87 replies to this topic

[Purple_ICE 81]

Matt Birk has been great during his time in Baltimore, and it is sad to see him finally hang em up. However we drafted Gino Gradkowski to step in as his potential successor, but I think this will be a competition to watch during training camp....so would you feel comfortable with Gradkowski as our starter or would you want more talent at the position to add wood to the fire?

[ravensdfan]

Matt Birk has been great during his time in Baltimore, and it is sad to see him finally hang em up. However we drafted Gino Gradkowski to step in as his potential successor, but I think this will be a competition to watch during training camp....so would you feel comfortable with Gradkowski as our starter or would you want more talent at the position to add wood to the fire?

He filled in some during the season and did well. I wanted him to have a year behind Birk to hopefully learn a thing or two before he was a full-time starter. Given limited playing time, it's hard to make an informed determination at this point in time. I believe he'll do well though.

[T-ray]

I'd like to see some competition brought in. Not a top-flight center of course, but a veteran acquisition who is cabable of making Gino give his all to win that spot. Besides, we at the very least need depth in case he gets hurt, so why not bring in some competition??

[Ravenslifer]

He looked very good filling in for Birk in Cincy - I'm pretty comfortable with him anchoring the line, with Yanda and KO as the guards. He's smart, definitely stronger and more athletic than Birk is at this point in his career, and I think we have a good coaching staff in place that will give him the knowledge he needs to get better.

[ravensfan2430]

I'll tell you after week 5

[Ravens<3]

I'm surprisingly 90.8235684 % comfortable with it. We really need good depth behind him though.

Edited by Ravens<3, 22 February 2013 - 12:04 PM.

[PurpleCityLights]

Gino is a small dude compared to other centers in theNFL......we might have some problems.

[Ed_Reed20]

Gino is a small dude compared to other centers in theNFL......we might have some problems.

You don't need mammoth centers in a zone running scheme. It's not as if he can't add bulk to his frame in the off-season either.

Edited by Ed_Reed20, 22 February 2013 - 12:14 PM.

[Ravenseconbeast]

I'll tell you after week 5

same here

[BMORElegacy]

I'm anxious but I have faith that our coaches will have him well prepared by the time the regular season rolls around. He has a lot of growing up to do. He has a huge responsibility in keeping that pocket clean so our franchise quarterback can step up and throw the long bomb to Jacoby and Torrey.

[bMore Heathen]

Gradkowski is only an inch shorter and 10 lbs lighter then Birk. I don't think that should be a huge issue...

[rmw10]

Gradkowski is only an inch shorter and 10 lbs lighter then Birk. I don't think that should be a huge issue...

And that is most likely preseason measurements. I know the focus this year was to get Gino in the weight room, so I'm sure he bulked up a bit over the course of the season.

[ravens88]

he looked good against cincy but i dont think anyone will know till werer halfway through preseason or into the reg season.

[RavensAllTheWay]

All I'm going to say about Gino right now is if he pans out, our 12 draft class will only be that much better.

[BloodRaven]

Gino is a small dude compared to other centers in theNFL......we might have some problems.

Size doesn't matter as much as the tape, if I hadn't seen him play I'd be worried too but he's explosive and strong.

[Ravens<3]

All I'm going to say about Gino right now is if he pans out, our 12 draft class will only be that much better.

Agreed. Upshaw,Osemele,Pierce,Gradkowski ..... Alot of the picks in 2012 were picked on the fly as well!

DeCosta said the Ravens had to “manufacture some runs” this year during the draft, as they were forced to shift on the fly more often than in the past. “We had some guys we liked and they got picked,” he said.

Edited by Ravens<3, 22 February 2013 - 01:13 PM.

[Ravensfan23]

Gradkowski is only an inch shorter and 10 lbs lighter then Birk. I don't think that should be a huge issue...

Yea, plus if it makes anyone feel any better Gino is listed as an inch taller and 5 pounds heavier the Jeff Saturday. I know a lot of talk is about how much the Ravens offense will now resemble the Colts offense with Peyton and Caldwell, so that's something similar, a smaller center.

I think Gino will do well, but like others have said only time will tell. I really like our interior line.

The thing I think will be interesting is that Birk made a majority if not all of the line calls. Now with Gino, will it be Flacco's job to the set the line and call out defensive alignments? If that's the case, how much of the offense will Flacco now control from the LOS? This could be a move that brings out even more in Flacco, and showcase his ability to run the offense. Which we actually saw in the playoffs.

[gabefergy]

Gino will be great, but we probably need to sign a veteran to at least be a back-up.

[Ravensfan23]

Agreed. Upshaw,Osemele,Pierce,Gradkowski ..... Alot of the picks in 2012 were picked on the fly as well!

Yea I guess to that we say thanks to the teams picking around us. Even though undrafted, we can add Justin Tucker to that list and if either one or both Streeter and/or Thompson pans out....wow

[ravensdfan]

Gino will be great, but we probably need to sign a veteran to at least be a back-up.

Yeah, I think we definitely would be better served with a veteran back-up for insurance. Right now, I have faith Gino will do well though.