Eric Steinbach to workout on Tuesday

[Ravensfan23]

The Ravens are schedule to bring Steinbach in for a workout Tuesady, according to [url="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/227576375219986432"]Jason La Canfora[/url]. He's coming off a back injury, but if healthy would be just as good a LG as Bobbie Williams imo.

So if the Ravens are willing to add this guy, I think it might be a sign that maybe Birk isn't 100% right now.

[NaveSenrag]

Not sure how I feel about this guy. He hasn't really done much of note in the NFL, he's coming off the back injury that got him released, and he's going on 33. Best player available and all that, but I can't help but feel that if we put as much effort into getting our rookies up to snuff as we do putting people in front of them, we'd have the best young team in the league.

[Gordo52]

If it makes our line better I'm all for it. Hopefully the next 2-3 drafts we get some offensive lineman so we can stop using these stop gap players.

[BaltimoreBean]

@RavensInsider: Eric Steinbach recently displayed that his back is healthy in this workout video: http://t.co/8hcLLCPj

[The Raven]

[quote name='NaveSenrag' timestamp='1343096558' post='1102239']
Not sure how I feel about this guy. He hasn't really done much of note in the NFL, he's coming off the back injury that got him released, and he's going on 33. Best player available and all that, but I can't help but feel that if we put as much effort into getting our rookies up to snuff as we do putting people in front of them, we'd have the best young team in the league.
[/quote]

I don't know if you realize this, but the team can't wait for the rookies to become capable players. They also can't assume that they will be ready to play effectively. Therefore, signing vet stopgaps is a necessity at times.

We can't make GG and KO starter quality players in one offseason. That's just asinine to assume that. If they aren't deemed capable of starting, then we should find someone who is deemed capable.

[Gordo52]

The Ravens have a roster opening after cutting guard Howard Barbieri
[url="https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/status/227583178133602307"]https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/status/227583178133602307[/url]

[rmw10]

I'm great with depth and everything, but do we really need someone else on the inside? We already have KO, Yanda, Bobbie, Boren, Reid, Birk, and Gradkowski capable of playing there. We have McKinnie, Oher, Reid, and Harewood on the outside. I'd much rather sign more depth at tackle than another guard.

[RivenHale]

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1343099890' post='1102272']
I'm great with depth and everything, but do we really need someone else on the inside? We already have KO, Yanda, Bobbie, Boren, Reid, Birk, and Gradkowski capable of playing there. We have McKinnie, Oher, Reid, and Harewood on the outside. I'd much rather sign more depth at tackle than another guard.
[/quote]

That's sort of the thing with rookies - how "capable" ARE they of playing there? Even Boren and Reid, who aren't rookies--we haven't seen much out of either of them. If these vets don't work out, they get cut in camp.

[PuRock]

I will never vote against O-Line depth. If he's healthy enough and the Ravens like what they see. Then go for it.

Eric was always a solid contributor for the Browns. And at age 32 still has gas left in the tank for a O-Liner.

[rmw10]

[quote name='RivenHale' timestamp='1343100571' post='1102283']


That's sort of the thing with rookies - how "capable" ARE they of playing there? Even Boren and Reid, who aren't rookies--we haven't seen much out of either of them. If these vets don't work out, they get cut in camp.
[/quote]

Yeah that's understandable. I just feel like the depth at tackles is lacking more than the interior of the line.

[RivenHale]

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1343100877' post='1102287']
Yeah that's understandable. I just feel like the depth at tackles is lacking more than the interior of the line.
[/quote]

Not gonna argue with you there. I feel bad about our O-line; if there's a weakness on this team, it's there for sure. But if the FO doesn't like what's out there for tackles, then forcing it doesn't help anyone either.

Hope the young guys step up.

[Ravensfan23]

Steinbach is one of those guys that if this signing was 4 years ago, everybody would be exteremly happy. He's a guy who was drafted by Cincy and signed by Cle as a big time Free Agent, so he's very much familar with the AFC north. He's started 124 out of 125 games played, so the guy is durable.

