Welcome To The Afc North Oher

[hammer]

This is the first time I have seen Michael Oher get torched. As a rookie he has performed against some of the best and came out on top. This was not the case tonight. Keep you head up kid. Next year, you will dominate Mr. Woodley.

[RavensClaw52]

Yeah, he pretty much has his tecnique down, now its more of just getting the experience and studying film

[H8R]

Gaither was owned more then Oher, IMO.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

James Harrison is a phenomenal player. Glad we won and he gained that experience, he'll be better for it.

[McBoller]

I thought Oher did the best job of anyone on the line. Anytime Flacco got hit it was either someone coming around the left or going right by Birk through the A gap. I think Woodley got through Oher ONE time.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='McBoller' date='01 December 2009 - 12:44 AM' timestamp='1259585041' post='298300']
I thought Oher did the best job of anyone on the line. Anytime Flacco got hit it was either someone coming around the left or going right by Birk through the A gap. [b]I think Woodley got through Oher ONE time.[/b]
[/quote]
I believe you are correct, that was a piece of brilliance, he shed two blockers on the play.

[McBoller]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' date='30 November 2009 - 07:46 AM' timestamp='1259585170' post='298302']
I believe you are correct, that was a piece of brilliance, he shed two blockers on the play.
[/quote]
I think that giving help with Heap blocking on that play actually hurt Oher. Heap chipped him, and when Oher started to engage, Woodley already had a two or three step head start b/c of getting a nudge from Heap.

[FlaccoFlicker]

hell those are some beasts on the DL in Pitt,Oher has held his own against some of the best this year.But a pit/bal game is never pretty Gaither and Oher will watch this film and learn I bet they don't get 5 sacks next time

[PuRock]

Considering who our OL was going against. The formidable pressure front of the Steelers. The O-Line held their own.

Often times buying Flacco enough time to scan down-field.

Other times getting schooled by Woodley, Harrison & Timmons.

[bce086]

During the game they focused in on Oher 3 plays in a row (replays), and showed how dominant he was. I can only remember 1 or 2 times where he got beat. One of those 2 times, he held him to prevent a sack... which in my book is fine because Flacco would have went down hard.

I'm very impressed with Oher, and he played as well if not better than Gaither last night.

The problems with our offensive line are on the inside, and have been all year. I want to see Yanda in soon.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='PuRock' date='30 November 2009 - 10:36 AM' timestamp='1259595399' post='298454']
Considering who our OL was going against. The formidable pressure front of the Steelers. The O-Line held their own.

Often times buying Flacco enough time to scan down-field.

Other times getting schooled by Woodley, Harrison & Timmons.
[/quote]

Harrison was pretty much invisible... all of Timmons' big plays came against Gaither. Oher held his own, not to mention he got dinged up a bit and was playing hurt.

[H8R]

I agree, Yanda needs to take Chesters spot.

[YYZ66]

[quote name='hammer' date='30 November 2009 - 01:20 AM' timestamp='1259558402' post='298030']
This is the first time I have seen Michael Oher get torched. As a rookie he has performed against some of the best and came out on top. This was not the case tonight. Keep you head up kid. Next year, you will dominate Mr. Woodley.
[/quote]

This kid isn't going to back down from any challenge! I believe there were 3 tackles drafted before him this year, I bet Oher ends up being the best of them all.

[YYZ66]

[quote name='H8R' date='30 November 2009 - 01:06 PM' timestamp='1259600819' post='298560']
I agree, Yanda needs to take Chesters spot.
[/quote]

Yanda did play last night. I was at a friend's house and mentioned it when they showed the starting line ups. Surprised me, I hadn't heard of the change.

[hammer]

[quote name='YYZ66' date='30 November 2009 - 01:30 PM' timestamp='1259602254' post='298579']
This kid isn't going to back down from any challenge! I believe there were 3 tackles drafted before him this year, I bet Oher ends up being the best of them all.
[/quote]

I am in total agreement with you on that entire post. However, Woodley gave him fits last night. NO ONE HAS DONE THAT THIS YEAR. Next year, even Mr. Woodley will get pancaked.

