Our Options At Offensive Tackle

[raven43]

I refuse to post during a game because I just may spike the laptop. Injury smack is always bad.

I can't post during a game cuz my computer's not in a room with a TV.suuuuuuuucks.

[BloodRaven]

Last year was brutal. Hopefully this year will be less stressful, because my heart can't take the Boller blues anymore.

Man, my girlfriend just up and leaves when a game is on coz I dont scream, my **** is all introverted and I start getting the urge to chop meat with a cleaver.

[BAL_Hawk]

Dude, I can appreciate your optomisim, I really can. But this dude hasn't stepped foot on the field yet. He's never had a bad day at the hands of an all-pro and had to bounce back. Hell, he's only doing a decent job blocking our back-ups at DE this far in camp. Just too early to say he could be one of the best tackles in the NFL, don't ya think?

I understand that.

I was simply speculating based on the talent that he has displayed. Obviously it's to early to proclaim anything, but when a guy plays at a certain level (pre-draft, post-draft or even in practice), most people expect a certain level of performance. This is why players are drafted in the high rounds.

There is something to be said about talent. The Falcons drafted Matt Ryan and signed him based on his talent level. Obviously there is something expected of him. Whether it pans out is up to his future experiences. There can also be alot said about experience. This is where players are made, and what (I believe) you were referring to. However, evaluating talent and speculating utmost potential is the key to drafting pro-bowl players and it also seems to be the Raven's (or Ozzie's) specialty.

[BAL_Hawk]

I understand that.

I was simply speculating based on the talent that he has displayed. Obviously it's to early to proclaim anything, but when a guy plays at a certain level (pre-draft, post-draft or even in practice), most people expect a certain level of performance. This is why players are drafted in the high rounds.

There is something to be said about talent. The Falcons drafted Matt Ryan and signed him based on his talent level. Obviously there is something expected of him. Whether it pans out is up to his future experiences. There can also be alot said about experience. This is where players are made, and what (I believe) you were referring to. However, evaluating talent and speculating utmost potential is the key to drafting pro-bowl players and it also seems to be the Raven's (or Ozzie's) specialty.

That being said, I still think that Cousins has the potential to be an all-pro RT one day.

[RavensIQ]

That being said, I still think that Cousins has the potential to be an all-pro RT one day.

I agree.

Technique can be learned, Muscle can be built, Size can be gained, and Experience can come...but one thing that separates Cousins from the rest is his heart. With heart you either have it or you don't. That's what makes it easier to look at the guy and say he has the potential to be Great. I agree with Bal_hawk, Cousins could easily be a Pro Bowl RT sooner then later. I'm excited about him being on our squad this year. He brings an aggressive attitude to the other side of the ball that our offense desperately needs.

[foreversunny23]

Cousins has "it". His mentality just pumps you up (sorta like Ray Lewis). once he gets his technique down he will be awesome!

[BloodRaven]

The true source of a linemans power is in the hips, butt and legs, thats why Adam Terry as big as he is has no anchor and Jason Brown is a rock.

Looking at Cousins, he has lean legs and hips for his weight and looks more like a big TE. He wont be your usual drive blocking road grader and will only go as far as his technique will allow him.

[BloodRaven]

I could have been wrong about Kracalik but I still think we have to see more, at his size he doesnt have the best footwork but he is making up for it with good angles and was pretty solid.

Im surprised with what I saw in Slaughter, as out of shape as he is the guy is quick (a little haphazard in his footwork which is improving under Matsko) but he handled Richard Seymour and the whatever stringers behind him.

The reason Im smiling is with his anchor he could possibly be our answer at RT for a few years. No more watching Terry getting mangled on the right side and Yanda being beaten on the edge... *please please please*

If not I think former Jets RT Anthony Clement is still a free agent. He might suck against the speed rush but he has big time size/strength.

Off topic: Guards and Centre:

Well Im fine with calling Chris Chester a complete bust, and Adrien Clarke, well theres a reason he was chased out of New York... he cant protect!

[RavensIQ]

There's a rumor that the ravens might be thinking about Fred Miller I hope not. He was the bears starting LT last yr...he was a mop

[berad]

There's a rumor that the ravens might be thinking about Fred Miller I hope not. He was the bears starting LT last yr...he was a mop

He's old as dirt, too.

[FerrariFan87]

A couple of seasons ago we lost a RT by the name of Tony Pashos and at the time it didn't seem like a big deal, but boy could we use his veteran leadership and abilities now...

[Corvus]

Just a note, but if he continues to do solid work in the rest of the preseason, I think Mike Kracalik is gonna be a great reserve for us. He played the whole game against the Pats and played on the right and left sides. He is definitely not a full time starter (at least right now) but he is learning, he is doing what he is asked to do and most importantly, he wants to contribute and play, regardless of what that role might end up being. These are the kinds of guys we need on our team.

[BloodRaven]

Cousins was at it again, he must have been asking Barnes to join him for some of his mom's home baked fresh made cookies because Barnes broke his foot off in Cousins behind.

Hmmm. Hijinks.

Whats with our tackles getting knee injuries? Slaughter had a knee sprain but returned.

Gaither making excuses again.

[SickBoy]

Any idea of when Jared Gaither or Adam Terry are supposed to return???

[Corvus]

I think the better question may not be when they will return but if Gaither wants to return. This kid's lackadaisical attitude is really starting to irk me because I don't like resting the stability of our offense on his shoulders. Terry may not be very good but at least he wants to be out on the field helping the team, same can't be said for Gaither. He better be pancaking defensive ends nonstop come Sept. 7th or I'm going to be pretty miffed at the guy, and that's putting it lightly...

[SickBoy]

I'm not disagreeing with y'all but I haven't seen or read for myself where Gaither wasn't fully applying himself. Where did y'all get the information of him "making excuses" or "not wanting to be on the field" from??? I am hoping he can have a great season and reading this is breaking my heart!!!

[BloodRaven]

I'm not disagreeing with y'all but I haven't seen or read for myself where Gaither wasn't fully applying himself. Where did y'all get the information of him "making excuses" or "not wanting to be on the field" from??? I am hoping he can have a great season and reading this is breaking my heart!!!

Mike Preston, but who knows he could be wrong and Gaithers injury could be worse than Terrys. Maybe Gaither is smart enough not to train at 70%.

[Ravenoid]

A couple of seasons ago we lost a RT by the name of Tony Pashos and at the time it didn't seem like a big deal, but boy could we use his veteran leadership and abilities now...

I expressed the same sentiments some time ago. If we had signed Pashos instead of going for the glamor players our O line never would have stunk sooooo bad. I always remember the 13-3 season when Pashos was our starting RT.