Awful offensive line

[riverrat]

Our O-line has arguably been our worst unit on the team over the past two games. With two stud rbs, we are not able to get them decent holes, not great. Just decent.

 

Mckinnie still cant run block, which is why we will draft a left tackle high next year.

 

Osemele has underwhelmed after extreme offseason expectations including a pro bowl berth

 

Gino is not very good in pass pro or run protection. He is at best average so far.

 

Yanda is Yanda.

 

Oher has done alright in pass protection from what ive seen, shut down kruger. but no push in run game.

 

With our neutered passing game, we need this run game and the o line to go with it. This is where next game lies as well with JJ Watt

 

the addition of gino should not have had such a drastic effect on a o line that won a super bowl last year.

 

what happened?

our o line is giving joe enough time to try to get timing with new targets the run game will come trust me

[Gorillaz MD]

Our O is not all that bad. It's not great but aisnt terrible. I Lay a fa amount of blame on Flaco. Sure it's not just him but an SB MVP on a 120mill contract needs and should be able to gel with his WR by now. He should also be able to bend his game slightly to make the conections work.  The WR's are  connecting espeacially smith but flaco doesnt seem to be able to lead them to the pass and there getting shut down as soon as there hands hit the ball which isnt allowing for extra yardage on plays.  I still would love to see Taylor out on the field for a game. His style of QB play is where the game is headed. Fast and Explosive. Taylor looks to me alot more like Romo relaxed but very alert. I think J.F's bigest problem is his awareness. He just doesnt seem to be aware of what is happning around him and is getting sacked instead of getting out the pocket and runnin/throwing away. And that is hurting ofensivly. The Offense line can only hold the D for so long. eventually someone will get through and sack the QB. Joe has patience but then doesnt move he stays in that pocket of doom and bang gets hit. He has to learn to move or Ofensivly were gonna suck all season.

Dude, were you dropped on your head?

[The Raven]

I'm getting ready for a personnel change now. I like to give guys a few games to see that they are made of, but Gino has disappointed. I'd maybe give him until the bye week to get his act together, but I'm definitely ready to entertain the idea of putting Shipley in. 

[T3hRaven]

I'm getting ready for a personnel change now. I like to give guys a few games to see that they are made of, but Gino has disappointed. I'd maybe give him until the bye week to get his act together, but I'm definitely ready to entertain the idea of putting Shipley in. 

 

They need to try something.  Grades aren't out yet obviously, but I'm guessing Gino will retain his title as the worst center in the league so far.  Not that Oher, McKinnie, or Osemele have been better.

[The Raven]

They need to try something.  Grades aren't out yet obviously, but I'm guessing Gino will retain his title as the worst center in the league so far.  Not that Oher, McKinnie, or Osemele have been better.

 

Gino's inability to make blitz calls is infuriating. His run blocking has been dreadful. 

 

I think we should see a scheme change first, but it's getting close to the point where someone needs to be benched, and Gino is the only one with a remotely suitable back up.

[jimjim5]

Shipley up next. The quicker Castillo is forced to go, the better.

[jimmypowder]

[quote name="The Raven" post="1605579" timestamp="1380490992"] Gino's inability to make blitz calls is infuriating. His run blocking has been dreadful. I think we should see a scheme change first, but it's getting close to the point where someone needs to be benched, and Gino is the only one with a remotely suitable back up.[/quote] Gino is not NFL caliber . He is way undersized and thought he would be a terrible pick . His play is confirming my fears .

[The Raven]

Gino is not NFL caliber . He is way undersized and thought he would be a terrible pick . His play is confirming my fears .

 

His size isn't the problem. There are other good centers out there with similar size. The problems are the mental mistakes and the apparent lack of lower body strength. 

[jimmypowder]

[quote name="The Raven" post="1605623" timestamp="1380491373"] His size isn't the problem. There are other good centers out there with similar size. The problems are the mental mistakes and the apparent lack of lower body strength. [/quote] I'd agree with this . I think his size is less of an issue then the issues you state. He looks like a big bust.

[flaccopoe]

AQ time?  Also, who did better, Yanda or Osemele?

[FerrariFan87]

Oh, Matt Birk, please come back!!

[Smoke]

Shipley up next. The quicker Castillo is forced to go, the better.

True our OL isn't the best personal.  But they in the past have worked well together.  Gino is not the leader that Birk was and sure doesn't have the experience. I really believe we need to get ride of OL line coach Castillo (friend of Harbs)- zone blocking does not fit our personel- time for a change, just like last year with Cam. Don't wait until its too late

[FerrariFan87]

If you notice in Harbs' post-game presser, he mentioned that the O-line missed a lot of assignments... that's on the Center.

