Ben Grubbs

[Marcus]

Ben Grubbs

OG | (6'2", 311, 5.18) | AUBURN

Scouts Grade: 91

Strengths: Possesses adequate height and bulk. Not massive, but a thick, sturdy build. Displays impressive quickness, body control and overall mobility. Fires out of his stance quickly and shows good initial pop at the point of attack. He displays the agility to consistently reach the second-level as a rune blocker and he also does a good job of hitting the moving target in space. He has a quick set in pass pro and shows the ability to mirror and slide with more athletic pass rushers. Versatile and durable performer throughout his career. Continues to improve with more experience at the position and still has much room to grow.

Weaknesses: Lacks a massive build and will give up some ground to bigger, stronger bull rushers. Also will have some trouble getting a surge vs. two-gap run plugging types. Shows room to improve in terms of his footwork, hand-placement and angles.

Overall: Grubbs was redshirted in 2002 while practicing as a defensive tackle. He was converted to a blocking tight end before the 2003 season and appeared in nine games. Grubbs then moved from tight end to guard before spring practice in 2004 and became the Tigers' starter for 13 games that season. He returned as a starting guard for the entire 2005 season (12 games) as well. Grubbs started all 13 games at left guard in 2006.

Grubbs was a bit of a late-bloomer that spent time at defensive tackle and tight end before finding a home at offensive guard for Auburn. He emerged as one of the most dominant interior offensive linemen in the country in 2006, displaying ideal quickness, power and toughness. Grubbs is the premier guard prospect in the 2007 class and he's worth drafting late in the first round.

[Porn Clerk]

I like the addition of Grubbs, and with the announcement of Ogden returning for the 2007 season, the line looks ready to protect McNair, and allow Willis to run freely through defenses front seven.

Second round pick hopes?

Myself, I'd like to see the QB of the future brought into the fold.

[shutdownculdeSACK]

I really like the Grubbs pick, & listening to the press conference with Ozzie, Brian, & Eric, they seem to like him too. I'm with you about the 2nd-round QB, you never know how much longer Steve McNair will play and Kyle Boller is on the last year of his contract, right? I wonder if any of the QBs we've heard of (Beck & Stanton) will still be there, I doubt it.

[Marcus]

I like the addition of Grubbs, and with the announcement of Ogden returning for the 2007 season, the line looks ready to protect McNair, and allow Willis to run freely through defenses front seven.

Second round pick hopes?

Myself, I'd like to see the QB of the future brought into the fold.

I think we should take a LB or a CB. Were good right now at the QB position.

[theFRANCHISE]

I really hope (and I keep reiterating this) that if we take a QB, we pick up Troy Smith from Ohio State.

I know there's questions about whether or not he was just a product of the system, but you can't deny the man's talents. He was the Heisman Trophy winner, after all. Granted, there's always the chance of him being another Gino Torretta-type player (Heisman winner drafted in the 7th round in 1993, had a sub-par NFL career), but he still has an upside that cannot be denied.

Like I've been saying, Smith coming to Baltimore would be putting him in the best possible situation for a young QB, and he would definitely be starting his career on the right foot by not being thrown into the fire from the start (barring an injury to McNair or any unforeseen circumstance).

[Porn Clerk]

I think we should take a LB or a CB. Were good right now at the QB position.

I'd like to see them get our future starter in the organization, and learning the system, especially since the qb posistion is so deep in this years draft. McNair only has one, or two season left, and Boller isn't a credible starter.

I agree that we do need a linebacker, and a nickleback who can grow into the role of a starting corner. But qb is the most pressing in my mind.

We need to push Dan Cody up to defensive end, to play opposite T Sizzle.

[theFRANCHISE]

Why push Cody up to D-End if we still have Trevor Pryce slotted as our starter?

Granted, Pryce plays nose tackle in situational packages, but otherwise, I think our D-Line is fine for now as is. Cody should still be listed as Jarret Johnson's backup, but should be moved to D-End only in pass-rushing situations.

[Reed_4_President]

I like the addition of Grubbs, and with the announcement of Ogden returning for the 2007 season, the line looks ready to protect McNair, and allow Willis to run freely through defenses front seven.

Second round pick hopes?

Myself, I'd like to see the QB of the future brought into the fold.

Hopefully Troy Smith

[Drkraven]

I'm sure the Raven trainers will bulk him up over the next year!

[Phantom2k4]

I'm thinking either a CB or OLB...don't know what i'd rather though

[Reed_4_President]

I think we should take a LB or a CB. Were good right now at the QB position.

No we need a QB dude McNair doesnt have much time left at all.... he is getting to old and is Injury prone we should have got Troy Smith tonight in the second round.. I dont get it, the time McNair is here he can help teach him which would be great for Troy smith and for us when McNair retires if we do end up picking smith up.

[EdReedUnstoppable]

Not the biggest fan of Grubbs would have rather had Blalock because he can help at OG and OT. However taking Grubbs now means 2 great things....

1. Chester can move to C and we can start phasing Mike Flynn out and hopefully be done with him soon.

2. Grubbs can start at RG and we can start to phase Keydrick Vincent out and off of the team.

[J-man]

Grubbs was compared to Steve Hutchinson. Sounds good

[MsMarvel73]

Just to play a small bit of devils advocate here:

I know the Ravens were looking toward Joe Staley until the 49ers grabbled him.

but what didn't the Ravens see in Justin Blalock that they saw in Ben Grubbs?

Just wonderin' is all. I really can't wait to see Grubbs play.