Baltimore decided it needed a veteran guard to jump into the competition at left guard once Ben Grubbs left the organization for New Orleans in free agency.
The Ravens signed Bobbie Williams, formerly of Cincinnati, in early June, and he's since placed himself in excellent position to be the starting left guard when Baltimore's season starts on Sept. 10 -- coincidentally, against Williams' old team.
Williams, at age 35, spoke with CBSSports.com about his time so far in Baltimore, how the ankle that he broke in December feels now, and who's helping him learn the team's terminology.
How have you seen the offensive line gel since signing with Baltimore?
Williams: "I think the line is gelling really well. We're getting some great work in; some of the best looks an offense can get going against this defense. It's crazy, man. If we can handle them, block them and match up with them, I think we should be able to handle any other defense. Just getting a good feel for the guys out there is really important, and learning how they talk, the lingo. It's really important. The communication is 85 percent of it, really closer to 90. Other than that, you just let your talent take over from there."
How has it been picking up the terminology here?
Williams: "I'm still picking it up. But you know what, I'd say I've got about the high 90s [percentage-wise] down. I'd say about 98 percent down. But every day is a learning experience. You never stop learning. Never. The day you stop learning is -- well, I won't say start dying, because we were born doing that. But you're definitely going to speed that process up."
You've gotten to work with both Michael Oher and Bryant McKinnie next to you. Starting with Mike, how has he been in terms of communicating with you on the field?
Williams: "A true professional. He's helped me out a lot. On a lot of the stuff, I'm not quite sure. He kind of reconfirms that and reassures that. It's helping me grow and learn the system, being beside him. If I'm thinking it, he might just relay it, and that's right. So it's really good in that aspect. He's a true professional. And B-Mac, that's just one huge individual that's also a professional out there. I find myself talking to him more. I definitely gotta make sure I know what I'm doing so I don't steer him wrong. He knows that I'm a guy that likes to talk, so I find myself talking to him because he ain't gonna talk to me too much. And it's not that he doesn't like me, he's just quiet."
(Rookie) Kelechi Osemele has been practicing on the right side, so I don't know how much of him you get to see, but how has he performed so far in your estimation?
Williams: "He's a talented guy with tremendous upside to him. And he's doing really well, actually. He's a talented, gifted guy that can play football. He's out there holding his own and doing some really good things. As far as technique, I'd say he's ahead of the rookies that's here. He's definitely moving in the right direction."
How has your ankle felt since getting on the field and is it 100 percent, or close to 100 percent?
Williams: "It's definitely a process, and it's definitely strong and healing up. But 100 percent? No. I don't know if it will ever be 100 percent. Before I got hurt it wasn't 100 percent. That's 13 years of playing. But it's feeling real good, and I'm ready to rock and roll.""
Follow Ravens reporter Jason Butt on Twitter: @CBSSportsNFLBAL and @JasonButtCBS.