How Would You Build The Offensive Line?

[stan]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1292352888' post='575230']
He has a back injury. Why the hell would he fake it when it greatly impacted how much money is next contract would be for. The guy's value went down crazy amounts this season. If he is faking it, then he is making some bad, bad decisions.

I disagree with giving him LT money. The guy hasn't been on the field enough. Has created more headaches than not. We should be able to get him back at a decent price since no other team is going to break the bank for a guy that might/or might not play a whole season.
[/quote]
OK. This really isn't a thread about whether to sign Gaither or not so what do you propose we do about our offensive line problems?

[grape drank]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1292349256' post='575082']
We don't need five good offensive linemen, we only need two or three tops. Oher, Grubbs, and Yanda are all, at the very least, good enough. We need to draft or trade for a center to replace Birk. We need to resign Gaither if he can be had for cheap. I don't know of any reason why a team would pay a lot of money for someone like Gaither so it's possible we could afford him. If not we need to sign a veteran OT.

Resign Gaither (hopefully)
Draft a center
Find a serviceable T in FA

The end.

Edit: Alexir beat me to it haha
[/quote]
Matt Light from NE is a FA next year, and NE has a lot of resigning to do so perhaps he could be an option if he doesn't cost an arm and a leg

[grape drank]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1292353418' post='575255']
.... no way in hell that happens. Two tackles and a center? When we already have two first rounders on the O-Line? We have substantial needs at ILB, FS, SS, DE, and WR. We are definitely resigning Yanda. I would be OKAY with taking a tackle or a center in the first two rounds but we have a lot of other needs and there's no way our first three picks are all O-Linemen.
[/quote]
I don't think he was proposing we draft 3 O lniemen in a row, just the best options in their respective round draft projections.

[stan]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1292353418' post='575255']
.... no way in hell that happens. Two tackles and a center? When we already have two first rounders on the O-Line? We have substantial needs at ILB, FS, SS, DE, and WR. We are definitely resigning Yanda. I would be OKAY with taking a tackle or a center in the first two rounds but we have a lot of other needs and there's no way our first three picks are all O-Linemen.
[/quote]
I don't know dude. Grubs gets beat on the speed rush, Birk is servicable at best, Oher needs to be moved back to the right side or cut and Yanda needs to reacquire his skills at right guard.
If we do what you say then we need to call a magician; Bobby Beathard.

[PuRock]

[quote name='stan' timestamp='1292353464' post='575259']
OK. This relly isn't a thread about whether to sign Gaither or not so what do you propose we do about our offensive line problems?
[/quote]

Try and work out a contract with Gaither (not breaking the bank). Draft an early rounder OT. Shop the Free Agency market. Normal procedures. Weigh your options.

It doesn't look like the Pats are advancing on resigning Matt Light. Might not be a bad option to seek out for a little Veteran leadership at the Tackle position.

[757RavensFan]

What is Jonathan Ogden doing? LOL

[grape drank]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1292353772' post='575275']
Try and work out a contract with Gaither (not breaking the bank). Draft an early rounder OT. Shop the Free Agency market. Normal procedures. Weigh your options.

It doesn't look like the Pats are advancing on resigning Matt Light. Might not be a bad option to seek out for a little Veteran leadership at the Tackle position.
[/quote]
correct me if I'm wrong but Tom Brady is in his contract year as well, so thats a couple billion right there (over exaggerating I know) as well as some of their other big name o linemen, and Vommel? or something, the german guy from NFL europe played very well last year so they may feel comfortable enough with Vommel to let Light go.

[PuRock]

[quote name='grape drank' timestamp='1292353962' post='575283']
correct me if I'm wrong but Tom Brady is in his contract year as well, so thats a couple billion right there (over exaggerating I know) as well as some of their other big name o linemen, and Vommel? or something, the german guy from NFL europe played very well last year so they may feel comfortable enough with Vommel to let Light go.
[/quote]

Well they did finalize Brady's extension already (a few months ago). But from all signs, it doesn't look like they will resign Matt Light. He'll be 33 next season. But it all depends if somebody will overpay for him *cough* the Raiders.

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='grape drank' timestamp='1292353763' post='575272']
I don't think he was proposing we draft 3 O lniemen in a row, just the best options in their respective round draft projections.
[/quote]

That would be a little more realistic haha

[PuRock]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1292353936' post='575281']
What is Jonathan Ogden doing? LOL
[/quote]

It's not JO you have to ask about. His toe is the one that's retired. Chillin' drinking Toe Margaritas.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1292353418' post='575255']
.... no way in hell that happens. Two tackles and a center? When we already have two first rounders on the O-Line? We have substantial needs at ILB, FS, SS, DE, and WR. We are definitely resigning Yanda. I would be OKAY with taking a tackle or a center in the first two rounds but we have a lot of other needs and there's no way our first three picks are all O-Linemen.
[/quote]

I'm sure you noticed we can't run or pass block and our centre is old, we could be without our starting FB, RT (LT?) RG and C next season.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1292354240' post='575298']
I'm sure you noticed we can't run or pass block and our centre is old, we could be without our starting FB, RT (LT?) RG and C next season.
[/quote]

All that is true but the defense has too many question marks to be ignored the first three rounds.

