Rebuilding The Offensive Line

[keebl3rs]

[quote name='Blex64' timestamp='1327371443' post='970304']
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.
[/quote]

If he went on the Jared Gaither Diet over the off season, I think McKinnie would be fine for us.

I doubt it'll happen though.

[The Raven]

[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]

So lets completely ignore our offense's sheer incompetence when he was gone.

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1327458962' post='972083']

So lets completely ignore our offense's sheer incompetence when he was gone.
[/quote]
That's because Gurode (and Mckinnie for that matter) didn't know what he was doing, as time went on the line solidified again. And there was a game were Grubbs missed a series and our line didn't miss a beat.

[The Raven]

[quote name='CalvinSmoke' timestamp='1327459820' post='972102']
That's because Gurode (and Mckinnie for that matter) didn't know what he was doing, as time went on the line solidified again. And there was a game were Grubbs missed a series and our line didn't miss a beat.
[/quote]

Okay. Are you're suggesting a rookie guard would be capable of replacing Grubbs? or even Gurode for that matter? Do you feel comfortable with that?

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1327459942' post='972106']

Okay. Are you're suggesting a rookie guard would be capable of replacing Grubbs? or even Gurode for that matter? Do you feel comfortable with that?
[/quote]
lol, it depends on who's next to these guys. I think Grubbs is gone. He probably already knows he's not returning.

[The Raven]

[quote name='CalvinSmoke' timestamp='1327460257' post='972111']
lol, it depends on who's next to these guys. I think Grubbs is gone. He probably already knows he's not returning.
[/quote]

Probowl alternate... Offense suffered without him... If we lose him, our only for sure returning starters are him, Yanda, and McKinnie (I'm doubting Oher, and McKinnie too)...


If he leaves, we will need to ENTIRELY rebuild the oline. Resign who we have, so we can focus on other problems.

And btw, Yanda was next to Oher and Birk, who were both average at best...

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1327460408' post='972112']
And btw, Yanda was next to Oher and Birk, who were both average at best...
[/quote]
I agree, but atleast Birk know's his assignment 100% of the time. The problem early with Gurode/Mattison being next to the early Mckinnie was that neither of them knew what they were doing half the time lol.

But there will definitely be a rebuilding process, it excites me a little bit.

[The Raven]

[quote name='CalvinSmoke' timestamp='1327461249' post='972126']
I agree, but atleast Birk know's his assignment 100% of the time. The problem early with Gurode/Mattison being next to the early Mckinnie was that neither of them knew what they were doing half the time lol.

But there will definitely be a rebuilding process, it excites me a little bit.
[/quote]

It does excite me. It'll be great to finally have a solid, young line to develop and play together for more than 3 years. Hopefully.

[Dfence4champs2052]

They got whipped during our two playoff games. I hope they rebuild it with sturdy, consistent performers.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Dfence4champs2052' timestamp='1327461936' post='972138']
They got whipped during our two playoff games. I hope they rebuild it with sturdy, consistent performers.
[/quote]

I think you can attribute that to injury and the fact than Birk and McKinnie are beat up vets. They started declining bad late in the season and it was most noticeable with Birk. We couldn't move anyone in the middle.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1327292990' post='967453']
Bring back McKinnie, re-sign Grubbs, put Gurode at C, and draft a C and LT in the draft.
[/quote]
Agreed 100%.

I think we have to bring Gurode back because if we draft a C, he could learn from him assuming Birk calls it quits. Probably start Gurode at C or have the rookie battle him for the job.

Same thing with LT. It would be great for a rookie to learn from a guy like McKinnie who has had some success in this league.

[JO_75]

Bring back Jared Gaither and have compete with McKinnie for the LT position in Camp or if we stay with McKinnie, Gaither would be a great backup at LT.

[reediddy]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1327464454' post='972189']
Bring back Jared Gaither and have compete with McKinnie for the LT position in Camp or if we stay with McKinnie, Gaither would be a great backup at LT.
[/quote]

I like this idea, Gaither showed a lot of potential in his first few years with us (not to mention he shut out Suggs when we played the Chargers). We absolutely need to keep Grubbs too and Gurode as an insurance policy for Birk. I can't reiterate enough how critical it is to keep Grubbs

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1327464454' post='972189']
Bring back Jared Gaither and have compete with McKinnie for the LT position in Camp or if we stay with McKinnie, Gaither would be a great backup at LT.
[/quote]

If other teams believe Gaither showed enough to still be a starter, as he may have with San Diego, why would he come here to be a backup exactly? I understand his time with KC was a black mark, and he may have looked good for Norv, but this is the same Gaither we're talking about. We heard so much about his bad back and his poor work-ethic that I seriously doubt the coaches want him back. Even with all those concerns though, if we could get the Gaither from two years ago I sign him to a 7 year top LT contract because that's how that Gaither played (and we see betting on Oher was a mistake). That one year where the OL was actually good, he was easily a top 5 LT in the league if not top 3. Unfortunately I don't think the Gaither of today has that ability anymore.

[Grapple Raven]

I would love to have Grubbs back, but only if that turf toe is no longer going to be an issue going forward for him!

[The Raven]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1327476531' post='972281']

If other teams believe Gaither showed enough to still be a starter, as he may have with San Diego, why would he come here to be a backup exactly? I understand his time with KC was a black mark, and he may have looked good for Norv, but this is the same Gaither we're talking about. We heard so much about his bad back and his poor work-ethic that I seriously doubt the coaches want him back. Even with all those concerns though, if we could get the Gaither from two years ago I sign him to a 7 year top LT contract because that's how that Gaither played (and we see betting on Oher was a mistake). That one year where the OL was actually good, he was easily a top 5 LT in the league if not top 3. Unfortunately I don't think the Gaither of today has that ability anymore.
[/quote]

Who said anything about backup? I think the everyone who wants him wants him to start...

[ellicottraven]

Birk will retire in all probability so we need a new center. Grubbs will be too expensive to retain and going by his exit interview he is not in a mood for a home town discount so he will be gone. Yanda just got paid and he will be healthy by the time the season starts to become a top guard again. At RT Oher is an enigma, but with some good coaching and consistency he will be a great RT so he is a keeper. McKinney if he loses a few more (like 20 lbs) will be a keeper as well, because he has problems with speed rushers but otherwise is great in run support.

So there you have it, we need everybody from Birk towards the left side replenished barring McKinney if he can lose weight. Gurode may be a good center or even a RG with the off season and TC, but hard to say how much he has left in his tank. So maybe the draft and free agency will help, but again as always, in Ozzie and gang I trust!!!

[Mr. GM]

The offensive line is and should be the number one objective going into the offseason. Here is the most optimal solution: Keep McKinnie at LT for another year, sign Ben Grubbs no ifs ands or buts, move Yanda to Center, Move Oher to RG, start Jah Reid at RT. Dont over think this people! A good offensive line coach can make this work.


P.S. read my signature below

[The Raven]

[quote name='Mr. GM' timestamp='1327503792' post='972396']
The offensive line is and should be the number one objective going into the offseason. Here is the most optimal solution: Keep McKinnie at LT for another year, sign Ben Grubbs no ifs ands or buts, move Yanda to Center, Move Oher to RG, start Jah Reid at RT. Dont over think this people! A good offensive line coach can make this work.


P.S. read my signature below
[/quote]

Why? Tell me why. Why are you moving a pro bowl guard to center just because Oher would be a better guard? You just don't do that dude. You don't change a probowlers position. You just dont.

[BloodRaven]

I think if Yanda could play centre as well as he does guard it would be make sense to move him there as centre is more important and comes with more responsibilities. The point is moot because he probably cant.