Bryant McKinnie To Ravens

[Ravenseconbeast]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6889527/bryant-mckinnie-baltimore-ravens-agree-two-year-deal

His interview with ESPN on why he made the decision to come to Ravens.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1314179708' post='762176']
[url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6889527/bryant-mckinnie-baltimore-ravens-agree-two-year-deal"]http://espn.go.com/n...e-two-year-deal[/url]

His interview with ESPN on why he made the decision to come to Ravens.
[/quote]

I was interested in this signing when he was originally cut. He has to pass his physical before anything is set in stone. If he becomes a Raven, then he did as he says and got in shape. An in shape McKinnie can only improve our line IMO.

[POE]

The LFW article on the home page was interesting this morning. According to McKinnie, whoever he talked to from the Ravens told him that he was going to be our LT and Oher was going back to the RT. Not that I am concerned with that or anything but that seems like a lot to know from a guy that isn't even signed yet.

[itscbm5042]

Wow, McKinnie is our LT and Oher moves back to the right, now that is a nice upgrade and I feel much better about our OL now. Our right side is extremely strong with Yanda and Oher and our left side features two former pro bowlers in McKinnie and Grubbs...

Very nice.

Look at this potential offense...

WR Evans WR Boldin WR Reed

TE Dickson TE Pitta

LT McKinnie LG Grubbs C Birk RG Yanda RT Oher

QB Flacco

RB Rice RB Williams

FB Leach

That is nothing short of LEGIT. Wow, when you look at it that way, this offense could be explosive.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='itscbm5042' timestamp='1314193183' post='762263']
Wow, McKinnie is our LT and Oher moves back to the right, now that is a nice upgrade and I feel much better about our OL now. Our right side is extremely strong with Yanda and Oher and our left side features two former pro bowlers in McKinnie and Grubbs...

Very nice.
[/quote]

Only if he passes the physical and what we're reading/hearing is true about him replacing Oher...If so, DIG IT!!!

[harfordravenfan]

No doubt if he's in shape & picks up quickly on the left... I'm feeling real good out this year

[itscbm5042]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1314193248' post='762266']
Only if he passes the physical and what we're reading/hearing is true about him replacing Oher...If so, DIG IT!!!
[/quote]

It really is amazing to think that the line could go from Oher, Grubbs, Mattison, Yanda, and Cousins with no depth other than a rookie RT (just 2 weeks ago) to a completely retooled line with a new LT McKinnie, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda, and Oher. Again, dependent upon Big Mac passing his physical, that line looks mean, big, experienced, and has quality depth in LeVoir, Reid, Murphey, and Cousins.

Really impressive job of rebuilding that line with the right players for the right price. All 5 OL have been at, or played at, a pro bowl level. That is impressive. I bet Joe is happy, and McKinnie came to the one place (full of strong vet leadership who happen to be Canes) that could keep him in line and where he would be happy.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='itscbm5042' timestamp='1314194385' post='762284']

It really is amazing to think that the line could go from Oher, Grubbs, Mattison, Yanda, and Cousins with no depth other than a rookie RT (just 2 weeks ago) to a completely retooled line with a new LT McKinnie, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda, and Oher. Again, dependent upon Big Mac passing his physical, that line looks mean, big, experienced, and has quality depth in LeVoir, Reid, Murphey, and Cousins.

Really impressive job of rebuilding that line with the right players for the right price. All 5 OL have been at, or played at, a pro bowl level. That is impressive. I bet Joe is happy, and McKinnie came to the one place (full of strong vet leadership who happen to be Canes) that could keep him in line and where he would be happy.
[/quote]

Agreed on all counts....Ozzie at work is a beautiful thing.  Anyone jump the gun with Ozzie hate perhaps?  MORONS!!!

[RavenRain]

Oh snap! Oher vs Woodley....when he gets smashed down, he's gonna stay down!!
Our line is perfect.... bow down to the greats [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/landry.gif[/img] RAVENS dominate this season.

[mhead66]

[quote name='itscbm5042' timestamp='1314194385' post='762284']

It really is amazing to think that the line could go from Oher, Grubbs, Mattison, Yanda, and Cousins with no depth other than a rookie RT (just 2 weeks ago) to a completely retooled line with a new LT McKinnie, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda, and Oher. Again, dependent upon Big Mac passing his physical, that line looks mean, big, experienced, and has quality depth in LeVoir, Reid, Murphey, and Cousins.

Really impressive job of rebuilding that line with the right players for the right price. All 5 OL have been at, or played at, a pro bowl level. That is impressive. I bet Joe is happy, and [size=4][b]McKinnie came to the one place (full of strong vet leadership who happen to be Canes) that could keep him in line and where he would be happy[/b].[/size]
[/quote]
This is the million dollar question.

I was reading a thread on a Vikings forum, and almost every poster said the same thing. McKinnie had talent, but he never wanted it, he was lazy and disinterested.

The local paper said something similar:

"McKinnie showed up to camp well over 350 pounds. The Vikings could have kept him on the non-football injury list and told him to get in shape. [b]They could have reinstated him to the roster and hoped he would get up to speed in his conditioning.[/b]

They could have done what the Vikings have done so many times before -- think Love Boat, street fight in Miami, walking out on the Pro Bowl -- and crossed their fingers and hoped McKinnie would mature. But McKinnie is 31-years-old and it's clear if you follow him on Twitter that [b]his biggest interest isn't ever going to be football[/b].

McKinnie's issue is that he is a 6-foot-8 man who is [b]incredibly agile and gifted athletically. That gives him the makeup to be a very good football player. But mentally he never seemed like a guy who really wanted it on the field.[/b] If anything, he was one of the most laidback players in the Vikings locker room. McKinnie was a guy who was doing a job because he knew he could make money at it and be better than many.

