If Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane hasn't already done his homework, he needs to study the resume of Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. With the recent injury to offensive lineman Ethan Pocic, Vega will assume center responsibilities in Week 4 and meet Simmons face to face at the snap.
Simmons will provide an unforgiving first examination for Ioane at his new position. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle combines power, quickness, and an understanding of blocking schemes that can overwhelm even experienced centers. Ioane must manage the snap, identify Baltimore’s protections, and keep Simmons from disrupting the offense before Derrick Henry reaches the line of scrimmage. The Ravens have hinted that the move
could extend beyond Sunday, with Ioane potentially remaining at center while Andrew Vorhees and Emery Jones Jr. compete for the opening at right guard.
Baltimore also protected itself by signing veteran center Andre James and guard Kyle Hergel to the practice squad Wednesday. James brings extensive starting experience and gives the Ravens a natural center if Ioane struggles or another injury occurs, while Hergel adds interior depth. Ioane will receive the first opportunity to stabilize the position, but Simmons represents a difficult opening assignment and an immediate test of whether Baltimore’s rebuilt offensive line can function against one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive tackles.
Perhaps quarterback Lamar Jackson can beguile Simmons with the snap count, or the Ravens may choose to avoid running the football inside the A-gap Sunday. Either way, offensive coordinator DeClan Doyle needs to avoid these daunting pre-snap motion calls that led to penalties and negative plays last weekend. False starts, broken plays, and illegal formation flags marred Sunday's game. While Doyle schemed an output of 34 total points in the 34-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the team went just 3-9 on third downs and lost the time of possession to a rather fragile Cowboys defense.
The Titans have allowed opponents only 19.7 points per game and currently rank No. 10 in the NFL in that category. Statistically, they've been fairly impressive against the run, and Simmons already has two sacks in just three games played; Simmons will look to terrorize the Ravens' offensive line and neutralize the impact of running back Derrick Henry. The Titans' goal will be to bait the Ravens' offense into committing to the pass and shying away from Henry and the ground game. Jackson has a history of getting sacked, and Doyle must do the expedient things to keep his QB1 upright at home. For Vega, proving big ability at the NFL stage couldn’t come at a more crucial time as the Ravens look to improve to 3-1.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens need to summon a plan to stop Titans' Jeffery Simmons
