O-Line Depth

[ravensfan160]

I noticed this awhile back when we started releasing backup lineman to sign other positions (LeVoir, Mattison). In light of Grubbs and Birk not practicing yesterday our lack of depth becomes striking.

Gurode is listed as the only backup at both guard positions and center. Reid is the only other offensive tackle on our roster. If both Grubbs and Birk cannot play this week (which I think is highly unlikely) Gurode will play center and there is nobody left to play guard unless we play Reid out of position. But if we do that then we're out of offensive lineman before the game even starts!

I think our coaches are taking a serious risk with the lack of depth on the o-line. All we have to do is look at the Steelers to see how easy it is for 3 or even 4 o-lineman go down in the same game. In our case all we need is two guys to go down and we are in serious trouble.

[1/28/01]

Kind of discussed here - http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/43431-grubb-replacment/page__pid__899418#entry899418

We have 2 backup o-linemen and I believe 4 on the PS

[Irish Raven]

It's a good topic but I think it should be merged with the other thread

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Irish Raven' timestamp='1323366043' post='899425']
It's a good topic but I think it should be merged with the other thread
[/quote]
I didn't realize the conversation had shifted to this topic in that thread. Judging from it's title I thought that thread was more about who replaces Grubbs next year if we lose him to free agency. Oh well. I'm sure the mods will take care of it.

[baltravens]

Like you said Gurode and Reid are our backups, but if Gurode has to start or go down, Boren will be moved up from the PS because he is the next one up who could play center or guard. Waiving Mattison left us a little short-handed, but the staff must be confident in Boren if Birk goes down and Gurode takes his place at center. ...Reid is primarily a tackle.

[BmoreRavens732]

But what if 2-3 lineman go down in 1 game and nobody is activated what happens then?

[baltravens]

[quote name='BmoreRavens732' timestamp='1323589367' post='902144']
But what if 2-3 lineman go down in 1 game and nobody is activated what happens then?
[/quote]
If a tackle goes down, too, as a guess, I think our best blocking TE would play LT and he would have help on pass plays most likely by a RB. (This assumption is if we have 2-3 OL go down during a game.)

[Ravenstown52]

or you could put billy cundiff at center

[RAYvenFan20]

[quote name='BmoreRavens732' timestamp='1323589367' post='902144']
But what if 2-3 lineman go down in 1 game and nobody is activated what happens then?
[/quote]

you could really say the same thing about most positions, what if 2 qbs went down, 2 rbs...

[baltravens]

[quote name='Ravenstown52' timestamp='1323642496' post='903512']
or you could put billy cundiff at center
[/quote]
No man, we will keep giving Billy a rest like we did for part of today's game, and since I am Ray Rice's height, I will play center.lol (We 5'7" 175 guys can hold off those NT's going 340 pretty darn good.)