Make a trade for Branden Albert?

[cobrajet]

Look I know everyone wants Elvis Dumervil and his pass rushing attack and I know losing Kruger seriously hurt us in that department, but I say we need a Left Tackle more. I believe Upshaw is capable of more and I have confidence in him. What I don't have confidence in is Harewood, Oher, or Reid playing LT.

The Chiefs franchised Branden Albert, but stated that they would listen to possible trade offers. I know he would be expensive and wipe out most of our cap but I strongly believe he is a LT worthy of putting in a phone call for. I won't mind getting Dumervil, but we need a stout LT more and Albert is. The Chiefs could then pick up Joeckel or Fisher, two players we have no shot at in this draft.

[MARYLANDMIKE21224]

I think you hit the most pressing need on our team, everyone who has left is very replaceable, but we get a good LT and we control games, which in turns takes pressure off our defense, your football team is only as good as your worst O-Lineman !!!

[Free Agent]

I'd much rather sign Sebastian Vollmer and keep our 2nd round pick.

[MARYLANDMIKE21224]

just my opinion but McKinney is better choice then Vollmer

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1363707639' post='1404901']
I'd much rather sign Sebastian Vollmer and keep our 2nd round pick.
[/quote]

I really like Vollmer, but his injury history scares me. I hate having to constantly re-shuffle the o-line, which is likely to happen a few times with him in the line-up.

[Free Agent]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1363707846' post='1404909']
I really like Vollmer, but his injury history scares me. I hate having to constantly re-shuffle the o-line, which is likely to happen a few times with him in the line-up.
[/quote]

I agree, but Albert has the same injury history, and he doesn't present the elite versatility that Vollmer does.

If I had to choose between Vollmer and Albert, I'd take Vollmer in a heartbeat.

[GrimCoconut]

I wouldn't want to surrender a 2nd for him. I know a LT is a nice idea, but there are several prospects I think we can get in the 3rd round who can play LT--potentially. There is one I really like from a small school who impressed me. I think he could be a solid pick.

[gabefergy]

Way too expensive high pick + salary? No thanks.

[dirtybird10]

Mckinney is still available and doesn't really seem to have much interest. Let him wait it out, and then sign him to a cap friendly deal with incentives to get his big butt on the field. Then maybe look to find the LT solution in the next two drafts. That's what I would do.

[Blackbirds Rule]

[quote name='dirtybird10' timestamp='1363711486' post='1404976']
Mckinney is still available and doesn't really seem to have much interest. Let him wait it out, and then sign him to a cap friendly deal with incentives to get his big butt on the field. Then maybe look to find the LT solution in the next two drafts. That's what I would do.
[/quote]

Bingo

[dirtybird10]

[quote name='Blackbirds Rule' timestamp='1363713675' post='1405011']
Bingo
[/quote]
LOL I could be wrong but I have not really heard any interest from teams with Mckinney. I know he come on strong at the end, but he is up there in age, has weight/conditioning issues, and I just don't think teams really want to waste their time on him. He could be a really nice pickup for the Ravens again, and if he just stays in shape, he could earn some nice bonus money while he is at it.

[BMORElegacy]

It looks like BigMac isn't getting that bread he was talking about. With little interest around the league I think we can bring him back for an affordable price.

I think teams are scared off by his lack of a work ethic. It seems like Harbs was able to motivate him and he looked like a franchise LT in our playoff run. It appears to me that both sides would benefit from a continuation of the relationship.

[cushrinada1986]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1363707312' post='1404885']
Look I know everyone wants Elvis Dumervil and his pass rushing attack and I know losing Kruger seriously hurt us in that department, but I say we need a Left Tackle more. I believe Upshaw is capable of more and I have confidence in him. What I don't have confidence in is Harewood, Oher, or Reid playing LT.

The Chiefs franchised Branden Albert, but stated that they would listen to possible trade offers. I know he would be expensive and wipe out most of our cap but I strongly believe he is a LT worthy of putting in a phone call for. I won't mind getting Dumervil, but we need a stout LT more and Albert is. The Chiefs could then pick up Joeckel or Fisher, two players we have no shot at in this draft.
[/quote]

I like the idea of adding a LT but there is a reason OZ has the term "right player for right price". I doubt McKinne is going anywhere, Andre and Vollmer still have to get signed somewhere before we even have to worry about Big Mac being out the door. In addition, we still have a lot of moves to make in FA as well as the draft. I have faith that OZ will get us a strong LT to start the season, whether its Big Mac, a Draft pick, a FA, or even another shift in the Ravens Oline(KO played LT in College just FYI), I can see the Ravens being better than this year and LT will be taken care of as soon as Reeds situation and Evlis Dummerviles negotiations get worked out.

