How do we like Gino Gradkowski as our starting center?

[LordRavens]

Im just laughing at all the bimbos trashing me about my prediction on gino before season. People sure hailed him as some next savior @ center

Gloating is for the classless 

[StingerNLG]

Gloating is for the classless 

 

Especially when it's at the expense of the success of the team.    It's hardly the circumstance that I'd want to be right about.

[Edgar]

Im just laughing at all the bimbos trashing me about my prediction on gino before season. People sure hailed him as some next savior @ center.

 suggesting we draft a center was dismissed as well ....... "We have Gino"

[The Raven]

 suggesting we draft a center was dismissed as well ....... "We have Gino"

 

Well, duh. I believe we had Shipley, who had starting experience. Gino was expected to take the next step and become a starting quality center. The FO can't predict the future. Why spend a draft pick on a position that was not deemed a need, especially when there weren't quality centers in the draft?

 

In addition, we DID draft Jensen, who may compete for a spot at center when he returns. 

[ellicottraven]

We need to get rid of him right away and put either Shipley or Jensen in his place. Otherwise we will be in for big trouble along the way.

[BloodRaven]

I remember an interview in the offseason where he said he didn't put on gym weight because it would affect his quickness. He literally looks like he's never spent any time in the weight room. 

[flaccopoe]

I remember an interview in the offseason where he said he didn't put on gym weight because it would affect his quickness. He literally looks like he's never spent any time in the weight room. 

 

That's something you'd expect to hear from a WR, not a C!

[Florida Ravens Fan]

Can someone update me on Jensen what's his injury? Also didn't shipley struggle in preseason or am I wrong?

[izvoodoo]

Can someone update me on Jensen what's his injury? Also didn't shipley struggle in preseason or am I wrong?

Shipley was pretty awful.  

[Bltravens]

I remember an interview in the offseason where he said he didn't put on gym weight because it would affect his quickness. He literally looks like he's never spent any time in the weight room.

I hate when people say that. It's like they've never spent a day in athletics in their life. You can absolutely get bigger and stronger while maintaining speed, especially burst. All you have to do is power exercises and maintain your flexibility.

I was literally the fastest I've ever been in my life at the heaviest I've ever been in my life.

[NaveSenrag]

Can someone update me on Jensen what's his injury? Also didn't shipley struggle in preseason or am I wrong?

Shipley looked bad in the preseason, but Gradkowski looks terrible now.

[BloodRaven]

I hate when people say that. It's like they've never spent a day in athletics in their life. You can absolutely get bigger and stronger while maintaining speed, especially burst. All you have to do is power exercises and maintain your flexibility.

I was literally the fastest I've ever been in my life at the heaviest I've ever been in my life.

 

It was an observation that ties into what he literally said. 

 

But good for you.

[BloodRaven]

I have high hopes for Jensen's potential.

[izvoodoo]

I have high hopes for Jensen's potential.

I'm hopeful, but did he even play a preseason snap.

[runamuk]

I think his inexperience is showing on one play he pancakes Jj Watt on the next he is blown off the ball  leaves you scratching  your  head. He has made mistakes calling protections as well . how much time can we afford to allow him to get the experience he needs?I think Shipley is a mistake he was horrid in the preseason against second stringers.  Jensen I know next to nothing about .

[Radinho84]

He will grow into that role. Just don´t forget how bad Birk was for quite some time. He had his great moments but also sucked a lot...

[The Raven]

After giving it a few days, I'm willing to wait it out with him a bit longer. Like Harbs said, he's a young center, and all young centers go through this growth period. I think most people, including myself, had unreasonably high expectations for him. That goes for the people that are frustrated with his play as well. The learning curve for centers is so much steeper than the other positions.

 

How many good centers under the age of 26 can you name?

[GrimCoconut]

After giving it a few days, I'm willingly to wait it out with him a bit longer. Like Harbs said, he's a young center, and all young centers go through this growth period. I think most people, including myself, had unreasonably high expectations for him. That goes for the people that are frustrated with his play as well. The learning curve for centers is so much steeper than the other positions.

How many good centers under the age of 26 can you name?

Yeah, this is how I feel. It's the right call as far as I'm concerned. You can't just give up on someone because that could destroy their confidence and development and the grass may not be greener.

