Bryant McKinnie To Ravens

[itscbm5042]

Its official he passed. McKinnie is now a full fledged Raven.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='itscbm5042' timestamp='1314212797' post='762819']
Its official he passed. McKinnie is now a full fledged Raven.
[/quote]

RavensInsider Aaron Wilson:
Bryant McKinnie passed his physical, signed his $7.5 million max value contract. Team announced passed physical and signing.

RavensInsider Aaron Wilson
With the physical out of the way, look for Bryant McKinnie to begin practicing Saturday after Ravens' preseason game against Redskins.

[Runnin Raven]

YES!!

[Tyler]

Get this Man on the Terrence Cody Diet!

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

Good news. We should be running the ball a lot better if Oher really is going back to the right.

[jimmysmith3]

[quote name='mgridda' timestamp='1314152179' post='761938']

Bryant McKinnie - at this juncture - is not as good at offensive tackle as Nnamdi Asomugha is at corner. He's not as good as Peyton Manning or Rodgers are at QB. That's ultimately where your reasoning fails. McKinnie was cut from his team. He was let go. He showed up well over his playing weight. He isn't Joe Thomas or Jake Long. He won't be handed anything, and quite frankly you're really only reflecting poorly on yourself to advocate that sort of favoritism.

McKinnie has a lot to prove. Asomugha, Manning, Rodgers: those guys really don't. Your error in reasoning is a rather large one. You probably don't see it, but you don't have a leg to stand on.

I have a reason to believe that this coaching staff will put the best 11 men out on the field. Every coaching staff everywhere will do the same. That's simply how football games are won. And the philosophy in championship caliber teams like New England is that no one man is bigger than the team. No one man is irreplaceable, and every single bench player is a play away from being a starter. If the backups are not trained with the mentality that they can beat the starter for their job, then their performance becomes weaker. Every single head coach in the National Football League is likely to disagree with your ideas. The fact of the matter is Peyton Manning is on a whole other stratosphere from Curtis Painter. One day, Manning will be replaced. Another player will come in and do his job better than him, and like Brett Favre before him he'll be replaced. If you look at New England they've already got Ryan coming in and perhaps sitting on the bench for 3 years just like Rodgers did. That's a smart organization.

<insult deleted>
[/quote]
Well there you go... [url="http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/08/24/late-for-work-824-mckinnie-says-he-will-play-left-tackle/"]http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/08/24/late-for-work-824-mckinnie-says-he-will-play-left-tackle/[/url]

If that doesn't mean he was brought in as a starter instead of to compete than I don't know what does. I'm surprised because I didn't expect them to be this confident in Mckinnie right away, but there you go. Sure if he pulls a couple O'Neil Cousins preformances then they will consider making a change, but he is brought in as a starter, there is no competition for the starting tackle positions at this point.

[raveon]

[b]Hal-La-Lou-Ya!!![/b] Shame it wasn't none a few weeks ago. One thing you learn about in life is " some people will complaint with a mammary gland in their mouth"

[1/28/01]

[quote name='jimmysmith3' timestamp='1314214420' post='762867']
Well there you go... [url="http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/08/24/late-for-work-824-mckinnie-says-he-will-play-left-tackle/"]http://blogs.baltimo...ay-left-tackle/[/url]

If that doesn't mean he was brought in as a starter instead of to compete than I don't know what does. I'm surprised because I didn't expect them to be this confident in Mckinnie right away, but there you go. Sure if he pulls a couple O'Neil Cousins preformances then they will consider making a change, but he is brought in as a starter, there is no competition for the starting tackle positions at this point.
[/quote]

Has anyone other than McKinnie himself said he was the starting LT? Just curious as I don't think this article says if anyone has (didn't read the entire thing, though).

