Chris Chester has started the Ravens' past 18 games at right guard, cementing his status at that position.

John Matsko came to a similar conclusion - more than three years ago.

While preparing for the 2006 draft as the offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, Matsko watched footage of Chester - playing guard for the Oklahoma Sooners - tangle with defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and the Oregon Ducks in the Holiday Bowl.

That performance convinced Matsko, who became the Ravens offensive line coach before the 2008 season, that Chester had a future as a guard.

"The big selling point about moving him inside was when he played against Oregon," Matsko said. "When you watched him, you always had that in the back of your mind. 'This guy could be an inside player, an athletic player.' What he needed to do was add some weight and some strength, and he's done that."

After dalliances in his first two seasons at the center and tight end positions, Chester, the team's second-round pick in 2006, has anchored himself at right guard, lining up between center Matt Birk and right tackle Michael Oher.

Chester's play might be considered a surprise. He was initially the backup to 2007 third-round pick Marshal Yanda, who started the first five games of last season at right guard.