Michael Oher... Still Progressing Or Regressing?

[The Raven]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1337041672' post='1077743']
lol, how can you say he would be a Pro-Bowl Guard when he has never played a snap at Guard in his entire career. No offense, but that is a pretty dumb statement. He is a very hard worker and ultimate team player. I think he will have a better season now that he some positional consistency. If he cant get any better, then we have Reid to take over for him.
[/quote]

Yeah, I was just meaning to point out he'd be a better guard. Obviously I know he hasn't played there... yet...

[gabefergy]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1337041835' post='1077744']
Yeah, I was just meaning to point out he'd be a better guard. Obviously I know he hasn't played there... yet...
[/quote]
We may end up going that route if he fails at RT again this year, but I still have some faith that he will come around. He really did play well as a rookie so it's not like he isnt capable. I think he has a bounce back year.

[The Raven]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1337042271' post='1077747']
We may end up going that route if he fails at RT again this year, but I still have some faith that he will come around. He really did play well as a rookie so it's not like he isnt capable. I think he has a bounce back year.
[/quote]

I think he does as well. If not, we may see him at LG at Osemele at RT, which actually sounds really intriguing.

[RavensWin09]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1337042366' post='1077748']
I think he does as well. If not, we may see him at LG at Osemele at RT, which actually sounds really intriguing.
[/quote]
osemele is like oher, he should be at guard too. osemele is just as inconsistent at tackle than oher is.

[The Raven]

[quote name='RavensWin09' timestamp='1337042850' post='1077754']
osemele is like oher, he should be at guard too. osemele is just as inconsistent at tackle than oher is.
[/quote]

He's never played RT, could be a slightly better result.

[AlaskanRavensFan]

One of the things that's important to building a good o line is continuity. Too much turn over can make it difficult for communication and playing together as a unit. I don't think the FO has given up on Oher yet. He does play inconsistently at times, but he's got one of the quickest first steps I've ever seen so if he can continue to learn the techniques of his position I think he'll be a pretty good RT going on into the future.

[akacrow]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1337041672' post='1077743']
lol, how can you say he would be a Pro-Bowl Guard when he has never played a snap at Guard in his entire career. No offense, but that is a pretty dumb statement. He is a very hard worker and ultimate team player. I think he will have a better season now that he some positional consistency. If he cant get any better, then we have Reid to take over for him.
[/quote]

Oher was a Freshman All American at guard, Ohers best statistical year in College happened to be at guard. Osemele has never played a snap at guard, or in the NFL, yet he is penciled in as our starting LG. Ohers quickness would be a benefit on the interior OL. He very well could amount to a much better guard than an NFL tackle.

We had zero option at LT coming into 2011, Reid was drafted to play RT with Oher at LT, McKinnie fell into our laps just before the season started. A team needs two players who are capable of playing at LT.

[flynismo]

Let's see...

rookie season, looked great. Last two years, looked like Oniell Cousins' stunt double. If the arrow is pointing down, that should answer ya question

[gabefergy]

[quote name='akacrow' timestamp='1337058109' post='1077852']


Oher was a Freshman All American at guard, Ohers best statistical year in College happened to be at guard. Osemele has never played a snap at guard, or in the NFL, yet he is penciled in as our starting LG. Ohers quickness would be a benefit on the interior OL. He very well could amount to a much better guard than an NFL tackle.

We had zero option at LT coming into 2011, Reid was drafted to play RT with Oher at LT, McKinnie fell into our laps just before the season started. A team needs two players who are capable of playing at LT.
[/quote]
I'd really like to see this "statistical" breakdown of Oher's time played at Guard in college. He hasn't played a snap at guard in the NFL, which to me indicates the Ravens like him at Tackle. All the speculation of moving him to guard has basically been just that. To my knowledge, the Ravens coaches have not once indicated he would play any snaps or even practice at Guard. I'm not saying he would be bad, just that it is unlikely that move will occur.

Osemele was drafted to play guard with the bonus that he has experience at tackle as well. He may have played primarily tackle in college, but he will really need to refine his technique to play there in the NFL. He has the ideal frame and power to be a interior lineman, but he doesn't have the footwork to play tackle at this point, although that may come in time. The fact that KO spent most of his time in the rookie mini-camp at guard tells me all I need to know. That is the open position on the Oline and he is the primary candidate to fill that role.

