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'It's a blessing': Baltimore Ravens' Morgan Moses pumped to block for Lamar Jackson

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- One of the reasons the Baltimore Ravens signed offensive tackle Morgan Moses was the stability he brings. Likewise, Moses wanted to come to the Ravens because he believed they can do the same for him.

“Obviously, it’s a blessing to be able to block for Lamar [Jackson],” Moses said at his introductory news conference. “My whole career, I’ve averaged five quarterbacks a season. To have one, just to have one, is amazing.”

Moses, who signed a three-year, $15 million deal last week, joins the Ravens after a constant revolving door with the Washington Commanders and the New York Jets. He didn’t exactly average five quarterbacks a year, but it probably felt that way. In his last four seasons, Moses blocked for 10 different starting quarterbacks, from Alex Smith to Mark Sanchez to Joe Flacco.

Now, the plan is for Moses to line up at right tackle in front of Jackson, the 2019 Most Valuable Player who has won 37 games in four seasons.

“Being able to have a guy like that, that’s out there that can extend plays, is explosive, his knowledge of the game -- I’ve heard nothing but great things,” Moses said. "[He’s the] first person in, last person out. Those are the type of guys you want to be surrounded by. So, when you put it all together, and you put the pieces together, and they fit like they’re supposed to. It was an easy decision [to sign with Baltimore].”

The Ravens are banking on Moses to provide cohesion along the offensive line. After Baltimore traded Pro Bowl right tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to the Kansas City Chiefs last year, the Ravens used four blockers at right tackle for at least 60 snaps last season: Patrick Mekari (728), Tyre Phillips (328), Alejandro Villanueva (71) and David Sharpe (64).

This repeated switching on the right side should not occur with Moses, one of the most durable linemen in the NFL. His streak of 113 consecutive games played is the second-longest active one for offensive tackles, ranking only behind the Falcons’ Jake Matthews (127).

“His body of work explains a lot of things to everyone,” Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris said. "Just look at his consistency, his availability, his dependability. When you have that, that helps you build your line because you have guys out there every day getting better. And all of a sudden, you start developing a nice offensive line.”

The last time Moses missed a game was the end of the 2014 season, when he was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury. Since then, he has played 5,475 snaps, the most by a right tackle over that span.

Moses joked the secret to his durability was his “live-in personal physician.” On his off days, his wife gets a hot bath ready with six bags of Epsom salt.

“Having a support system, obviously, helps a lot, but just being available, man, it’s simple,” Moses said. "You just don’t want to let guys down, that’s the thing of it. If you feel like your 70% is better than the guy behind you, then you should be out there to be able to play. I want to be one of those guys that people can depend on and count on and show leadership qualities. That’s what’s kind of driven me over my career to just be able to be out there every game.”

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta remembers scouting Moses eight years ago, when he was at Virginia. Moses was drafted in the third round by Washington and played seven seasons there.

The Ravens just missed on the chance to add Moses last year. Baltimore addressed offensive tackle by signing Villanueva after the draft on May 4, two weeks before Moses was released by Washington.

This offseason, the Ravens didn't waste any time in grabbing Moses. The sides reached an agreement on the second day of free agency.

"He’s always been a player that we’ve admired,” DeCosta said.

And Moses gets to play for a franchise quarterback that he admires, which is a sentiment shared by his entire family.

“Look, when you have an electrifying player like that, you gravitate to that energy, and you start doing things that you didn’t even know you can do,” Moses said. "So, I’m excited just to be able to block for somebody like that, and I’m excited for what it brings. I know my kids are excited. My wife is excited. My kids, I know they’re not going to wear my jersey. They’re going to wear Lamar’s jersey, and that’s all cool."