By Jim Gehman, Player Engagement Insider
The Baltimore Ravens are fortunate. It isn’t often that they hold early picks in the first round of the NFL Draft. But when they do, they definitely take advantage of the situation.
Sixteen years ago, they owned the fifth overall pick and chose running back Jamal Lewis. Coming off of a 5-11 season in 2015, this year Baltimore had the sixth overall pick and selected Notre Dame’s consensus All-America offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley.
“I was really excited, really happy,” Stanley said. “I knew there was a good possibility I could be going there. I was very fortunate because they’re a top tier organization and usually never draft that low. It was very rewarding.”
The rookie feels that his ‘I made it to the NFL’ moment occurred the first time the team held an open practice inside M&T Bank Stadium. “With all the fans, it was just like a game day environment. That really put things into perspective.”
Things were also put into perspective when he and Baltimore’s other first-year players took part in the Rookie Transition Program.
“That was really helpful,” Stanley said. “Our Player Engagement person, Harry Swayne, was really good in communicating the morals and values that we should have and a lot of the things that we should know about being in the position that we are now. Nothing really surprised me. It was just reminding me.”
Stanley has stepped into the starting left tackle position, a key spot of the offensive line especially with quarterback Joe Flacco coming off of ACL surgery which sidelined him for all but 10 games last season. He is taking on the role with the help of his veteran teammates.
“Marshal Yanda, Jeremy Zuttah, Eric Weddle, Ben Watson, Steve Smith, all those guys have been helping me a lot,” Stanley said. “They’re good role models, good people, and just show you the right way it’s done. (The best advice I’ve gotten is) just go out and work hard. Definitely be ready to perform. There’s going to be no leeway. Everyone’s out here doing their jobs. It doesn’t matter how old you are, if you’re out there you’ve got to get the job done.”
Stanley has done the job very well during training camp and the preseason. “I was pretty anxious, a little nervous going into my first NFL (preseason) game (against the Carolina Panthers on August 11th), but I definitely felt really good getting that first one out of the way. I think I did well.”
As the Ravens get closer to opening the 2016 campaign at home against the Buffalo Bills on September 11th, Stanley will begin his NFL career focused on the team’s success and sans of any personal goals.
“I just come out and try to do the best every day, the best I can be,” Stanley said. “I try to get better. I have no personal goals from that perspective. I have always been good with (being in the spotlight). I just do my thing. I don’t let that affect me, really.”
And what’s the best thing about being Ronnie Stanley today?
“I guess the position I’m in, being able to control my destiny,” he said. “A lot of people really have no say in what’s going on in their life. They can only affect so much. But I’m in full control of what happens to me.”