[POE]

[quote name='jimmysmith3' timestamp='1314214420' post='762867']
Well there you go... [url="http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/08/24/late-for-work-824-mckinnie-says-he-will-play-left-tackle/"]http://blogs.baltimo...ay-left-tackle/[/url]

If that doesn't mean he was brought in as a starter instead of to compete than I don't know what does. I'm surprised because I didn't expect them to be this confident in Mckinnie right away, but there you go. Sure if he pulls a couple O'Neil Cousins preformances then they will consider making a change, but he is brought in as a starter, there is no competition for the starting tackle positions at this point.
[/quote]
This article has just a statement from himself during an interview with ESPN claiming he is the LT and Oher would move back to RT. No real proof that anyone with-in the organization has said this or not. I would assume that the Ravens brought him in here to play a big part for the oline but really nothing is guaranteed when you bring a guy like this in. I like to stay on the positive side and think that he will make a big impact but i will wait until the coaches come out and tell us or show us what the plan is in regards to where he is playing and what role he has with the team.

[jimmysmith3]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1314203239' post='762539']
Also, IDK maybe the Vikings fans are bitter or maybe McKinnie isnt that great of a LT, they all say he gets beat a lot at LT

I said but he was a Pro Bowler in 2009...they said his play really fell off and he got beat a lot...so whatever happens I hope he elevates his game, we cant have Joe get beat up
[/quote]
When a superbowl is on the line and with Ray and Ed in his hear, he'll definitely be a lot more motivated than protecting Joe Webb. For most guys it doesn't matter who is behind them, but when a guy has character concerns like Mckinnie; that seems very plausible to me. Most fans remember the most recent events, and by the second half of the season the Vikings were far out of the playoff picture. He wasn't an upcoming free agent either, so he probably figured that he was too good to get cut. Remember in 2009 (when he was a pro bowler) was the year that the Vikings got beaten by the Saints in the NFC championship game. So let's hope this guy is a big-game performer. I'm confident that he'll have a good year for us this year.

[mgridda]

McKinnie might be best on the right side.

[Mount-Cody]

He passed his physical today and we official signed him. More holes for RR27 this year! Can't wait!

[Militant X 1]

let's get this O-line stout! diggin the pick up.

~Mili

[jimmysmith3]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1314215194' post='762878']
Has anyone other than McKinnie himself said he was the starting LT? Just curious as I don't think this article says if anyone has (didn't read the entire thing, though).
[/quote]
Well he said that he was told by the team, so I'm choosing to believe his word. I don't think he's going to come out and say that Oher is going to be moved back to RT without the team telling him that. Maybe this guy is a real knucklehead though and he wants to make a bad first impression on his new team, but I think he's being truthful.

There was no official word from the team, but I don't think the team would want this false information to be posted on the team website, so again I'm making an asumption.

[SecretAgentMan]

Ray Rices fantasy value just went up, now, he is the #1 fantasy back, with the best offensive line in the NFL, with Birk anyway.

[cant knock the hustle]

I think he's being truthful, but I was still surprised. The Ravens have reiterated time and time again their belief that Michael Oher is the LT of the future. Moving Oher back to the right side might be a hindrance in his development if the Ravens FO still believes he is the LT of the future, which was also affirmed by drafting Jah Reid, who is at this point solely a RT.

As much as I like moving Oher to RT, where he showed the potential to dominate as a rookie, and inserting Big Mac at LT where he has played and thrived his entire career, I don't like the idea of switching Oher from RT to LT to RT and ultimately back to LT. It's not good for the continuity of the line or Oher's progression. He needs a position where he can develop and if RT is it, let it be RT.

Love the move to bring in Big Mac. Too soon, but I'd love to see him in action against the Skins tomorrow night.

[PuRock]

[quote name='cant knock the hustle' timestamp='1314216543' post='762909']
[b]I think he's being truthful, but I was still surprised. The Ravens have reiterated time and time again their belief that Michael Oher is the LT of the future. Moving Oher back to the right side might be a hindrance in his development if the Ravens FO still believes he is the LT of the future, which was also affirmed by drafting Jah Reid, who is at this point solely a RT.[/b]

As much as I like moving Oher to RT, where he showed the potential to dominate as a rookie, and inserting Big Mac at LT where he has played and thrived his entire career, I don't like the idea of switching Oher from RT to LT to RT and ultimately back to LT. It's not good for the continuity of the line or Oher's progression. He needs a position where he can develop and if RT is it, let it be RT.

