mike adams football offensive tackle

Free agency is still nearly two months away, but it's easy to see that the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers could be hit hard by defections.

The Ravens made it official, ruling out left offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, rookie defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan and reserve linebacker Arthur Brown.

While there is more than one way to build an offensive line, and draft position and cap constraints may shape those philosophies, the consensus is that the biggest requirement is patience.

As the Steelers head into Sunday's showdown at Heinz Field, they have been plagued with some of the same problems as the Ravens — the lack of a consistent running game, leaky pass protection and losing the turnover battle.

Cleveland Browns management had supposedly given up on this season three weeks ago when they traded running back Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a first-round draft pick.

Baltimore Ravens getting healthier for AFC divisional round playoff game

The Ravens released their first injury report of the week leading up to Saturday¿s AFC Divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos, and Bernard Pierce did not practice Wednesday.

The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year didn't return, heading to the locker room for further examination during the final minutes of the Ravens' 23-20 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium.

Leftwich, Roethlisberger, Adams among Steelers' inactives

Steelers quarterback sidelined with shoulder, rib injuries

Overpowering offensive tackles, Kruger has generated four sacks over the past three games heading into Sunday's AFC North showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following a slow start to the season, Kruger has emerged as the Ravens' top pass rusher while being utilized primarily as a situational player on third downs.

Roethlisberger threw the football Monday

Each Wednesday, blogger Matt Vensel will highlight five statistics that really mean something for the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec has news, notes and opinions on the Baltimore Ravens.

With three teams making the playoffs and two winning 12 games during the regular season, the AFC North was arguably the NFL's most competitive division last season. Unfortunately for the Ravens, it figures to be hyper-competitive again in 2012 -- well, except for anything involving the hapless Cleveland Browns.

Many draft analysts gave the Ravens solid marks for the draft (and they have also given them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the selection of three Div. I-FCS prospects on draft¿s final day). But they have also handed out strong grades to the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Ravens' other AFC North rival, the Cleveland Browns, put together a deep, above-average draft class.

Draft notes from day two for the Ravens

After a quiet first round of the draft in which they traded their pick at No.29 to the Minnesota Vikings for the 35th pick (3rd overall in tonight¿s second round) and the 98th overall pick, the Ravens will be on the clock tonight probably at about 7:15 barring another trade.

Baltimore Ravens trade out of first round, sending 29th pick in the NFL draft to Minnesota.

Instant Analysis: Baltimore Ravens trade first-round pick in NFL draft

For Peter Konz, at least, it's by offering a quick fix and a long-term answer. With left guard Ben Grubbs off to New Orleans, the Ravens need immediate help at one interior line position. With center Matt Birk's uncertain future, they'll need help at another before long.

Every weekday through Wednesday, the day before the first round of the NFL draft, The Sun will examine where the Ravens stand at each position, the likelihood that they will address that spot early in the draft and some of the prospects that they may consider. Today, we'll examine the offensive line:

Heading into the draft, it appears the Ravens, who were AFC North champions in 2011, haven't given much ground to their division rivals. Here's a quick look at what each of those three teams has done.

With a long list of needs, upcoming draft will be crucial to Baltimore Ravens. Team standing by its philosophy to pick the top player instead of reaching to fill holes.

The 2012 NFL draft is three weeks away, and though most teams have solidified their draft boards barring a few tweaks after prospects visit, the "silly season" of draft rumors is really starting to heat up. Need an example? How about the rumblings that the Colts are undecided about the first pick? But hey, I love mock drafts as much as you do, so allow me to contribute to the silly season with my third mock draft of the offseason.

After a wild first week in free agency that was punctuated with Peyton Manning signing with the Denver Broncos, we have a better idea of what needs teams will address in April's NFL draft. So now seems like a good time for our second mock draft of the offseason. (This mock draft does not account for potential trades.) And remember, these are called "mock" drafts for a reason. Try not to take them too seriously.

Interior linemen take center stage for Ravens in first round of the draft. Team may target a center or guard with its first-round draft pick.

Most people expect the Ravens to target a guard or center in the first round of April's Draft, but that could change if Ohio State Mike Adams is still on the board.

For Ravens, first active day at scouting combine could be the most important one

This year's NFL scouting combine begins Wednesday, unofficially marking the start of draft speculation season. Before the prospects are poked and prodded, though, staff writer Matt Vensel has taken his first crack at predicting the first round of April's NFL draft.

Negotiations with Flacco and Rice should start, and free agency market will come in to focus

The NFL scouting combine starts Feb. 22. In advance of the NFL's annual meat market in Indianapolis, staff writer Matt Vensel will examine each position and give Ravens fans the 4-1-1. In this post he looks at offensive linemen, including Matt Kalil, Mike Adams, Riley Reiff, Peter Konz, and Zebrie Sanders.

We started to look ahead to the NFL offseason as soon as Billy Cundiff's field goal fluttered off-target and we will dive headfirst into the offseason two weeks from now when the scouting combine begins in Indianapolis.

We are less than three months away from the 2012 NFL draft. We have plenty of Ravens draft coverage in the works, but we are focused on tying up the loose ends from the 2011 season.