A.Q. Shipley for more time at LG?

[Chris K]

I thought the running game dramatically improved with him in the game this week, as well as solid overall performance with the pass protection, I know people want to replace Gino with him, but honestly Gino looked better with him in there. The O-Line in the second half really played physical. Unlike KO who seems to have been getting shoved around so far this season.. Thoughts?

[GrimCoconut]

It might not be a bad idea, to be honest. Maybe it will wake up KO. 

[BloodRaven]

Shipley and Gino had solid moments, but both were abused on multiple occasions. 

[Mt. Crushmore]

Shipley had his bad moments today.

[beasy2487]

Regardless, it's so sad to me that KO is bad enough for this to be a discussion point. I'm not sure if he's just having trouble picking up the mental dimension of Castillo's scheme or what...but how is it possible that he's regressed so far that he has a 7th round backup C unseating him...? Mckinnie, Shipley and Gradkowski are all subpar at this point (with only Gradkowski having a semblance of an excuse as to why)...and Osemele is worse!! I've got my fingers crossed that Monroe comes in and elevates our O-line to at least serviceable...but right now Flacco is being let down by the guys upfront which is exposing every other deficiency on the team.

[dhstandard]

I'd rather put Shipley at Center.  KO has so much potential.  Gino didn't have a terrible game, but still not good.  Shipley's natural position is at Center and if that means he will play better than he did at LG today then I'm all for it.

 

I also think surrounding KO with Monroe and a decent center will help improve his performance.

[Footman DCXLV]

I think they'll probably wait to see how the starting line looks once Monroe takes over at left tackle. This topic just shows how replacing one piece can sometimes be all the difference you need. But, if KO continues to struggle after the change, Shipley might get more opportunities.

[The Raven]

Shipley played well at LG, and I'd like to see him there next week. 

[Chris K]

Shipley played well at LG, and I'd like to see him there next week. 

I thought so as well.

 

As for those in favor of starting KO and replacing Gino.. I'm not saying Shipley and Gino had a dominant day, but it certainly wasn't terrible. Everyone gets beat from times to time, it's part of football. However I'm all for letting us see how KO develops when surrounded by Monroe and Shipley at C. 

 

Today was not a terrible day for the O-Line with players not named McKinnie. 133 yards on the ground and two rushing TD's? I'll take it.

[GrimCoconut]

I'd like to see how KO performs with Monroe as well. He could improve with him at LT.

[Guest Im An Ozzie Newsome Guy]

Sure, A.Q. Shipley had some "rough" plays out there, today, and was called for face-masking; but, for someone like Shipley to come-in and play out-of-position, I think Shipley did a fine job filling-in for Osemele. It seemed like the offense line was more stable, once A.Q. was in there.

 

I'm kind of curious to see how severe K.O.'s back spasms (that, apparently, appeared as soon as warm-ups began) are and if it plays a decision in John Harbaugh starting A.Q. Shipley against the Packers. I don't want to blame Kelechi Osemele fully for his less-than-stellar performance, so far (*COUGH* Let's not forget about the guy to his left. *COUGH*). However, with Monroe at left tackle and Shipley at left guard, I'm feeling better about this o-line.

 

As long as Gino Gradkowski continues to grow, a line consisting of Monroe, Shipley, Gradkowski, Yanda and Oher sounds promising.

[izvoodoo]

I'd put him in there with Monroe.  KO is still the better down blocker, and is better at blocking lineman in general.  But definite sophomore slump.

[Moderator 3]

I suspect KO's struggles might be related to his recurring back spasms.

[Ravensfan23]

Shipley had his bad moments but also had some really good ones. I don't feel the oline played well today honestly, I just think it was one of their better performances. But the other 4 games were so bad, that the couple good runs we had made it seem like the oline played really well. It wasn't all the olines fault as I thought both Rice and BP missed some holes and pressed too much, but that's another topic.

Now with that said I did see encouraging signs from those guys today. Although I don't think we blocked particularly welll today, I did think we moved well in the run game if that makes sense. Those guys seem to be taking to Castillo's style more. I think KO is still the best option at LG and I'm really interested in seeing him and Monroe work together.

[hawkprey]

Kelechi needs to rest his back. Back spasms are no joke. I'd be fine keeping him on the sidelines until he gets better. Monroe and Shipley will pick up the slack. Just get everyone healthy for December and January.

