Bryant McKinnie talking to John Harbaugh

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I'm still somewhat hopeful that the answer could be on the roster already.... I definitely dont think its Oher, and with him having a contract year I dont think it would be wise to even give him another shot at it, bc then best case scenerio he does pretty ok at it and you have to pay him good LT money. Worst case scenerio he does awful like usual, moves back to RT, but then you have to pay him like a swing tackle. Keep him on the right and pay him for what he is.... a pretty good RT.

I'm thinking more along the lines of KO, Harewood, Reid, Cornell, or Mims. Between them theres a lot of size, strength, athleticism and the raw talent to have a good LT.... but the question remains if they can imrpove enough to hold the spot down. Up to this point thats been a resounding NO.

BUT, something that seems to be forgotten at times is the hiring of Juan Castillo from the Eagles. He was their D coordinator the past 2 seasons, but was their O-line coach for years and is known for being a great teacher of position and technique.

All the focus for the upgraded line during the playoffs has been on inserting McKinnie... but I have barely heard anyone talking about the possibility that Castillo had just as much to do with it if not more than just putting McKinnie at LT. In fact, my opinion is that the line playing so well was a combination of A) designed rollouts and other things to move the pocket B ) better play calling to allow Joe to release the ball quicker and C) better coaching with the arrival of Castillo.

While I wont ignore that McKinnie was a BIG (no pun intended) part of the lines improvement, I dont think putting him in matters AT ALL without the other 3 things happening.

I'd like to draft a LT, even if we have to move way up in the 1st to do so if its a guy the FO is confident can step in day 1 and hold the spot down for years to come. If we dont do that, I think we offer McKinnie a small deal bc the team is CONFIDENT that one of the guys already on the roster will be able to play left tackle at a high level.

For some reason ive got my money on Harewood or Mims. I'm probably wrong but its a gut feeling.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='BOLDnPurPnBlacK' timestamp='1364837065' post='1421618']
I'm still somewhat hopeful that the answer could be on the roster already.... I definitely dont think its Oher, and with him having a contract year I dont think it would be wise to even give him another shot at it, bc then best case scenerio he does pretty ok at it and you have to pay him good LT money. Worst case scenerio he does awful like usual, moves back to RT, but then you have to pay him like a swing tackle. Keep him on the right and pay him for what he is.... a pretty good RT.

I'm thinking more along the lines of KO, Harewood, Reid, Cornell, or Mims. Between them theres a lot of size, strength, athleticism and the raw talent to have a good LT.... but the question remains if they can imrpove enough to hold the spot down. Up to this point thats been a resounding NO.

BUT, something that seems to be forgotten at times is the hiring of Juan Castillo from the Eagles. He was their D coordinator the past 2 seasons, but was their O-line coach for years and is known for being a great teacher of position and technique.

All the focus for the upgraded line during the playoffs has been on inserting McKinnie... but I have barely heard anyone talking about the possibility that Castillo had just as much to do with it if not more than just putting McKinnie at LT. In fact, my opinion is that the line playing so well was a combination of A) designed rollouts and other things to move the pocket B ) better play calling to allow Joe to release the ball quicker and C) better coaching with the arrival of Castillo.

While I wont ignore that McKinnie was a BIG (no pun intended) part of the lines improvement, I dont think putting him in matters AT ALL without the other 3 things happening.

I'd like to draft a LT, even if we have to move way up in the 1st to do so if its a guy the FO is confident can step in day 1 and hold the spot down for years to come. If we dont do that, I think we offer McKinnie a small deal bc the team is CONFIDENT that one of the guys already on the roster will be able to play left tackle at a high level.

For some reason ive got my money on Harewood or Mims. I'm probably wrong but its a gut feeling.
[/quote]
Removing my own personal preference from the guys I like, I feel like the two players most likely to be drafted by the Ravens to be a potential LT are David Quessenberry & Barrett Jones. Both can play all positions on the OL. Jones comes from Ozzie's alma mater. David is a small school prospect with versatility we seem to covet. Both will most likely be available on the late 2nd day or early 3rd day. I feel if we get anyone in the draft to be a LT, it would be prospects like them.

[TheMadRaven]

I hope he is back unless they can get someone younger and better.

[beasy2487]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1364837664' post='1421622']
Removing my own personal preference from the guys I like, I feel like the two players most likely to be drafted by the Ravens to be a potential LT are David Quessenberry & Barrett Jones. Both can play all positions on the OL. Jones comes from Ozzie's alma mater. David is a small school prospect with versatility we seem to covet. Both will most likely be available on the late 2nd day or early 3rd day. I feel if we get anyone in the draft to be a LT, it would be prospects like them.
[/quote]

I like Barrett Jones as a 4th rounder or a second 3rd round value pick depending on how we move around. No way he has the tools to play LT in the NFL, but as a guy that can provide depth at all 3 interior line positions and RT in a pinch I think he'd be great.

[DocMartin]

[quote name='omar586' timestamp='1363920965' post='1409703']
he's not coming back, ozzie knows he's is not gonna last 16 games.
[/quote]
Well, that's the interesting part. We wouldn't start him till week 8 or 9. Keep him fresh. He will be backup for 1st half of the season, kind of like we did last season. We would draft a rookie and have him play few games for us or switch Oher few times.

[757RavensFan]

I will admit, I haven't read most of the responses in this topic but I'm not sold at mcKinnie at LT. I only feel that he was good during the playoffs b/c he was rested from being on the bench all regular season. I don't think he'll be as effective for an entire regular and hopefully post season. I follow him on twitter and I swear he doesn't pass up an opportunity to party. I hope he works out as hard as he's partying.

[DMH_in_WA]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1365101375' post='1424893']
I will admit, I haven't read most of the responses in this topic but I'm not sold at mcKinnie at LT. I only feel that he was good during the playoffs b/c he was rested from being on the bench all regular season. I don't think he'll be as effective for an entire regular and hopefully post season. [b] I follow him on twitter and I swear he doesn't pass up an opportunity to party. I hope he works out as hard as he's partying.[/b]
[/quote]

Same here and I made a similar comment about his focus and commitment. He seems to be focused on everything but football. How do you give a guy like that, who basically sat out an entire season because of work ethic, anything other than a very short term contract? I think it says a lot that with how well he played in the post-season in front of the world, he's still sitting on the market in April.