Love the move to bring in Big Mac. Too soon, but I'd love to see him in action against the Skins tomorrow night.
[/quote]

I always take what the org says about players with a grain of salt. They can say he's the LT of the future but then they sign McKinney, put him in at LT, and say "We like Oher at RT, we think he fits our team better as our run blocking RT of the future."

I find it hard to believe that this team is ultimately ready to give up with Oher at LT. But they know that having him at RT right now with a proven commodity at LT gives us the best chance to win now.

[mgridda]

[quote name='jimmysmith3' timestamp='1314214420' post='762867']
Well there you go... [url="http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/08/24/late-for-work-824-mckinnie-says-he-will-play-left-tackle/"]http://blogs.baltimo...ay-left-tackle/[/url]

If that doesn't mean he was brought in as a starter instead of to compete than I don't know what does. I'm surprised because I didn't expect them to be this confident in Mckinnie right away, but there you go. Sure if he pulls a couple O'Neil Cousins preformances then they will consider making a change, but he is brought in as a starter, there is no competition for the starting tackle positions at this point.
[/quote]

I don't think you understand. In fact, I'd say that most of your issues stem from misunderstanding what I wrote. I think you even said that I was trying to say McKinnie wouldn't start. I wasn't saying that at all.

Plus you're not even doing a good job at making your own point. Surely you could also point out to Pagano talking to Jimmy Smith at the draft and telling him to get ready to go up against every team's #1. That sounds like one thing.

In reality, though, it's entirely another. Pagano is pumping the kid up. Everyone on the team is encouraged to play well enough to start, or encouraged to start. Earning it in practice is different. If anyone goes out there and [profanity deleted]s the bed, then it'll be like Space Jam. Remember Space Jam? If Ray, Ed, Joe, Rice, etc just go out there and they've lost their mojo like that then they'll all be benched and likely either put on IR or released. Evaluations happen daily.

I don't think you grasp that last part. Evaluations happen daily. And when a signing comes through of a current pro bowl player, someone who has started on another team, then yes, he's earned to be given a shot as a starter in PRACTICE. And usually there's very few hitches and through the practice he earns the actual starting spot in the game.

How do I know all of this? I play semi-pro football in Texas. Actually playing football, being part of the organization, you get to see how things work day in and day out. When over the offseason someone comes in from another team and he's an established starter on that team, then yes he will be given more opportunities in practice than someone who has been with the team the last three years but isn't very good (Cousins) or someone who just transfered to the team but didn't even start on his old team. But that doesn't mean they have any idea of what will work best or if it's automatic that someone is going to come in and play at a certain position.

On good football programs, players are constantly being reviewed, constantly being analyzed. Belichick does this well and that's how he removes household names, plugs in no-name guys and gets the same or better production.

[mgridda]

[quote name='cant knock the hustle' timestamp='1314216543' post='762909']
I think he's being truthful, but I was still surprised. The Ravens have reiterated time and time again their belief that Michael Oher is the LT of the future. Moving Oher back to the right side might be a hindrance in his development if the Ravens FO still believes he is the LT of the future, which was also affirmed by drafting Jah Reid, who is at this point solely a RT.

As much as I like moving Oher to RT, where he showed the potential to dominate as a rookie, and inserting Big Mac at LT where he has played and thrived his entire career, I don't like the idea of switching Oher from RT to LT to RT and ultimately back to LT. It's not good for the continuity of the line or Oher's progression. He needs a position where he can develop and if RT is it, let it be RT.

Love the move to bring in Big Mac. Too soon, but I'd love to see him in action against the Skins tomorrow night.
[/quote]

Oher played left tackle at Ole Miss. Then he played RT as a rookie. Then left tackle just last season. I think he's going to be the same player at both positions, it's just that on the left tackle side you're going up against Dwight Freeney; on the right you've usually got a Tight end and it's Robert Mathis. Left: Harrison. Right: Woodley. Left: Cameron Wake. Right: Msi. Left: Suggs. Right: JJ. Left: Tamba Hali...ad naseum

On most teams, the better pass rusher is going to be on the weak side. And that's the problem with the weakside. Also, the QB is not really visually wary of the blindside rusher, so it's easier to statistically give up I think Oher is a better run blocker than he is a pass protector and he's got that mean stout body which is very good for driving.

