Right Tackle

[ravensfan2430]

I don't see a lot of talk about this position on the forum. (sorry if I missed it). I personally think this is the biggest area of concern. Oher, while good, is slightly behind where i thought he would have been after that great first year at RT.Grubbs is solid. Birk didn't seem to be able to get a push last year. Yanda is a really good guard and decent RT, but really just a guard.

We need a RT. It would make my day to see Jah Reid be a sleeper stud, but I dont think any of us know how he is doing.

I dont like what I have seen from Cousins.

Are there any FA out there? What do you guys think?

[berad]

On the roster, we've got Reid, Cousins, Moll, and Harewood. Harewood's still recovering from knee surgery. One of those guys really has to step up to prove to the coaches that they can start. If not, look for it to be a 2008 RT situation, maybe? Where we signed Willie Anderson after he was cut and plugged him in for a year, worked out fairly well.

[Ravensfan23]

Surprisingly, I think the Ravens are very comfortable with, and confident in the guys we have right now. I don't doubt that we'll address the RT position of a nice option becomes available via cut or trade, but right now, the Ravens aren't too concerned.

I think they look at the oline and see injuries as the main reason for our struggles last year. Imo, Chris Chester is an addition by subtraction. He just wasn't cut out to be the olineman we wanted/needed him to be.

I honestly hope the Ravens slide Cousins down to OG and maximize his ability to be tough in tight spaces. I think Jah Reid is more then capable of starting for the Ravens, even with Woodley being on the schedule in week 1.

You mentioned Reid being a sleeper, but I think only the fans feel that way. I think the Ravens are really high on this guy and felt he could come in and start right away.

Also, Ben Grubbs is much more then just solid. He played the majority of the season with an injury, one that he needed surgery, so if 100% he should be back to his stellar play.

Oher is more then capable of turning into a quality LT. He's not Gaither, but he will get the job done. I think most of us fans were really down on Oher last season because we saw how much promised he showed in his rookie season.

If we just viewed him as a 2nd year guy who was playing LT for the first time in the NFL, he probably wouldn't have seemed so bad. Birk can hopefully still get the job done for one more year.

However I'm really hoping that one of these young Centers can set up and by the end of the season take over at C.

All in all, I just don't think the Ravens are too worry about the RT position right now. Reid wouldn't be the first rookie RT to have success.

[Ed_Reed20]

Reviews for Reid were pretty good the day he signed and hit the practice field. I'm unsure if the coaches would be willing to start him Week 1, but we shall see.

[Yatagarasu]

http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2011OT.php

Looking at this list:

Options are limited, however we might be able to find a Willie Anderson in...

Jammal Brown, OT, Redskins. Age: 30 - Injuries made him a shell of his glory days in NO.

Ryan Harris, OT, Broncos. Age: 26 - It's been a quiet free agency for this injured castoff that failed in Josh McDaniel's blocking scheme.

Max Starks, OT, Steelers. Age: 29 - He came overweight(possibly 400lbs) to training camp and was shown the door.

Langston Walker, OT, Raiders. Age: 31 - He got replaced by the youth movement in Oakland. Not good in pass protection, but good in the run blocking department.

Nick Kaczur, OT, Patriots. Age: 32 - Injuries have cost him his job. Still uncertain with health issues.

Mark Tauscher, OT, Packers. Age: 34 - He's left tackle who has a lot of wear and tear. He may retire now that he has a ring.

Shawn Andrews, OT, Giants. Age: 28 - He got cut because of his massive contract. A team with a need at RT will overpay him though.

Marc Colombo, OT, Cowboys. Age: 32 - Another high priced cut by the Cowboys. May be worth to see if he still can be effective at a lower cost.

Flozell Adams, OT, Steelers. Age: 36 - Should be retired by now.

[ravensfan2430]

I think Reid has a lot of promise and the fact that there hasnt been a lot of talk about the RT position gives me some comfort.

I agree with the post of addition by subtraction with regards to Chester.

[scrock]

Its not like we have any money under the cap to go out and sign anyone...not until Ngata gets a long term deal...and even then we still dont have much money

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

I actually think that we are more in need of a LT. If we can find someone more natural than Oher at LT that allows Oher to slide back to RT where he's better, great. If not, then we have depth there, which we currently don't have. I think we are actually not desperate for a RT. We have a number of options and I think the most likely right now is that Reid plays. It isn't ideal, but I think he could succeed. I don't think we'd have moved up to select him otherwise.

