ExtremeRavens Posted December 21, 2023 Posted December 21, 2023 Tyler Linderbaum peered over Patrick Mekari’s broad right shoulder, invading personal space to glimpse a video playing on Mekari’s iPhone. Mekari did his best to ignore this 305-pound pest, but his taciturn expression eventually cracked into a grin. Linderbaum and Mekari are Ravens co-workers who share purpose in protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson from enemy defenders. They’re also neighbors. Not in home life but in a unique office space populated by thickly muscled giants who require sanctuary from the relentless public scrutiny of their work. The locker room is the place where they share their dumbest jokes, nudge and poke one another like unruly brothers and offer subtle words of encouragement to despairing colleagues. Mekari, a precious backup who can play every position on the offensive line, and Linderbaum, the Ravens’ second-year starting center, got to know each other last season, working side by side through endless practices and film reviews. They did not become “locker buddies” until this season, and the arrangement has opened new frontiers in their friendship, with Linderbaum emerging as a provocateur who breaks through Mekari’s natural reserve. Their running patter, punctuated by Three Stooges-style physical affronts, is the best comedy act on the team. “I’m not a talkative person, but he makes me talk to him,” Mekari said. “I don’t know what it is. I think I am more reserved, but coming into work and having him as my locker buddy, it brings a different energy out of me.” “Is this for publication?” said Linderbaum, a wry note creeping into his voice. “You know what? Pat’s the worst.” He paused a beat. “No, every time I come in here, he’s a joy to have as a locker buddy. He brings different perspectives on a lot of different things,” Linderbaum said. “People say he’s reserved, but I just don’t see it.” These are the bonds Ravens coach John Harbaugh hopes to foster when he designs the locker room seating chart before each season. Though some neighbors stay together for years, Harbaugh believes new and unusual pairings can strengthen a social fabric that must endure dispiriting losses and sharp criticism from fans and media. “It’s just a feel thing,” said Harbaugh, who maintains the chart with director of football information Megan McLaughlin. “Really, you can put anybody next to anybody on this team. We do like to mix it up. We don’t put them by position. We don’t put them by jersey number. We put them by life and just move them around, and I think it helps. It helps guys get to know different guys, which is a good thing.” Some duos are obvious. Wide receiver Zay Flowers occupies one end of rookie row, traditionally arrayed along the back wall of the locker room. Right next to him, in a coveted corner once occupied by Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, is the team’s most experienced pass catcher, Odell Beckham Jr. Inside linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen collaborate on every defensive snap during a game. They have also dressed side by side since Smith joined the Ravens midway through last season. Queen asked for Smith to be placed there. “Someone had just left that locker, so I thought I might as well get him close to learn from him, and with him being new here, if he had questions, I would be right here,” he said. “It helped us get to know each other quicker, better.” “When someone is next to you, you just tend to ask questions,” Smith agreed. “It’s human nature. It definitely did matter.” Inside linebackers Roquan Smith, right, and Patrick Queen collaborate on every defensive snap during a game. They have also dressed side by side since Smith joined the Ravens midway through last season. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Other neighbors seemingly could not have less in common. Running back Gus Edwards is stoic, his personality as unadorned as his determined style near the goal line. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey is a talker with an outsized social media presence and aspirations to become a broadcaster. Fullback Patrick Ricard is a burly New Englander who annihilates opposing defenders with his blocks. Cornerback Brandon Stephens is a quietly upbeat Texan just coming into his own in his third season. They had no reason to know one another well before the hand of Harbaugh placed them side by side. “Me and ‘B-Steve,’ our bond is closer because we’re locker mates,” Ricard said. “We have a little phrase, especially during training camp but whenever it feels like the season’s never going to end. He just started telling me, ‘You know Pat, somebody’s got to do it. So why not us?’ So that’s kind of our thing. Maybe one of us is trying to pick the other up.” They recently struck up a conversation about the real estate market in Ricard’s Massachusetts hometown. “It gives us a chance to just talk about life,” Stephens said. “With guys on different sides of the ball, it would be hard to have that communication if we weren’t side by side in here.” Ricard has cherished Stephens’ breakout at a level he might not have if they only lined up against each other in practice. “I’m very proud of him because I understand what he’s been through,” Ricard said. “I think if guys were to choose their lockers, where they want to go and who they want to sit with, it wouldn’t be a true team. I think it’s really cool.” Ravens vs. SeahawksKenneth K. Lam/Baltimore SunLamar Jackson’s locker room neighbors seem anything but random. On one side sits the franchise quarterback’s backup and close pal, Tyler Huntley, right, pictured celebrating with Jackson after a touchdown pass against the Seahawks on Nov. 5. On the other sits his chief in-game shield, left tackle Ronnie Stanley. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Jackson’s neighbors seem anything but random. On one side sits the franchise quarterback’s backup and close pal, Tyler Huntley. On the other sits his chief in-game shield, left tackle Ronnie Stanley. Jackson isn’t particular about this arrangement, though he prefers not to have odorous clutter encroaching on his space. “We’re all brothers,” he said. “Just don’t be nasty.” This pronouncement drew raised eyebrows from Linderbaum and Mekari. “I mean, he said that, but just go and look at Ronnie Stanley’s locker,” said Linderbaum, nodding to the pile of shoes and clothing spilling from the left tackle’s cubby. “I don’t know what’s not nasty about that. I think Lamar’s just being nice.” “Terrible,” agreed Queen who’s stationed close to but not beside Stanley. “If I were Lamar, I would have gotten him moved a long time ago.” As Mekari and Linderbaum giggled their way through a joint interview, touching on everything from dressing methods (Linderbaum puts his pants, sock and cleat on one leg before addressing the other) to their budding chess rivalry (Mekari is the more advanced player), it was apparent their bond transcends those found in a typical 9-to-5 workplace. Their rough-and-tumble dynamic is reminiscent of the one shared a few years back by Ravens tight ends Mark Andrews, Nock Boyle and Hayden Hurst, who acted like rowdy brothers sharing a cramped bedroom. “No, we do not role model ourselves after them,” Mekari scoffed. “That was not a healthy relationship.” But he and Linderbaum do know details about one another that can’t be shared with many people. “Locker stuff,” Mekari said. Week 16 Ravens at 49ers Monday, 8:15 p.m. TV: ABC, ESPN Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: 49ers by 5 1/2 View the full article Quote
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