Ronnie Stanley's Road to Recovery and Return to Pro Bowl Form
Ronnie Stanley, the linchpin left tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, has had a rollercoaster career in recent years, largely defined by injuries. Stanley's resilience and dedication to his craft are on full display as he works his way back to top form, making his selection for the Pro Bowl in 2023 all the more remarkable.
Stanley missed a significant portion of the 2020 season, playing in only six games. His comeback the following year saw him participate in just one game, sparking concerns about his long-term future with the Ravens. In 2022, the left tackle managed to appear in 11 games, showing signs of recovery. This past season, Stanley was back on the field for 13 games, a testament to his perseverance.
Stanley's journey has not been an easy one. Reflecting on the precarious nature of his career, Stanley remarked, "I guess being in that state when I was younger, it wasn't as savory as a moment or savory as a time, just knowing that, 'OK, your career could have been over after one play' and not knowing if I was ever going to feel like that again physically or athletically." His candid reflection speaks volumes about the mental and physical challenges he faced.
One critical aspect of Stanley's resurgence has been his commitment to the offseason training and Organized Team Activities (OTAs). These efforts have been instrumental in rebuilding his physical conditioning and confidence. "It's more of a gradual thing. I think in the offseason, I definitely felt that, where it was like, 'Oh, yeah, I feel really good athletically. I feel like I'm doing these drills on the field really well. I feel like I'm making sharp cuts, being able to get low and be flexible,'" Stanley shared. His focus on these fundamentals has been key to his return to form.
The transition from training drills to actual game performance, however, was another hurdle. "But it’s all different when you have to translate it to football. Not until I came back here, really through OTAs and just getting back into football stuff, is really when I started to feel more confident about all of that training and that rolling over to actual production," Stanley explained. His ability to convert practice improvements into game-day results has been crucial for both his personal achievements and the Ravens' offensive stability.
Despite the setbacks, Stanley's recent performances have been encouraging. His return to Pro Bowl status in 2023 is not just a personal victory but an affirmation of his hard work. "To truly feel like that and be out there and just notice myself getting better every day and feeling more like my old self every day, it definitely makes me happy," Stanley said. His improved physical condition has had a positive impact on his mental well-being as well. "For the most part, just to be able to feel like myself physically has made me a lot happier," he acknowledged.
Stanley's dedication to the team is evident not just in his on-field performance but also in his financial decisions. He agreed to reduce his base salary from $11 million to $3 million, a move that reflects his commitment to the Ravens. Additionally, his contract adjustment makes him a free agent a year earlier, with 2025 now being a void year. This financial flexibility could help the Ravens as they prepare for the 2024 NFL season.
"To be able to perform at the standard I know I can perform at, it just makes me feel more at ease and confident in what I'm doing and that I'm going in the right direction," Stanley stated. His progress and determination have instilled a renewed sense of optimism within the Ravens' camp.
As the Baltimore Ravens gear up for the upcoming season, the return of Ronnie Stanley to peak condition stands as a beacon of resilience and hope. The left tackle's journey from uncertainty to Pro Bowl selection underscores not just his individual prowess but the essence of perseverance in professional sports. "To truly feel like myself again, that’s what makes all the difference," Stanley concluded. His story will surely inspire teammates and fans alike as he continues to anchor the Ravens' offensive line.