The Baltimore Ravens may have a minor controversy brewing on their offensive line.
Following the Ravens' disappointing Week 2 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, right guard Daniel Faalele was the subject of scrutiny for his struggles blocking. Faalele is a first-time starter transitioning from playing tackle to guard.
Faalele's struggles have led some fans to call for backup fourth-year guard Ben Cleveland to play.
Read more: Baltimore Ravens may already have a big problem at a key position group
However, when Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was asked about playing Cleveland, he gave a blunt assessment, saying Cleveland would be the starter if he had "earned" the job. Harbaugh said Cleveland knows how he needs to practice to prove he should play.
Now, Cleveland has responded in an interview with Sam Cohn of The Baltimore Sun, saying he feels he has been consistent during practice and training camp.
"I feel like I’ve been my most consistent and most proactive throughout camp," Cleveland told The Sun. "It’s been a struggle having to move around positions with injuries and stuff like that. But as far as adapting to other positions and just playing where I’m asked, I feel like I’ve been extremely consistent and competitive."
As Cohn noted, Cleveland played some preseason action at center because of an injury to Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum.
"There weren’t a whole lot of right guard reps taken by me during camp just because of injury and all the above," Cleveland told Cohn, "So just staying ready for when my number gets called to go in and play."
It's a polite, but eye-opening rebuttal from Cleveland, who couldn't have liked being called out in the media by his coach.
Harbaugh did leave the door open to making changes, saying he'll be reviewing everything.
Cleveland has played sparingly over his first three seasons, starting seven games total. Cleveland started at right guard in Weeks 17 and 18 last year and allowed two pressures without a sack for an 85.9 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Through two games this season, Faalele has 56.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. He has only been "credited" with allowing one sack, but he has been beaten by pass-rushers on several occasions, and as Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Banner detailed, Faalele has struggled even more in run blocking.
In some ways, the scrutiny being aimed at Faalele is unfair — he has been assigned a new position and is being thrust into the spotlight. Harbaugh's public backing of Faalele and dismissal of Cleveland may have been an attempt to protect Faalele's confidence.
Nonetheless, with Baltimore 0-2 and heading to Dallas to play a fearsome pass rush led by Micah Parsons, it's possible that Harbaugh may be forced to re-examine his O-line.
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