Kelechi Osemele

[ravensfan160]

I was listening to the Football Today podcast and former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker was raving about him. He said he thinks KO could be the best guard in the NFL next season. He was in beast mode on Sunday.

You know what the best part is? We got him at the end of the 2nd round and the Steelrs spent a mid first round pick on their guy. Ben Grubbs who? In Ozzie we trust!

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=8913619

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='ravensfan160' timestamp='1360029375' post='1345655']
I was listening to the Football Today podcast and former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker was raving about him. He said he thinks KO could be the best guard in the NFL next season. He was in beast mode on Sunday.

You know what the best part is? We got him at the end of the 2nd round and the Steelrs spent a mid first round pick on their guy. Ben Grubbs who? In Ozzie we trust!

[url="http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=8913619"]http://espn.go.com/e...play?id=8913619[/url]
[/quote]
Osemele >>>>>> Decastro

[hawkprey]

It's about time we put him at left guard. He is a straight up beast!

[PDO]

And he's waaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper than Grubbs. Who we'll also get a high comp pick for! Happy he signed in New Orleans.

[bauer77]

So glad we drafted him. At the time i was like "uhh, who?", cause I wasn't really paying attention to all the offensive lineman. But now, he looks like he's a fixture on our line for many years to come. Like ravensfan160 said, Ben Grubbs who?

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='PDO' timestamp='1360029887' post='1345672']
And he's waaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper than Grubbs. Who we'll also get a high comp pick for! Happy he signed in New Orleans.
[/quote]
We should get a decent one for JJ too. I'm pretty sure its based in some way on the size of the contract they signed. Although the two free agents we brought in were HUGE for us (Jones and Graham), they got paid pennies compared to what Grubbs and JJ got.

[GrimCoconut]

There's been little drop-off from Grubbs to KO. Having an interior line of Grubbs, Gradkowski & Yanda is pretty deadly. Now we need to solve the edges.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1360030318' post='1345686']
There's been little drop-off from Grubbs to KO. Having an interior line of Grubbs, Gradkowski & Yanda is pretty deadly. Now we need to solve the edges.
[/quote]
No doubt we have to draft a true LT. Oher is a stud RT and it's about time we acknowledge this and stop trying to put a square ped in a round hole.

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='ravensfan160' timestamp='1360030968' post='1345712']
No doubt we have to draft a true LT.[b] Oher is a stud RT[/b] and it's about time we acknowledge this and stop trying to put a square ped in a round hole.
[/quote]

No he's not, the dude simply can't pass block. He gives up way too many sacks and pressures.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1360030318' post='1345686']
There's been little drop-off from Grubbs to KO. Having an interior line of Grubbs, Gradkowski & Yanda is pretty deadly. Now we need to solve the edges.
[/quote]
I think KO is an upgrade over Grubbs. What a steal at the end of the 2nd round...and I was bummed because we didnt take Rueben Randle smh.

[PDO]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1360030318' post='1345686']
There's been little drop-off from Grubbs to KO. Having an interior line of Grubbs, Gradkowski & Yanda is pretty deadly. Now we need to solve the edges.
[/quote]

I'm okay with Oher at RT, we just need to find an LT. Maybe we could use our comp picks to trade up into the first? LT is clearly our biggest need on the roster.

[T3hRaven]

KO has really been really great at LG during this post season run. His combination of size and power really helps him out, I think he's a very big reason that McKinnie was able to be as effective as he was. Until we get that LT spot figured out I'll be worried about the team though, a QB like Joe needs the protection.

[dhstandard]

I like Osemele simply because I don't like Grubbs. The guy had no intentions to stay in Baltimore. He pretty much left saying he wanted to get out of here (one of the few). Glad he's gone. Wants way too much money.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1360032045' post='1345764']
I think KO is an upgrade over Grubbs. What a steal at the end of the 2nd round...and I was bummed because we didnt take Rueben Randle smh.
[/quote]
I think I would have to agree. It's hard, though, considering how small the sample size has been; however, he was at RT the entire season as was OK there. He wasn't bad--he was pretty good. But I think he's a natural LG.

Now I wonder: what is the fate of Michael Oher & Jah Reid. One of them will soon not have a job here.

[berad]

He did SO well. Especially for being thrown into the fire right away and shuffling around positions. Hope he keeps growing and is a big part of the team for years.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1360032664' post='1345782']
I like Osemele simply because I don't like Grubbs. The guy had no intentions to stay in Baltimore. He pretty much left saying he wanted to get out of here (one of the few). Glad he's gone. Wants way too much money.
[/quote]
I'm not disagreeing with you with what I'm about to say. People have been kinda touchy around here, so I feel like I need to preface myself now. Not sure why. Maybe people are surprised we won and feel like we need to have this chip still, but whatever.

Anyway, what makes you say he had no intention to remain here? And when did he leave saying he wanted to get out of here? Again, you could be right. I just don't recall reading that before and was curious.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1360032817' post='1345786']
I think I would have to agree. It's hard, though, considering how small the sample size has been; however, he was at RT the entire season as was OK there. He wasn't bad--he was pretty good. But I think he's a natural LG.