And yes, I agree that we need more than one player who can play LT. Between McKinnie, Oher, and now KO we have a lot of flexibility and depth. Reid could probably play LT in a pinch as well although he lacks experience at LT even in college.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1337059574' post='1077858']
Let's see...

rookie season, looked great. Last two years, looked like Oniell Cousins' stunt double. If the arrow is pointing down, that should answer ya question
[/quote]
Lol. That is a bit mean even from you.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

this coming season we could play an o-line McKinnie-Oher-Birk-Yanda-Reid, with KO-Gino-Harewood as back-ups.
at LT we could have McKinnie backed up by Oher if need be for a few snaps, at LG KO can take from Oher, at C Gino could give a break to Birk, at RG Ko could come in if the game is won and Yanda signs autographs, at RT Oher and Reid can swap at all times.
we could still ask Gurode to come back for a year as insurance or wait and see maybe one of the rookies steps up. then there's always some cuts before the season starts.
i won't worry too much this year, well not as much as last... there's time to work these guys during camp and we can see what comes of that.

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1337059574' post='1077858']
Let's see...

rookie season, looked great. Last two years, looked like Oniell Cousins' stunt double. If the arrow is pointing down, that should answer ya question
[/quote]I just don't see how he went from a candidate for rookie of the year to this penalty machine. It would appear to me that he has either regressed or remained stagnant.

I must admit it will be interesting come contract talks if there is all this promising young talent bidding for playing time and Oher still isn't showing talent that's worth the money. There is going to be so much hoopla if he gets cut or walks.

[Moderator 3]

I think we play up his mistakes too much and forget about his good performances. I stole this out of today's LFW.

[b]Oher, McKinnie Notch Best Tackle Performances[/b]
Michael Oher and Bryant McKinnie [url="http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/05/11/2011s-best-performances-offensive-tackles/"][color="#42205d"]each notched one of the best individual performances [/color][/url]for a right and left tackle, respectively, during the 2011 season.
Actually, Oher had the best individual performance for a right tackle.
Pro Football Focus used a fancy grading system while examining how well each NFL tackle did in pass protection, run and screen blocking, and penalties assessed.
Oher’s Week 8 performance against the Arizona Cardinals, in which the Ravens scored 24 second-half points to get a 30-27 win, is considered by PFF to be the best of any right tackle last year.
“Two of the top right tackle performances came against Arizona,” wrote Khaled Elsayed. “What does that tell Cardinals fans? In any case, let’s not take anything away from a fine showing by Oher in a year that was riddled with inconsistency. He didn’t give up a single pressure and effectively neutralized Darnell Dockett every time the two men went head-to-head. That’s never an easy job, but Oher made it look so.”

[akacrow]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1337060978' post='1077865']
I'd really like to see this "statistical" breakdown of Oher's time played at Guard in college. He hasn't played a snap at guard in the NFL, which to me indicates the Ravens like him at Tackle. All the speculation of moving him to guard has basically been just that. To my knowledge, the Ravens coaches have not once indicated he would play any snaps or even practice at Guard. I'm not saying he would be bad, just that it is unlikely that move will occur.

Osemele was drafted to play guard with the bonus that he has experience at tackle as well. He may have played primarily tackle in college, but he will really need to refine his technique to play there in the NFL. He has the ideal frame and power to be a interior lineman, but he doesn't have the footwork to play tackle at this point, although that may come in time. The fact that KO spent most of his time in the rookie mini-camp at guard tells me all I need to know. That is the open position on the Oline and he is the primary candidate to fill that role.

And yes, I agree that we need more than one player who can play LT. Between McKinnie, Oher, and now KO we have a lot of flexibility and depth. Reid could probably play LT in a pinch as well although he lacks experience at LT even in college.
[/quote]

Osemele played tackle in college, he has zero experience at guard. The coaching staff was looking to play Jah Reed at guard, not because he is a capable guard, or because he has any experience at the position. Jah Reid was simply the only option. I highly doubt Reid would be anything at left tackle more than a liability, I have watched Osemele play in College and he is not an option on the left at this point.

Oher is our best option at tackle, I have no issues with Oher at tackle and agree completely that he will remain at RT in 2012.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='akacrow' timestamp='1337101945' post='1078054']
Osemele played tackle in college, he has zero experience at guard. The coaching staff was looking to play Jah Reed at guard, not because he is a capable guard, or because he has any experience at the position. Jah Reid was simply the only option. I highly doubt Reid would be anything at left tackle more than a liability, I have watched Osemele play in College and he is not an option on the left at this point.

