WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) -Matt Birk signed with the Baltimore Ravens because he liked the work ethic of the offensive line.
Turns out, no one works harder than Birk. During his first two weeks of training camp, Birk has looked more like a rookie trying to make an impression than a six-time Pro Bowler entering his 12th NFL season.
After spending his entire career with the Minnesota Vikings, Birk signed a three-year contract with the Ravens in March. He was immediately named the starting center and the focal point of a young, determined offensive line.
that challenge every day.”
Birk has fit right in, even though he’s struggled comprehending a new playbook. After spending the past 11 years in Minnesota, everything appears different for the 33-year-old this summer.
“It’s just like being a rookie again. For years, to be quite honest, I never really had to crack my playbook.” he said. “And now I go after lunch, after dinner, at night, all those things. It’s kind of nice to be, in a way, starting over again.”
As one of the newest members of the Ravens’ over-30 crowd, Birk is entitled to skip practice every third day. Instead of kicking back in an air conditioned room, he opted to watch from the sideline earlier this week.
The reason? To get a better feel for the offense.
“Matt got in a little bit earlier and took care of the running and lifting before practice,” coach John Harbaugh said. “I think it says that he is really trying to tie that offensive line together. He wants them to be a unit. If he’s out there working calls and talking in the background, he can do that.”
Birk’s dedication has not gone unnoticed by his teammates, either.
“He’s what we need on this offense. He’s a guy who’s going to demand perfection from the other guys,” running back Ray Rice said.
rts, played in eight playoff games and went to the Pro Bowl in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007.
But Birk still feels as if he has to prove himself with his new teammates.
“I think of myself as a new guy trying to fit in. Obviously, as a center, you have to learn the offense and you have to make the calls. So kind of by default, you’re going to be in a leadership position,” he said. “Everyone thinks because I’m older, more experienced, automatically that makes me a leader. You know, I don’t think so. I don’t think you’re anointed as leader, I think it’s something you earn. I’m just trying to earn the trust of the group.”
Birk certainly has earned the respect of the guys he’s being paid to protect.
“It’s going great. Matt knows what it takes to have a good offense, and he knows how much work he’s going to have put in to get learn a new offense,” quarterback Joe Flacco said. “I feel very comfortable with him; I like what we’re doing so far.”
Said Rice: “He’s making calls, he’s helping Joe out. And he definitely helps the running backs, because when we know what the line is doing, it makes it easier to run the ball.”
RT Michael Oher filled in for Gaither and Marshall Yanda took over at RT.
Add A Comment