[berad]

Michael Oher [color="#4B0082"][url="http://twitter.com/#!/ravensinsider"]quoted by Aaron Wilson[/url][/color] about Jah Reid:

[quote]
Michael Oher on Jah Reid cont.: "He's physical, has all the tools. He has the right mindset.'[/quote]

[quote]
Michael Oher on Jah Reid: 'He's looking great. He's going to be able to help the team this year.'[/quote]

[url="http://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/97303732693377024"]LINK 1[/url] - [url="http://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/97303671968251904"]LINK 2[/url]

Could all be fluff, and I know it's been without pads, but it's still encouraging to hear.

[scrock]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1312040501' post='726898']
Michael Oher [color="#4B0082"][url="http://twitter.com/#!/ravensinsider"]quoted by Aaron Wilson[/url][/color] about Jah Reid:





[url="http://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/97303732693377024"]LINK 1[/url] - [url="http://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/97303671968251904"]LINK 2[/url]

Could all be fluff, and I know it's been without pads, but it's still encouraging to hear.
[/quote]

thats nice to hear, the man looks like a beast, he's huge, has the arm length, has the burst, and i've read he plays mean..so all good things

[Ravensfan23]

To be honest I don't think we'll make a move at RT until after about 2 maybe 3 preseason games. That will give both Reid and Harewood time to showcase what they have. I predicted Cousins would get the start week 1 a while ago, but I always find myself leaving him out of the RT discussion. I really hope he is kicked inside to replace Chester, but we'll see.

I think one of the man things to remember about the Reid story, is that the Ravens kind of drafted around the lockout this year.

Harbs said that the Ravens wanted to make sure they got high quality, and most importantly intelligent guys out of the draft. He said, they know things will be much different as far as the time the young guy will get to learn the playbook, so they want guys who can pick things up really quickly.

So well see if Jah Reid can be a quick study in these 4-5 weeks or so. I expect him to be tested in practice by Suggs and Kindle.

[scrock]

Im real interested to see what Harewood can do, he might not be quite ready because he got hurt last year...but down the line, he could be a good one.

[Yatagarasu]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1312040223' post='726892']
I actually think that we are more in need of a LT. If we can find someone more natural than Oher at LT that allows Oher to slide back to RT where he's better, great. If not, then we have depth there, which we currently don't have. I think we are actually not desperate for a RT. We have a number of options and I think the most likely right now is that Reid plays. It isn't ideal, but I think he could succeed. I don't think we'd have moved up to select him otherwise.
[/quote]

I think the best way to improve the blindside is to give more reps to the "Blindside." We spent a 1st rounder on him to protect the blindside, not be a right tackle. So it's a prove it year for Michael Oher and he knows it.

Oher has all the tools to be the best, now it's time to go through the trial and tribulations of being a NFL LT.

[hawkprey]

I'm not really worried. Reid next to Yanda is already an upgrade.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1312040724' post='726906']
I think the best way to improve the blindside is to give more reps to the "Blindside." We spent a 1st rounder on him to protect the blindside, not be a right tackle. So it's a prove it year for Michael Oher and he knows it.

Oher has all the tools to be the best, now it's time to go through the trial and tribulations of being a NFL LT.
[/quote]

Agreed. A lack of technique is Oher's biggest issue, and the only way he's going to improve is with reps.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1312040724' post='726906']
I think the best way to improve the blindside is to give more reps to the "Blindside." We spent a 1st rounder on him to protect the blindside, not be a right tackle. So it's a prove it year for Michael Oher and he knows it.

Oher has all the tools to be the best, now it's time to go through the trial and tribulations of being a NFL LT.
[/quote]

I agree that Oher is the future of the LT spot, but we still need to sign another comfortable LT backup IMO. If Oher goes down injured, it's a choice between Cousins, Harewood and Moll at LT. That's far from ideal.

[Yatagarasu]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1312039677' post='726880']
http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2011OT.php

Looking at this list:

Options are limited, however we might be able to find a Willie Anderson in...

Jammal Brown, OT, Redskins. Age: 30 - Injuries made him a shell of his glory days in NO.

Ryan Harris, OT, Broncos. Age: 26 - It's been a quiet free agency for this injured castoff that failed in Josh McDaniel's blocking scheme.

Max Starks, OT, Steelers. Age: 29 - He came overweight(possibly 400lbs) to training camp and was shown the door.

Langston Walker, OT, Raiders. Age: 31 - He got replaced by the youth movement in Oakland. Not good in pass protection, but good in the run blocking department.

Nick Kaczur, OT, Patriots. Age: 32 - Injuries have cost him his job. Still uncertain with health issues.

Mark Tauscher, OT, Packers. Age: 34 - He's left tackle who has a lot of wear and tear. He may retire now that he has a ring.

