Our O-line picks need to pan out.

[izvoodoo]

What do Oniel Cousins, Ben Grubbs and Chris Chester have in common?

If you said they were drafted and no longer on the baltimore ravens, you'd be right. The O-line is a big question mark, and those three picks are some of our least fruitful draft picks.

Now we have Osemele, Reid and Gradkowski. At least 2 of those 3 (hopefully all 3) have to work out for us to maintain success as a team.

Unless Harewood plays guard, which he actually looked good at in St.Louis.

[Ngata Chance]

I'd say going to the probowl is a sign of fruition. Cousins and Chester maybe not, but I think Grubbs was a great player for us. You can't draft a guy while thinking "is he going to be greedy and leave come contract negotiation time?"

[BenMir]

I agree. You can't put Grubbs in the same category as Chester and Cousins. Maybe with Chester, as they both left to another team and STARTED there, but not Cousins.

[mhead66]

[quote name='izvoodoo' timestamp='1346784692' post='1139133']
What do Oniel Cousins, Ben Grubbs and Chris Chester have in common?

If you said they were drafted and no longer on the baltimore ravens, you'd be right. The O-line is a big question mark, and those three picks are some of our least fruitful draft picks.

Now we have Osemele, Reid and Gradkowski. At least 2 of those 3 (hopefully all 3) have to work out for us to maintain success as a team.

Unless Harewood plays guard, which he actually looked good at in St.Louis.
[/quote]

Hindsight is 20-20; it's hard to find sure things, with the OLine, after the first round of the draft.

In the last 12 years, we've had 2 first round OLinemen - Michael Oher and Ben Grubbs. Oher is a work in progress, but Grubbs was a Pro-Bowler... an excellent pick - but we just couldn't afford him. [b]NOT[/b] a miss, for Ozzie.

And, yes, Ozzie has missed on OLinemen over the last several years - but it's[b] not [/b]an exact science. He hit HUGE on Marshall Yanda, in the 3rd round... and missed on Oniel Cousins (3rd), Chris Chester (2nd), Adam Terry (2nd) and David Hale (4th) in the last 5 years.

I agree with you, that the development of our kids is [u][b]vital[/b][/u] to the team's success over the next few years. Birk is 36, Williams is 35 and McKinnie is 32. We have to rely on the up-and-coming kids.

Personally, I'm very optimistic on Osemele. I have guarded hopes for Gradkowski - he seems to be quite intelligent, but I'm not sure he has the physical tools to start at C, long term. Unfortunately, I think Jah Reid could be another Oniel Cousins... I hope I'm wrong, however.

I DO think we need to copy the Steelers' draft, in '13: OLinemen in rounds 1 & 2.

[BMORElegacy]

I find this kind of silly. We'd like for ALL of our draft picks to pan out.

[RavensWin09]

our [s]O-LINE[/s] OLB picks need to pan out

[BenMir]

[quote name='RavensWin09' timestamp='1346787053' post='1139203']
our [s]O-LINE[/s] OLB picks need to pan out
[/quote]
Amen to that.

[PuRock]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1346786437' post='1139171']
I find this kind of silly. We'd like for ALL of our draft picks to pan out.
[/quote]

Exactly what I was seeing when I read the thread title.

While we are at it. Torrey Smtih needs to pan out, Upshaw and Kindle. Justin Tucker has to pan out as well.

[RavensWin09]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1346788588' post='1139249']
Exactly what I was seeing when I read the thread title.

While we are at it. Torrey Smtih needs to pan out, Upshaw and Kindle. Justin Tucker has to pan out as well.
[/quote]
dont forget ray rice XD ahh this thread is funny

[RavenManiac#7]

I think KO is a "can't miss" kind of talent. Gino, time will tell, too early to call. Unlike KO, he hasn't dominated. He's made mistakes and is definitely a project. The others, I dunno. We're just going to have to wait and see what happens when their chance comes. KO is the only young one that has shown enough ability to make a call on. I believe we've got a future pro bowler with him.

