OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh has named Gino Gradkowski his starting center.
Harbaugh also said Friday that James Ihedigbo will star at strong safety, although he emphasized that first-round pick Matt Elam will also play a significant role at the position.
Gradkowski and A.Q. Shipley shared time with the first-team offense throughout training camp, but Shipley struggled during the second preseason game, while Gradkowski played well a week later against Atlanta.
Gradkowski was held out of action during Baltimore’s preseason finale Thursday. He was selected by the Ravens in the fourth round of last year’s draft.
Elam was viewed by many as the favorite to land the starting job at strong safety, but Ihedigbo worked almost exclusively with the first-team during camp and started each of the three preseason games he played in.
