Gino Gradkowski

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1335758899' post='1067837']


He still gets a shot but he's not going to just get handed the position.
[/quote]

No one should be handed anything in the NFL. Even the veterans are motivated by competition.

[tigerave]

Some of the best players come out of small schools,I think this kid went to Dware like Flacco.Hakeem Nicks(East Carolina) and alot of the Giants great players came from small schools.I like Streeter out of Miami seems to be a family type guy with a burning desire to win.

[Alexir]

After watching n reading bout Gino, I actually believe it will be him taking over for Ben, not KO

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='tigerave' timestamp='1335884396' post='1068910']
Some of the best players come out of small schools,I think this kid went to Dware like Flacco.[b]Hakeem Nicks(East Carolina)[/b] and alot of the Giants great players came from small schools.I like Streeter out of Miami seems to be a family type guy with a burning desire to win.
[/quote]

Nicks actually came out of UNC, a fairly known football program. I remember when he came out Dick Vitale, of all people, was all over him before the draft saying whoever got him would be getting a steal. But I agree, great players have come out of small schools - Phil Simms (Morehead State), Rich Gannon (Delaware), and the numbers 1 and 2 all time receiving yards leaders, Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State) and Terrell Owens (UT Chatanooga).

[ravensfan160]

Physically Gradkowski sorta reminds me of Yanda. Hopefully he'll be just as good if not better. I just worry a bit about his listed weight of barely 300. I want a strong center that won't get pushed around like Birk does occasionally.

[Ravenseconbeast]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1335895892' post='1069115']
After watching n reading bout Gino, I actually believe it will be him taking over for Ben, not KO
[/quote]

His the 'hidden gem' alot of great scouts look in for when they draft a div-ii player. Hope he is as what many advertised.

[The Raven]

[quote name='ravensfan160' timestamp='1335899789' post='1069183']
Physically Gradkowski sorta reminds me of Yanda. Hopefully he'll be just as good if not better. I just worry a bit about his listed weight of barely 300. I want a strong center that won't get pushed around like Birk does occasionally.
[/quote]

Chris Myers of the Texans is 285 and he took Cody up and down the field in both games. I'm not concerned about his weight until he proves that it's an issue. Strength, burst, quickness, and grittiness can make up for a lack of size. Gino has those qualities.

[Corvus]

So much ridiculousness in this thread based on where a guy should or shouldn't be taken. None of us and none the draftniks know where ANY team had Gradkowski rated. Not to mention so much of what I've read simply isn't true. After Konz there was no consensus among the draftniks who was the next best center (trust me I looked at plenty involving centers for us) but the names that always came up: Jones, Molk, and Gradkowski. I personally think he is a solid prospect and while there is a chance he would have been there for our second 4th rounder, he definitely would have been long gone before our next pick.

[Clutch Ravens]

Before Franny comes in here and has an aneurysm, Delaware is Division 1-AA.

I know Gradkowski was a late riser, but Molk went in the 6th and Brewster went undrafted. I, personally, would've preferred someone else at #98 and Brewster for nothing.

[jazz1988]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1335922077' post='1069519']
Before Franny comes in here and has an aneurysm, Delaware is Division 1-AA.

I know Gradkowski was a late riser, but Molk went in the 6th and Brewster went undrafted. I, personally, would've preferred someone else at #98 and Brewster for nothing.
[/quote]

I wanted the ravens to get some one else to but they obviously see something in this guy that was undeniable maybe if you knew what the ravens scouts knew you probably would had done the samething.

[GrimCoconut]

I love this pick. I know a lot of people weren't happy with us picking him here, but I love Gradkowski. I personally researched him after I saw he visited us and I really liked him. I was surprised he went so early, I won't lie. With that said, I don't regret us taking him. I think he is a solid player. With Gradkowski, he can play guard and center, which gives him some versatility. I think that was the biggest advantage between him and the other guys, because everything I looked at had Blake, Jones, Molk, & Brewster as strictly centers.

Gradkowski was one of my favorite picks of the entire draft, right up there with Upshaw. In fact, this is the order of excitement for me:

1. Upshaw
2. Gradkowski
3. Streeter
4. Jackson
5. Pierce
6. Osemele
7. Thompson
8. Tyson

I'm not saying I don't care about Osemele, Thompson, or Tyson. It's just I am more excited about the other guys. I loved this draft.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1335902697' post='1069237']
Chris Myers of the Texans is 285 and he took Cody up and down the field in both games. I'm not concerned about his weight until he proves that it's an issue. Strength, burst, quickness, and grittiness can make up for a lack of size. Gino has those qualities.
[/quote]

Myers gets off the ball faster than anyone, off the snap he's already driving his feet with hands in Codys chest before he could get out of his blocks. So while it's generally true that smaller olinemen like Gradkowski can be better run blockers because of their quickness and motors it's pass blocking on his heels where any lack of an anchor will hurt him, and Flacco.

[The Raven]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1335932393' post='1069600']
Myers gets off the ball faster than anyone, off the snap he's already driving his feet with hands in Codys chest before he could get out of his blocks. So while it's generally true that smaller olinemen like Gradkowski can be better run blockers because of their quickness and motors it's pass blocking on his heels where any lack of an anchor will hurt him, and Flacco.
[/quote]

That's true, but a shorter guy like Gino will have a lower center of gravity, so he won't be bullrushed as easily, and he'll have leverage on the NT. Footwork can also be a valuable asset to a smaller lineman.