[PurpleCityLights]

said Gino was undersized when we drafted him .....

[PurpleCityLights]

P.S

He doesn't know how to call out the bull rushes from the D.

[PurpleCityLights]

Also the D was killing Gino with there twist rushes, he didnt know what to do........btw McKinnie sucks as well.

[PurpleCityLights]

The O-line sucks because Harbs has the same guy from the Eagles that was there O-line coach, coaching our guys how to get the QB killed like he did Vick ....

[Bltravens]

It was an observation that ties into what he literally said. 

 

But good for you.

No I know, when I said "I hate when people say that" it was a general use of the term, not directed at you personally.

Gradkowski thinking that way is a misnomer and I used myself as an example. He absolutely should have been doing the heavy work.

[Edgar]

Well, duh. I believe we had Shipley, who had starting experience. Gino was expected to take the next step and become a starting quality center. The FO can't predict the future. Why spend a draft pick on a position that was not deemed a need, especially when there weren't quality centers in the draft?

 

In addition, we DID draft Jensen, who may compete for a spot at center when he returns. 

 No. We acquired Shipley on May 9. I was thinking perhaps they would draft a center early. Predicting the future in a matter of speaking is exactly what the draft is about.

[The Raven]

 No. We acquired Shipley on May 9. I was thinking perhaps they would draft a center early. Predicting the future in a matter of speaking is exactly what the draft is about.

 

If you think the draft is about predicting the future, you must not be aware of how Ozzie and good GMs in general conduct the draft. 

 

Ever heard of drafting BPA? That's how Ozzie does it. 

[Edgar]

If you think the draft is about predicting the future, you must not be aware of how Ozzie and good GMs in general conduct the draft. 

 

Ever heard of drafting BPA? That's how Ozzie does it. 

 "why draft a center when it isn't even deemed a need..."   Isn't that what you said? doesn't seem to support BPA. By the way, the draft is almost entirely an effort to predict the future. An evaluation of one's team, including the center would have to play a part as well..

I, of course understand that :Best player available" is the generally accepted MO, but I don't think for one second that need isn't part of the decision making process.

 Certainly they took a good look at Gino, made an effort to predict how he would pan out  and the jury is still out. I hope he turns into a pro bowl center. I really do.

[Guest Im An Ozzie Newsome Guy]

After giving it a few days, I'm willingly to wait it out with him a bit longer. Like Harbs said, he's a young center, and all young centers go through this growth period. I think most people, including myself, had unreasonably high expectations for him. That goes for the people that are frustrated with his play as well. The learning curve for centers is so much steeper than the other positions.

 

How many good centers under the age of 26 can you name?

 

We can "Monday Morning Quarterback" all we want, on these boards; but, this is the truth.

 

In fact, it is true for every starter on the offensive line. After all, there is no one, on the 53-man roster, that would do a better job than a given starter. For the tackle position, Bryant McKinnie and Michael Oher is all the Ravens got, there. Ricky Wagner is a project and Jah Reid... well, he's Jah Reid. At guard, all Baltimore has is Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele (unless you count Wagner).

 

And, then there's the center position. Like you said, maybe Gino Gradkowski is getting unfair judgment. The Bills game was just his fourth start and he has a long way to go before he has "peaked". In the end, I would much rather have him grow-and-learn as the starter than switch to A.Q. Shipley. If that were to happen, all of us, after watching Shipley play, will be asking for Gino to be the starter, again, which would be ironic.

[frozen joe flacco fan]

Gino is a big disappointment and a primary reason the O-line is having troubles. They knew he was undersized so what did the FO see --- speed? If so, he should be quicker than he apparently is. He has been called for a couple of stupid penalties but maybe he'll improve with more games under his belt. We've been spoiled by Flynn, Rabach and Birk who were all warriors.

[Guest RBates]

I disagree with Gino being Bad. I think he needs to hit the weight room.  But he will be okay. 

[Ravenseconbeast]

I disagree with Gino being Bad. I think he needs to hit the weight room. But he will be okay.

When will he be 'ok'? This team isnt going to wait for him to 'develop' while everyone else is primed to win. If he cant produce on field he needs to be benched/kicked until he is 'ready'. The 53 isnt going to wait for him to get his act straight. We got a whole season to play here.