The Ravens are signing veteran center Ethan Pocic, a longtime starter who could instantly become the favorite in Baltimore’s training camp battle to replace Tyler Linderbaum. Here are the instant reactions from Baltimore Beatdown’s staff!
Once Pocic was medically cleared for training camp, I knew he would be a Raven. And considering his experience and his competition in Baltimore, he may very well be the team’s Week 1 starting center. His 97 starts across nine NFL seasons dwarfs Pinter’s 10 starts over
five seasons and the start-less careers of Jovaughn Gwyn and Corey Bullock. And while the Browns were largely pitiful during Pocic’s time in Cleveland, the Browns’ offensive line was consistently a solid unit…when healthy. That is probably the biggest question mark about Pocic – not just his recovery from last year’s torn Achilles, but his ability to avoid the injuries that have kept him from playing a full season in his career. Overall, he has been a solid but unspectacular blocker in his career, which is really all the Ravens need from their starting center this year. Barring an unexpectedly high price point, this is a smart move from Eric DeCosta that could pay dividends down the line. – Nikhil Mehta
I really like this signing based on what we’d been hearing from inside the building for the Ravens. They weren’t dissatisfied with what they had, but it sounded like it would be an open competition that would go to the guy who performed the best, and we hadn’t seen any of the candidates look like everyday starters at the center position that inspire a ton of confidence in front of Lamar. The peak of Pocic’s game when he’s healthy would be the best for me in this group, and even if he ends up not earning the spot, having the competition in the building is what they were going for in the first place. – Kevin McNelis
This move does little to sway my confidence level in the center position considering Pocic will soon be 31 and is coming off an Achilles injury. If he can return to his pre-injury form, then Pocic should be an upgrade over the other players on Baltimore’s roster, but it’s hard to feel good about this position group at the moment. Hiding subpar center play should be easier than dealing with two inadequate guards last season, but I am still concerned about interior pressure being an issue for this offense. – Dustin Cox
I know a lot of people are nervous about the center position, but I’m not super worried. Beyond the upgraded guard positions that will help support whoever starts, there’s also just a ton competition which should ensure whoever starts is worthy. Pocic is just more competition in my mind. Health is very important as he tore his Achilles in December, but even if he is healthy, I’m not penciling him in. I think Pinter and Gwynne still have a very real chance of taking the job, and Bullock is still there too. But Pocic offers real veteran starting experience at the center position that the Ravens didn’t have on the roster before. If Pocic is the starter come Week 1, I think it’ll be well earned, not given. – Zach Canter
Now, it’s your turn! What is your reaction to the Ravens signing Ethan Pocic? Have they found their new starting center, or are you expecting another player to win the job in training camp? Let us know in the comments section below!
