Bryant McKinnie To Ravens

[gabefergy]

[quote name='ravens757' timestamp='1314207818' post='762671']
With the two years we just brought Jah Reid by signing McKinnie, it may not be a bad idea to groom Jah as our LT for the future. He has the measurables for the position. Hieght, wieght, long arms and the willingness to learn and be great.
[/quote]
Reid has good size, but his footspeed/lateral agility is not what you want in a LT. He is RT only material, but he has potential to be a great RT.

[flynismo]

All i know is, the OL is going to decide whether or not we appear in the SB. McKinney better get it together real fast.

[Raving_Heathen]

[quote name='Corvus' timestamp='1314206771' post='762627']
They're bitter because everything they've said about him is true. McKinnie has had the privelege of playing beside arguably the best guard of the last decade in Steve Hutchinson, which arguably has always made him appear better than he was in pass protection. If we learned anything about the Pro Bowl last year, its that its a joke and a popularity contest. The fact that people voted him into something intended to be a "reward" and the guy can't even show up for their 2 hand touch practice? I put zero stock into pro bowl selections, All-Pros are a different story..

I sincerely hope that McKinnie works out for us if he passes his physical, because I couldn't bear to see Joe go through what Favre had to last year...
[/quote]

Yeah, after lurking on some Vikes forums, I'm a little worried too. Not one Vikes' fan had anything good to say about him, even before he was cut. Not one. It seems the loathing Vikes' fans have for this man is equivalent to (or possibly exceeds) the loathing Ravens fans had for Frank Walker. Literally the nicest thing anyone said about McKinnie is that he never lived up to his potential. So I'm hoping a change of scenery will motivate him to play up to that potential. Fingers crossed that he plays far better than this at least:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOBN0cXgSno[/media]

(McKinnie was #74. And yes that was a rookie he was facing. A rookie who had all of 3 games under his belt who only had that one sack the entire season.)

[beasy2487]

[quote name='Raving_Heathen' timestamp='1314220058' post='763032']

Yeah, after lurking on some Vikes forums, I'm a little worried too. Not one Vikes' fan had anything good to say about him, even before he was cut. Not one. It seems the loathing Vikes' fans have for this man is equivalent to (or possibly exceeds) the loathing Ravens fans had for Frank Walker. Literally the nicest thing anyone said about McKinnie is that he never lived up to his potential. So I'm hoping a change of scenery will motivate him to play up to that potential. Fingers crossed that he plays far better than this at least:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOBN0cXgSno[/media]

(McKinnie was #74. And yes that was a rookie he was facing. A rookie who had all of 3 games under his belt who only had that one sack the entire season.)
[/quote]

Haha it's funny because I know that particularly rookie, Corey Wootton (Childhood friends with a girl I was dating at the time). He's actually a beast pass rusher waiting in the wings behind Peppers but yea, McKinnie's going to need to get his head out of his rear and play to his ability if we're gonna take care of business this year.

[ghost1986]

I just hope this guy isn't another Orlando Brown

[PurpleReign92]

I'm very optimistic about this. Having another person you can plug in at Left tackle. Thus giving a fresh rotation to our big guys through a 60 minute game. I just hope this tackle is Ogden approved?

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1314203239' post='762539']
I said but he was a Pro Bowler in 2009...they said his play really fell off and [b]he got beat a lot[/b]...so whatever happens I hope he elevates his game, we cant have Joe get beat up
[/quote]

So did Oher last year.

McKinnie has shown he can play at least as well as Oher at LT, and Oher was ranked as the second best RT in the entire league during his rookie year. Even if McKinnie can only be an average LT for us, with Oher back at RT our line is now drastically improved. I would have liked to see how Oher responded to criticism during his second year as a LT, and I thought he could succeed at LT, but I have concerns like many of us. It's not his size that's holding him back over there, it's his footwork and ability to pick up the right man. If this condemns his career at LT so be it, but McKinnie at LT and Oher at RT could be the combination that gets us to the big show. If that's what it takes, the team has to do it.