[grape drank]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1292354084' post='575289']
That would be a little more realistic haha
[/quote]
yeah haha, I'd love to get a solid O line because I think that plus a new O coordinator would put this offence over the edge into the elite category. But we have too many defensive needs atm i.e DE, Corner, ILB, Safety. Basically everything except DT

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1292354240' post='575298']
I'm sure you noticed we can't run or pass block and our centre is old, we could be without our starting FB, RT (LT?) RG and C next season.
[/quote]

I'm not saying that it couldn't work, but Ray and Ed aren't getting any younger and we don't have anyone that can step up at FS or MLB. We also have a glaring hole at DE and we only have two WRs for the future (Boldin and Reed). Also, I'm sure you're familiar with Ozzie's philosophy of Best Player Available and I'm it seems extremely unlikely that all of the BPA in the first three rounds are O-Linemen. I suppose stranger things have happened...

And why would we be without McClain? I doubt he's going anywhere. Fullbacks don't exactly demand huge money either. Do you think he's going somewhere to try to play RB?

[BloodRaven]

We're ranked 4th in points allowed per game, our defense isn't as bad as advertised.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1292354713' post='575316']
We're ranked 4th in points allowed per game, our defense isn't as bad as advertised.
[/quote]

That statistic alone doesn't mean the D doesn't need to upgraded with a high draft pick or two.

[grape drank]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1292354793' post='575322']
That statistic alone doesn't mean the D doesn't need to upgraded with a high draft pick or two.
[/quote]
we'd be number one, if we could get some pressure from our other DE with just a 3 man rush. Sizzle was breathing down Schaubb's neck all night, bustin' his butt, but schaubb could just move over to where the other DE was rushing and just sit for a minute or two while Andre did what he does best.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1292354622' post='575315']
I'm not saying that it couldn't work, but Ray and Ed aren't getting any younger and we don't have anyone that can step up at FS or MLB. We also have a glaring hole at DE and we only have two WRs for the future (Boldin and Reed). Also, I'm sure you're familiar with Ozzie's philosophy of Best Player Available and I'm it seems extremely unlikely that all of the BPA in the first three rounds are O-Linemen. I suppose stranger things have happened...

And why would we be without McClain? I doubt he's going anywhere. Fullbacks don't exactly demand huge money either. Do you think he's going somewhere to try to play RB?
[/quote]

Well, around 3 years ago some guy named Ovie Mughelli walked for around 4 million a year and he's just a blocker. McClain won't just walk, he'll be the highest paid FB in the NFL.

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='grape drank' timestamp='1292355164' post='575333']
we'd be number one, if we could get some pressure from our other DE with just a 3 man rush. Sizzle was breathing down Schaubb's neck all night, bustin' his butt, but schaubb could just move over to where the other DE was rushing and just sit [b]for a minute or two while Andre did what he does best.[/b]
[/quote]

I blame Wilson, he should have thrown a few punches to bait Andre into getting ejected.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='grape drank' timestamp='1292355164' post='575333']
we'd be number one, if we could get some pressure from our other DE with just a 3 man rush. Sizzle was breathing down Schaubb's neck all night, bustin' his butt, but schaubb could just move over to where the other DE was rushing and just sit for a minute or two while Andre did what he does best.
[/quote]


It's happened all year. You can tell Ngata still needs work as a pass rusher and while I saw Kruger provide some pressure last night(and even get blatantly held), it didn't happen enough.

[JO_75]

LT- Oher
LG- Grubbs
C- Birk
RG- Yanda
RT-??

To me our offensive line is fine except the RT position. With the exception of Birk, our offensive line is young and solid. If we can find a RT fixture for a couple years, we would be good and from there add some depth to our offensive line. That's all we need to do, grab a RT fixture in FA for a few years than draft a solid RT a few years from now, draft or trade for a Center to eventually replace Birk, and add depth at each position.

[Ed_Reed20]

Just wanted to share two excerpts from my favorite Sun column([url="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2010/12/five_things_we_learned_in_the_ravens_3428_win.html"]link[/url]).

