ExtremeRavens Posted Monday at 10:21 PM Posted Monday at 10:21 PM Ravens offensive lineman Ben Cleveland, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Georgia in February, has pleaded not guilty, according to Baldwin County court records. His trial is scheduled for July 15. The Ravens did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Cleveland, 26, was stopped at 10:25 p.m. on Feb. 12 in Milledgeville, a city of roughly 16,000 that is about 90 miles southeast of Atlanta, after police observed his black Ford F-250 failing to maintain its lane, weaving in between the lines and nearly going into a ditch, according to the arrest report. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound Cleveland told police that he had “approximately 3-4 beers” and was coming from a nearby country club but had not consumed any alcohol within two hours, the report said. However, Cleveland, who was wearing a medical boot on his left foot at the time, failed at least one field sobriety test, and a breathalyzer issued at the scene came back with a blood alcohol level of 0.178, more than double the legal limit of .08. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to maintain his lane. What discipline he might receive from the NFL also remains to be seen. According to the league’s and Players Association’s policy on substance abuse, a player can be fined, suspended or face other “appropriate discipline” if convicted of or if admitting to a violation of the law relating to the use of alcohol. That includes a three-game suspension without pay for a first offense. Games included in the suspension can’t be preseason contests. If there are aggravating circumstances, including “extreme intoxication” of a blood alcohol level of 0.15% or more, increased discipline may be imposed, according to the policy. Despite the arrest, the Ravens re-signed Cleveland in March to a one-year deal worth $1.17 million, according to Over The Cap, shortly after the 2021 third-round draft pick out of Georgia became a free agent. While perhaps surprising after his playing time had decreased significantly, the move came after last season’s starting left guard, Patrick Mekari, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and reserve guard/tackle Josh Jones with the Seattle Seahawks. Cleveland, who was absent from at least one voluntary organized team activities practice earlier this month and did not participate in another, is expected to provide depth along a relatively young offensive line. Andrew Vorhees, who is entering his third year after sitting out his first with a knee injury and losing his starting left guard job in part because of an ankle injury last season, is the favorite to start at left guard this season. Last season, Cleveland played easily the fewest snaps of his career on offense (49), though he did contribute 117 snaps on special teams as part of the field goal and extra point block units after he blocked a field goal attempt in Baltimore’s win over the Commanders in October. Ravens training camp will open in late July, though an official start date has yet to be announced. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.