Oher is our best option at tackle, I have no issues with Oher at tackle and agree completely that he will remain at RT in 2012.
[/quote]
I agree about pretty much everything you said. I do find it a little disconcerting that Oher probably is our best option at LT in the future unless we re-sign McKinnie or another FA tackle (Marcus McNeil perhaps?). KO has some of the measurables to play LT (size and really really long arms) but I think he would be the first to admit that he relied on his sheer size to out-muscle opposition in college. That won't work in the NFL. I think it's possible he can learn the proper technique to play LT, but that will take some time, and he is best suited for LG presently.

[ooo sugahhh 52]

in my opinion this conversation is completely asinine. i cant believe people are comparing him to oneil cousins. oher is a good (not great but still pretty darn good) tackle. most teams would love having a guy as versatile as he is. just because he isnt the superstar we hoped he would be doesnt justify how maligned he is. the problem is that we were so spoiled from having JO for so long that anyone who cant live up to the bar he set is a "scrub" which is completely wrong. i feel sorry for anyone who plays mlb or fs we get when ray and ed retire. we might as well start sharpening our pitchforks, roundin' up a posse, and get the torches ready to run them out of town too

[The Raven]

[quote name='ooo sugahhh 52' timestamp='1337110977' post='1078131']
in my opinion this conversation is completely asinine. i cant believe people are comparing him to oneil cousins. oher is a good (not great but still pretty darn good) tackle. most teams would love having a guy as versatile as he is. just because he isnt the superstar we hoped he would be doesnt justify how maligned he is. the problem is that we were so spoiled from having JO for so long that anyone who cant live up to the bar he set is a "scrub" which is completely wrong. i feel sorry for anyone who plays mlb or fs we get when ray and ed retire. we might as well start sharpening our pitchforks, roundin' up a posse, and get the torches ready to run them out of town too
[/quote]

Or maybe Oher should start progressing and getting better. You know, like what good players do. Wait, good players do progress right? They don't regress? He is the same player he was his rookie year, and maybe less. That is not acceptable.

[baltravens]

For Oher, I do not think that playing tackle on both the left and the right sides for the Ravens over the past two years was that much of a project for him [b]given[/b] his experience at playing tackle in college. IMO, he regressed last year and could now be labeled inconsistent. Furthermore, I am now doubting whether he was worth our first-round pick in 2009.

So what does he have to do to live up to his first-round status. I believe he needs to rededicate himself with the help of our OL coach to get on a more positive track. If you made 5-6 million dollars a year, and I do not remember the terms of his contract, would not you do everything in your power to improve at your trade? ...Or, do what you had to do to at least maintain your skills as an NFL player?

[Ozzman123987]

For the fans that say that he is a good player because he went to a couple of Pro Bowls, do not know that the fans pretty much control who goes or not. "The Blind Side" got him a few more years in the Pro Bowl. Strictly because most fans do not know any RTs true skill. Dont get me wrong I like Oher. But those false Starts make me want to break my TV on Sundays. We will see how he is this season though.

[rmw10]

[quote name='Ozzman123987' timestamp='1337315899' post='1079337']
For the fans that say that he is a good player because he went to a couple of Pro Bowls, do not know that the fans pretty much control who goes or not. "The Blind Side" got him a few more years in the Pro Bowl. Strictly because most fans do not know any RTs true skill. Dont get me wrong I like Oher. But those false Starts make me want to break my TV on Sundays. We will see how he is this season though.
[/quote]

Considering he hasnt made a pro bowl...?

[Moderator 3]

[quote name='Ozzman123987' timestamp='1337315899' post='1079337']
Dont get me wrong I like Oher. But those false Starts make me want to break my TV on Sundays. We will see how he is this season though.
[/quote]

Just for the record, exactly how many false starts did Oher have last year?

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1337345753' post='1079379']


Just for the record, exactly how many false starts did Oher have last year?
[/quote]

In 2011, he had 4 false starts and 5 holding penalties. This was a vast improvement over 2010.

espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/tag/_/name/michael-oher

[Moderator 3]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1337346691' post='1079384']
In 2011, he had 4 false starts and 5 holding penalties. This was a vast improvement over 2010.

espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/tag/_/name/michael-oher
[/quote]

And yet people still refer to him as if he's false starting every game. smh.

[CapoRocky]

I'm not worried at all about the right side of the line. It's the left side that is the problem. Can we find someone to solidify the guard position? Will McKinnie continue to play at a consistent level and keep in shape? I'm not even going to address "old man" Birk.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1337317103' post='1079341']


Considering he hasnt made a pro bowl...?
[/quote]
Ha, hilarious! I love short reponses to uninformed posts like this. Kudos to you