Ravens left offensive tackle Adam Terry is engaged with outside linebacker Jarret Johnson when Johnson does a spin move and leaves Terry a step or two behind. Terry had been in good position, but an injured left ankle wouldn't allow him to push off.
As Johnson goes on to record what would have been a sack in game conditions, Terry grimaces in pain and limps away from the huddle.
Terry's injury is symbolic of what is going on with the offensive line these days. The group is having growing pains, mentally and physically. The process is slowing the development of the offense, but the key is patience.
Everybody has to be patient, from coach John Harbaugh to offensive coordinator Cam Cameron to the players. The Ravens were in an unusual position at the start of training camp. Few, if any, NFL teams begin a season without having at least one offensive lineman starting at the same position from the previous year.
But the Ravens are in that situation this season, and it shows. At times, this offensive line just doesn't know where it's going. The problem is compounded because the Ravens are going against their defense, and that group loves to cause confusion with a lot of blitzes.
At other times, the Ravens have been just plain soft, getting outhit and outplayed by a physically stronger defensive line. And the offensive line, especially at tackle, has been hit by injuries.
Second-year player Jared Gaither (Maryland) started training camp at left tackle but might be out for another week with a sprained ankle. When Gaither went down, Terry, a fourth-year player, was moved from starting right tackle to the left side, and Mike Kracalik took Terry's position.
Terry started camp strong, but it's clear the ankle injury he suffered last season isn't 100 percent healed. Kracalik spent most of last season on the practice squad and has played like it.
The substitutions and injuries have created some interesting moments. There was supposed to be an open competition for the starting quarterback job, but it's difficult to get a fair evaluation because the pass protection has been poor. Sometimes Kyle Boller, Troy Smith and Joe Flacco aren't even getting enough time to carry out play-action fakes.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has been scanning the wires looking for tackles, but it's hard to find one when a lot of teams just started camp.
