Matt Birk speaks on top O-Lines

[FreckleNate]

Birk has been on the NFL network the past couple of days. And today he was asked to rank the top 5 o-lines for this year, his order goes:

5. Tampa Bay Bucs

4.Denver Broncos

3. San Fancisco 49ers

2. Baltimore Ravens

1. New England Patriots

 

I found it interesting he put our line at #2. I do not think we have an atrocious o-line, but #2 in the league? That seems like a little much to me. Also, I think our very reliable now retired center left a team hanging.... the Seattle Seahawks. Overall Seattle should be a pretty solid team this year though I think people may be blowing them out of proportion a little bit. What is your top 5 o-lines? Do the Baltimore Ravens deserve a spot in it?

[SeaHawk]

I think Seattle should be in the top 5, but maybe I'm a bit biased... lol. But the Ravens should be behind the 49ers line at least. The 49ers, in my opinion, actually have the best line in the NFL. And the Texans are another team that should be up in the top 5, maybe in place of the Bucs.

[hawkprey]

Minnesota, Houston, Washington, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Kansas City, and the Jets all have better O-lines than us. Gino is still a question mark and Oher and McKinnie aren't a very good pair of tackles. We do have a great guard situation though.

[Sami84]

Oher is v good at right tackle.

 

Mckinnie when motivated and fit ( which he is now) is a true natural at his position.

 

Outside of center we rock. sorry i think we do :D

[SeaHawk]

Oher is v good at right tackle.

 

Mckinnie when motivated and fit ( which he is now) is a true natural at his position.

 

Outside of center we rock. sorry i think we do :D

 

This was evidenced in the playoffs last year. McKinnie was motivated, and Oher was on the right side, and we slid Osemele into the LG spot where he's a beast at. We get Gradkowski to develop like we think he will, then we'll be set.

[baltravens]

With Birk I was floored when he did not join his team, his team, in visiting the White House last month. I still don't know why there was disrespect toward the President, the man who runs our country. We had a spirited debate on ProFootballTalk.com regarding this, and it changed my opinion of this retired center.

[Ravensfan23]

I think it depends on what you look for in ranking the oline. Are you looking at overall talent on the oline? or are you looking at how well that oline functions as a unit?

 

I think from a overall talent stand point, the Texans wouldn't be ranked very high. But as a unit those guys are one of the best. Not sure how much sense that makes.

 

You look at the Seahawks line. Really good group. But in 2011 those guys ranked 21st in rushing and gave up like 51 sacks. That's not good at all. Then you look at what Russell Wilson brings to that offense and it helps the oline tremendously.

 

So I think it depends on what you are looking for in ranking the oline. I think when looking at the Ravens, Birk just projected what we saw in the playoffs to over a full 16 game season. No doubt if the Ravens oline play that way over the course of the entire season they will be among the best.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Best O-line i've ever seen in a playoff run ever.  He backed it up with a SB win.   That's enough for me to put us in #1 if Matt wanted to...lol

[Gordo52]

I think we have a top 10 OL. Not sure about top 5.

In no particular order,
49ers,Texans,Patriots,Falcons,Broncos,Saints,Seahawks, then I would put us. 9 isn't bad at all.

It could be top 5 if Mckinnie plays like he did in the playoffs. Oher takes the next step in his contract year. And how well Gino plays. It's got the potential to be top 5 if those factors pan out.

We have the best guard combo IMO.

[GrimCoconut]

I think we have a top 10 OL. Not sure about top 5.

In no particular order,
49ers,Texans,Patriots,Falcons,Broncos,Saints,Seahawks, then I would put us. 9 isn't bad at all.

It could be top 5 if Mckinnie plays like he did in the playoffs. Oher takes the next step in his contract year. And how well Gino plays. It's got the potential to be top 5 if those factors pan out.

We have the best guard combo IMO.