[b]But he never embraced that job.[/b]

McKinnie indicated to TMZ that he might sit out a year and then try to return in 2012. Maybe he'll never try to play again. It wouldn't be surprising."

IF McKinnie is convinced by his former U teammates to resurrect his career, we got a STEAL. A former Pro-Bowl OLineman as a free agent.

That's a big IF, though... We shall see.

[url="http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/blogs/126623133.html"]http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/blogs/126623133.html[/url]

[Radinho84]

i don´t like how he is already talking about internals. i mean he isn´t even on the team yet and talking about playing LT and moving oher to the other side. what is wrong with him??

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Radinho84' timestamp='1314196469' post='762323']
i don´t like how he is already talking about internals. i mean he isn´t even on the team yet and talking about playing LT and moving oher to the other side. what is wrong with him??
[/quote]
I wouldn't think much of it. He was asked a question & just responded with information, supposedly. It's not like he went on Twitter and posted "Guess that sequel will be called 'The Wrong Side' huh Michael Oher?" He's not attacking or gloating; he's just giving information to the media.

[POE]

[quote name='Radinho84' timestamp='1314196469' post='762323']
i don´t like how he is already talking about internals. i mean he isn´t even on the team yet and talking about playing LT and moving oher to the other side. what is wrong with him??
[/quote]
It definitely makes it a bit more interesting than it already was. I felt the same way when I read his comments but I like to be a little more open minded and patient than most so I won't point the finger yet. It should be an interesting next few days when more details come out.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Radinho84' timestamp='1314196469' post='762323']
i don´t like how he is already talking about internals. i mean he isn´t even on the team yet and talking about playing LT and moving oher to the other side. what is wrong with him??
[/quote]

Don't you think they told him which position they wanted him to play before he signed anything?

[FerrariFan87]

Andy Moeller has a lot of work to do, that's for sure!!

[xxhighriser]

according to his twitter he was about to take his physical almost 45 minutes ago... patiently waiting [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/bitenails.gif[/img]

[Mick0311]

[quote name='Radinho84' timestamp='1314196469' post='762323']
i don´t like how he is already talking about internals. i mean he isn´t even on the team yet and talking about playing LT and moving oher to the other side. what is wrong with him??
[/quote]

I wouldn't worry too much about it honestly. I'm hoping that is what happens if he is in shape. How many of us have been wanting to find a quality LT so Oher can move back to where he played so well? Well, if he is in shape, there is our quality LT. Look, no matter what his issues are, he will at least be quality/serviceable. Now, having Oher back on the right side...man, we got us a thumper of a line. Am I the only one who see this as a great move? I mean, c'mon!!! It's possible, but highly unlikely that we will sign him and he will just flat-out suck.

[H8R]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1314197627' post='762354']
Andy Moeller has a lot of work to do, that's for sure!!
[/quote]

over drinks...... : P

[PuRock]

[quote name='xxhighriser' timestamp='1314198030' post='762361']
according to his twitter he was about to take his physical almost 45 minutes ago... patiently waiting [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/bitenails.gif[/img]
[/quote]

I'm not too worried about him passing. He doesn't seem to have any lingering issues other than his weight. If anything if they find something they might get him to sign a waiver.

[CorvusCorax]

[quote name='itscbm5042' timestamp='1314194385' post='762284'] It really is amazing to think that the line could go from Oher, Grubbs, Mattison, Yanda, and Cousins with no depth other than a rookie RT (just 2 weeks ago) to a completely retooled line with a new LT McKinnie, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda, and Oher. Again, dependent upon Big Mac passing his physical, that line looks mean, big, experienced, and has quality depth in LeVoir, Reid, Murphey, and Cousins.

Really impressive job of rebuilding that line with the right players for the right price. All 5 OL have been at, or played at, a pro bowl level. That is impressive. I bet Joe is happy, and McKinnie came to the one place (full of strong vet leadership who happen to be Canes) that could keep him in line and where he would be happy.[/quote]

This is what I thought as well. I'm actually stoked! Flacco should have plenty of experienced pocket protection (With Leach, the RB and the TEs) to provide extra support. Too bad I'll be out of town for the first game lol!

[flynismo]

If this means Oher is moving back to RT, I suddenly like this much more.

[AsianRice]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1314199863' post='762414']
If this means Oher is moving back to RT, I suddenly like this much more.
[/quote]
I think Oher will be moved to RT only if McKinnie shows he can play again at high level in practice.

I think he will though....

[Ravens Beast]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1314199863' post='762414']
If this means Oher is moving back to RT, I suddenly like this much more.
[/quote]
Same here. I never liked Oher as LT.

[PuRock]

[quote][url="https://twitter.com/#!/BryantMckinnie"]BryantMckinnie[/url] [color=#999999][size=3]Bryant Mckinnie[/size][/color]

Physical complete![/quote]

He seems pretty upbeat about it.

[itscbm5042]

McKinnie just completed his physical. We should find out soon if he passed it.

[Ravens Beast]

Breaking News: His 40 time was measured on a sundial

[H8R]

A physical isnt a conditioning test....just saying... : P

[Ravens Beast]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1314200361' post='762436']
A physical isnt a conditioning test....just saying... : P
[/quote]
And my comment was also a joke

[H8R]

It wasn't directed at you.... it was a comment to everyone else wagering that if he passes this, he's in shape and ready to rock.

[rmw10]

I don't know if it's just me, but he seems pretty excited to be on the Ravens. It could just be the fact that he's getting paid some good money, but he still seems excited.