Rebuilding The Offensive Line

[The Raven]

McKinnie had a pretty good season for us despite a bad start and many fans (including myself) being adamant that he would suck. He pulled it together, and played well. He had trouble with speed rushers, but what tackle doesn't?

Grubbs had a great season. We saw how incompetent our offense is without him. Nothing more needs to be said. He does need to be resigned. We need that to happen.

Birk... Great in pass protection, not a great run blocker. He needs to be replaced by a quicker, stronger, younger center. After watching the Texans game, and seeing how quick their center is, we need a quick one. A zone blocking scheme demands quick linemen. Birk and McKinnie are not quick.

Yanda is a pro bowler. Great run blocker, usually solid pass blocker, but quick interior guys like JJ Watt give him trouble. Though, that may be attributable to his injury.

Oher. Where to begin with him? He's the Flacco of the oline. So much potential. Shows elite potential, but then plays like crap the next game.

Yanda and Grubbs (assuming he is resigned) are the only ones cemented in their positions in my opinion. McKinnie, Birk, and Oher could all be replaced.

Justin Boren showed promise in the preseason. He was a bright spot on a line that was abysmal in the PS. He played mostly at LG, but also played C in college. Perhaps he could develop into a decent C. He has a meanstreak that would be nice to have in the middle.

Jah Reid is a massive body with all the potential. Solid run blocker, but doesn't offer much in pass protection. He doesn't have great footwork, but he's powerful.


What needs to be done to fix the oline? Draft, free agency, or is the player on the team?

[berad]

Finding a young center is a must. Birk, even if he comes back, is not getting any younger and Gurode was only a 1-year deal.

[BigMike]

Build the line in the draft...

[Ravenslifer]

We need a center, a left tackle, and possibly a guard. But we also need a bigger wide receiver, possibly a safety, inside linebacker, etc. The front office will get it done.

[JO_75]

McKinnie- Keep

Grubbs: It will be tough to keep him as he'll be offered a ton of money.

Birk: We will need a new Center regardless.

Yanda: Just got paid, great Guard.

Oher: He just needs to learn to keep the false starts down and actually BLOCK.

[The Raven]

[quote name='BigMike' timestamp='1327291764' post='967324']
Build the line in the draft...
[/quote]

I agree on that, I just don't know if we can find a good LT in the draft with us picking so late. Kalil and Reiff will both be long gone by then.

People have mentioned Demetrious Bell. What's his story?

[FerrariFan87]

Bring back McKinnie, re-sign Grubbs, put Gurode at C, and draft a C and LT in the draft.

[rayrayven]

Ravens look good vs the meidocre teams. Against the good defenses the Ravens look bad. Ravens have focused on size vs ability to move. They have focused on specimens vs athletes. Ozzie has used 80's'/90s take on blocking to build and outdate line. Lighter and more athletic will get Ray Rice space. The days of having big fat guys overwhelm defenders is over

[JohnnyBoy8102]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1327291493' post='967310']
McKinnie had a pretty good season for us despite a bad start and many fans (including myself) being adamant that he would suck. He pulled it together, and played well. He had trouble with speed rushers, but what tackle doesn't?

Grubbs had a great season. We saw how incompetent our offense is without him. Nothing more needs to be said. He does need to be resigned. We need that to happen.

Birk... Great in pass protection, not a great run blocker. He needs to be replaced by a quicker, stronger, younger center. After watching the Texans game, and seeing how quick their center is, we need a quick one. A zone blocking scheme demands quick linemen. Birk and McKinnie are not quick.

[b]Yanda is a pro bowler. Great run blocker, usually solid pass blocker, but quick interior guys like JJ Watt give him trouble. Though, that may be attributable to his injury.[/b]

Oher. Where to begin with him? He's the Flacco of the oline. So much potential. Shows elite potential, but then plays like crap the next game.

Yanda and Grubbs (assuming he is resigned) are the only ones cemented in their positions in my opinion. McKinnie, Birk, and Oher could all be replaced.

Justin Boren showed promise in the preseason. He was a bright spot on a line that was abysmal in the PS. He played mostly at LG, but also played C in college. Perhaps he could develop into a decent C. He has a meanstreak that would be nice to have in the middle.

Jah Reid is a massive body with all the potential. Solid run blocker, but doesn't offer much in pass protection. He doesn't have great footwork, but he's powerful.


What needs to be done to fix the oline? Draft, free agency, or is the player on the team?
[/quote]

Yanda had to be playing more banging up than any of us thought. He did not look like the same guy the last few weeks.

When healthy he is a top-5 guard in the NFL in my opinion.

[Gordo52]

Ughhhh. I felt we finally had our O-line built!
We have Grubbs and Yanda who are perfect at where theyre at so we dont need a guard.
Regardless if Birk retires we need a new center.
I still have faith in Oher.
So then it leaves us at LT.
Idk what we do with Bryant.
If there was any way to get Demetrious Bell that would be awesome, but I dont see it happening.
Before anything though we must resign these players in order....
Grubbs,Rice,Joe,Webb

[The Raven]

[quote name='JohnnyBoy8102' timestamp='1327293235' post='967476']

Yanda had to be playing more banging up than any of us thought. He did not look like the same guy the last few weeks.

When healthy he is a top-5 guard in the NFL in my opinion.
[/quote]

At least in pass protection he was worse. Run blocking, he sill did pretty well imo. After watching today, Birk can't move a soul in the middle, and Oher doesn't have the lateral agility to seal the edge on perimeter runs.