I'm not sure I would put the Falcons, Saints or Seahawks above our OL. They all have good OL but I don't think it's that easy. I definitely don't think the Saints have a better OL. Their tackle situation is a real problem. The Falcons line is okay. The Seahawks have a good OL as well but it's not as good as ours. Just my opinion.

[Gordo52]

I'm not sure I would put the Falcons, Saints or Seahawks above our OL. They all have good OL but I don't think it's that easy. I definitely don't think the Saints have a better OL. Their tackle situation is a real problem. The Falcons line is okay. The Seahawks have a good OL as well but it's not as good as ours. Just my opinion.

They're all solid and close to each other imo. But yeah I forgot the Saints got rid of Bushrod, I like their interior but LT is a major question mark for them. I like the Hawks left side better than ours.

[GrimCoconut]

They're all solid and close to each other imo. But yeah I forgot the Saints got rid of Bushrod, I like their interior but LT is a major question mark for them. I like the Hawks left side better than ours.

Their right side isn't as good as our right side and in top of it their LG isn't as good as KO showed himself to be so far.

[Gordo52]

Their right side isn't as good as our right side and in top of it their LG isn't as good as KO showed himself to be so far.

We're talking about the Seahawks right? I can agree with that. I've just always liked Okung so I guess that has something to do with it. Plus the emphasis of how important a really good LT is. I'm hoping for the best out of McKinnie and I'm expecting him to be in shape, but I got trust issues with him, ok? lol.
LT & C are the two most important positions on the OL, IMO. Obviously they're all important, but I like theirs better. But having two all pro like guards should really help both positions out.

[Grapple Raven]

I hope Yanda will be in top form this season. His injuries have started to mount up over the last couple of years, which is kinda worrysome with the wear and tear his body has taken with respect towards his longevity.  But you never have to worry about his work ethic, or motivation!  I think his leadership will be important this year as well with a new center.

[BloodRaven]

With Birk I was floored when he did not join his team, his team, in visiting the White House last month. I still don't know why there was disrespect toward the President, the man who runs our country. We had a spirited debate on ProFootballTalk.com regarding this, and it changed my opinion of this retired center.

 

You don't have to agree with his stance (which centred around abortion) and difference in opinion, but you should respect it.

[ravensdan]

I would say:

1. New England
2. Minnesota
3. San Francisco
4. Baltimore
5. Tampa bay

[baltravens]

You don't have to agree with his stance (which centred around abortion) and difference in opinion, but you should respect it.

Thanks, but I don't need your opinion.

Do the homework and research on Birk in reference to the White House visit, a lot has to do with the Planned Parenthood program in America.

[Guest Moderator 6]

Thanks, but I don't need your opinion.

Do the homework and research on Birk in reference to the White House visit, a lot has to do with the Planned Parenthood program in America.

We have a 'no politics' rule on this site, so let's not take it past this point please.

[GrimCoconut]

Thanks, but I don't need your opinion.
Do the homework and research on Birk in reference to the White House visit, a lot has to do with the Planned Parenthood program in America.

Sure it does but that isn't relevant towards this subject. Birk's opinions on that subject have nothing to do with the OL unless there's something I'm missing.

[SteelersProphet]

the steelers O-line might be pretty good this year too

 

Adams-DD-MP-Foster-Gilbert

 

our center has been a pro-bowler every year

foster has improved into a great guard

DD is expected to be a pro bowl level guard

Adams performed well for a rookie and is expected to be improved this year

Gilbert is our weakest piece but he will be a fine LT this year

[ellicottraven]

the steelers O-line might be pretty good this year too
 
Adams-DD-MP-Foster-Gilbert
 
our center has been a pro-bowler every year
foster has improved into a great guard
DD is expected to be a pro bowl level guard
Adams performed well for a rookie and is expected to be improved this year
Gilbert is our weakest piece but he will be a fine LT this year

You will be a middle of the road Oline. As for your center, I honestly believe he is the most overrated O-lineman in the league. Sincerely.

