Ronnie Stanley didn't mince words when the Baltimore Ravens called to inform him that he was the No. 6 overall player drafted.
"This is the best decision you'll ever make," Stanley told general manager Ozzie Newsome on the phone.
Four months later, Stanley hasn't disappointed. He also really hasn't said much since.
From coaches to teammates, many have praised Stanley for carrying a quiet confidence even though he is on an unprecedented path. For the first time in the Ravens' 21-year existence, the team will start a rookie at left tackle in the season opener.
Jonathan Ogden, a Hall of Fame left tackle, started his career at left guard. Michael Oher, who inspired the hit film "The Blind Side," started on the right side.
The Ravens have so much faith in Stanley that they cut eight-year starter Eugene Monroe and officially put the 6-foot-6, 315-pound first-round pick at the most important position on the offensive line.
"That's a premier position in the National Football League, and Ronnie continues to progress manning that job as a rookie," coach John Harbaugh said. "He's doing well. All positive so far. Up to this point, he's proven to be up to the challenge."
The challenge comes with high stakes considering Stanley is protecting the blind side of Joe Flacco just eight months after the quarterback had surgery to repair torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee. Flacco just happened to suffer that season-ending injury when young left tackle James Hurst was pushed back into him.
In Saturday's preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Stanley is expected to block for Flacco for the first time. Flacco, who sat out the first two preseason games, will likely get the start.
Stanley acknowledged that he feels "a lot of pressure."
"Obviously, it makes me feel great that the organization has put their trust in me and they really have faith in what I can do because they know the guy we're protecting and how valuable he is," Stanley said. "I'm very happy. That just means I have to work and I can't betray their trust and put my best foot forward and show them what I can do."
Picking an offensive tackle early in the first round was a safe bet between 1995 and 2000: Ogden, Tony Boselli, Orlando Pace and Walter Jones. That's no longer the case with the disappointments of such top-10 picks as Eric Fisher, Luke Joeckel and Greg Robinson.
One of the biggest issues for rookie linemen these days is adjusting from spread offenses in college. Tackles have to get used to three-point stances and longer drops by quarterbacks.
According to Pro Football Focus, NFL offensive tackles protect on seven-step drops an average of 120 times per year. Stanley did it 35 times in his final season at Notre Dame.
The reason why the Ravens feel Stanley can make the quick transition is his maturity and demeanor.
"You have to be able to think on your feet, react without thinking and apply technique really fast against powerful, great athletes coming at you," Harbaugh said. "I think smarter players are able to apply that coaching more quickly, and he's one of those types of guys."
What has also stood out is Stanley's toughness. He suffered a soft-tissue injury the week leading up to the preseason opener but missed only one practice. This is different from the last two seasons with Monroe, who sat out a total of 15 games.
Before the opener, Harbaugh asked Stanley if he was going to play with the injury.
"He looked at me like, ‘Are you crazy? Of course I’m going,'" Harbaugh said. "That’s a good sign for him as well.”
The Ravens have been so impressed with Stanley that offensive-line coach Juan Castillo compared him to Marshal Yanda, a five-time Pro Bowl right guard and one of the best offensive linemen in the game right now.
“He’s really like Marshal,” Castillo said. “Marshal sets a great example for everyone in that room. Ronnie is already a professional. The game is important to him; he studies. He is a smart kid, so he doesn’t make the same mistakes twice.”
Stanley is looking to become the eighth rookie to start the season opener at left tackle in the last five years, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
"He has the right mindset. He is a hard worker and keeps his head down, and I love a rookie like that," Yanda said. "I love a rookie that stays quiet and does his job and just produces on the field. Just do what you do on the field. He is doing everything the right way, so we will see."
