Oher Or Reid To Guard?

[Ravenslifer]

I'm sure everyone realizes that we might have 3 big spots to fill on the offensive line. Left tackle has been a need for a while, since we really have nobody we can count on long-term. Center is huge since A) we don't know what Birk will do, and even if he returns we saw his age really catching up to him this year. And guard could be a big hole since Grubbs is a FA and he seems to want big money - I don't see our front office ponying up with Rice a free agent and also trying to sign Flacco to a long-term deal. So at worst we're looking at replacing a guard, a center, and finding a left tackle. We have 2 right tackles in Oher and Reid - neither has a great shot to ever be a left tackle. But I'm hearing a lot of people over the last few weeks speculating on the possibility of moving one of them to guard? I've never played O-line, so I don't really know what skill set is needed to play those positions or how our guys could transition. Any thoughts on the possibility, or if neither can make the move what to do with 2 right tackles?

[redrum52]

I would rather move Oher to guard and keep Reid at tackle cause I feel Reid will be the future and has the tackle frame. I don't know why but I think Oher would do real well at guard.

[Purple Nurple]

Poor Oher. His career is one big truffle shuffle.

[flynismo]

Reid to guard. Oher to Siberia

[flynismo]

The only real difference in skill set between OT and OG is that guards need to be bulkier and/or stronger in order to handle defensive tackles. The OT are more athletic; they have to face small and agile LB, well rounded DE, in addition to paving the way for RB.

Oher is almost perfect physically to play OT, where Reid would be great (physically) at OG.

[Moderator 3]

How about we let Oher play the same position two years in a row?

[BmoreRavens732]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1329499526' post='996361']
How about we let Oher play the same position two years in a row?
[/quote]exactly!!! And btw i think reid would be a great LT...i think we need go keep oher at RT groom reid at LT (cuz of his size and long arms) and no matter what draft a C and if grubbs walks either draft a LG or via FA

[flynismo]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1329499526' post='996361']How about we let Oher play the same position two years in a row?[/quote]

or he could just play better? The transition from LT to RT or vice versa isnt nearly as big a deal as people make it out to be. Either you can pick up a block or you can't

[Suggs Package]

It depends.If we want to become this explosive passing offense, I say put Reid in at LG because he has the strength advantage and would probably stand his ground better. If we focus on being a running team, I would want Oher at LG because of his agility to be able to pull.

[GrimCoconut]

Screw it. Let's trade for Chris Chester to get the EZ Pass back.

[Bazooka Joe]

Put Reid at LG and sign a center via draft. I don't like rookie centers.

[rmw10]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' timestamp='1329502763' post='996415']
Put Reid at LG and [b]sign a center via draft. I don't like rookie centers.[/b]
[/quote]

Uhhh... what?

[Moderator 3]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1329500677' post='996377']
or he could just play better? The transition from LT to RT or vice versa isnt nearly as big a deal as people make it out to be. Either you can pick up a block or you can't
[/quote]

Actually, according to experienced tackles (like J.O. for instance), the switch is incredibly difficult. The player's entire footwork and handwork is totally different. J.O. always said he would quit before he tried switching sides.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1329504054' post='996433']

Actually, according to experienced tackles (like J.O. for instance), the switch is incredibly difficult. The player's entire footwork and handwork is totally different. J.O. always said he would quit before he tried switching sides.[/quote]

interesting, because Oher himself said that the switch isn't hard at all

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1329504835' post='996452']
interesting, because Oher himself said that the switch isn't hard at all
[/quote]

Maybe that's what he's doing wrong then.

I can see how it would be difficult after settling in at either position, though. I've never played tackle, but isn't it just like doing a mirror image?

[BmoreRav]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1329504835' post='996452']


interesting, because Oher himself said that the switch isn't hard at all
[/quote]

Oher said recently that it is difficult to do.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-02-14/sports/bal-ravens-insider-michael-oher-right-tackle-20120214_1_bryant-mckinnie-michael-oher-left-guard-ben-grubbs

[BmoreRavens732]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1329504835' post='996452']


interesting, because Oher himself said that the switch isn't hard at all
[/quote]would add the link but cant remember where i read it but anyway just a few days ago i read an article where oher was quoted saying its very difficult to make the switch

[flynismo]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1329505413' post='996465']

Maybe that's what he's doing wrong then.

I can see how it would be difficult after settling in at either position, though. I've never played tackle, but isn't it just like doing a mirror image?[/quote]

pretty much. And things like that shouldn't be an issue for world class athletes..

For proof of that, consider that Oher played LT in college, and played pretty well the next year at RT for us.

Or look at how Yanda can play wherever we put him on the line. Even Gurode can switch between OG and C, although he isn't very good as a guard.

[flynismo]

On the phone so cant copy and paste.

Look at the blog on the main site dated 8/27/2011, right before the season began. He said everything is basically the same. I dont blame him for backtracking now though haha. It couldnt possibly be cuz he is too worried about movies or books, or was just as inconsistent in college??

[Moderator 3]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1329506013' post='996483']
pretty much. And things like that shouldn't be an issue for world class athletes..

[/quote]

If doing athletic things in a mirror image was so easy, then switch hitters wouldn't be so valuable.

[Gordo52]

Leave Oher a RT. Let McKinnie be a stop gap for another year, unless of course Reid or Harewood are ready to play. Hopefully we re-sign Grubbs. Draft a C in the draft. Maybe resign Gurode at the right price for depth/experience.
So basically the same O-line as last year except a new center. We just gotta hope that Oher steps up, and that McKinnie plays good.
It sucks because our O-line was pretty bad last year, but if we want to resign our guys and try to strengthen our recieving core something has to give.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1329508799' post='996529']

If doing athletic things in a mirror image was so easy, then switch hitters wouldn't be so valuable.[/quote]

I assume you know my response to that? Other than the fact I would never claim switch hitting is even remotely the same thing as pivoting and sweeping as a tackle; the fact is that all offensive linemen are basically the football equvalent of a switch hitter.

