LT Position Resolved ?

[Purple Nurple]

Ugh. I really really wish we didn't have a LT issue.

[SecretAgentMan]

Source: Rotoworld

The Chargers have made free agent LT Bryant McKinnie an offer, but negotiations are "ongoing."
It appears the sides are closing in on a deal. The Ravens and Dolphins remain in pursuit, but they'll have to pony up to get McKinnie to leave San Diego without a contract. It's all about coin for a player entering the final stages of his NFL career. May 1 - 5:52 PM

He's gonna like the food in SD

[GrimCoconut]

 

Source: Rotoworld

 

The Chargers have made free agent LT Bryant McKinnie an offer, but negotiations are "ongoing."

It appears the sides are closing in on a deal. The Ravens and Dolphins remain in pursuit, but they'll have to pony up to get McKinnie to leave San Diego without a contract. It's all about coin for a player entering the final stages of his NFL career. May 1 - 5:52 PM

 

I think we're waiting to see what happens. Perhaps McKinnie gives us a chance to match the offer. We take a look. We see what it is. If we like it, we go. If we dislike it, we go to the pool or internally. I think we're cautious about free agents because we don't want to jeopardize our compensatory selections next year. 

 

I think if we do lose out on McKinnie, we'll go after Bell--that is, if no other options are out there. Things can change. 

[PolishRifle]

I think we're waiting to see what happens. Perhaps McKinnie gives us a chance to match the offer. We take a look. We see what it is. If we like it, we go. If we dislike it, we go to the pool or internally. I think we're cautious about free agents because we don't want to jeopardize our compensatory selections next year. 

 

I think if we do lose out on McKinnie, we'll go after Bell--that is, if no other options are out there. Things can change. 

I'm not sure, if Bell would be an upgrade over Oher or KO. The only reason why we would want McKinnie is because he still plays the position at a fairly high level. I'd rather take the guy with the weigth issues over Bell, who had trouble with his knees.

OL doesn't seem like a good place for guys with injury history.

[GrimCoconut]

I'm not sure, if Bell would be an upgrade over Oher or KO. The only reason why we would want McKinnie is because he still plays the position at a fairly high level. I'd rather take the guy with the weigth issues over Bell, who had trouble with his knees.

OL doesn't seem like a good place for guys with injury history.

McKinnie's no better. That was (supposedly) one of the reasons he didn't play this year was due to those injuries & recovering from those injuries. 

[PolishRifle]

McKinnie's no better. That was (supposedly) one of the reasons he didn't play this year was due to those injuries & recovering from those injuries. 

Regardless of that, McKinnie still played well in our OL lineup. Hard to beat a proven player.

Can't believe I just called McKinnie "proven", but I guess it applies. Kinda.

[GrimCoconut]

Regardless of that, McKinnie still played well in our OL lineup. Hard to beat a proven player.

Can't believe I just called McKinnie "proven", but I guess it applies. Kinda.

I wonder what the Vikings want for Matt Kalil?

 

Oz, make it happen!

[SecretAgentMan]

I wonder what the Vikings want for Matt Kalil?

 

Oz, make it happen!

I got this! 

[izvoodoo]

I did not think they were that rare but it seems they are. I wonder why. Is it that they are not money spots as they should be. O'line men should be paid so much more. They protect the team jewel.

It's just not a very hard evaluation for teams to make.

 

Are you tall, fleet footed, long armed and strong?  Well, you're probably an LT.

[arnie_uk]

It's just not a very hard evaluation for teams to make.
 
Are you tall, fleet footed, long armed and strong?  Well, you're probably an LT.

need to be able to bend

[izvoodoo]

need to be able to bend

Right, and good hand technique.  But if someone can do that then they're going to get drafted high.

[arnie_uk]

Right, and good hand technique.  But if someone can do that then they're going to get drafted high.

yea, in others words there as perfect as a college draftee can be before hitting the NFL

[izvoodoo]

yea, in others words there as perfect as a college draftee can be before hitting the NFL

Pretty much, it's a tough position to play.  If only we had drafted Veldheer.  (who was awful in his first 2 years by the way).

[lowrider]

I have a sneaky suspicion that the Chargers or Dolphins will sign McKinnie. If that is the case, it will further reflect the stupidity of their organizations. The Ravens refuse to be desperate for any player. Although we would prefer to have McKinnie back, we spent the entire regular season without him. Investing into a player that has a proven poor work ethic shows how desperate the Chargers and Dolphins are. The poor front office management, among other reasons, are the reason why those teams will struggle to obtain a .500 record.

If I was McKinnie, I would hate to come back to the Ravens too. I mean, they force him to watch his weight and run. That would be the worst. Realistically, my job is much easier with a better team around me and have a better chance of being employed the whole season if the team is better.

Note: Jared Gaither was cut 4 games into the season by the chargers because he was out of shape and had a poor work ethic.

Although the Ravens and McKinnie don't want each other, they would be better together. Use your brain McKinnie, don't go to San Diego or Miami.

[Alexir]

Send Oher and a 3rd for BA with the notion that we can work out an extension before pulling trigger

[arnie_uk]

Send Oher and a 3rd for BA with the notion that we can work out an extension before pulling trigger

would rather have Monroe

[GrimCoconut]

Heard on The Fan that Dallas is interested in McKinnie. Lol.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Heard on The Fan that Dallas is interested in McKinnie. Lol.

