What Could've Been

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='B-more Ravor' timestamp='1331840219' post='1023359']

Well, yeah, that's the point I was making. To keep all 4 of those guys, we'd have a great OL, but little else. It's just a shame that the timing of all of them becoming good and becoming FAs sort of coincided.

That's the reason they let Brown go in the first place. You really can't pay a Center that much if you expect to re-sign your Guards and Tackles in the future because they usually make more. It's also why it's tough to pay both of your Guards that kind of money, when you're going to have to pay for your Tackles at some point too (whoever they may be!).
[/quote]

Yep, the salary cap in football is a huge parity creator. Example - the Eagles - bunch of free agents but zero ILBs equals poor run defense.

[callahan09]

[quote name='Owenny' timestamp='1331827238' post='1022958']
Yeah we've had some good players leave but if Ozzie could pull out some stops and have our O-Line looking like:

Oher - Mathis - Birk - Yanda - Winston;

I'd be happy and confident heading into the draft possibly only looking for an upgrade at C.
[/quote]

Are we really moving Oher back to the left?

2009: Right, then Left, then back to Right.
2010: Left
2011: Right
2012: Left?

I'd like to see him get some time at a consistent position, it could do wonders for him. I don't like all this switching back and forth.

[Corvus]

[quote name='callahan09' timestamp='1331841387' post='1023382']


Are we really moving Oher back to the left?

2009: Right, then Left, then back to Right.
2010: Left
2011: Right
2012: Left?

I'd like to see him get some time at a consistent position, it could do wonders for him. I don't like all this switching back and forth.
[/quote]

Glad to see I'm not the only one seeing this speculation and coming to the same conclusion.

[Owenny]

Don't want to have to move him, I agree that some consistency is needed for Oher. But if we do indeed end up taking Winston off the free agency market then I don't see many other options.

Either that or we get probably a third rounder for him in a trade.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='callahan09' timestamp='1331841387' post='1023382']

Are we really moving Oher back to the left?

2009: Right, then Left, then back to Right.
2010: Left
2011: Right
2012: Left?

I'd like to see him get some time at a consistent position, it could do wonders for him. I don't like all this switching back and forth.
[/quote]

2013: Left in FA.

[Mad Puppy]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1331833503' post='1023187']
I'll tell you what I always think when we play the "what could have been game." We could have had Kenny Britt or Hakeem Nicks over Michael Oher - if Oher never becomes a left tackle, that knowledge will continue to haunt me.
[/quote]

Looking at it that way (I really wanted Britt that year), we whiffed in that draft! Seriously though It appears Ozzie drafts guys that become regulars in the O-line but hasn't really hit a home run since drafting Ogden?
Though if we could just keep the guys drafted past the rookie contract. The Line would be a position of strength allowing for skill position drafts. ...It just isn't exciting drafting the same O-line positions...
I'm really disappointed Grubbs didn't want to stay.

[Mad Puppy]

[quote name='B-more Ravor' timestamp='1331840219' post='1023359']

Well, yeah, that's the point I was making. To keep all 4 of those guys, we'd have a great OL, but little else. It's just a shame that the timing of all of them becoming good and becoming FAs sort of coincided.

That's the reason they let Brown go in the first place. You really can't pay a Center that much if you expect to re-sign your Guards and Tackles in the future because they usually make more. It's also why it's tough to pay both of your Guards that kind of money, when you're going to have to pay for your Tackles at some point too (whoever they may be!).
[/quote]

Unfortunately the Ravens were only able to keep 1 (Yanda), that's pretty poor odds isn't it?

