LT Position Resolved ?

[mgridda]

Ray Rice seems to be really high on McKinnie and his performance during the playoffs. He really thanked Bryant a lot after the confetti fell and they enjoyed celebrating together. Also, Ray Rice seems to really advocate him resigning. 

 

Interesting enough, I don't think Joe cares. Joe's a special kind of guy. And I bet he sort of rolls his eyes when there's talk of needing weapons or Bryant McKinnie, he keeps quiet but on the inside I imagine he thinks the same things Brian Cushing says out loud, "Next series I should just go out there by myself and throw the ball to myself....maybe I'll need Gino to snap it to me, I'm not really good with NFL rules" or "Put me out there with a high school team, and just let me run a no-huddle offense and we'll repeat again."

 

But in all seriousness, he probably does roll his eyes, keep quiet and think that the lack of pressure had more to do with him running the no-huddle and having more control of the offense than it does with how the o-line was reshuffled. It's human. Locus of control. Joe probably has a high internal locus of control for positive things.

 

 

But seriously it would be hilarious to be able to read Joe Flacco's thoughts. He probably thinks the word "Sweet" a lot.

[Alexir]

Rotoworld says looks like Chargers moving in to sign McKinnie

[PuRock]

Rotoworld says looks like Chargers moving in to sign McKinnie

Guess they didn't learn anything from Gaither. Don't mess with the Ravens sloppy seconds.

We'll see how this will work out for them.

[hawkprey]

If the Chargers sign McKinnie, they'll be my pick to win the Super Bowl. McKinnie was obviously the reason for our playoff success. 

[GrimCoconut]

I really question whether we really want McKinnie back here & have for a while. I honestly told someone here (can't remember who) that I was supremely confident that McKinnie was done in Baltimore. Now, I'll gladly eat those words. I will. But  I know for a fact I said something definitive there because I very, very rarely speak definitively so I remember when I do. 

 

With that said, I said then and still don't believe McKinnie returns to Baltimore playing LT for the Baltimore Ravens. We'll see what happens, but I'm sticking with the thought that he won't be back. I'm only wondering who we will get to play LT. 

 

Maybe we will bring Demetrius Bell here. I don't know. 

[GrimCoconut]

If the Chargers sign McKinnie, they'll be my pick to win the Super Bowl. McKinnie was obviously the reason for our playoff success. 

They play the Eagles for their home opener, right? 

 

McKinnie + Eagles home opener = Super Bowl champs to me. 

[jaege]

No, LT is a pretty specific piece, and we cannot just take any guy and try to push him into that hole. If we do not find an actual LT then lets just bite the bullet and take McKinnie back for a season.

[hawkprey]

They play the Eagles for their home opener, right? 

 

McKinnie + Eagles home opener = Super Bowl champs to me. 

Yeah, that's the same reason that everyone picked us to win the Super Bowl last year, right?

[beanfigger]

They play the Eagles for their home opener, right? 

 

McKinnie + Eagles home opener = Super Bowl champs to me. 

 

There it is.  Te'o gets his championship a year late.

[PuRock]

There it is. Te'o gets his championship a year late.

Or somebody can just tell him he won and hand him an imaginary trophy. He won't know the difference. He-oooo!

[UxbridgeRaven]

According to a Football Outsiders article on LT being an overated position these are the last 10 starters at left tackle in a superbowl

"Bryant McKinnie, 2012, Ravens: Veteran castoff who began the season as a backup; he entered the starting lineup because of a domino effect from injuries at right tackle and guard.

 

 

Joe Staley, 2012, 49ers: An outlier, as he's the only guy on this list to make the Pro Bowl in his team's Super Bowl season.

 

 

David Diehl, 2011, Giants: A respectable veteran right tackle who moved to the left side after Will Beatty's injury.

 

 

Matt Light, 2011, Patriots: A very solid veteran but one who was beginning to wear down; Super Bowl XLII wound up being his final game.

 

 

Chad Clifton, 2010, Packers: Another solid veteran who was wearing down. Played just six games in 2011 before being out of the league.

 

 

Trai Essex, 2010, Steelers: A backup who started just three games the following season; was essentially out of the league by the end of 2012.

 

 

Jermon Bushrod, 2009, Saints: Many insiders described him as the league's worst left tackle in 2009. He would eventually develop into an adequate starter, but not until the second part of 2011. The Saints were not devastated when he signed with the Bears this past March.

 

 

Charlie Johnson, 2009, Colts: A utility player who became a guard in Minnesota.

 

 

Max Starks, 2008, Steelers: A fairly decent starter but one who could be prone to mistakes and bad weight gain.

 

 

Mike Gandy, 2008, Cardinals: Went on IR in the middle of 2009 with a pelvic/groin injury; was released after the season (at age 30) and never played again."

 

The lesson is you don't really need a great left tackle to get to the superbowl. The offense we run has put a lot of pressure on us to try and find one but hopefully some of Caldwell's tweaks will be about mitigating that need.  

[jimmypowder]

The bottom line is Joe has had,other then Yanda ,a bunch of mediocre and below average

oline personnel

 

The plus is ,unlike Cameron,Caldwell will have Joe getting the ball out faster and  help negate our oline problems.

[beanfigger]

The lesson is you don't really need a great left tackle to get to the superbowl. The offense we run has put a lot of pressure on us to try and find one but hopefully some of Caldwell's tweaks will be about mitigating that need.  

 

Yeah, but just imagine how great it would be if we did have an awesome LT...

[GrimCoconut]

I've been saying for a while now that an elite interior is superior to a elite book ends at tackle.

