Jovaughn Gwyn, a 27-year-old former seventh-round pick with zero NFL starts to his name, is officially the Baltimore Ravens’ starting center for their season opener against the Colts. Head coach Jessie Minter dropped that bombshell, and let’s be real, it’s a less than ideal situation for Lamar Jackson and that entire Ravens offense. We’re talking about a critical position, the guy literally snapping the ball, and it’s going to a player making his very first NFL start. That’s a huge gamble right out of the gate.
Ravens’ Interior Line: Green and Exposed
Let’s break down this center situation, because it’s wild. Gwyn was a 2023 seventh-round pick by the Falcons, then signed by the Ravens this offseason. He was in a three-way battle for the job, but one of his competitors, former Colts backup Danny Pinter, went down with a season-ending torn patellar tendon in late August during training camp. So, it feels less like Gwyn won the job outright and more like he’s the last man standing. With just 19 career games played, all without a single start, his inexperience is glaring. And it gets worse: Baltimore is already set to start talented rookie first-round pick Vega Ioane at right guard. So, you’ve got two greenhorn starters right next to each other on the interior offensive line. Talk about a recipe for early season struggles, especially when you’re trying to protect a superstar like Lamar Jackson and get the run game going.
Colts’ D-Line Is Ready to Feast
This isn’t some secret, folks. The Colts’ defensive line is looking at this situation like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet. They’ve got a veteran interior tandem in DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, two guys who know how to wreak havoc. Their savvy and experience will be a nightmare for those inexperienced Ravens interior linemen. And don’t sleep on Ade Adebawore, either. That guy’s a subpackage interior pass rusher with first-step twitch, quickness, and explosiveness that can absolutely blow up plays. You put him against a first-time starter or a rookie, and he’s going to be a handful. The game plan for the Colts is clear as day: shut down Derrick Henry and the Ravens’ ground game, then get to Jackson early and often within the passing pocket. If they execute that, it could be a long afternoon for Baltimore.
This isn’t just about a win, it’s about making a statement right off the bat. If the Colts’ D-line can exploit this obvious weakness and dominate the trenches, it would be a huge boost towards starting the season 1-0. They’ve got a golden opportunity here to set the tone for their whole year. You know the Colts are fired up, and honestly, who could blame them? This is exactly the kind of early season matchup where teams prove what they’re truly made of.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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