[AsianRice]

Can't wait he hits the practice field! Can we have the 08 O-Line?

Yes, we can !

[colljb9]

i think the most important thing here is like T3hRaven just mentioned, even if Mckinney can play as well as Oher did at LT, with Oher moved to right tackle basically everyone but our LT is very very solid. That means we can help Mckinnie out in pass protection and leave Oher one on one because i have the confidence in Oher to block anyone in the league at RT. When looking at this team, besides worrying about actualy playing to our potential...when we only have one spot on the team to worry about its very easy to adjust. Its when we have an average LT and a rookie at RT and possibly a guy like Cousins at guard (god for bid if Yanda gets injured) is when we worry. I have complete confidence this year that our offensive line will come together and be a top 10 line in the league by week 3.

[scrock]

I felt the OL was our only real weak spot on the team and now Ozzie has done what was needed to sure it up, even with Birk still not back Bryan Mattison has really done a nice job playing the center position.

So even if Birk doesnt get back in time its not the end of the world....but I think he will be

[scrock]

a video discussing McKinnie and Oher at LT

[url="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baltimore-sports-blog/bal-sportsblitz-rightbackatyou0824,0,1760592.story"]http://www.baltimore...0,1760592.story[/url]

I like the idea of getting Bulger to come back if Flacco gets hurt..Kerry Collins retired and came back...maybe Bulger will some out of 'retirement' if Joe ever gets hurt...i like that idea

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='beasy2487' timestamp='1314220852' post='763048']

Haha it's funny because I know that particularly rookie, Corey Wootton (Childhood friends with a girl I was dating at the time). He's actually a beast pass rusher waiting in the wings behind Peppers but yea, McKinnie's going to need to get his head out of his rear and play to his ability if we're gonna take care of business this year.
[/quote]


Well I guess he did get beat but there was also no where for Favre to step up in the pocket either!

[RoflDogs]

[quote name='Marc2k6' timestamp='1314235496' post='763318']


Well I guess he did get beat but there was also no where for Favre to step up in the pocket either!
[/quote]

He didn't move his feet well at all (something that both Oher and Cousins have trouble with at times) and is just using his arms

[scrock]

[quote name='RoflDogs' timestamp='1314247000' post='763488']

He didn't move his feet well at all (something that both Oher and Cousins have trouble with at times) and is just using his arms
[/quote]

their entire OL was bad last year though..the entire team

I think he has a chance to be good if he puts in the work and im sure the Ravens coaches will make him work on his technique

he'll get it done

[RoflDogs]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1314249143' post='763515']


their entire OL was bad last year though..the entire team

I think he has a chance to be good if he puts in the work and im sure the Ravens coaches will make him work on his technique

he'll get it done
[/quote]

The guy next to you blocking doesn't influence your one on one pass defending technique (unless there was a stunt, which wasn't the case there)

Sure you say that with ease, but our tackles have had a hard time with technique in the past two years (mainly Oher and Cousins)

[scrock]

[quote name='RoflDogs' timestamp='1314250960' post='763534']
The guy next to you blocking doesn't influence your one on one pass defending technique (unless there was a stunt, which wasn't the case there)

Sure you say that with ease, but our tackles have had a hard time with technique in the past two years (mainly Oher and Cousins)
[/quote]

well cousins is made to be a G, he'll never be a good OT

Oher played great as a rookie at RT so there is no doubt he will play well there again, McKinnie has played at a high level at LT before so thats the reason for optimism..playing on a crap team and everything is falling apart can...like when theres a small leak eventually it builds and the flood gates open? sort of..massive failure

not making any excuses for him, he has to come in and play well..if he cant get it done Oher will play LT and McKinnie will be solid at RT....it was Oher's first year at LT which is the hardest position to play next to QB..so in his second year he would most likely improve, he studies hard, is a hard worker, etc and he's young

