Left tackle Bryant McKinnie appeared to remove any lingering doubt when he went to his Twitter account last night to tell Ravens fans that team officials confirmed to him that he would back for this coming season.
So it was no surprise that 4 p.m. today came and went, and McKinnie, who started all 18 games last season, remained on the roster. The Ravens informed McKinnie that they will pick up his $500,000 roster bonus, which was due today.
With free agent right tackle Eric Winston having scheduled a visit to Baltimore, there were some questions about McKinnie's future with the Ravens. There's still plenty that could happen in free agency or the draft, but today's development solidifies McKinnie as the starting left tackle for now. Still, it wouldn't be surprising if the Ravens drafted a left tackle in April because McKinnie has only one more year remaining on his contract.
McKinnie, 32, will make a base salary of $3.2 million this coming season.
With Marshal Yanda and Michael Oher entrenched on the right side, Matt Birk having re-signed today as the center and McKinnie getting his roster bonus picked up, it appears that the Ravens offensive line could be very similar to the group from last season. However, the Ravens will have to replace left guard Ben Grubbs, who signed with the New Orleans Saints yesterday.