The Ravens knew the NFL would place an emphasis on illegal formations on offensive tackles this season. The league had made that clear, so Baltimore had emphasized it in practice all summer.

But when the lights came on for Week 1, Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley appeared to be in the crosshairs.

Stanley was penalized three times for illegal formations, including twice on Baltimore’s first touchdown drive. Right tackle Patrick Mekari was also penalized once for the same offense. The Chiefs, on the other hand, were not penalized once for the same offense.

After the Ravens’ 27-20 loss to open the season, Stanley tried to explain his perspective on the barrage of penalties.

“The way the game went, I really felt like they were trying to make an example and they singled me out for it,” Stanley said. “From what I saw, they didn’t do it on either side of the ball. I know I was in a good position for most of their decisions.”

Stanley said he plans to review the video and send evidence to the league if he sees he was lined up correctly. That’s common practice among teams after games, especially early in the season when these rules are emphasized.

“They announced something they said they were going to call it different. (They) didn’t understand how different. We were the first offensive series of the season with it, and I think they probably showed it to everyone who saw it,” head coach John Harbaugh said.

“It will be interesting to see if they call it the same thing all season long. I challenge them to call it the same thing they called it tonight all season long. I hope they will be consistent about it.”

Stanley said there were many discussions between him and officials during the game to try to correct his attitude.

“They kept saying, ‘You have to step up.’ I thought to myself, ‘How much more do I have to step up?'” Stanley said. “It’s not my first year in this league. I know where to line up. I was lined up a lot earlier than usual. I know my helmet broke the center’s butt.”

If any part of the offensive tackle’s helmet breaks the plane of the center’s rear end, they are lined up correctly. Last year, it became apparent that some offensive tackles were trying to gain an advantage by lining up too far in the backfield to give themselves a little more time and better angles to block pass rushers.

Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor was a player who made a name for himself and for routinely starting his kick step a touch too early.

“I wouldn’t say I lined up any differently,” Stanley said. “I would even go so far as to say I lined up further forward than I have in years past because of the emphasis. … It definitely hampered us offensively.”