[RoflDogs]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1314251544' post='763539']


well cousins is made to be a G, he'll never be a good OT

Oher played great as a rookie at RT so there is no doubt he will play well there again, McKinnie has played at a high level at LT before so thats the reason for optimism..playing on a crap team and everything is falling apart can...like when theres a small leak eventually it builds and the flood gates open? sort of..massive failure

not making any excuses for him, he has to come in and play well..if he cant get it done Oher will play LT and McKinnie will be solid at RT....it was Oher's first year at LT which is the hardest position to play next to QB..so in his second year he would most likely improve, he studies hard, is a hard worker, etc and he's young
[/quote]

I hate the whole excuse of "his team sucked, so we can excuse his mediocre play"

Joe Thomas and Jake Long have played for some bad teams, but they don't let them get in their way from performing as the best LTs in football. Those who do falter when the team is bad only show that they are mentally weak and not very motivated to perform to the best of their abilities

[Jamal]

Its pretty clear that motivation is actually one of McKinnie's major issues...

[mhead66]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1314264556' post='763562']
Its pretty clear that motivation is actually one of McKinnie's major issues...
[/quote]
Yeah, and I hear the line, "Well, Ray will change him, show him what it means to play like a Raven" [b]far[/b] too often. Not specifically referring to McKinnie, but for some people, the light bulb never turns on. Ray can't monitor people's lives away from the facility, their offseason workout schedules, etc.

[Jamal]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1314272308' post='763583']
Yeah, and I hear the line, "Well, Ray will change him, show him what it means to play like a Raven" [b]far[/b] too often. Not specifically referring to McKinnie, but for some people, the light bulb never turns on. Ray can't monitor people's lives away from the facility, their offseason workout schedules, etc.
[/quote]
True.

But on the bright side, Mckinnie isn't getting paid like he used. Now he has to play for a contract, and that might be the motivation he needs.

[lowrider]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1314276382' post='763609']
True.

But on the bright side, Mckinnie isn't getting paid like he used. Now he has to play for a contract, and that might be the motivation he needs.
[/quote]
I was listening to the NFL football sirus radio channel. And they said McKinnie was embarrassed how it ended in Minnesota. They said sometimes when you get embarrassed and have a humbling experience such as being a pro bowler in 2009 then being cut in 2010; it can get you back on track. I think Mckinnie knows he showed up fat and wasted an opportunity, but now he has a new opportunity to win a Super Bowl if he plays the right way. We will see if that is how he is thinking

[PuRock]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1314264556' post='763562']
Its pretty clear that motivation is actually one of McKinnie's major issues...
[/quote]

It is. The key is to find a way to keep this guy motivated. The best way to do that is money.


[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1314272308' post='763583']
Yeah, and I hear the line, "Well, Ray will change him, show him what it means to play like a Raven" [b]far[/b] too often. Not specifically referring to McKinnie, but for some people, the light bulb never turns on. Ray can't monitor people's lives away from the facility, their offseason workout schedules, etc.
[/quote]

I really hate hearing that as well. "Ray will whip him into shape". Its not Ray's job to get him in shape. He plays on the opposite side of the ball. Sure they can reminisce about the gold ole' days and Miami, that might help a bit.

I can understand an arguement being made that Ray will help a guy like Cody. Ray is playing directly behind Cody, so you know he'll push the guy, keep him motivated, because it helps him as well.


[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1314276382' post='763609']
But on the bright side, Mckinnie isn't getting paid like he used. Now he has to play for a contract, and that might be the motivation he needs.
[/quote]

Just make it an incentive laden contract and we've done all that we can.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='RoflDogs' timestamp='1314203069' post='762532']
My question is, why didn't we even attempt to resign Gaither (who signed cheaply with the Chiefs) and then stick Oher at RT

That would've solved everything, and our line would've returned to 09 (or 08, w/e it is) form
[/quote]

Because Gaither is not healthy or has no work ethic or a little of both. He is already missing time with the Chiefs.