Now I wonder: what is the fate of Michael Oher & Jah Reid. One of them will soon not have a job here.
[/quote]

Well depending on FA/draft they both might be starters for us next season. I think Reid can play RT and Oher if we can't find a better option might have to move back to LT which sucks, but I dont see a better LT falling to us in the draft and unless we can bring back McKinnie for cheap Oher might be our best option.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1360033192' post='1345798']
Well depending on FA/draft they both might be starters for us next season. I think Reid can play RT and Oher if we can't find a better option might have to move back to LT which sucks, but I dont see a better LT falling to us in the draft and unless we can bring back McKinnie for cheap Oher might be our best option.
[/quote]
I think this is a very realistic possibility if we can't get a LT in free agency, whether that is re-signing McKinnie or not. Unless we get Johnson, Fisher or Joeckel, I don't see any LT draft prospect who can start from day 1 at LT. I see them drafting a LT at some point, but I don't think it happens on the first day and possibly not until the end of the 2nd. Even then, the Ravens like to let their rookies learn a year at least before getting thrown into the fire.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1360033124' post='1345796']
I'm not disagreeing with you with what I'm about to say. People have been kinda touchy around here, so I feel like I need to preface myself now. Not sure why. Maybe people are surprised we won and feel like we need to have this chip still, but whatever.

Anyway, what makes you say he had no intention to remain here? And when did he leave saying he wanted to get out of here? Again, you could be right. I just don't recall reading that before and was curious.
[/quote]
I had the same feeling dhstandard has in regards to Grubbs. I never got the feeling Grubbs wanted to stay here for a little less, he jumped ship as fast as he could for the highest bidder. I think he would have gone to the Chiefs if they had offered him a similar contract to the Saints. Ozzie and Harbs both echoed that they put together a substantial package for Grubbs and Grubbs and his agent just bolted.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1360031651' post='1345746']
No he's not, the dude simply can't pass block. He gives up way too many sacks and pressures.
[/quote]
Looked pretty good in the playoffs against some damn good pass rushers he went up against. Oher has been a good RT since day 1 in my books. Struggles at LT due to his limited wing span and range, but he is beyond fine as a RT in the league.

[ravensfan2424]

Pending on what happens at LT, our future line sounds great!

???-Osmele-Gradkowski-Yanda-Oher

2 veterans on the right, KO rocking the Left, Gradkowski hopefully can protect up the middle. All depends on that LT and we can have a young, solid O-Line!

[dhstandard]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1360033124' post='1345796']
I'm not disagreeing with you with what I'm about to say. People have been kinda touchy around here, so I feel like I need to preface myself now. Not sure why. Maybe people are surprised we won and feel like we need to have this chip still, but whatever.

Anyway, what makes you say he had no intention to remain here? And when did he leave saying he wanted to get out of here? Again, you could be right. I just don't recall reading that before and was curious.
[/quote]

God I wish I remembered. It was an elusive article considering the whole Manning thing and that Carl Nicks was also on the market. It was posted here and got a few comments.

[Gordo52]

K.O. was a steal and it worked out more then perfect for us by losing Grubbs. K.O. is best at G but he could also fill in at T if needed....Grubbs couldn't.

Give Ozzie praise for drafting such good players the last 2 years despite picking no better then at #27....We couldn't of done it this year if we missed out on these talents...

2012-
Upshaw- #35 overall(2nd)
K.O.- #60 overall(2nd)
Pierce- # 84 overall(3rd)
Tucker- undrafted. (Already one of the best Kickers in the NFL).

2011-
J. Smith- #27 overall(1st)
T. Smith- #58 overall(2nd)
McPhee- #165 overall(5th)
Allen- #225 overall (7th) - key special teamer this year..

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='ravensfan160' timestamp='1360030112' post='1345679']
We should get a decent one for JJ too. I'm pretty sure its based in some way on the size of the contract they signed. Although the two free agents we brought in were HUGE for us (Jones and Graham), they got paid pennies compared to what Grubbs and JJ got.
[/quote]
We're going to get a ton of comp picks next year too.

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='ravensfan2424' timestamp='1360034203' post='1345828']
Pending on what happens at LT, our future line sounds great!

???-Osmele-Gradkowski-Yanda-Oher

2 veterans on the right, KO rocking the Left, Gradkowski hopefully can protect up the middle. All depends on that LT and we can have a young, solid O-Line!
[/quote]
Gradkowski is a better run blocker. tHat's a really physical interior.

[BloodRaven]

KO still has some balance issues, he overextends at times while run blocking.

With that said he is a BEAST and was one of the keys reasons we beat the Niners. Justin Smith got dominated.

[Cville-Raven]

KO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Decastro

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1360038374' post='1345957']
KO still has some balance issues, he overextends at times while run blocking.

With that said he is a BEAST and was one of the keys reasons we beat the Niners. Justin Smith got dominated.
[/quote]
Agreed, just read a PFF snippet that said Justin Smith played his worst game since 2009. Osemele had a large part to do with that. PFF said Osemele dominated Smith in run blocking, totally taking him out of plays.

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1360038870' post='1345968']
Agreed, just read a PFF snippet that said Justin Smith played his worst game since 2009. Osemele had a large part to do with that. PFF said Osemele dominated Smith in run blocking, totally taking him out of plays.
[/quote]
He absolutely erased Wilfork.

[Cville-Raven]

[quote name='izvoodoo' timestamp='1360038897' post='1345969']

He absolutely erased Wilfork.
[/quote]yup I think we all know that Birk can't handle either of those guys by himself.