[Mad Puppy]

The contract for Grubbs was actually pretty reasonable in my opinion too bad the Ravens couldn't do that.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='Mad Puppy' timestamp='1331855314' post='1023715']The contract for Grubbs was actually pretty reasonable in my opinion too bad the Ravens couldn't do that.[/quote]

I thought the same but maybe we figure Mathis is the better option and pay him.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='Mad Puppy' timestamp='1331854935' post='1023707']

Looking at it that way (I really wanted Britt that year), we whiffed in that draft! Seriously though It appears Ozzie drafts guys that become regulars in the O-line but hasn't really hit a home run since drafting Ogden?
Though if we could just keep the guys drafted past the rookie contract. The Line would be a position of strength allowing for skill position drafts. ...It just isn't exciting drafting the same O-line positions...
I'm really disappointed Grubbs didn't want to stay.
[/quote]

Odgen was a top-5 pick. The only top 12 pick we ever had that wasn't a pro-bowler was Starks. I bet if we were in the top 5 and drafted Kalil, he'd hit a home run. I'd say for the most part you're right, he's found some good to great players but not JO, but again we don't draft in the top 5 very often. I get the logic of the move at the time (Oher was supposed to have top-15 talent and we got him at 23), but man I'd kill to have Kenny Britt in a Ravens uniform.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='Mad Puppy' timestamp='1331855314' post='1023715']
The contract for Grubbs was actually pretty reasonable in my opinion too bad the Ravens couldn't do that.
[/quote]

It was like 7.2 million a year, right? Yanda had 6.5, and I think we offered Grubbs 6.5. Don't know, maybe it really was a case of Grubbs wanted to leave Baltimore - I mean New Orleans must be a fun city to live in. I really think that sometimes these decisions come down to simple things like that.

[cobrajet]

What about................McKinnie, Mathis, Gurode, Yanda, Oher?

[Ravenstown52]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1331859793' post='1023767']
What about................McKinnie, Mathis, Gurode, Yanda, Oher?
[/quote]
IDK about Gurode I havent really seen much of him

[Grapple Raven]

I am just going to throw this out there...the more I think about it I kinda like a Zeitler/Knoz combo at guard and center. They played together, are good friends, and already have a kinda game chemistry. Their familarity with one another could be a big plus concerning the communication on the o-line. Both are slated as very intelligent, their versatility is also a plus, and most draft guru's say they could make a quick impact. Anyway just a thought!

[admartian]

[quote name='Ravenstown52' timestamp='1331860488' post='1023779']
IDK about Gurode I havent really seen much of him
[/quote]
I don't think we really have a choice. Especially if we can't get a an interior lineman high (therefore making them less likeyl to start) we might have to plug him in there.

[jaege]

[quote name='Grapple Raven' timestamp='1331860719' post='1023783']
I am just going to throw this out there...the more I think about it I kinda like a Zeitler/Knoz combo at guard and center. They played together, are good friends, and already have a kinda game chemistry. Their familarity with one another could be a big plus concerning the communication on the o-line. Both are slated as very intelligent, their versatility is also a plus, and most draft guru's say they could make a quick impact. Anyway just a thought!
[/quote]


Actually that sounds good if we can get them both. Big if. I am not completely sold on retaining Birk. He is getting up in years, although that does mean he has experience. I like him but he may be past his prime.

[jazz1988]

[quote name='admartian' timestamp='1331837939' post='1023294']
I feel like we're always patching up the line. Every year there's something that happens because we don't want to resign someone or have to draft high thus bypassing another need, for an OL.

Feels even worse when Jason Brown left.

Conversely, we held on way too long with the turnstile Mike Flynn at centre, but we let someone like Grubbs go that easy?

what the heck?!?!
[/quote]

The ravens offer Grubbs money but the saints offer him more. Honestly I feel like the ravens will be fine with out Grubbs and its not like the ravens have a lot cap space to break the bank for a guard when they clearly have other players like webb, joe flacco and ray rice to re-sign.

[JO_75]

[quote name='callahan09' timestamp='1331841387' post='1023382']

Are we really moving Oher back to the left?

2009: Right, then Left, then back to Right.
2010: Left
2011: Right
2012: Left?