[Gtown Purple]

I think that when you consider this was the first time Oher had faced the Steelers in his career he did a pretty good job. We'll see if he improves next time around.

[Slick]

[quote name='bce086' date='30 November 2009 - 11:34 AM' timestamp='1259598875' post='298528']
During the game they focused in on Oher 3 plays in a row (replays), and showed how dominant he was. I can only remember 1 or 2 times where he got beat. One of those 2 times, he held him to prevent a sack... which in my book is fine because Flacco would have went down hard.

I'm very impressed with Oher, and he played as well if not better than Gaither last night.

The problems with our offensive line are on the inside, and have been all year. I want to see Yanda in soon.
[/quote]

This is what I have been thinking as well. Gaither and Oher generally hold their own, even against better teams (such as the colts with Dwight Freeny and Robert Mathis not so long ago) and games against Pittsburgh are always tougher because their D ain't no joke either. Really though, after seeing how hard it is for us to do such a simple thing as a qb sneak on the 1 for a TD it makes me think that our tackles are fine for the most part but our interior is a weak spot.

Now, that being said, I like Birk. I think he's one of the only people we could've brought in who could lead this line right away. The problem is his age i think, and he obviously doesn't have as much pop in him as he used to. He's still a good center, but his prime has passed. Chester has always been a backup in my mind, and I was uneasy hearing that Yanda would be out for an extended period of time. If Yanda is healthy I'd still rather start him even at this point. Ben Grubbs is fine by me on all acounts, he has his issues now and then but he's pretty solid for another young guy.

How many more years do y'all think Birk has in him?

[Tank 92]

Let's hope the OL as a whole can get it together before next weeks game and the 12/27 trip to pburgh. If they don't, Joe Cool may not make it to the end of the year!

[hammer]

[quote name='Slick' date='30 November 2009 - 03:37 PM' timestamp='1259609835' post='298720']
This is what I have been thinking as well. Gaither and Oher generally hold their own, even against better teams (such as the colts with Dwight Freeny and Robert Mathis not so long ago) and games against Pittsburgh are always tougher because their D ain't no joke either. Really though, after seeing how hard it is for us to do such a simple thing as a qb sneak on the 1 for a TD it makes me think that our tackles are fine for the most part but our interior is a weak spot.

Now, that being said, I like Birk. I think he's one of the only people we could've brought in who could lead this line right away. The problem is his age i think, and he obviously doesn't have as much pop in him as he used to. He's still a good center, but his prime has passed. Chester has always been a backup in my mind, and I was uneasy hearing that Yanda would be out for an extended period of time. If Yanda is healthy I'd still rather start him even at this point. Ben Grubbs is fine by me on all acounts, he has his issues now and then but he's pretty solid for another young guy.

How many more years do y'all think Birk has in him?
[/quote]

I think you are on to something, [b]but that something has nothing to do with Birk.[/b] I believe Birk is a solid Center and Grubbs is a fine L Guard. The problem, I believe, was Chester at R. Guard.

If you noticed, Marshal Yanda replaced Chester yesterday at R Guard and there was a big improvement in the power running game, especially when they ran to the right, which they did a lot. Yanda and Oher were collapsing the right side for Rice and McClain.

Yanda is back where he belongs. Let's see how this works out in the weeks to come, but I think ONE OF THE PROBLEMS is solved.

[Slick]

[quote name='hammer' date='30 November 2009 - 04:00 PM' timestamp='1259614851' post='298824']
I think you are on to something, [b]but that something has nothing to do with Birk.[/b] I believe Birk is a solid Center and Grubbs is a fine L Guard. The problem, I believe, was Chester at R. Guard.

If you noticed, Marshal Yanda replaced Chester yesterday at R Guard and there was a big improvement in the power running game, especially when they ran to the right, which they did a lot. Yanda and Oher were collapsing the right side for Rice and McClain.

