The "Uh-O-Line"

[WinnipegRaven]

With an O-line like the one I saw last night, we are one injury away from a very long season. I know its the preseason/still early but I really think the last couple years we have been one player away from a Superbowl....

This year in my opinion we have taken a step back. We lost too many starters and have been too complacent during FA - allbeit a neceessary step to ensure we can lock up our marquee players.

Last years patch work was great with the addition of Josh Wilson - still scratching my head at why we didnt try and bring him back a little harder. But we had a need on the offensive line last year and we still have that same need and then some. Last year we were left in the dark regarding Gaither and held out hope he would return... This year we know Gaither wont return and have no suitable replacement - unless you consider Oher that replacement - I'd like him back at RT persoanlly.

Anyway, I'm not sure who the heck we are going to turn to nor am I confident Ozzie will be able to pull a rabbit out of his hat ala Josh Wilson, but one thing is certain...

In Ozzie we trust or with Ozzie we rust.

/rant

[GeneralZod]

Im still dying over the title of this thread, lol. Pretty ingenious

[izvoodoo]

Not surprising since we've had so many centers in training camp that the consistency in the O-line was a problem after what? 2 weeks of training camp?? I'm not panicking. If there's marked improvement in the O-line from week to week I'll be fine.

[bdravens]

Wish they let Jah Reid play more last night. They continued to throw Cousins into the fire, at both tackle positions, and he almost got Tyrod killed on a couple occasions. The interior line wasn't terrible, just the OT. Oher played ok, but could/should be better.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='bdravens' timestamp='1313171406' post='748142']
Wish they let Jah Reid play more last night. They continued to throw Cousins into the fire, at both tackle positions, and he almost got Tyrod killed on a couple occasions. The interior line wasn't terrible, just the OT. Oher played ok, but could/should be better.
[/quote]
Yeah, it was trial by fire. I think we make a move by the next preseason game, as well as play Reid more with the 1st's/2nd's the next few games. Cousins was being tested and failed miserably!

[Kevin Mullins]

One possible solution of Reid does not hold his water either

Put Yanda back at RT as we did last year
use Rabach at RG. Guy is a veteran, knows how to play, solid road grader.


I am all for us going out and getting someone, but truth is, there isn't much out there that isn't an over priced veteran.

[Yurtle]

It's funny that people are saying to sign Flozell Adams. He was cut by the Steelers because he wouldn't take a paycut on his $5million.

[harfordravenfan]

On 105.7 today they were coming up with nick names for Cousins, only heard 2 before getting to work:
Turn style and my favorite..."speed bump" cause all he did was slightly slow down the defense, not stop them


And yes, sadly enough it is a very good title

[Ravenseconbeast]

[quote name='Kevin Mullins' timestamp='1313171754' post='748174']
One possible solution of Reid does not hold his water either

Put Yanda back at RT as we did last year
use Rabach at RG. Guy is a veteran, knows how to play, solid road grader.


I am all for us going out and getting someone, but truth is, there isn't much out there that isn't an over priced veteran.
[/quote]

You the center Rabach? He failed a physical.

[jaege]

Anyone know of any help we may be able to get for the o-line either available or likely to be cut/traded sometime soon?

[LouieDaLug]

I hope the owner see's this thread and calls Ozzie and blasts him for ignoring the offensive line issues....thats what I hope.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='LouieDaLug' timestamp='1313175856' post='748463']
I hope the owner see's this thread and calls Ozzie and blasts him for ignoring the offensive line issues....thats what I hope.
[/quote]
Have we not learned anything with the recent acquisition of Evans. Give Ozzie some time. Wowee wow!!

[bauer77]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1313175964' post='748467']
Have we not learned anything with the recent acquisition of Evans. Give Ozzie some time. Wowee wow!!
[/quote]


I was gettin ready to say this. lol. With the acquisition of Evans (and last week Williams), Ozzie knows we have holes to fill. I bet you will see a backup QB and O-Line depth signed here soon. If not before the next preseason game, they definitely before the season starts.

[Dnyce215]

they got o'hara and seubert on FA giants O-linemen they be a great help

[bdravens]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1313175964' post='748467']
Have we not learned anything with the recent acquisition of Evans. Give Ozzie some time. Wowee wow!!
[/quote]
No time. Must win every preseason game! Really though, there will be cuts still, maybe we can pick up a veteran guy that gets let go.

[20ReedsAll]

Oniel Cousins is the Frank Walker or Cory Ivy of our O-line. Get him out of here. He got burned by third/fourth string no name players, yet we are supposed to hold hope that he'll do fine against Lamarr Woodley? Not a chance.

[itscbm5042]

Cut a deal for Flozell (best name in the world) Adams. He got cut because he wouldn't take a pay cut and now he gets nothing. He will want to stick it to the Steelers and was actually a pretty decent RT for them - Ozzie could bring him in for a few mil, nobody else is offering anything. Sign a back up C/G in O'Hara, Andrews, or a healthy Rabach. Pray that Oher was just shaking off the rust and the OL is in good shape.

[K-Dog]

Thread title of the year award nomine.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

[quote name='Kevin Mullins' timestamp='1313171754' post='748174']
One possible solution of Reid does not hold his water either

Put Yanda back at RT as we did last year
use Rabach at RG. Guy is a veteran, knows how to play, solid road grader.