I'd like to see him get some time at a consistent position, it could do wonders for him. I don't like all this switching back and forth.
[/quote]

THIS is the problem with Michael Oher. The Coaching staff keeps moving him around and he can never find any rhythm whatsoever on our offensive line. I knew the minute we were switching him from Right to Left it would be a bad decision. Now all this switching back & fourth, is no good for Oher's development. I don't see why we are going for Winston when we need a LT, not a RT. Oher could be a great player but never will be that until he stays at one position. Please for the sake of Oher, do not sign Winston so Oher can stay at RT.

I hope a true LT drops in the Draft, that would make it easier to keep Oher on the Right Side.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Grapple Raven' timestamp='1331860719' post='1023783']
I am just going to throw this out there...the more I think about it I kinda like a Zeitler/Knoz combo at guard and center. They played together, are good friends, and already have a kinda game chemistry. Their familarity with one another could be a big plus concerning the communication on the o-line. Both are slated as very intelligent, their versatility is also a plus, and most draft guru's say they could make a quick impact. Anyway just a thought!
[/quote]
Eh, I get your point about going after Zeitler & Konz because of their chemistry, but I'm not feeling it. We would need to spend a 1st & 2nd on Konz & Zeitler respectively. I'd rather not when we could benefit from going after a pass-rusher or a wide receiver.

I also don't think Konz is even going to be there for us when we pick, but that doesn't matter right now. I wouldn't be happy if we spent our 1st & 2nd on those two prospects, mainly because we can address center & guard later in the draft. Konz is a good center because of how smart he is, but he has some serious injury concerns. I like Zeitler, but I'd rather draft an interior linemen later in the draft rather than early. I also don't think we even need to get a guard in this draft because I see us going FA or someone on the roster. Boren, Harewood, Oher, or Reid are the likely candidates if we don't sign Mathis, of whom it looks likely we will sign.

As for center, there's no one here that can play center. I'm not sure Boren has what it takes to play center. Gurode & Birk are free agents, but they both didn't look too hot. Gurode is younger but Birk is smarter, honestly. I think they both have positives & negatives to their game in different ways. I'd rather re-sign Birk for a good price or even Brown than go with Gurode who could be expensive. As for center, I'd rather get someone like Brewster who was projected as a 1st round pick last year before his stock plummeted. I'd even rather get Vlachos, Molk, or Blake. There are a lot of quality center prospects, so I feel we can wait on Konz and still get a very good player for our team.

If we're going to go O-line, I'd rather it be for Nate Potter or Reynolds, though I'm not so sure any more Reynolds can be a LT. They are two developmental prospects who could be LTs in the NFL if they maximize their potential. They could sit behind McKinnie for a year and start next. I think both would be available in the 3rd round.

As for what I would do with our 1st round pick? Probably trade it if someone came with a very good deal. If Hightower were there I would have to really consider it, but if it was too good to pass I would trade. This draft has some very nice OLBs available in the 2nd. If someone like Upshaw fell to us, I would draft him without hesitation. He would be The Guy across from Suggs. We could wait on ILB until even next year at that point, because he would really improve our team a lot in my opinion. In the 2nd I would take a WR unless there is a run on them, at which point I would probably trade back or go in a different direction in the 2nd.

I think we need to take from this draft the following positions: LT, OLB, CB/S, WR(x2), PR/KR. If we can get an ILB, then that's excellent. If not, I think we can make due for a year. We should be able to get an ILB, though.

Just my two cents...or dime. Lol.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1331859793' post='1023767']
What about................McKinnie, Mathis, Gurode, Yanda, Oher?
[/quote]
Gurode is a better option than Birk....imho. We put ourselves in a position where we have to sign Mathis.

[Guest RBates]

Trade Oher? What in the world.......I'm going back into hibernation on that note. Some of you want to start the season with a whole new line minus Yanda and Birk........wow

[Ravenglenn]

I was getting a bit excited about the prospects of our O-line with all the what-ifs, but was quickly
brought back to reality when it was mentioned that we're still stuck with Cam. Whatever is done
might not even matter.