is how the offensive line plays as a unit.
"I'm not really concerned about having a rookie out there if he's going to mesh well with our guys, and he's going to play really well," Flacco said.
Stanley said what he's focused on now is getting the plays down and making sure he doesn't have any mental lapses. He said the techniques that Offensive Line Coach Juan Castillo hammers home through repetition are "very similar" to those he used in college at Notre Dame.
"I think I'm in a good position right now," Stanley said.
Head Coach John Harbaugh said Stanley did a good job after Thursday's practice, though Harbaugh won't get a full picture until looking at the tape. Harbaugh said he didn't see any glaring negatives, which is a good sign with a rookie being thrown into the fire.
However, Stanley hasn't faced the best competition the Ravens can offer. That will come once the pads are on (beginning Saturday) and when veterans Terrell Suggs (Achilles) and Elvis Dumervil (foot) return.
"That will be the best competition out there," Stanley said. "That will definitely get anyone ready for the season coming ahead. I'm definitely looking forward to it."