[ellicottraven]

Three reasons why we as Baltimore Ravens fans shouldn't question Matt's ranking.

1: He played on an NFL O-line for 15 yrs

2: He is a friggin Harvard grad!

3: He ranked the Baltimore Ravens second best - so why question it?

[gabefergy]

My top 5 OL would be NE, Den, Cle, Min, SF. Cin is close as well as Bal, Ten, and Hou .

[SteelersProphet]

You will be a middle of the road Oline. As for your center, I honestly believe he is the most overrated O-lineman in the league. Sincerely.

well whatever you believe him to be he is still a great center...he is not a bad center....maybe people rate him too high but he deserves to be in the conversation.

 

also I wouldn't rate your o-line second.....too many question marks

 

they played well for the playoffs but that's not enough to rate them higher than all but one

 

lets see how your center plays he could be terrible..........too many question marks

 

id rate yours middle of the pack along with ours....im ok with middle of the pack, that's better than we have had before

[berad]

the steelers O-line might be pretty good this year too
 
Adams-DD-MP-Foster-Gilbert
 
our center has been a pro-bowler every year
foster has improved into a great guard
DD is expected to be a pro bowl level guard
Adams performed well for a rookie and is expected to be improved this year
Gilbert is our weakest piece but he will be a fine LT this year

Steelers have invested a lot in the OL over the past few years. They have potential, all those pieces just need to come together.

Our OL has me pretty excited. If McKinnie's renewed commitment equates to him playing like he used to then that's a huge plus. This year we won't have the revolving door at LG as KO locks it down. Gino is the unknown, of course, but the Ravens brought in Shipley as insurance. I'm feeling good about those guys.

[SteelersProphet]

Steelers have invested a lot in the OL over the past few years. They have potential, all those pieces just need to come together.

Our OL has me pretty excited. If McKinnie's renewed commitment equates to him playing like he used to then that's a huge plus. This year we won't have the revolving door at LG as KO locks it down. Gino is the unknown, of course, but the Ravens brought in Shipley as insurance. I'm feeling good about those guys.

 

Mckinnie's old his best days are behind him

 

but I think the ravens line is going to be fine....but not number two

[berad]

Mckinnie's old his best days are behind him
 
but I think the ravens line is going to be fine....but not number two

I agree but if he can hold it together for another year or so we can get a replacement

[cushrinada1986]

Minnesota, Houston, Washington, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Kansas City, and the Jets all have better O-lines than us. Gino is still a question mark and Oher and McKinnie aren't a very good pair of tackles. We do have a great guard situation though.

Mathis/Freeny
Von Miller/Doom
Aldon Smith/Justin Smith

These are the guys Oher and Big Mac had to block to keep Flacco clean in the playoffs this postseason. Im sorry but there would be no way Flacco goes for 11-0 TD-INT if those two dont do their job. I mean, dont get me wrong, they could be much better but its not like we have the Raiders Oline.

[hawkprey]

Mathis/Freeny
Von Miller/Doom
Aldon Smith/Justin Smith

These are the guys Oher and Big Mac had to block to keep Flacco clean in the playoffs this postseason. Im sorry but there would be no way Flacco goes for 11-0 TD-INT if those two dont do their job. I mean, dont get me wrong, they could be much better but its not like we have the Raiders Oline.

They did a good job with Miller and Dumervil from a pass-rushing standpoint but Oher was getting killed by Miller in the run game. Mathis and Freeney haven't been the same since the Colts switch to a 3-4 and both Smiths weren't at 100%. 

[BMORElegacy]

the steelers O-line might be pretty good this year too
 
Adams-DD-MP-Foster-Gilbert
 
our center has been a pro-bowler every year
foster has improved into a great guard
DD is expected to be a pro bowl level guard
Adams performed well for a rookie and is expected to be improved this year
Gilbert is our weakest piece but he will be a fine LT this year

yeah ok...