Stepping Back into Form: The Resurgence of Ronnie Stanley
Baltimore Ravens' left tackle Ronnie Stanley has faced a tumultuous journey marred by injuries over the last few years. However, his resilience and determination have brought him back to the field with renewed vigor and confidence.
Ronnie Stanley's career has been a testament to both his skill and his fortitude. Once one of the cornerstones of the Ravens' offensive line, Stanley's presence was drastically limited due to injuries. Over the past four seasons, injuries significantly impacted his playing time. The 2020 season saw him on the field for just six games, followed by a solitary appearance in 2021. 2022 provided a glimmer of hope with Stanley participating in 11 games, but it was the past season that marked a significant comeback as he played in 13 games.
This gradual increase in participation aligns with Stanley's reflections on his physical state and his arduous journey back. "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," Stanley candidly shared. His words underscore the uncertainty that loomed over his career, a stark contrast to his current optimism.
Stanley's resurgence is not just about being on the field again but performing at the elite level he once did. "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," he noted. This sentiment reflects the satisfaction and joy derived from his recovery process.
Instrumental to his return was an intense offseason program and participation in Organized Team Activities (OTAs). It was through these rigorous sessions that Stanley started to rebuild his physical conditioning, crucial for his role as a left tackle. "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 explained. His methodical approach to training has laid a solid foundation for his return to peak performance.
Stanley's journey back to form has been both physical and mental. "For the most part, just to be able to feel like myself physically has made me a lot happier." He elaborated on this gradual improvement, highlighting how this transformation translated into his on-field performance: "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."
His recent contract restructuring also signals his commitment to the team and his belief in his abilities. By reducing his base salary from $11 million to $3 million and making 2025 a void year, Stanley has left the door open for future negotiations while giving the Ravens financial flexibility. This contract adjustment aligns well with his personal journey of rehabilitation and return to form.
The Ravens are gearing up for the 2024 NFL season, hopeful that Stanley's resurgence will bolster their offensive line. His presence is also expected to provide a morale boost to the team, given the challenges he has overcome. "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," he stated confidently.
As Stanley prepares for the upcoming season, the sense of satisfaction and achievement is palpable. "To truly feel like myself again, that’s what makes all the difference," he concluded. This sentiment encapsulates the essence of his journey—a return not just to the field, but to the heights of his potential and the joy of playing the game he loves.