The way Mike Flynn sees it, it?s his time to teach. As the Ravens center enters his 11th season in Baltimore, he?s no longer the dominating force he was when he anchored the team during its Super Bowl-winning season seven years ago or when he cleared the way for Jamal Lewis to run for more than 2,066 yards in 2003.
“It’s been a transition,” Flynn said. “If I do my job, it will all work out in the end. When I came into the league the veterans helped me. I want the [rookies] get better so we can be a better team.”
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But the offensive line?s success will still hinge on the soft-spoken, 6-foot-3, 305-pound Flynn, whose play has been overshadowed during training camp by rookies Ben Grubbs and Jared Gaither, who have been outstanding.
Flynn, who has started every game for the Ravens in five of the past seven seasons, knows he?s reached a critical juncture in his career. At 33, Flynn is trying to hold off Chris Chester and Jason Brown–both of whom are 24–for playing time, knowing if he doesn?t perform, his career is likely finished.
And what a career it been. The Doylestown, Pa. native went undrafted out of the University of Maine in 1997. But he earned practice team spots in Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville before making the Ravens? roster in 1998–only Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden and Matt Stover have been with the team longer.
But what makes this year different, Flynn said, is the team?s offensive philosophy. The Ravens, which are traditionally a run-oriented team, expect to have call more passing plays run out of single-back and three-receiver sets than in previous seasons in an attempt to squeeze one last, great season out of Steve McNair.
“Maybe we’ll be able to get the ball downfield more now and we’ll have some shorter scoring drives,” Flynn said. “There’s more pressure when you’re having 10 to 12 play drives because it’s inevitable you increase your chances of making a mistake. Maybe we can get some big hitters and get the ball red zone in one or two plays.”
Raven coach Brian Billick said he is pleased so far with how the young and veteran offensive linemen, including Flynn, have worked together during training camp.
“You are getting a lot of good work in different combinations, which is important because you look up and the guy to the left or right of you might be different,” Billick said. “That’s a strength, but it’s also something you have to work at. They are doing pretty good.”
DISCUSSION QUESTION: What can the Ravens expect from center Mike Flynn?
THE FLYNN FILE
Age: 33
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 305 pounds
College: Maine
Position: center
Did you know? Flynn helped anchor an offensive line that allowed just 17 sacks in 2006, only the Indianapolis Colts allowed fewer (15) ? He and Tony Pashos were the only Raven offensive linemen to start every game last year ? He played right guard before moving over to center.