Shawn Andrews, OT, Giants. Age: 28 - He got cut because of his massive contract. A team with a need at RT will overpay him though.

Marc Colombo, OT, Cowboys. Age: 32 - Another high priced cut by the Cowboys. May be worth to see if he still can be effective at a lower cost.

Flozell Adams, OT, Steelers. Age: 36 - Should be retired by now.
[/quote]

The funny thing about this list is that most of these guys are going to be on an NFL team once the injuries start flying around.

There's going to be a lot of NFL teams with aged and injured O-lines. I hope we got good depth.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1312040724' post='726906']
I think the best way to improve the blindside is to give more reps to the "Blindside." We spent a 1st rounder on him to protect the blindside, not be a right tackle. So it's a prove it year for Michael Oher and he knows it.

Oher has all the tools to be the best, now it's time to go through the trial and tribulations of being a NFL LT.
[/quote]

Yea I think the biggest reason why Oher was so successful at RT was because playing RT isn't about technique as much as just being physical.

LT is more of a technique based position. I think after a full year of ups and downs of playing LT, Oher should really have his feet under him now.

[balfan23]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1312041203' post='726918']
I agree that Oher is the future of the LT spot, but we still need to sign another comfortable LT backup IMO. If Oher goes down injured, it's a choice between Cousins, Harewood and Moll at LT. That's far from ideal.
[/quote]

With respect to needing a backup LT, I couldn't agree more. I think the FO will assess whether they thing Flozell has anything left in the tank. We could use him on the right if we don't think Jah is ready day 1 and he's got LT experience and could fill in for Oher should he get hurt.

[organizedchaos007]

Reid will be the steal of this draft in round 3, the Ravens are extremely high on him, thats why they moved up to get him. Think they are/will be comfortable starting him week one. Im also interested to see what Harewood can do

[uhhhh]

Does anyone know how far Harewood is with his recovery?

[Moderator 3]

[quote name='uhhhh' timestamp='1312042967' post='726976']
Does anyone know how far Harewood is with his recovery?
[/quote]

He's on PUP at the moment. Doesn't sound good.

[baltravens]

I penciled in our 2011 O-line: RT-Reid, RG-Yanda, C-Birk, LG-Grubbs, LT-Oher. Of course, I am assuming to, or banking on like the staff are, that Reid will seize the RT spot. Our backups are really interesting to speculate on considering that Chester and Gaither are gone.

[raveon]

Hate to be redundant but, the O-line hurt us last year. We need a veteran right tackle Bad. That first game is to important to leave to a rookie!!!

[Ed_Reed20]

Jah Reid is continuing to ball:

[quote]
1WinningDrive Baltimore Ravens
RT @bbcleats: who is the most impressive player in camp right now? > Got me in a corner. Hmm, i'll go Jah Reid. For a rookie it's impressive
7 minutes ago

[url="http://twitter.com/#!/1WinningDrive"]Link[/url]
[/quote]

[XxSizzleXx]

Cant wait to see this big man put down Woodley.

[arnie_uk]

@ClaytonESPN
The Raiders re-signed Khalif Barnes to a one-year deal to be the starting right tackle. Raiders decided not to sign Ravens T Jared Gaither.

If the raiders dont want him he might just sign on the cheap for us.. could solve our OL probs without a big cap hit

[flynismo]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1312059340' post='727519']
@ClaytonESPN
The Raiders re-signed Khalif Barnes to a one-year deal to be the starting right tackle. Raiders decided not to sign Ravens T Jared Gaither.

If the raiders dont want him he might just sign on the cheap for us.. could solve our OL probs without a big cap hit
[/quote]

God I want Gaither back so bad. If we can think about bringing in Osi, we damn well better make room for Gaither. He is the guy who will put us over the top and get us our SB.

[uhhhh]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1312059340' post='727519']
@ClaytonESPN
The Raiders re-signed Khalif Barnes to a one-year deal to be the starting right tackle. Raiders decided not to sign Ravens T Jared Gaither.

If the raiders dont want him he might just sign on the cheap for us.. could solve our OL probs without a big cap hit
[/quote]

Maybe he failed his physical.

[arnie_uk]

i think we need him tbh, we need him at LT fully fit, and wanting to preform, wanting to him.. motivated. With oher RT yanda and grubbs at guard at birk (hopefully fully fit) we have a great OL, one of the best in football dare i say it.

and with the possiblity of leach at FB are offense just got better. Flacco should take the next step with more time, rice should get back to his old form... put that with our d we have to be in great shape for a superbowl win...

But i cant see them signing Gaither..