[Alexir]

[url="http://rotoworld.com/player/nfl/7560/gino-gradkowski"]http://rotoworld.com/player/nfl/7560/gino-gradkowski[/url]

"Nasty". nice.

[tigerave]

Good, tough kid.What more can you ask for?

[JO_75]

You guys think Gradkowski could challenge Birk in training camp and potentially start as a rookie?

[moneyman4110]

All I know is if he's half as determined to get on the field as his brother is, we are gonna have a heck of a guy in a few years.

[Gordo52]

Bold prediction: Gino wins the starting job at center week 8.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1336189521' post='1072372']
Bold prediction: Gino wins the starting job at center week 8.
[/quote]

I like to see a competition between Gradkowski and Birk to see if Birk still has it. I mean we did it with Cundiff, and Cundiff came out on top when he had competition and showed he wanted to be the starter. So why not make Birk earn it and see if Birk can beat out a 4th round rookie Center.

[Blex64]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1336189852' post='1072378']
I like to see a competition between Gradkowski and Birk to see if Birk still has it. I mean we did it with Cundiff, and Cundiff came out on top when he had competition and showed he wanted to be the starter. So why not make Birk earn it and see if Birk can beat out a 4th round rookie Center.
[/quote]

He can.

If Gino actually outpreforms Birk in training camp, I'm sure he'd get the job. I just have severe doubts that he will. Birk has been very good for us still the past couple years, even with his age. I definitely think he ran out of gas last year in the playoffs, but he wasn't the only one, and he's still got it.

I don't see Gino starting this year bar-injury. If he's really [i]that [/i]good though, I'd love to be surprised.

[The Raven]

I wouldn't rule it out. I think he might be one of those post bye week starters. As Birk slows down, or as Gino progresses, he may be the starter. Not entirely likely or unlikely, but there's a chance.

[JO_75]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1336194076' post='1072398']
I wouldn't rule it out. I think he might be one of those post bye week starters. As Birk slows down, or as Gino progresses, he may be the starter. Not entirely likely or unlikely, but there's a chance.
[/quote]

I know it's something you probably don't want to do because of the inconsistency but why not rotate Gradkowski and Birk so that Birk can stay healthy and be more fresh toward the end of the season.

[The Raven]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1336195127' post='1072399']
I know it's something you probably don't want to do because of the inconsistency but why not rotate Gradkowski and Birk so that Birk can stay healthy and be more fresh toward the end of the season.
[/quote]

I'm not a fan of rotating offensive linemen. It just screws with the chemistry too much. It'd work in theory, but the chemistry of the interior line could get screwy.

[BMOREHAWAII]

Obviously DeCosta stated that he was his "best" pick of the draft so he must see something in him that we dont.

[GrimCoconut]

I think Gradkowski will serve Gurode's role last year as the back-up interior lineman for all three positions at LG, C, and RG. He will probably spell Birk if he becomes injured or worn down, too. Perhaps even Yanda. Like most, I think his future is at center. I would be shocked if he beat out Osemele for that LG position.

[cursona pirate]

I like this move. Same school Flacco is from. Just because he is not from a Div-1 school does not make them bad. I am looking forward to seeing him play.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Blex64' timestamp='1336193627' post='1072397']


He can.

If Gino actually outpreforms Birk in training camp, I'm sure he'd get the job. I just have severe doubts that he will. Birk has been very good for us still the past couple years, even with his age. I definitely think he ran out of gas last year in the playoffs, but he wasn't the only one, and he's still got it.

I don't see Gino starting this year bar-injury. If he's really [i]that [/i]good though, I'd love to be surprised.
[/quote]

Yea Gino probably won't win the job in the begginning. Birk will be sharp. Thd problem with Birk is that he breaks down quite a lot at the end of the season. And I can't see us making the switch unless Birk is injured.

[Blex64]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1336250222' post='1072604']
Yea Gino probably won't win the job in the begginning. Birk will be sharp. Thd problem with Birk is that he breaks down quite a lot at the end of the season. And I can't see us making the switch unless Birk is injured.
[/quote]

I agree for the most part.

Birk when he's good to go is still one of the league's best centers (definitely still better then Maurkice Pouncey...I cannot figure out why that guy gets so much creidt...) but he definitely can't play a full season + postseason at a high level anymore. There's nothing wrong with that, and I love the guy, but he's just not at that point in his career anymore.

[JO_75]

Ok, so we have heard about Upshaw, Justin Tucker, Tommy Streeter, KO but what about Gino? Does anyone know how he did in Rookie Camp?

[Token]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1337213263' post='1078635']
Ok, so we have heard about Upshaw, Justin Tucker, Tommy Streeter, KO but what about Gino? Does anyone know how he did in Rookie Camp?
[/quote]

[quote][b]C/G Gino Gradkowski[/b][color=#777777][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][left]: [/left][/size][/font][/color][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=3][left]T[size=4]he fourth-rounder rotated between both guard spots and center throughout the weekendas he’s expected to compete for the starting left guard job and also backup center Matt Birk. Gradkowski doesn’t have the size of a player like Osemele, but he did show athleticism and versatility.[/size][/left][/size][/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4][left]In working between the different spots on the line, Gradkowski also looked comfortable pull blocking on run plays, which he often had to do in college.[/left][/size][/font][/quote]

I found that in the final analysis article, but that's really it I think.