Basically, I think left side or right side is somewhat the same and sure it takes a little bit getting used to with muscle memory to drop back with the right foot instead of the left and basically mirror what you were doing on the opposite side, but I don't think this is Oher's biggest problems. I just think right now he's not Jake Long or Joe Thomas in pass protection. When he faces the LE or the LOLB he's usually facing the guy whose better at coverage or run support (like JJ is for us in comparison to Suggs), not always, but I'd rather have Oher and Woodley go at it than Oher and Harrison.

Harrison and McKinnie faced each other in 2009. McKinnie did well and stonewalled Harrison individually, but Harrison still got two sacks off of a running back block (I don't know why teams continue to put anything other than a LT on James Harrison) and once on a Tight end.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='mgridda' timestamp='1314217786' post='762948']

Oher played left tackle at Ole Miss. Then he played RT as a rookie. Then left tackle just last season. I think he's going to be the same player at both positions, it's just that on the left tackle side you're going up against Dwight Freeney; on the right you've usually got a Tight end and it's Robert Mathis. Left: Harrison. Right: Woodley. Left: Cameron Wake. Right: Msi. Left: Suggs. Right: JJ. Left: Tamba Hali...ad naseum

On most teams, the better pass rusher is going to be on the weak side. And that's the problem with the weakside. Also, the QB is not really visually wary of the blindside rusher, so it's easier to statistically give up I think Oher is a better run blocker than he is a pass protector and he's got that mean stout body which is very good for driving.

Basically, I think left side or right side is somewhat the same and sure it takes a little bit getting used to with muscle memory to drop back with the right foot instead of the left and basically mirror what you were doing on the opposite side, but I don't think this is Oher's biggest problems. I just think right now he's not Jake Long or Joe Thomas in pass protection. When he faces the LE or the LOLB he's usually facing the guy whose better at coverage or run support (like JJ is for us in comparison to Suggs), not always, but I'd rather have Oher and Woodley go at it than Oher and Harrison.

Harrison and McKinnie faced each other in 2009. McKinnie did well and stonewalled Harrison individually, but Harrison still got two sacks off of a running back block (I don't know why teams continue to put anything other than a LT on James Harrison) and once on a Tight end.
[/quote]
I watched that game and remember being impressed with how Minnesota's line could give Favre more than enough time to make plays....and wishing our line could haha.

[scrock]

The OL went from kind of a question mark to pretty darn good..especially if he comes to work and gets in shape

Ravens offense will be gooood

[lowrider]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1314218618' post='762981']
The OL went from kind of a question mark to pretty darn good..especially if he comes to work and gets in shape

Ravens offense will be gooood
[/quote]
McKinnie could be that missing piece that the ravens need for this year. Realistically O line was the only hole the ravens had this year. And if McKinnie is in shape and plays like he should, then we could have a scary team

[itscbm5042]

The term semi-pro football has always rubbed me the wrong way. There is no semi-pro football. There is only Pro football, arena football, and college.

Football doesn't have a minor league system, and I wouldn't count the arena league as semi-pro because the implication is that if you excel in the arena league you make it to the pros, which almost never happens. College is the closest to semi-pro football, but they don't get paid (unless they go to Miami) so do college players say they play semi-pro ball? No, they say they are in college. UFL? Eh, I guess. Again, it really isn't much of a farm system. If thats the case just say UFL.

Who is with me on this?

[Runnin Raven]

Is 2 weeks enough time to get up to speed on the offense for him to actually start vs PIT?

[itscbm5042]

[quote name='Runnin Raven' timestamp='1314218999' post='762997']
Is 2 weeks enough time to get up to speed on the offense for him to actually start vs PIT?
[/quote]

Short answer, yes.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Runnin Raven' timestamp='1314218999' post='762997']
Is 2 weeks enough time to get up to speed on the offense for him to actually start vs PIT?
[/quote]

Absolutely....9 year vet and we're not talking about a QB or RB or something. No disrespect to olinemen, but its all about technique there. You either have it or you don't. Birk will be ready as well even though hes missing so much time.