[The Raven]

Not a fan of his motivation issues, I dont wanna see us [i]give him [/i]the job at LT, I really hope he does better than Oher would have.

I think this confirms that the organization thinks Oher is a RT, but an elite one. Perhaps Harewood is the LT of the future? Not now obviously, but in two years time, he may be ready.

[PuRock]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1314283480' post='763699']
Not a fan of his motivation issues, I dont wanna see us [i]give him [/i]the job at LT, I really hope he does better than Oher would have.

I think this confirms that the organization thinks Oher is a RT, but an elite one. Perhaps Harewood is the LT of the future? Not now obviously, but in two years time, he may be ready.
[/quote]

In all honesty, I don't know if the 'LT of the future is on our roster'. I think the Ravens will give Oher another chance at LT. But if an opportunity presents itself in next year's draft. I wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens jump on it.

[Raving_Heathen]

[quote name='RoflDogs' timestamp='1314247000' post='763488']

He didn't move his feet well at all (something that both Oher and Cousins have trouble with at times) and is just using his arms
[/quote]

Yeah, in that vid, he basically just stood there with his arms out. Wootton didn't even do anything special. McKinnie was just the epitome of a turnstile tackle there. If anything, it actually looks like McKinnie launched Wootton into Favre.

Also, where is all this talk about McKinnie playing LT coming from? Has anyone on the coaching staff come out and confirmed what he said? I mean during the lockout the man said he was as fit as ever after playing tennis and all that jazz, but the exact opposite turned out to be true. Then he and his agent said he was the one who asked to be released and that the Vikes didn't cut him of their own accord (though I guess that could be true). I wouldn't be shocked if the Ravens flip McKinnie over to RT, just like the Steelers did with Flozell Adams.

[Raving_Heathen]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1314280477' post='763655']
It is. The key is to find a way to keep this guy motivated. The best way to do that is money.
[/quote]

I disagree. I'd say it's with cheeseburgers and strippers on a boat.

I kid. He's a Raven now, so I hope he plays up to his potential this year.

[The Raven]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1314283929' post='763706']

In all honesty, I don't know if the 'LT of the future is on our roster'. I think the Ravens will give Oher another chance at LT. But if an opportunity presents itself in next year's draft. I wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens jump on it.
[/quote]

Well yeah, if there's an opportunity in the draft, I can't imagine we wouldn't jump. He's better suited for the LT position than Oher from a physical standpoint I just think with Harewood's size and athleticism he has potential to be a good LT, [i]maybe[/i] even great. If he reaches his potential, that is... But I haven't noticed him much in the preseason, and that is a good thing. In addition, I noticed we had a couple big runs late, on his side. The Anthony Allen TD for example, that was a HUGE hole.

[RoflDogs]

There are 3 really good LTs coming out of next year's draft too (Datko, Kalil, Martin)

[Mick0311]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1314280477' post='763655']

It is. The key is to find a way to keep this guy motivated. The best way to do that is money.




I really hate hearing that as well. "Ray will whip him into shape". Its not Ray's job to get him in shape. He plays on the opposite side of the ball. Sure they can reminisce about the gold ole' days and Miami, that might help a bit.

I can understand an arguement being made that Ray will help a guy like Cody. Ray is playing directly behind Cody, so you know he'll push the guy, keep him motivated, because it helps him as well.




Just make it an incentive laden contract and we've done all that we can.
[/quote]


I have to disagree with you a bit. I have always read the "Ray will whip him into shape" as more of a "Ray will motivate him to be a better player", rather than a physical or verbal motivation. That being said, it doesn't matter what side of the ball he is on. When he sees Ray Lewis at practice, in the locker room, in the weight room, in the film room, and in the game working his butt off, it's hard to have motivation and discipline problems around someone like that. Usually the guilt takes over for not working as hard and you pick up your play. Ray is inspirational, we all know that. I think he fosters an environment that makes you not want to let someone down; because you know, no matter your age or experience, you are in the presence of one of the greatest ever, and that is motivation.