[Crabcakes&Football]

Can't say Grubbs hasn't panned out. He is a pro-bowl guard which is what we were hoping with the pick we used. Only problem was that we couldn't afford him.

[killaflacco]

Since when was Chris Chester and Ben Grubbs bust?Like somebody else said we just couldnt afford to keep those two.They went and found bigger pay days elsewhere.

[baltravens]

[quote name='killaflacco' timestamp='1346868652' post='1140039']
Since when was Chris Chester and Ben Grubbs bust?Like somebody else said we just couldnt afford to keep those two.They went and found bigger pay days elsewhere.
[/quote]
Chester never turned any heads with his blocking, and he is not doing that in Washington. He, like Brown who left for St. Louis, ...well, who cares.

[Cville-Raven]

K.O. looks dominating, has impressed me more thus far at Right tackle than Oher.

[RavensWin09]

[quote name='Cville-Raven' timestamp='1346889160' post='1140282']
K.O. looks dominating, has impressed me more thus far at Right tackle than Oher.
[/quote]
i think we should let him walk next year. draft an LT and put osemele at right would be my plan unless we hunt down a MLB like te'o or skov in the 1st.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='RavensWin09' timestamp='1346890645' post='1140321']
i think we should let him walk next year. draft an LT and put osemele at right would be my plan unless we hunt down a MLB like te'o or skov in the 1st.
[/quote]
While I am not the biggest Oher fan, I will say this: Oher has two years left on his rookie deal, making him a free agent in 2014. He will not be an RFA next year. The only way Oher is off this team is if he just flat out sucks really bad, sleeps with John Harbaugh's wife, does something ridiculously stupid, or something drastic happens. The Ravens rarely cut draft picks, especially 1st rounders. Oher has not been terrible, but he has been a disappointment. Remember this about Oher, though: he has never missed a game his entire career with us. Not yet, anyway. He is very durable. Dependability is very important. Because of his high character, his durability & dependability, and due to the fact that the FO rarely gives up on high draft picks I believe Oher sticks around next year. I would wager a bet that he is our LT next year or possibly even this year.

I want a LT next year, but I just don't see it happening. I have to be realistic. The Ravens seem to be Hell-bent on keeping Oher. If anything they will draft a project, but not in the 1st or even 2nd unless someone they really liked fell.

Back on subject: I like what I have seen from Osemele, just like everyone else. He's looked very solid. I can see him be our RT. As for Gradkowski, I liked him a lot coming out but he's looked shaky recently. I won't judge him yet. He's still a rookie. I still believe he can replace Birk. He'll need a year to learn behind Birk. I'll look at him again next year. I'll give him a pass this year.

As for Harewood, I agree that he has looked pretty darn good this year. I'm interested in seeing what he gives our team. His contributions have me very interested.

Finally, regarding Jah Reid: I'm concerned about him. We moved up to get him, but I am starting to really question this pick. I hope he pans out, but I am becoming increasingly concerned over him. I'll give him another year, but if he isn't doing anything next year then he might have to go.

[Richmond_Raven]

Whos the best LT coming out the draft next year?

[RavensWin09]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1346891338' post='1140334']
Oher has two years left on his rookie deal, making him a free agent in 2014. He will not be an RFA next year.
[/quote]
wow you're right. looked it up. i coulda swore he was a free agent this year. well even better, trade him! wonder if theres any teams who need offensive line help but have plenty of talent at pass rush. if its worth it go for it because we can't keep spending picks on LB's (kruger, kindle, upshaw, encounting....) and not have it pay off. we need to start looking at other positions despite the personnel not working out.

[RavensWin09]

[quote name='Ravens804' timestamp='1346893587' post='1140394']
Whos the best LT coming out the draft next year?
[/quote]
fluker but he doesn't fit the scheme very well. oday aboushi is interesting.