[quote]
"You can offer a subtle critique of each member. Matt Birk seems to do OK in pass protection, but he rarely, if ever, blows his man off the ball on running plays. His age is apparent every time the Ravens have to throw the ball on 3rd-and-2. He can't get to the second level. We all thought Ben Grubbs would be dominating by now, and instead, he's just OK. Marshal Yanda is an All-Pro guard playing out of position at tackle, but he's still been the Ravens best offensive lineman. Michael Oher gets way too many false start penalties and can't seem to recognize safeties when they walk up to the line for blitzes. The Ravens may have turned a great right tackle into an average left tackle. Chris Chester is a great athlete who might not be nasty enough to play guard."

"...[RT] is one of the few positions on the entire team the Ravens chose not to upgrade coming into this year. Think about it: They drafted a linebacker (Kindle), two tight ends (Dickson; Pitta) and a receiver who has proven effective in the return game (Reed). They traded for a cornerback (Wilson). They signed three wide receivers (Boldin; Stallworth; Houshmandzadeh). They added a pricey back-up quarterback (Bulger). They signed a defensive lineman (Redding). But they didn't add any depth, even in the form of backups, to the offensive line."

"The Ravens front office knew Gaither was a bit of a wild card coming into this year, and they decided not to upgrade that position. That decision is coming home to roost these days."
[/quote]

[BloodRaven]

So, how do much do we pay Yanda? any mauling guard who can play RT at a high level is going to command a top contract at around 5+ million a year, I wouldn't put it beyond an idiot like Snyder to offer him 8 million a year.

[stan]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1292356078' post='575361']
Just wanted to share two excerpts from my favorite Sun column([url="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2010/12/five_things_we_learned_in_the_ravens_3428_win.html"]link[/url]).
[/quote]

Thank you Ed_reed20. Thank you for proving what I've been saying all along about the effects of losing your starting left tackle. Look at what happened to Buffalo when they lost all pro left tackle Jason Peters in free agency in 2009.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1292351249' post='575167']
LOL. Yanda is arguably our best o-lineman.....
[/quote]
You have to be kidding me? Watch the tape and look at how many times Yanda has been exposed versus Michael oher or Ben Grubbs.

[berad]

[quote name='stan' timestamp='1292358649' post='575430']
Thank you Ed_reed20. Thank you for proving what I've been saying all along about the effects of losing your starting left tackle. Look at what happened to Buffalo when they lost all pro left tackle Jason Peters in free agency in 2009.
[/quote]

Buffalo stank before, during, and after Jason Peters.

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1292638803' post='578611']
You have to be kidding me? Watch the tape and look at how many times Yanda has been exposed versus Michael oher or Ben Grubbs.
[/quote]

Do you have any statistics to back that up? I've seen the exact opposite.

[olyravenfan]

Nothing. Keep the personel they're not the problem. It's all scheme. With a helmet on a helmet and properly called packages you can always get 3.3 YPC. Look at teams like the Pats, there's a reason that they always succeed, and that is because they teach solid fundamentals and then put the right people on the field at the right times. Think if we ran a tight 5 WR with no Joe and rice taking a direct snap. Put a backup line man at TE and TE's at the other spots. Rice would have his pick of holes to run in. If that can't create forward push we have morons on the pay roll. BTW I don't belive in the point to passing in this league. The Redskins had it right with John Riggins. 3.3 YPC and you win the game.

[berad]

[quote name='olyravenfan' timestamp='1292641398' post='578628']
Nothing. Keep the personel they're not the problem. It's all scheme. [b]With a helmet on a helmet and properly called packages you can always get 3.3 YPC.[/b] Look at teams like the Pats, there's a reason that they always succeed, and that is because they teach solid fundamentals and then put the right people on the field at the right times. [b]Think if we ran a tight 5 WR with no Joe and rice taking a direct snap. Put a backup line man at TE and TE's at the other spots. Rice would have his pick of holes to run in. If that can't create forward push we have morons on the pay roll. BTW I don't belive in the point to passing in this league.[/b] The Redskins had it right with John Riggins. 3.3 YPC and you win the game.
[/quote]

That's a terrible number and actually below what we've averaged on the season. It actually is the personnel, our OL is shuffled and it's the reason that they're not as effective as they've been the past couple of years.

What you're describing is a college formation and has no place, or effectiveness, in the NFL.

How can you not believe in passing? That's ridiculous.

[Jamal]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1292638803' post='578611']
You have to be kidding me? Watch the tape and look at how many times Yanda has been exposed versus Michael oher or Ben Grubbs.
[/quote]
Hes been getting beat more than Oher??

Again. lol

Hes not even playing his in his real position, yet the guy is solid. Not many o-lineman can do that.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1292356377' post='575370']
So, how do much do we pay Yanda? any mauling guard who can play RT at a high level is going to command a top contract at around 5+ million a year, I wouldn't put it beyond an idiot like Snyder to offer him 8 million a year.
[/quote]
Yanda isn't old enough or fractious enough for Snyder to go after him.