Matt Birk Revelation

[Ed_Reed20]

So I was on The Sun's site and saw this article on Birk. [url="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2011/01/flux_among_ravens_could_begin_in_trenches.html"]Link[/url]

One line really struck me:

[quote]
...Birk, 34, just wrapped up his 13th season playing on a sore left knee complicated by a swollen bursa sac that had to be drained on at least a weekly basis.

Birk, who declined to use the knee as an excuse (“You’re never going to feel good, but that’s part of the game,” he said, adding that he would not have to undergo surgery in the offseason.), acknowledged that retirement does weigh on his mind.
[/quote]

Against good defenses, the o-line obviously didn't play well. Even against some bad teams, protection was an issue and running lanes were rarely opened.

Oher, with all his issues in pass protection, I felt was fine in run blocking. I'm pretty sure Yanda was a good run blocker but the Ravens rarely ran towards the right side anyway. Grubbs was relatively steady. Too often I often saw Chester on his backside in both pass protection and run blocking.

With Birk, I felt he did not play well and chalked up to him simply being older. I knew he had a knee ailment but didn't realize it was that bad and he probably dealt with it most of the season.

[theFRANCHISE]

There was a player profile done him by the Sun earlier in the season that detailed how he wakes up with pain every day. Lots of players go through this experience, which makes it even more humbling when older veterans are able to play even half as well as their younger teammates. It might be a young man's game, but it takes toughness to sustain even average play over a 4-6 month span.

[TreTheRaven]

I do like Birk but I kind of miss Jason Brown. That kid was a young, solid center.

Sorry if that was totally random. Feel free to give me negatives for being off-track.

[XxSizzleXx]

Hell yea you need some toughness for football. 'It's a mans game' straight up, while I know he didn't play great it's intriguing to read he played through the pain. Shows toughness and an abundance of leadership.

[Militant X 1]

Birk may make a break for retirement due to his knee.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='TreTheRaven' timestamp='1295403906' post='616658']
I do like Birk but I kind of miss Jason Brown. That kid was a young, solid center.

Sorry if that was totally random. Feel free to give me negatives for being off-track.
[/quote]
I liked him too, and you can he is very important in the rediscovery of a strong running game in St Louis.

[noy]

If Birk retires, this line is looking ugly for next season. Maybe this lockout could be a good thing? Gives the veterans a chance to heal and get that football "itch" back?

[PuRock]

[quote name='noy' timestamp='1295405110' post='616709']
If Birk retires, this line is looking ugly for next season. Maybe this lockout could be a good thing? Gives the veterans a chance to heal and get that football "itch" back?
[/quote]

I think more the other direction. If there is a lockout most of the veterans don't want to have to keep in gameshape for the next year without football. Lockout means a lot of veterans retiring around the league.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1295405330' post='616716']
I think more the other direction. If there is a lockout most of the veterans don't want to have to keep in gameshape for the next year without football. Lockout means a lot of veterans retiring around the league.
[/quote]
Agreed 100%....lockout and we most likely just watched the last snaps of Ray, Birk, Mase and more than likely Ed (Im crying right now).

[JO_75]

If Birk was smart he should just go get surgery on it and retire as if he continues to play with pain it could affect his life after Football and I don't want to see Birk end up in a wheel chair or anything. I like what Birk has done for us but I think we may have to draft his replacement or trade for a Young Center.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1295405419' post='616723']
Agreed 100%....lockout and we most likely just watched the last snaps of Ray, Birk, Mase and more than likely Ed (Im crying right now).
[/quote]
Shhhhhhhhhh! Never; Ray Lewis will go forever!

[ravensfan2424]

i know this may be a bad idea to some but its worth a shot, what if we train cox to play center and have houser remain our long snapper? Ideas?

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravensfan2424' timestamp='1295408593' post='616827']
i know this may be a bad idea to some but its worth a shot, what if we train cox to play center and have houser remain our long snapper? Ideas?
[/quote]

Not happening. Morgan Cox probably doesn't have the frame to add weight or natural strength to play center. Centers aren't impossible to find.

[ravensfan2424]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1295408889' post='616836']
Not happening. Morgan Cox probably doesn't have the frame to add weight or natural strength to play center. Centers aren't impossible to find.
[/quote]

oh well it was an idea

[PuRock]

I was always thinking that David Hale would eventually step-up to be our center. But that went away when he got injured. The man had the frame to be a decent pass blocking center.

[BloodRaven]

So we didn't re-sign Jason Brown because he wanted 6 million a year, then we sign a guy who is 33yo for 4 million a year. Birk got 2 million less even though we only had to fit Brown into one capped season with over 3 million in wiggle room.

Oh well.

If you can't tell I really miss Brown, I remember him holding his ground one-on-one with guys like Haynesworth and Hampton and Rogers and wondering who else had that sort of luxury with their centre. There was one game in particular against the Vikes where he was just mauling the life out of DT Pat Williams.

Ahh, good times.

[Jabara]

I like Birk a lot, but he's too old and too injured, well dealing with a lot of injuries, he's almost bionic.
I think for his own sake he should retire and try to enjoy the rest of his life.

[ravens88]

I think Birk will be back but this will be his last one. Alot of these players wont hang it up until we miss the playoffs making it for three years in a row really helps optimisim for the following season. Like Ray said in his interview you never stop till you have a losing record thats when its time.

[Tank 92]

Doesn't explain why he hiked the ball into his thigh..........