If he's 100% healthy I like the signing, if nothing else because it adds competition. We are all excited about KO, but the guy has never played the OG position in his life. Both Bobbie Williams and Steinbach are upgrades over him, just off experience alone. Gino may or may not be ready to take over for Birk but we just don't know. Jah has never played OG before either.

So as much as we like the potential of the young guys, we've barely even seen these guys practice at the positions we want them to play. I think we are more then confident that these young guys will be our future, at least we hope, but right now, we need guys who can get it done up front.

This oline has been a problem area since Flacco/Harbs arrived and it hasn't been all old guys. People act like bringing in vets is the problem, but we've had problems with young guys like Cousins, Chester and Harewood. We just haven't been able to draft quality guys up front for whatever reason. So we can't just bank on these young guys now, all of a sudden being Studs.

I say add as much competiton as you can and the weak will weed itself out. Guys will either have to step up or go home

[Gtown Purple]

For now this is just camp competition but you can't discount veteran leadership. Losing Ben Grubbs hurts but not as much if you can replace him with a solid vet while the rookie comes along. I don't expect KO to start week one unless injuries happen or he just blows up. He did have injury issues during OTAS so this may also be CYA.

[Hardbaugh]

If healthy and the money is right the Ravens could do no harm in bringing him aboard.

In the trenches one weeks depth could be another weeks looking for a body. With the young guys on the interior line Birk, Williams and Steinbach would be very good teammates to assist learning the craft and hopefully shorten the path to be capable (or quality) NFL starter.

I'm not too worried about tackle depth. In a pinch I look at Yanda as an extra tackle as he's more than capable of handling RT.

[purplesky]

[quote name='Gtown Purple' timestamp='1343128128' post='1102323']
For now this is just camp competition but you can't discount veteran leadership. Losing Ben Grubbs hurts but not as much if you can replace him with a solid vet while the rookie comes along. I don't expect KO to start week one unless injuries happen or he just blows up. He did have injury issues during OTAS so this may also be CYA.
[/quote]
For some reason I don't think KO will blow up because he is not made of dynamite and gun powder.

[da#1ravensfan]

I honestly wanted Steinbach over Williams.

[berad]

Used to be one of the best linemen in the division before injury. Maybe he still has some tread.

[Ravensfan23]

Well KO is now on the PUP list to start camp so Steinbach will probably push Williams for the starting LG spot over the first week or so of camp. If KO falls behind because of injury, it'll be difficult to rely on him this season.

[black blood purple passion]

[quote name='NaveSenrag' timestamp='1343096558' post='1102239']
Not sure how I feel about this guy. He hasn't really done much of note in the NFL, he's coming off the back injury that got him released, and he's going on 33. Best player available and all that, [b]but I can't help but feel that if we put as much effort into getting our rookies up to snuff as we do putting people in front of them, we'd have the best young team in the league.
[/b][/quote]

[b]this is exactly how I feel![/b]

[scrock]

Juat another classic move by Ozzie and the front office, bring in this once ELITE Guard for cheap, it adds awesome depth on the OL and he would come hear for less money to win just like BP, McKinnie, Cory Redding, etc.

Ozzie is truly a master at what he does, if he passes the physical which he should he will be a Raven. They know they have to keep Joe healthy and the offense is going to be explosive as heck this year.

I'm excited

[scrock]

[quote name='NaveSenrag' timestamp='1343096558' post='1102239']
Not sure how I feel about this guy. He hasn't really done much of note in the NFL, he's coming off the back injury that got him released, and he's going on 33. Best player available and all that, but I can't help but feel that if we put as much effort into getting our rookies up to snuff as we do putting people in front of them, we'd have the best young team in the league.
[/quote]

what? hasnt done nothing of note? dude he was one of the best LGs in the league

[scrock]

[b]Yahoo! Sports called him one of the Top 10 Free Agents to watch for a few months prior to the end of the 2006 season[/b]

[b]The versatile and durable Steinbach can play at the guard, tackle, and center positions on the offensive line, and his speed and athleticism help to make him one of the leagues premier pulling lineman.[/b]