[JohnnyBoy8102]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1327293368' post='967486']

At least in pass protection he was worse. Run blocking, he sill did pretty well imo. After watching today, Birk can't move a soul in the middle, and Oher doesn't have the lateral agility to seal the edge on perimeter runs.
[/quote]

Yeah, Birk looked like he was on roller skates when Wilfork bull rushed him on that 4th down play.

[vonbonds]

The o-line needs attention, no doubt. Highly unlikely we get a franchise LT in our draft spot though without some luck. Let's focus on a center and depth as injuries always happen to the big guys.

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1327292613' post='967401']
People have mentioned Demetrious Bell. What's his story?
[/quote]

He's an above average Left Tackle who's a great run blocker and a solid pass protector who's wasting away in Buffalo. If we could rescue him that'd be a really good move for the OL. It would probably be better than keeping Grubbs.

[reediddy]

Keep the entire line as is except for RT, which needs to be upgraded. Our guard positions are solid for years to come. Center needs to be upgraded. The draft is plentiful with good offensive line options so we need not worry, just let Ozzie do what he does.

[vonbonds]

[quote name='reediddy' timestamp='1327296907' post='967728']Keep the entire line as is except for RT, which needs to be upgraded. Our guard positions are solid for years to come. Center needs to be upgraded. The draft is plentiful with good offensive line options so we need not worry, just let Ozzie do what he does.[/quote]

Draft a [profanity deleted]ty WR in the 1st? I kid cause I love..lol. I think Ozzie goes O-line or trades down a bit for some inside LB's.

[reediddy]

[quote name='vonbonds' timestamp='1327298281' post='967800']
Draft a [profanity deleted]ty WR in the 1st? I kid cause I love..lol. I think Ozzie goes O-line or trades down a bit for some inside LB's.
[/quote]

You lost me with that one to be honest hahaha

[The Raven]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1327296665' post='967707']

He's an above average Left Tackle who's a great run blocker and a solid pass protector who's wasting away in Buffalo. If we could rescue him that'd be a really good move for the OL. It would probably be better than keeping Grubbs.
[/quote]

How old is he? I'd prefer to get a younger dude to grow and develop with the line.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='JohnnyBoy8102' timestamp='1327293427' post='967494']

Yeah, Birk looked like he was on roller skates when Wilfork bull rushed him on that 4th down play.
[/quote]

To be fair, Wilfork probably has about 150lbs on him.

[arnie_uk]

hes only 26 or something, end of his first contract, is injury prone though

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1327360654' post='969855']

To be fair, Wilfork probably has about 150lbs on him.
[/quote]
and so do a lot of 3-4 nose tackles which most of the best teams play most of the time, except the giants and saints

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1327360371' post='969843']
How old is he? I'd prefer to get a younger dude to grow and develop with the line.
[/quote]

Bell is 27. That's young enough to develop with the line.

[The Raven]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1327360814' post='969865']

Bell is 27. That's young enough to develop with the line.
[/quote]

I suppose. I'd love if we could get a guy that could be with us for 10 years, be a Raven for life. Unfortunately, franchise LTs are hard to come by.

[Ravens Fan in Ontario]

I like Jah Reid. I think a good off season and a full training camp will help him improve leaps and bounds.

[cursona pirate]

yeah BIrk is getting slow in run downs...i hope he retires so we dont have to see him go to another team.

[Ray's right arm]

[quote name='cursona pirate' timestamp='1327363534' post='969996']
yeah BIrk is getting slow in run downs...i hope he retires so we dont have to see him go to another team.
[/quote]

First transplant Birks brain in Ohers head, put Ohers in Birks head & problem is solved ... anybody know of a good brain surgeon ? lol

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='Ray's right arm' timestamp='1327369146' post='970235']

First transplant Birks brain in Ohers head, put Ohers in Birks head & problem is solved ... anybody know of a good brain surgeon ? lol
[/quote]
well you have Ray's right arm! so you have to be qualified!

[XxSizzleXx]

I won't be surprised to see Grubbs go, I think people may give him more credit than he deserves.

[Blex64]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1327370484' post='970269']
I won't be surprised to see Grubbs go, I think people may give him more credit than he deserves.
[/quote]

Grubbs is a good guard but he won't get the kind of money that Yanda got, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him walk for a paycheck. I'd like to keep him but if someone else pays him, then it is what it is.

I think Birk is going to retire. We need a new center, I see us taking one early in the draft, perhaps Boren playing next year as well.

Oher is just...not good anymore. I don't know what it is exactly. I'm not trying to be mean, but it might be he's just not smart enough for the NFL. He should have been able to draw off for that penalty but he didn't.

McKinney isn't a long term solution (McKinnie? I forget). If we have to keep him another year then we have to, but I'd like to see us look at other options via Free Agency. He's been ok this year, but LT is the most important line position and he's one of our weaker players.

[gabefergy]

Center is the biggest need right now IMO. I think we can take a look in free agency and see who is available or maybe draft someone in the Guard/Center mold. I'm not ready to give up on Oher yet. He has a ton of potential and has played extremely well at times. He was very injured in this past game and you could tell it affected him. Watch him run in the play here where Torrey scores a TD ,hes clearly hurting. Its hard for an OLineman to be at his best when he cant leverage because his ankle is shredded.