Baltimore Ravens should consider going after OT Jake Long again

Declining to sign an injury waiver from the Baltimore Ravens is the main reason why offensive tackle Jake Long is still a free agent. During yesterday’s practice, Ravens rookie offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley left the field with a soft tissue injury which is obviously a concern as it relates to Stanley and the depth behind him at left tackle.

The Ravens don’t have a proven commodity behind Stanley to help protect Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and Flacco’s blindside. After what happened last season due to the lack of depth at left tackle behind former Raven Eugene Monroe, it didn’t turn out well for Flacco as he tore his ACL and MCL.

Is it necessary to take the risk of having the same question marks in terms of depth at left tackle again? If Stanley gets hurt along the way and misses some games during the regular season, the Ravens are possibly back at square one once again at left tackle dealing with the same issues at the position from the 2015 season.

The Ravens need to go after Long again. If it means that there has to be more of a compromise as it relates to Long and an injury waiver, then so be it. It isn’t like the Ravens were offering Long a multiyear contract anyway. The contract that the Ravens offered Long was a one-year deal. That’s it.

What is more important? Having differences over an injury waiver or protecting your franchise quarterback’s blindside? Without a proven steady backup left tackle, if there is a scenario where Stanley out for multiple games for any reason in 2016, it could be the difference between the Ravens making the playoffs and missing the playoffs.