[POE]

[quote name='Runnin Raven' timestamp='1314218999' post='762997']
Is 2 weeks enough time to get up to speed on the offense for him to actually start vs PIT?
[/quote]
He is a 9 year vet so I'm sure it won't take long for him to get accustomed to the playbook and the way things work around the team. Most of the time you here guys say just getting used to the new terminology is the biggest concern but two weeks should be long enough for him. This obviously hangs on the fact that he is physically ready as well.

[jimmysmith3]

[quote name='mgridda' timestamp='1314217340' post='762931']

I don't think you understand. In fact, I'd say that most of your issues stem from misunderstanding what I wrote. I think you even said that I was trying to say McKinnie wouldn't start. I wasn't saying that at all.

Plus you're not even doing a good job at making your own point. Surely you could also point out to Pagano talking to Jimmy Smith at the draft and telling him to get ready to go up against every team's #1. That sounds like one thing.

In reality, though, it's entirely another. Pagano is pumping the kid up. Everyone on the team is encouraged to play well enough to start, or encouraged to start. Earning it in practice is different. If anyone goes out there and [profanity deleted]s the bed, then it'll be like Space Jam. Remember Space Jam? If Ray, Ed, Joe, Rice, etc just go out there and they've lost their mojo like that then they'll all be benched and likely either put on IR or released. Evaluations happen daily.

I don't think you grasp that last part. Evaluations happen daily. And when a signing comes through of a current pro bowl player, someone who has started on another team, then yes, he's earned to be given a shot as a starter in PRACTICE. And usually there's very few hitches and through the practice he earns the actual starting spot in the game.

How do I know all of this? I play semi-pro football in Texas. Actually playing football, being part of the organization, you get to see how things work day in and day out. When over the offseason someone comes in from another team and he's an established starter on that team, then yes he will be given more opportunities in practice than someone who has been with the team the last three years but isn't very good (Cousins) or someone who just transfered to the team but didn't even start on his old team. But that doesn't mean they have any idea of what will work best or if it's automatic that someone is going to come in and play at a certain position.

On good football programs, players are constantly being reviewed, constantly being analyzed. Belichick does this well and that's how he removes household names, plugs in no-name guys and gets the same or better production.
[/quote]
Football coaches are going to play whoever they believe gives them the best chance to win. If guys are very close in ability then coaches will likely go with the "hot-hand" or whoever is playing better at that moment.

However when guys are clearly more talented than their backups the coach will not play the backup just because he has performed better recently. In most instances the backup has to prove that they are a better player than the starter that they are replacing. Eg. just because Anonthy Allen has a stronger week in practice doesn't mean that he will start over Ray Rice for the upcoming. However if Allen consistently plays better than him, maybe 5 consecutive weeks, then he has proven that he is a better player than Rice at this time in the season and Rice will then be replaced.

It seems that the FO does indeed believe that Mckinnie is an established player, so I think that LeVoir and Jah Reid will need to prove that they are better players than Mckinnie in order to take over his starting position. Sure guys are evaluated daily, but all players aren't evaluated to be starters daily.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Runnin Raven' timestamp='1314218999' post='762997']Is 2 weeks enough time to get up to speed on the offense for him to actually start vs PIT?[/quote]


not ideal obviously but no reason he can't.

[jimmysmith3]

[quote name='itscbm5042' timestamp='1314218890' post='762993']
The term semi-pro football has always rubbed me the wrong way. There is no semi-pro football. There is only Pro football, arena football, and college.

Football doesn't have a minor league system, and I wouldn't count the arena league as semi-pro because the implication is that if you excel in the arena league you make it to the pros, which almost never happens. College is the closest to semi-pro football, but they don't get paid (unless they go to Miami) so do college players say they play semi-pro ball? No, they say they are in college. UFL? Eh, I guess. Again, it really isn't much of a farm system. If thats the case just say UFL.

Who is with me on this?
[/quote]
I think UFL and Arena League would be considered pro. All pro really means is that you're getting paid. Semi-pro isn't exactly a concrete concept.