[Blackbirds Rule]

[quote name='dirtybird10' timestamp='1363714634' post='1405027']
LOL I could be wrong but I have not really heard any interest from teams with Mckinney. I know he come on strong at the end, but he is up there in age, has weight/conditioning issues, and I just don't think teams really want to waste their time on him. He could be a really nice pickup for the Ravens again, and if he just stays in shape, he could earn some nice bonus money while he is at it.
[/quote]

Nobody wants him for the amount of money he'll be asking for. We'll definitely wait him out and sign him either just before or right after the draft. The only thing that could ruin this plan is for a team to lose their starting LT before the draft and be willing to offer more money due to them being desperate.

[dirtybird10]

[quote name='Blackbirds Rule' timestamp='1363715698' post='1405061']
Nobody wants him for the amount of money he'll be asking for. We'll definitely wait him out and sign him either just before or right after the draft. The only thing that could ruin this plan is for a team to lose their starting LT before the draft and be willing to offer more money due to them being desperate.
[/quote]

Agreed!

[cobrajet]

[quote name='cushrinada1986' timestamp='1363715282' post='1405042']
I like the idea of adding a LT but there is a reason OZ has the term "right player for right price". I doubt McKinne is going anywhere, Andre and Vollmer still have to get signed somewhere before we even have to worry about Big Mac being out the door. In addition, we still have a lot of moves to make in FA as well as the draft. I have faith that OZ will get us a strong LT to start the season, whether its Big Mac, a Draft pick, a FA, or even another shift in the Ravens Oline(KO played LT in College just FYI), I can see the Ravens being better than this year and LT will be taken care of as soon as Reeds situation and Evlis Dummerviles negotiations get worked out.
[/quote]
The problem is that after Joeckel and Fisher, do you actually believe that there is a starting LT in this draft that is weak on starting Tackles? If we sign Dumervil, than there is going to be no room to sign Vollmer, let alone also signing Reed. Maybe we wait out McKinnie, but that is risky. If we end up missing that boat, than IMHO we have problems. KO played very well at LG, I would hate to go switching that around and I know we would be seriously kidding ourselves if we believe Oher, Harewood, and Reid are the answers. IMHO, we need to address this need now, we have all that money invested in Joe and Torrey needs time to get open down the field. It would be a damn shame if Joe gets injured because we are consumed with replacing Kruger, when we already have Upshaw and our offense is weakened because Joe has no time to complete a damned pass. Trust me we are going to regret it!

[cobrajet]

[quote name='Blackbirds Rule' timestamp='1363715698' post='1405061']
Nobody wants him for the amount of money he'll be asking for. We'll definitely wait him out and sign him either just before or right after the draft. The only thing that could ruin this plan is for a team to lose their starting LT before the draft and be willing to offer more money due to them being desperate.
[/quote]
I would hate to put all our eggs in that basket and end up missing that boat. It just may not be that simple.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1363716630' post='1405086']

The problem is that after Joeckel and Fisher, do you actually believe that there is a starting LT in this draft that is weak on starting Tackles? If we sign Dumervil, than there is going to be no room to sign Vollmer, let alone also signing Reed. Maybe we wait out McKinnie, but that is risky. If we end up missing that boat, than IMHO we have problems. KO played very well at LG, I would hate to go switching that around and I know we would be seriously kidding ourselves if we believe Oher, Harewood, and Reid are the answers. IMHO, we need to address this need now, we have all that money invested in Joe and Torrey needs time to get open down the field. It would be a damn shame if Joe gets injured because we are consumed with replacing Kruger, when we already have Upshaw and our offense is weakened because Joe has no time to complete a damned pass. Trust me we are going to regret it!
[/quote]
Yes, I see four prospects of whom I am extremely confident can be starting & effective LTs in this draft after Fisher, Johnson & Joeckel. Armstead, Watson & two others.

[ghost1986]

[quote name='dirtybird10' timestamp='1363711486' post='1404976']
Mckinney is still available and doesn't really seem to have much interest. Let him wait it out, and then sign him to a cap friendly deal with incentives to get his big butt on the field. Then maybe look to find the LT solution in the next two drafts. That's what I would do.
[/quote]
Thanks for answering my question before I asked it. I remember someone saying he wasnt getting many (if any) offers. Eventually we need someone who can play LT and I'm not talking Oher. We need to draft someone, but since we're always contenders for the playoffs, there's rarely an elite LT there for us to take.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1363717526' post='1405106']

Yes, I see four prospects of whom I am extremely confident can be starting & effective LTs in this draft after Fisher, Johnson & Joeckel. Armstead, Watson & two others.
[/quote]you really take this mock too serious not even talking about people in other threads

[codizzle]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1363719035' post='1405140']
you really take this mock too serious not even talking about people in other threads
[/quote]
Can't be too cautious.. I'd snatch em all up

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1363719035' post='1405140']
you really take this mock too serious not even talking about people in other threads
[/quote]
And you really like to give uninformed opinions at times without just cause, only speculation. Someone else asked me to not name those two names. I was only respecting someone's wishes.