[b]On March 2, 2007, (the first day of the year's NFL Free Agency period) the Browns signed Steinbach to a 7-year, $49.5 million contract (of which $17 million is guaranteed), making him at the time one of the highest paid offensive lineman in the league. He had consistently been rated as a Top 5 Free Agent (and widely considered number one among offensive lineman) following the 2006 season by every major sports authority.[/b]

[b]On December 18, 2007, Steinbach was named as a first alternate for the 2008 Pro Bowl at offensive guard[/b]

......yeah, he's really done nothing

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1343137484' post='1102367']
[b]Yahoo! Sports called him one of the Top 10 Free Agents to watch for a few months prior to the end of the 2006 season[/b]

[b]The versatile and durable Steinbach can play at the guard, tackle, and center positions on the offensive line, and his speed and athleticism help to make him one of the leagues premier pulling lineman.[/b]

[b]On March 2, 2007, (the first day of the year's NFL Free Agency period) the Browns signed Steinbach to a 7-year, $49.5 million contract (of which $17 million is guaranteed), making him at the time one of the highest paid offensive lineman in the league. He had consistently been rated as a Top 5 Free Agent (and widely considered number one among offensive lineman) following the 2006 season by every major sports authority.[/b]

[b]On December 18, 2007, Steinbach was named as a first alternate for the 2008 Pro Bowl at offensive guard[/b]

......yeah, he's really done nothing
[/quote]

McKinnie, Williams, Steinbach, Yanda and Oher might not be a bad oline. I think KO and Birk might be dealing with injuries that are a little more of a concern as the Ravens would like.

Of course Steinbach could just be a guy that's given a chance and won't even make the team.

[berad]

Or he could stink up the workout. We'll find out soon if he's still got any juice.

[BloodRaven]

Why not? for once he seems healthy and brings a lot of much needed experience to the table.

[ellicottraven]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1343096008' post='1102236']
The Ravens are schedule to bring Steinbach in for a workout Tuesady, according to [url="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/227576375219986432"]Jason La Canfora[/url]. He's coming off a back injury, but if healthy would be just as good a LG as Bobbie Williams imo.

So if the Ravens are willing to add this guy, I think it might be a sign that maybe Birk isn't 100% right now.
[/quote] I don't know how you make that leap frankly. They play totally different positions... Birk should be fine. I believe it is just that most of the young guns at the O-line are dinged up right now. K.O and J. Reid were both put on PUP but it could be just conditioning or precautionary....

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='ellicottraven' timestamp='1343160462' post='1102546']
I don't know how you make that leap frankly. They play totally different positions... Birk should be fine. I believe it is just that most of the young guns at the O-line are dinged up right now. K.O and J. Reid were both put on PUP but it could be just conditioning or precautionary....
[/quote]

Steinbach is very capable of playing Center. Birk didn't miss Minicamp just because of his age, the guy was banged up. I too think that Birk will be fine, but I wouldn't be surprised if Birk is hampered by injuries, atleast early on.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1343163108' post='1102561']
Steinbach is very capable of playing Center. Birk didn't miss Minicamp just because of his age, the guy was banged up. I too think that Birk will be fine, but I wouldn't be surprised if Birk is hampered by injuries, atleast early on.
[/quote]If it was as back up for birk im sure we would have signed a center, jason brown or Gurode for example

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1343163298' post='1102563']
If it was as back up for birk im sure we would have signed a center, jason brown or Gurode for example
[/quote]

I'm not saying he's here to backup Birk, he's just capable of playing the Center position. Gurode was a Center his whole career and backed up Grubbs last season.

Right now Steinbach is the best availabe OL on the market. The Ravens are bringing him in to compete. If Birk isn't 100% early, which he is based on Aaron Wilson's Tweet, then Steinbach is very much capable of playing that position.

Right now Steinbach would be a much better at Center then Gino, Boren, or Wraggle, should we need him to be. I thought maybe Birk might not be 100% but was wrong.

[Gordo52]

No one should question any of this, it's just another classy Ozzie move around this time. It's only a workout, and if he's better then anyone on our line then he should be playing there.

Belicheck signed Waters a couple years ago when he was apparently washed up and he has done great for them.