Yanda is back where he belongs. Let's see how this works out in the weeks to come, but I think ONE OF THE PROBLEMS is solved.
[/quote]

I think Birk is solid to, and have nothing against him. I was merely stating that his prime has passed and he's not as good as he used to be. That doesn't mean he's not good, just that he's lost a step just like Ray has.

I was in the nosebleeds so I didn't really see Yanda come in, but I'm glad you pointed that out. I've liked Yanda since he got here, and I've never really fully had trust in Chester.

All that aside, if Birk only has a year or two left in his tank then the only replacement at center would be Chris Chester which makes me uneasy. Time to draft a center to complete this nasty young oline methinks.

[Wacko4Zacko]

Funny...Didn't Oher say in his draft press conference that he wanted to help beat pittsburgh. lol

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' date='30 November 2009 - 06:17 PM' timestamp='1259623065' post='298967']
Funny...Didn't Oher say in his draft press conference that he wanted to help beat pittsburgh. lol
[/quote]
I don't know; it sounds like something he would say.

I do know that he said he was happy to play for the Cleveland Browns on draft day. (He may have added a Pittsburgh comment after that.)

He also said something at the Rookie Symposium and Mike Tomlin called him out for it.

Who's talking now?

[quote name='Slick' date='30 November 2009 - 06:12 PM' timestamp='1259622776' post='298965']
I think Birk is solid to, and have nothing against him. I was merely stating that his prime has passed and he's not as good as he used to be. That doesn't mean he's not good, just that he's lost a step just like Ray has.

I was in the nosebleeds so I didn't really see Yanda come in, but I'm glad you pointed that out. I've liked Yanda since he got here, and I've never really fully had trust in Chester.

All that aside, if Birk only has a year or two left in his tank then the only replacement at center would be Chris Chester which makes me uneasy. [b]Time to draft a center to complete this nasty young oline methinks.[/b]
[/quote]
We already have.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2009/08/Hale_Settling_In_At_Center.aspx

[bce086]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='30 November 2009 - 06:34 PM' timestamp='1259624057' post='298977']

We already have.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2009/08/Hale_Settling_In_At_Center.aspx
[/quote]

"Hale said he studied tape of Birk even before the two became teammates, and now that they are, Birk has been an invaluable mentor."

"One of the best things that happened to me in my career, from junior high to now, is having someone like him that can help me," Hale said. "He’s one of the best Superman centers to ever play the game. He’s seen it all. When I ask a question, Matt has the answer."

- Thats great news

Also, the article mentions Cousins and Hale playing on the same team in Weber. Wouldn't it be awesome if these 2 gelled together? Our line would be SO young, and would have developed at the same time. We can dream right?!

[Slick]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='30 November 2009 - 06:34 PM' timestamp='1259624057' post='298977']
I don't know; it sounds like something he would say.

I do know that he said he was happy to play for the Cleveland Browns on draft day. (He may have added a Pittsburgh comment after that.)

He also said something at the Rookie Symposium and Mike Tomlin called him out for it.

Who's talking now?


We already have.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2009/08/Hale_Settling_In_At_Center.aspx
[/quote]

Oh sweet I didn't know we were grooming Hale to be a center. I thought Chester was there for that. If Hale works out I'm all for it, but if not I'd rather draft a guy who actually played center in college.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='McBoller' date='30 November 2009 - 07:52 AM' timestamp='1259585557' post='298307']
I think that giving help with Heap blocking on that play actually hurt Oher. Heap chipped him, and when Oher started to engage, Woodley already had a two or three step head start b/c of getting a nudge from Heap.
[/quote]
My thoughts exactly.

I know this is Madden, but I never leave a TE in to block for that very reason. Unless its a designed play where the DE crashes inside, he will usually try to rush outside and all he really has to do is beat the TE and the tackle can't really do anything since the TE is in the way. I was so mad when I saw that play. Its a lot better to leave a back in who can pick up a blitz from anywhere.