I've made it very public how much of a fan I am of Simon's, Reed's, and others. Lol, I even posted my top-WR list.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1363719431' post='1405152']

And you really like to give uninformed opinions at times without just cause, only speculation. Someone else asked me to not name those two names. I was only respecting someone's wishes.

I've made it very public how much of a fan I am of Simon's, Reed's, and others. Lol, I even posted my top-WR list.
[/quote]whats that first part about?

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1363719927' post='1405160']
whats that first part about?
[/quote]
Well, I mean you're making an assumption there. Assuming I am hiding something for myself, when in reality I'm not. I'm just respecting someone's request.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1363720184' post='1405175']

Well, I mean you're making an assumption there. Assuming I am hiding something for myself, when in reality I'm not. I'm just respecting someone's request.
[/quote]ive seen you do it numerous times, and why would someone else be telling you what they are doing? Isn't that collusion?

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1363720763' post='1405189']
ive seen you do it numerous times, and why would someone else be telling you what they are doing? Isn't that collusion?
[/quote]
Not to be rude, but check your PMs. This isn't the place for this discussion.

[cushrinada1986]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1363716630' post='1405086']
The problem is that after Joeckel and Fisher, do you actually believe that there is a starting LT in this draft that is weak on starting Tackles? If we sign Dumervil, than there is going to be no room to sign Vollmer, let alone also signing Reed. Maybe we wait out McKinnie, but that is risky. If we end up missing that boat, than IMHO we have problems. KO played very well at LG, I would hate to go switching that around and I know we would be seriously kidding ourselves if we believe Oher, Harewood, and Reid are the answers. IMHO, we need to address this need now, we have all that money invested in Joe and Torrey needs time to get open down the field. It would be a damn shame if Joe gets injured because we are consumed with replacing Kruger, when we already have Upshaw and our offense is weakened because Joe has no time to complete a damned pass. Trust me we are going to regret it!
[/quote]

I understand your point but at the same time if the D does not get upgraded, every game may be a shootout. I think those 12 picks we have toward the draft will help us maneuver throught the draft and get the needed players. I strongly feel there are some diamonds in the rough as it pertains to LTs in the draft if we do not get one in FA. I also think if we are going to go for a LT, the cheaper option would be to then sign Harrison since he will be cheap and then get Andre or Vollmer with a back loaded deal to save us some cap for this year. What I hope will happen is that we can fill our needs in FA so that we can play towards the strengths of the draft this year, Dlinemen and LBs.

[arnie_uk]

Terron armstead

[dirtybird10]

[quote name='ghost1986' timestamp='1363718114' post='1405116']
Thanks for answering my question before I asked it. I remember someone saying he wasnt getting many (if any) offers. Eventually we need someone who can play LT and I'm not talking Oher. We need to draft someone, but since we're always contenders for the playoffs, there's rarely an elite LT there for us to take.
[/quote]

Yup exactly, now I'm not positive about Mckinney not receiving any offers. However, last I heard he was not, and I have not heard anything different. It makes sense though, he is a big question mark in terms of conditioning, work ethic, and age. I think a decent scenario would be looking at tackle prospects in the draft from round 2 through 7 and have Mckinney come back for the right price to play until we have someone to take his job.

[cobrajet]

[quote name='cushrinada1986' timestamp='1363721512' post='1405205']
I understand your point but at the same time if the D does not get upgraded, every game may be a shootout. I think those 12 picks we have toward the draft will help us maneuver throught the draft and get the needed players. I strongly feel there are some diamonds in the rough as it pertains to LTs in the draft if we do not get one in FA. I also think if we are going to go for a LT, the cheaper option would be to then sign Harrison since he will be cheap and then get Andre or Vollmer with a back loaded deal to save us some cap for this year. What I hope will happen is that we can fill our needs in FA so that we can play towards the strengths of the draft this year, Dlinemen and LBs.
[/quote]
I would be fine with that as long as we had a veteran presence on the team like Vollmer and he cleared a physical, I would be more than happy with Harrison if the Ravens wanted a veteran pass rusher. I like that option a heck of a lot more than signing Dumervil and being forced to draft a starting LT, because after Joeckel and Fisher I have not found one I am comfortable with as an immediate starter. I am not a fan of putting all our eggs in waiting McKinnie out as a last resort and taking a chance he won't sign with anyone else. It is too risky. A pass rusher is a luxury when we possibly have one on the team already and the draft is deep with them. IMHO, our offense will not be getting into a shootout with anyone without a quality LT and the loss of Q even with Juan Castillo coaching up Oher, Reid, and Harewood.