I am all for us going out and getting someone, but truth is, there isn't much out there that isn't an over priced veteran.
[/quote]

rabach failed his physical he aint playin for a while

[itscbm5042]

[quote name='TheRavenouseD2008' timestamp='1313179359' post='748656']
rabach failed his physical he aint playin for a while
[/quote]

The Ravens have said they will monitor the situation and give him another shot in 2 weeks. That was a week ago.

Here are the developing options:

1) Sign RT Flozell Adams = Oher, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda, Adams

2) Move Yanda to RT and sign OG Brian Waters (good pass blocker) = Oher, Grubbs, Birk, Waters, Yanda

3) Start Jah Reid at RT and sign a backup C/G = Oher, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda, Reid

Of the 3, I like #1 the most and could see it happening. I also like #2 but would think that Yanda is a better pass blocker than Waters, still, if an OT solution doesn't come cheap this would be the best value. #3 Scares me right now, but Reid could improve through the preseason.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Ive been saying OT was our biggest priority in FA... Ill give Oher til the end of this season before I make any conclusions, but im definitely leaning towards him being a GREAT RT and an okay LT. Reid might turn out to be serviceable at RT but that leaves us with two starting RT's, one whose playing LT and nothing behind them. Cousins is AWFUL, and he'll be rotating in regularly. If anyone goes down we're toast. I trust Ozzie to get it done, just dont really know whats going to be available bc we badly need a starting LT (best case scenerio)

[scrock]

The OL is our main weakness on the team, I can see them moving Yanda back to RT and bringing in someone to play RG or have someone already on the team play RG.

OL depth is a concern too, if a starter goes down its going to be even worse.

I'm sure they are watching the tape and going over it, it could be bad technique, it could be bad players.

I trust they will get it together in time for the Steelers, because we are going to run the ball down their throats and pass all over their ....behinds.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='itscbm5042' timestamp='1313179784' post='748672']
The Ravens have said they will monitor the situation and give him another shot in 2 weeks. That was a week ago.

Here are the developing options:

1) Sign RT Flozell Adams = Oher, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda, Adams

2) Move Yanda to RT and sign OG Brian Waters (good pass blocker) = Oher, Grubbs, Birk, Waters, Yanda

3) Start Jah Reid at RT and sign a backup C/G = Oher, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda, Reid

Of the 3, I like #1 the most and could see it happening. I also like #2 but would think that Yanda is a better pass blocker than Waters, still, if an OT solution doesn't come cheap this would be the best value. #3 Scares me right now, but Reid could improve through the preseason.
[/quote]

I like number one the most as well, mostly because I think we definitely need someone who can play LT if (god forbid) Oher goes down.

Another thing to consider though is that there are no guarantees over the health of Birk.

[jimmysmith3]

Rich Seubert of the Giants would be a solid addition as well IMO, although he is a guard. Maybe we could even lure both O'Hara and Seubert together because I think they're friends...that would be amazing because it would completely solidify our line, but I think it would be more of a pipe dream.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I say we sign a LT and move Oher back to the right. He just doesnt seem comfortable... I know thatd be more expensive but I think it makes us a much better team. Im definitely not for moving Yanda back to tackle, i want him staying at gaurd. We need to start looking at solutions, not band-aids.

[acranfor]

[quote name='BOLDnPurPnBlacK' timestamp='1313180899' post='748735']
I say we sign a LT and move Oher back to the right. He just doesnt seem comfortable... I know thatd be more expensive but I think it makes us a much better team. Im definitely not for moving Yanda back to tackle, i want him staying at gaurd. We need to start looking at solutions, not band-aids.
[/quote]


??? Grubbs Birk Yanda Oher

Agree...this is a great line but where do we find a LT?

[20ReedsAll]

Man could you imagine in a perfect world: 08 Gaither, Grubbs, Jason Brown, Yanda, Oher.

[jimmysmith3]

[quote name='acranfor' timestamp='1313181020' post='748741']
??? Grubbs Birk Yanda Oher

Agree...this is a great line but where do we find a LT?
[/quote]
The trade route seems to be the only plausible scenario unless someone releases a top end LT (maybe Bryant Mckinnie could be salvaged). Although correct me if I'm wrong but trades involved O-Lineman rarely ever happen, in fact I cannot recall ever seeing one.

[JO_75]

Question... Is Jah Reid RT only? The reason I ask is that it seems Reid has the size(6'7) to be a LT over Michael Oher(6'4) and it would be interesting to see if Reid can play LT, because if he can, we can move Oher back to RT.

[KillaBirdTJ]

[quote name='acranfor' timestamp='1313181020' post='748741']
??? Grubbs Birk Yanda Oher

Agree...this is a great line but where do we find a LT?
[/quote]

Is McKinney really too far gone to be a better LT than Oher? I admittedly don't know much about McKinney but heard he was a pro bowl caliber LT... Oher moved back to RT is the best move... but true we would then need a LT AND in my opinion, a Center...

Just a thought I've asked this question before but haven't gotten a clear answer:

Should we cut Birk to clear up some cap space and go after Ohara? Birk is not even 85% and is still a question mark to play this year... I cannot see a valid reason to hang on to this albeit great, but banged up center if there are better veteran options out there?