[msufan]

I think it's more true for some players than others. Guys like McAlister (the original doghouse), McGahee and yes McKinnie - although he pissed off the whole organization. Those players i can see some merit.

But I've seen accusations that Heap, Doss, Barnes, Gaither, etc being in it. Naw. Harbaugh would have loved to start Gaither but that slub had other issues

ellerbe was in the doghouse and Doss isn't a fair comparison cuz that's just cam being a terrible OC.

[izvoodoo]

According to a Football Outsiders article on LT being an overated position these are the last 10 starters at left tackle in a superbowl

"Bryant McKinnie, 2012, Ravens: Veteran castoff who began the season as a backup; he entered the starting lineup because of a domino effect from injuries at right tackle and guard.

 

 

Joe Staley, 2012, 49ers: An outlier, as he's the only guy on this list to make the Pro Bowl in his team's Super Bowl season.

 

 

David Diehl, 2011, Giants: A respectable veteran right tackle who moved to the left side after Will Beatty's injury.

 

 

Matt Light, 2011, Patriots: A very solid veteran but one who was beginning to wear down; Super Bowl XLII wound up being his final game.

 

 

Chad Clifton, 2010, Packers: Another solid veteran who was wearing down. Played just six games in 2011 before being out of the league.

 

 

Trai Essex, 2010, Steelers: A backup who started just three games the following season; was essentially out of the league by the end of 2012.

 

 

Jermon Bushrod, 2009, Saints: Many insiders described him as the league's worst left tackle in 2009. He would eventually develop into an adequate starter, but not until the second part of 2011. The Saints were not devastated when he signed with the Bears this past March.

 

 

Charlie Johnson, 2009, Colts: A utility player who became a guard in Minnesota.

 

 

Max Starks, 2008, Steelers: A fairly decent starter but one who could be prone to mistakes and bad weight gain.

 

 

Mike Gandy, 2008, Cardinals: Went on IR in the middle of 2009 with a pelvic/groin injury; was released after the season (at age 30) and never played again."

 

The lesson is you don't really need a great left tackle to get to the superbowl. The offense we run has put a lot of pressure on us to try and find one but hopefully some of Caldwell's tweaks will be about mitigating that need.  

The problem is we saw what joe can do with strong O-line play.  So it may be a stronger need for us than others.

Edit:  Also Osemele is an elite guard.

[nextgen_RavensFan]

I think in any conversation this situation will not be fully resolved for at least a year or two at best. We need a good draft pick that is a LT and go from there.  No Mckinnie's or temp fixes. Get is resolved next off season. Joe needs to feel secure and finally the Oher experiment is O-V-E-R. right ?... LOL

[izvoodoo]

I think in any conversation this situation will not be fully resolved for at least a year or two at best. We need a good draft pick that is a LT and go from there.  No Mckinnie's or temp fixes. Get is resolved next off season. Joe needs to feel secure and finally the Oher experiment is O-V-E-R. right ?... LOL

I think there's been two starting lt's in the last 5 years.  Beats and Veldheer.  They don't grow on tree.

[BloodRaven]

No, LT is a pretty specific piece, and we cannot just take any guy and try to push him into that hole. If we do not find an actual LT then lets just bite the bullet and take McKinnie back for a season.

 

Absolutely. Harbaugh's coach speak about the offensive line is infuriating, the KO talk reminds me of when he was trying to convince everyone that Oniel Cousins had LT feet.

[GrimCoconut]

Absolutely. Harbaugh's coach speak about the offensive line is infuriating, the KO talk reminds me of when he was trying to convince everyone that Oniel Cousins had LT feet.

LOL! I remember that. That was some real BS right there.

[Inqui]

I think in any conversation this situation will not be fully resolved for at least a year or two at best. We need a good draft pick that is a LT and go from there.  No Mckinnie's or temp fixes. Get is resolved next off season. Joe needs to feel secure and finally the Oher experiment is O-V-E-R. right ?... LOL

Without being a master o-line rater, it looks like there might be four or five LTs in next year's draft that could go in the first round. Surely we can pick up at least one of them and have a serviceable pro for the next decade or so.

[jaege]

Without being a master o-line rater, it looks like there might be four or five LTs in next year's draft that could go in the first round. Surely we can pick up at least one of them and have a serviceable pro for the next decade or so.

[nextgen_RavensFan]

I think there's been two starting lt's in the last 5 years.  Beats and Veldheer.  They don't grow on tree.

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.

[MassRavens]

Ravens could just put in Leach at LT (if he had 80lb more on him). On a slightly more serious note, Ravens might just use a UDFA lineman, for all we know. Although, they tend to do what they say so KO will probably play the left if they don't get anyone else.

[SecretAgentMan]

Demetress Bell is a good option... If he stays healthy anyway

[frangecko112]

Demetress Bell is a good option... If he stays healthy anyway

I'm not sure he'd be much of an upgrade over McKinney. But signing bell could help fill the LT spot until a long-term solution is found

[rmw10]

Demetress Bell is a good option... If he stays healthy anyway

 

I remember quite a few people clamoring for him to sign here before he signed with the Eagles obviously.  For what he'd sign for, likely the vet minimum, I wouldn't mind bringing him in and giving him a shot to see if he can get back to his Bills days.  Not the best option, but not the worst either.

[Purple Nurple]

McKinnie

;)

Before someone comes along and bashes you.

[frangecko112]

;)
Before someone comes along and bashes you.

thanks, I didn't notice that I spelled his name wrong lol

[PolishRifle]

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