Andre Gurode?

[cobrajet]

With Birk probably retiring and Grubbs possibly getting an offer we can't match, do we wait until the Draft to see if Glenn or Konz fall to us or do we try to sign Gurode now, who can play Guard or Center. If we signed Andre, we could try the line with McKinnie, Jah Reid, Gurode, Yanda, and Oher. We still have Harewood and Ozzie will be drafting some o-line help. I just have not heard anything from the Ravens whether they may want to make him an offer. I thought he did a decent job when Grubbs went down with the toe injury. Any thoughts?

(Every year at this time I always worry about the o-line and last year when I thought things looked bleak - Ol' Ozzie picks up McKinnie, Gurode, and gets a deal done with Yanda, so maybe I should just relax a little.)

[GrimCoconut]

We should sign Gurode, yes. Here's why:

1.) He has experience with our team & has chemistry unlike other FA centers
2.) He can teach any center we draft the ropes and provides experience for them to learn.
3.) He will not count against us for compensatory picks.
4.) I don't see him being expensive
5.) We usually fix our weaknesses before the draft rather than need a position and reach for a player because we needed them.

[berad]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1330028797' post='1000918']
We should sign Gurode, yes. Here's why:

1.) He has experience with our team & has chemistry unlike other FA centers
2.) He can teach any center we draft the ropes and provides experience for them to learn.
3.) He will not count against us for compensatory picks.
4.) I don't see him being expensive
5.) We usually fix our weaknesses before the draft rather than need a position and reach for a player because we needed them.
[/quote]

This.

I still want to draft a center early. The position has been an issue ever since Jason Brown left for St. Louis - Birk was a good stopgap but we all never he was old and would only last a few years, those years are up. I wished they had actually addressed the issue sooner with someone real, not David Hale...

[Jamal]

I really don't care one way or another.

If we lose Grubbs, the FO would probably want to keep him to keep as much stability in the o-line as possible. But he really doesn't impress me, so I really wouldn't mind going the FA/draft route instead.

[PurpNBlack22]

I'm pretty sure Gurode stay's especially if Birk retires. He's a vet but still has a few years left willing to take a minimum salary or darn close, and he can play 3 positions on the interior of the line, sounds like a keeper to me.

[RavensAllTheWay]

If we draft a Peter Konz or Kelechi Osemele for example, bringing Gurode back would be ideal because we could then use the 5x pro bowler as a mentor and possibly compete with Konz for the starting C job (because I don't want Gurode playing G).

[Gordo52]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1330028370' post='1000907']McKinnie, Jah Reid, Gurode, Yanda, and Oher. [/quote]
Ughhhhh, that looks so ugly!
Especially w/o Grubbs.

[jaege]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1330028370' post='1000907']
With Birk probably retiring and Grubbs possibly getting an offer we can't match, do we wait until the Draft to see if Glenn or Konz fall to us or do we try to sign Gurode now, who can play Guard or Center. If we signed Andre, we could try the line with McKinnie, Jah Reid, Gurode, Yanda, and Oher. We still have Harewood and Ozzie will be drafting some o-line help. I just have not heard anything from the Ravens whether they may want to make him an offer. I thought he did a decent job when Grubbs went down with the toe injury. Any thoughts?

(Every year at this time I always worry about the o-line and last year when I thought things looked bleak - Ol' Ozzie picks up McKinnie, Gurode, and gets a deal done with Yanda, so maybe I should just relax a little.)
[/quote]


I am with you as far as the tinge of worry, but after the "magic" of last year, I have to just trust in Oz.

[killaflacco]

id sign him.

[FlaccosFlock]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1330028797' post='1000918']
We should sign Gurode, yes. Here's why:

1.) He has experience with our team & has chemistry unlike other FA centers
2.) He can teach any center we draft the ropes and provides experience for them to learn.
3.) He will not count against us for compensatory picks.
4.) I don't see him being expensive
5.) We usually fix our weaknesses before the draft rather than need a position and reach for a player because we needed them.
[/quote]


Great points and I would love to have Gurode back.

[display name]

I'd resign Andre Gurode. He provides great depth and veteran leadership on the offensive line, especially since he plays both center and guard as a backup.

[harfordravenfan]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1330035768' post='1001027']

Ughhhhh, that looks so ugly!
Especially w/o Grubbs.
[/quote]

Yeah, I hope we keep grubbs also. Probably 50-50 here but if I had to use the names above and depending on the off season naturally... I'd at least think about switching oher with Reid (although I know it won't happen in reality)

[ravefan52]

David Molk in the 2nd or 3rd round!

[CapoRocky]

I'm not sure when they will sign him, but I would expect Gurode back. He was pretty good when he had to go in for Grubbs. He provides depth on the offensive line.

[cobrajet]

[quote name='ravefan52' timestamp='1330381364' post='1005482']
David Molk in the 2nd or 3rd round!
[/quote]
That kid is a beast, did you see how many reps he did at the combine?

[harfordravenfan]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1330382713' post='1005517']
I'm not sure when they will sign him, but I would expect Gurode back. He was pretty good when he had to go in for Grubbs. He provides depth on the offensive line.
[/quote]

Actually, I thought he struggled pretty bad at left guard but maybe It's just me.

[harfordravenfan]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1330391052' post='1005712']

That kid is a beast, did you see how many reps he did at the combine?
[/quote]

Agreed, just wonder about his leg strength to anchor and smarts of coarse. Really disappointed on konz bench press but honestly too busy/lazy to research all the college guys. So please, fill me in on both konz & what seems to be the strongest center (upper body wise)

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='harfordravenfan' timestamp='1330393053' post='1005760']
Agreed, just wonder about his leg strength to anchor and smarts of coarse. Really disappointed on konz bench press but honestly too busy/lazy to research all the college guys. So please, fill me in on both konz & what seems to be the strongest center (upper body wise)
[/quote]

Bench press is a poor indicator of playing strength. He's tall but plays with great leverage and a wide base, elite intelligence/intangibles and strong in all areas.

[harfordravenfan]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1330418350' post='1006117']


Bench press is a poor indicator of playing strength. He's tall but plays with great leverage and a wide base, elite intelligence/intangibles and strong in all areas.
[/quote]

Sounds good, hope he's there at 29. Got any info on David molk?

[ravefan52]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1330391052' post='1005712']
That kid is a beast, did you see how many reps he did at the combine?
[/quote]
He wanted to break the combine record of 49 but got 41