What am I talking about?

I'm not 100% sure either, lol...bear with me.

In baseball, if you are right handed, then as a hitter almost all of your power and bat speed comes from the right side of your body. You push off with your right foot, pivot on your right hip, and your right arm is providing most of your bat speed, particularly at contact when you snap your wrists. There is very little incentive to make your left side stronger. Switch hitters are usually naturally ambidextrous.

Now, as for an OT.

Lets pretend I am Oher, and I am predominately right handed.

When I face a DE, I know that he could either be crashing to my right, to my left, or even straight at me. If I am strong on my right side of my body and weak on the left, it will only take 4 or 5 plays for the DE to notice that, and then guess what side he will be attacking the rest of the day?
So I have to be strong, period, to be able to handle that. Unlike a hitter in baseball, who just has to be strong on one side.


Now hold on, I just thought of something before I continue my little rant...

If Ogden really said that (and if you say he did, then he did), I'm willing to bet that he was left handed. Can anyone confirm or deny this for me??

[ravensfan520]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1329500677' post='996377']


or he could just play better? The transition from LT to RT or vice versa isnt nearly as big a deal as people make it out to be. Either you can pick up a block or you can't
[/quote]

I'm taking by your post that u played ol at a professional level. Because I think that he is doing a good job... but that's just my opinion.

[ravensfan520]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' timestamp='1329502763' post='996415']
Put Reid at LG and sign a center via draft. I don't like rookie centers.
[/quote]

We can draft a center but I think we should resign Gurode until the draft pick developed.

[flynismo]

[quote name='ravensfan520' timestamp='1329521884' post='996705']
I'm taking by your post that u played ol at a professional level. Because I think that he is doing a good job... but that's just my opinion.
[/quote]

sigh...I don't need to have played RT for the Ravens to see that Oher is horrible..

[flynismo]

Here is Oher telling us there isn't much difference between playing left and right tackle:

[url="http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/08/27/oher-not-fazed-by-move-to-rt/"]http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/08/27/oher-not-fazed-by-move-to-rt/[/url]


After sucking it up again this season, here he is backtracking:

[url="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-02-14/sports/bal-ravens-insider-michael-oher-right-tackle-20120214_1_bryant-mckinnie-michael-oher-left-guard-ben-grubbs"]http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-02-14/sports/bal-ravens-insider-michael-oher-right-tackle-20120214_1_bryant-mckinnie-michael-oher-left-guard-ben-grubbs[/url]

[rmw10]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1329525479' post='996750']
Here is Oher telling us there isn't much difference between playing left and right tackle:

[url="http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/08/27/oher-not-fazed-by-move-to-rt/"]http://blogs.baltimo...-by-move-to-rt/[/url]


After sucking it up again this season, here he is backtracking:

[url="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-02-14/sports/bal-ravens-insider-michael-oher-right-tackle-20120214_1_bryant-mckinnie-michael-oher-left-guard-ben-grubbs"]http://articles.balt...uard-ben-grubbs[/url]
[/quote]

We get your hatred for Oher. He didn't play terrible. Did he have his rough times? Yes. By no means is he terrible though.

[flynismo]

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1329525703' post='996754']

We get your hatred for Oher. He didn't play terrible. Did he have his rough times? Yes. By no means is he terrible though.
[/quote]

Yeah, actually he was terrible. And I don't hate him. I realize that he is a media darling around here because of his movie and story, and saying he sucks is taboo, but well, he has sucked not just this year, but last year as well, which is why we pulled the plug on him at LT after just one season.

[rmw10]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1329526196' post='996759']

Yeah, actually he was terrible. And I don't hate him. I realize that he is a media darling around here because of his movie and story, and saying he sucks is taboo, but well, he has sucked not just this year, but last year as well, which is why we pulled the plug on him at LT after just one season.
[/quote]

Chester and Yanda or Yanda and Oher? I'll take the latter. I'm not going to say that Oher did good, because he didn't. He struggled early on, but as the season progressed, he got much better. He kind of faltered in the playoffs, but from week 7 or 8 onward, he was solid. Nothing spectacular, but nothing bad either. Who do you propose takes over for Oher if he was to get cut this offseason? Jah Reid? No. I don't know if you noticed, but when Oher was injured in the playoff game against the Pats, they put Reid in. He got manhandled a few times, and they put Oher back in on a busted ankle.

By the way, I'm not enamored with Oher's story. I'm looking at this from a pure football standpoint.

[flynismo]

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1329526515' post='996763']

Chester and Yanda or Yanda and Oher? I'll take the latter. I'm not going to say that Oher did good, because he didn't. He struggled early on, but as the season progressed, he got much better. He kind of faltered in the playoffs, but from week 7 or 8 onward, he was solid. Nothing spectacular, but nothing bad either. Who do you propose takes over for Oher if he was to get cut this offseason? Jah Reid? No. I don't know if you noticed, but when Oher was injured in the playoff game against the Pats, they put Reid in. He got manhandled a few times, and they put Oher back in on a busted ankle.

By the way, I'm not enamored with Oher's story. I'm looking at this from a pure football standpoint.
[/quote]


So you're basically saying that Oher is better than Chris Chester? Even if that is the case -- and it's not as cut and dried as you may think -- it really is saying nothing positive about Oher.

So Oher was injured against NE? What then was the excuse for giving up three sacks the previous week against HOU?