Roger Rosengarten has spent the first five weeks of the season blocking next to a different combination of linemen almost every Sunday. On Wednesday, the Baltimore Ravens right tackle said that is about to change, and he made it clear who the offensive line is still built around.
Asked what continues to impress him about Derrick Henry as he approaches his 40th career game, Rosengarten did not hesitate. “He’s a pro. He’s a gold jacket player for a reason,” he said. “Week in and week out, he takes the game plans and dials it in very seriously. He’s always asking questions, and it all depends on us on opening a few. All he needs is a little crease, a little run lane to spring a big run for him.”
He added that Henry has been “dominant in the pass game too,” pointing to the screens against Atlanta. In Sunday night’s 30-23 overtime win over the Falcons, Henry ran 24 times for 102 yards and caught an 18-yard touchdown pass. Through five games he has 113 carries for 476 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. “Being drafted here and being told that Derrick Henry’s going to be your running back is a great feeling,” Rosengarten said.
Cam Jurgens: “The head of the spear”
The biggest change up front could come at center. Cam Jurgens, acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade last week, has not played for Baltimore yet. He was inactive in Atlanta while in the concussion protocol and was limited in a red non-contact jersey at Wednesday’s practice.
Rosengarten said Jurgens brings something the room has not had. “He’s been on one of the most dominant offensive lines in the NFL, and he was the head of that ship at center,” he said. “So, he’s tasted what a Super Bowl feels like, and just him, his leadership and what he brings to the table for us is something I’m super excited about. I’m really excited for Cam to step on and jump ship for us, and kind of be the head of the spear.”
Head coach Jesse Minter said Jurgens has “done an amazing job mentally to really learn everything,” but that his availability for Sunday will come down to the protocol. “The medical side will really determine his availability,” Minter said. “If he’s ready, then I think he’ll be ready.” Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, whose locker is next to Jurgens’, described him as “not the biggest guy, but he is very, very quick and very strong.”
Vega Ioane is “1-of-1”
Rosengarten made sure the man who has been snapping the ball got his credit. Vega Ioane, the Ravens’ first-round pick out of Penn State, started the season at right guard before moving to center in the middle of a game and then starting the next two weeks there. “That’s unheard of, especially when you’re playing right guard,” Rosengarten said.
Asked about Ioane’s name coming up in Offensive Rookie of the Year talk, he went all in. “I’m for it. I’m for any award an offensive lineman could get. I’m all for it,” he said. “Like I said, V is 1-of-1. Especially as a rookie, that’s insane to start at right guard for a few games and then middle of a game get thrown in there at center, and then, ‘Oh, yes. You have to start the next two weeks there at center.’ So, he’s done a great job, and I’m going to be his biggest advocate for that.”
He said the reshuffling has not been easy. “It’s definitely different, but this is the NFL and unfortunately injuries are part of the game,” Rosengarten said, crediting Ioane, Emery Jones Jr. and Andrew Vorhees for playing different spots. “There’s kind of some unfamiliarity, and it’s kind of hard to get in the groove sometimes, but if we’re all playing together and are all on the same page, good things will happen.” He gave the rest of the credit to offensive line coach and run game coordinator Dwayne Ledford and assistant Shawn Flaherty for preparing new players each week.
“A plus one and a half”
Sunday’s trip to Cleveland is Baltimore’s first division game, and Rosengarten repeated a line from Minter’s team meeting. “Every game, every win you get is a plus one, but especially a division game is a plus one and a half,” he said. “Any AFC North division game is going to be a tough opponent. It’s going to be a hard-fought battle.”
It is also a reunion with Todd Monken, the Ravens’ offensive coordinator when Baltimore drafted Rosengarten in the second round in 2024 and now the Browns’ head coach. “It’s going to be good to see a familiar face,” Rosengarten said, calling Monken “a brilliant, brilliant guy when it comes to offense.” He said Monken has not changed in Cleveland: “He’s still very animated. He’s not afraid to speak his mind.” But he also said the Ravens have the edge on the other side of the ball. “They’re brilliant offensive minds, and I think we have more of a brilliant mind on defense. So, I’m excited to play those guys.”
“A free 5 yards”
Rosengarten also praised Declan Doyle, in his first season as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator, calling him “the most brilliant offensive mind in football right now” and “one-of-one” at timing screen calls. And he explained why he twice helped point out defenders who jumped into the neutral zone in Atlanta, something he and left tackle Ronnie Stanley watch for on each side. “Any time you get a neutral zone infraction with a guy jumping offsides, especially those jet front teams, the guys like to really get off the ball and really try to cheat a snap count,” he said. “Me and Ronnie are the ones being like, ‘Hey, make sure if they cross, that’s a free 5 yards.’ That changes the whole sequencing for how Dec wants to call things.”
Rosengarten was himself limited Wednesday with a knee issue, one of 19 Ravens on the practice report, while Lamar Jackson did not practice with his ankle injury. The 4-1 Ravens visit the 3-2 Browns on Sunday, October 18, at 1 p.m. EDT.
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