[Chris K]

To be clear, I think KO is our best option at LG, however, his health concerns at the moment is something that I think the team should not, and will not push. I doubt we'd try to play him in a Week 6 game next week when we're going to end up needing him down the stretch in games as late as Week 16 and onward, hopefully. 

 

For now I feel we'll keep AQ at LG for some time until the coaches and medical staff are sure KO is good to go. Once that happens, I'm sure KO will return to the starting lineup, and with far better overall play because of who will be there standing left of him next time.

[mgridda]

KO has probably been playing with a weak/spasming back since week 1. These things often fly under the radar until they become unmanageable. 

[billick]

GG gets knocked into the backfield way too often. He does not appear to be the answer.

 

Maybe AJ doesn't have the mental part down yet.

[H8ME]

Regardless, it's so sad to me that KO is bad enough for this to be a discussion point. I'm not sure if he's just having trouble picking up the mental dimension of Castillo's scheme or what...but how is it possible that he's regressed so far that he has a 7th round backup C unseating him...? Mckinnie, Shipley and Gradkowski are all subpar at this point (with only Gradkowski having a semblance of an excuse as to why)...and Osemele is worse!! I've got my fingers crossed that Monroe comes in and elevates our O-line to at least serviceable...but right now Flacco is being let down by the guys upfront which is exposing every other deficiency on the team.

 

Mental dimension?  Idk, Kalechi seems to be an intelligent, tough, physical young man.  Funny because Castillo's scheme is as vanilla as it gets.  No Traps. No sweeps. No pulls.  There are no dimensions.  I've not seen any of that.  

[K-Dog]

What does the Q stand for ?

[varaven]

Pro Football Focus rated his performance last game as the lowest of any player in the game at -6.6. Interestingly worse than Mckinnie's -5.9.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/10/07/refo-baltimore-miami-week5/

[monkeycatt]

What does the Q stand for ?

quay

[GrimCoconut]

Pro Football Focus rated his performance last game as the lowest of any player in the game at -6.6. Interestingly worse than Mckinnie's -5.9.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/10/07/refo-baltimore-miami-week5/

Guess that means he won't replace KO. Lol

[T3hRaven]

Guess that means he won't replace KO. Lol

 

I think our disappointment with Osemele made some people ignore Shipley's weak performance.  

[Static]

I'd imagine KO was just playing worse so it appeared good. That and we've seen nothing but a horrid O-line all season.

[GrimCoconut]

I think our disappointment with Osemele made some people ignore Shipley's weak performance.

Yeah. People are trying to look for a scapegoat. I get it. Gino looked better this game against a very very good DT tandem in Starks and Soliai. Shipley didn't play well but purple wasn't change because things aren't working but sometimes it's best to wait and be patient and evaluate rather than prematurely react.

[T3hRaven]

Yeah. People are trying to look for a scapegoat. I get it. Gino looked better this game against a very very good DT tandem in Starks and Soliai. Shipley didn't play well but purple wasn't change because things aren't working but sometimes it's best to wait and be patient and evaluate rather than prematurely react.

 

I don't think it helped Shipley that he was sandwiched between Gino, who isn't very good, and McKinnie who had a horrific day.  Additionally, he's really really small for a guard.

[izvoodoo]

Yeah. People are trying to look for a scapegoat. I get it. Gino looked better this game against a very very good DT tandem in Starks and Soliai. Shipley didn't play well but purple wasn't change because things aren't working but sometimes it's best to wait and be patient and evaluate rather than prematurely react.

Not to absolve him of his play.  But listen to these players.

Kevin Vickerson

Terrance Knighton

Phil Taylor

Marcel Dayreus

Andre Smith

JJ Watt

Stark and Pioli.

 

Talk about trial by fire.

[StingerNLG]

KO is the left guard if he is healthy.   That's what he was drafted for, that's his job.   

[sflegend89]

I think KO has been playing hurt so far. No reason he should be playing below the standard he set for himself as a ROOKIE unless he's injured. He's a tough kid and doesn't wanna let his teammates down but I think he needs a week or 2 to get past that lingering back issue. We saw it with McPhee at one point, he wasn't producing on the field like he was as a rookie and reports were circulating that he was playing through an injury. Once he fully healed up his level of play went back up and I think the same thing will happen with KO when he get's healthy.