 

doubt it, they dont have a cap for FA

[Yatagarasu]

http://russellstreetreport.com/filmstudy-2012-offensive-line-analysis/

 

Starting Line:

 

??? - Osemele - Gradkowski - Yanda - Oher

 

(This is our best combination with LT not addressed.)

 

Depth:

Jah Reid - G/RT

Ramon Harewood - G/RT

Ricky Wagner - G/RT

Ryan Jensen - G/C

 

Bubble Player:

Jack Carroll - Dark Horse LT according to preseason reports last year

Rogers Gaines

Jeff Braun

David Mims

Antoine McClain

Jordan Devey

Reggie Stephens

 

Realistic Possibilities:

 

Osemele - Harewood - Gradkowski - Yanda - Oher

 

(This might be a possible configuration, if Osemele is the first to try out the LT spot.)

 

Oher - Harewood - Gradkowski - Yanda - Osemele

 

(This was a similar formation on last year's opening day that is somewhat inconsistent.)

 

Oher - Reid - Gradkowski - Yanda - Osemele

 

(Another formation similar to last's year mix and match, but Reid was surprisingly solid, but not dominant.)

 

Oher - Osemele - Gradkowski - Yanda - Reid

 

(This is formation depends on how well Jah Reid has developed as a RT, since guard isn't really a strong suit for him.)

 

Oher - Osemele - Gradkowski - Yanda - Harewood

 

(This is formation depends on how well Harewood has developed as a RT, since guard was a new position for him.)

 

Possible LT free agents:

 

Jared Gaither - His time in San Diego went sour due to injuries and ineffectiveness, but Ozzie knows how good he can be when healthy and motivated. A small, nonguaranteed deal to test him out might not be a bad option.

 

Gaither - Osemele - Gradkowski - Yanda - Oher

 

Bryant McKinnie - His market has slowed down, but he gets some visits here and there. He returned to his All-Pro form in the playoffs, which played a big part in Flacco's and offensive success. However, he is getting older and does have some issue like motivation and weight gain.

 

McKinnie - Osemele - Gradkowski - Yanda - Oher

 

Max Starks - He quietly was the Steeler's best Offensive lineman. He's built like a giant mauler that should be best fit for RT, but he can be serviceable at LT. He's 31 years old, but still younger than McKinnie. Depending on his salary demands, he might worth a shot.

 

Starks - Osemele - Gradkowski - Yanda - Oher

 

Demetress Bell - Mediocre LT that was a bust in Philadelphia. He has shown some flashes, but he has a lot of issues especially with his weakened knees. If Ozzie roll the dice on him, then it's truly a gamble.

 

Bell - Osemele - Gradkowski - Yanda - Oher

[Yatagarasu]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1210/bryant-mckinnie

 

Well that wraps it up.

 

Bryant McKinnie - His market has slowed down, but he gets some visits here and there. He returned to his All-Pro form in the playoffs, which played a big part in Flacco's and offensive success. However, he is getting older and does have some issue like motivation and weight gain.

 

McKinnie - Osemele - Gradkowski - Yanda - Oher

[Gordo52]

Momentarily, yes. Can't wait to get that franchise one.

[The Raven]

McKinnie resigned. Time for a repeat.

[rmw10]

McKinnie resigned. Time for a repeat.

He resigned that soon after re-signing? ;)

[The Raven]

He resigned that soon after re-signing? ;)

-___- really? Haha

[rmw10]

-___- really? Haha

Haha I can't pass up an opportunity!

[GrimCoconut]

I know we re-signed McKinnie but I saw Gabe Carimi and the Bears are having some disputes to say the least. Would you trade for Carimi if the compensation was low, like a 5th or 6th round pick?

Personally, I would absolutely consider it because he may not pass through waivers and I'd love to see what Castillo could do with him.

[SecretAgentMan]

I know we re-signed McKinnie but I saw Gabe Carimi and the Bears are having some disputes to say the least. Would you trade for Carimi if the compensation was low, like a 5th or 6th round pick?

Personally, I would absolutely consider it because he may not pass through waivers and I'd love to see what Castillo could do with him.

Id be for it

[ravensdan]

I know we re-signed McKinnie but I saw Gabe Carimi and the Bears are having some disputes to say the least. Would you trade for Carimi if the compensation was low, like a 5th or 6th round pick?

Personally, I would absolutely consider it because he may not pass through waivers and I'd love to see what Castillo could do with him.

What kind of potential do you think he has? He is certainly not ready for lt. He is still a very young player though.

[GrimCoconut]

What kind of potential do you think he has? He is certainly not ready for lt. He is still a very young player though.

Well, it depends. Perhaps Castillo could get the LT out of him. Then again, if the McKinnie plays around again we could move KO to LT & Carimi to LG. It wouldn't be the worst of line-ups. Or we could keep KO at LG & put Carimi at LT next to Oher. That's certainly better than anything Carimi had next to him in Chicago. 

[Yatagarasu]

I know we re-signed McKinnie but I saw Gabe Carimi and the Bears are having some disputes to say the least. Would you trade for Carimi if the compensation was low, like a 5th or 6th round pick?

Personally, I would absolutely consider it because he may not pass through waivers and I'd love to see what Castillo could do with him.

 

Gabe Carimi is a bust. If he gets cut, then I say we can invite him in training camp to see what he can do.

 

Michael Oher is in his contract year, but we don't have the luxury of cap space, so we might look into alternative RTs.