[Alexir]

Get to the Super Bowl with the line we had last year but we for some reason think we need to go to a ZBS... If it's not broken, don't break it and cause your best offensive player to be useless and have your franchise QB throw it constantly. He's not in a system that would allow him to have success chucking it 50 times

[jazz1988]

Get to the Super Bowl with the line we had last year but we for some reason think we need to go to a ZBS... If it's not broken, don't break it and cause your best offensive player to be useless and have your franchise QB throw it constantly. He's not in a system that would allow him to have success chucking it 50 times

 

The ravens been using the zone blocking scheme ever since Leach became a raven and its definately not something new.

[rmw10]

The ravens been using the zone blocking scheme ever since Leach became a raven and its definately not something new.

 

Yeah they've been using it but it hasn't become the primary blocking scheme until this year.  It works for us in short stints, but we're being exposed by using it full time.

[The Raven]

The ZBS is just too easy to beat, and every team we've played did what needs to be done to beat it. Penetrate gaps and blitz. If do that, you will destroy the ZBS.

[BallHawker]

Gino needs to go.

[Brandon22]

we need to put K.O back on the right side except at RG if he exceld at RT he can do it there then we could put Marshal Yanda on the trade block for a high pick in this years draft

[Sizzlebshu]

we need to put K.O back on the right side except at RG if he exceld at RT he can do it there then we could put Marshal Yanda on the trade block for a high pick in this years draft

... You want to get rid of the only player on our offensive line that is decent at all (possibly the best player in the league at his position)? 

 

On top of that KO did not excel at RT. He gave up 8 sacks by week 6 if I remember correctly. 

[Edgar]

Gino needs to go.

Kudos to whoever started this topic and had the guts to write his opinion without graying it. We basically admitted it to the entire NFL yesterday by refusing to run  because WE COULDN'T RUN! Can't recall seeing a running game that couldn't manage to fall forward for an occasional two yard gain to at least make the opposition think we might run.

[The Raven]

we need to put K.O back on the right side except at RG if he exceld at RT he can do it there then we could put Marshal Yanda on the trade block for a high pick in this years draft

 

We need to put you in timeout for even suggesting a trade involving Yanda. 

 

But let's say we trade him. What next? Tell me your brilliant idea in its entirety. Who plays RG, and how will they play at the level Yanda does?

[Guest Im An Ozzie Newsome Guy]

So, I don't want to be that guy, seeing how it's only week 4 (and there's lots of football left to be played); but, realistically, what are the "givens" when it comes to the '14 Ravens offense line?

 

LT: * Bryant McKinnie - Has one-year left on his contract. Right now, he's the one starting offensive lineman that doesn't have that much leeway to make mistakes; although, then again, Baltimore has no proven left tackle, behind him, that can replace him, at the moment. If he's cut, the Ravens would save $3 million, while having to deal with $1 million in dead money. Most likely, unless the Ravens want to keep him for depth (But, for that price?), McKinnie is done after 2013. So, basically, a left tackle is a MAJOR need and the team's 1st-round pick will be used on one, again. PREDICTION: RELEASED

 

LG: * Kelechi Osemele - Still on his rookie contract, which will have 2 more years left. I still believe in Osemele and I think he can still be (at least) a solid-and-capable left guard in the League. After all, we can say he was playing out of position when he was at right tackle, last season. Osemele will be on the '14 Ravens, regardless if he's a starter or not. PREDICTION: STAYS

 

       * Ricky Wagner - A rookie, who can play either guard or tackle. Right now, Wagner is a project and might even become a starter, down the road. PREDICTION: STAYS

 

  C: * Gino Gradkowski - Like Osemele, he's still on his rookie contract, which also has 2 years left on it. Are the Ravens really missing Matt Birk that much? I was optimistic about Gino, simply because he held his own against Geno Atkins in the 1st half of that week 17 game against Cincy.

 

If anything, I thought Baltimore would only be missing Birk's intelligence and his ability to command the line to make adjustments, not his actual strength and power. But, damn! A 37-year old Matt Birk looks stronger than a 24-year Gino Gradkowski. It's almost scary to see a center get beat on nearly every snap. Gradkowski has to start proving himself, now, or he might get benched. For next year, though, I still cannot see the Ravens cutting him. PREDICTION: MAYBE NOT AS A STARTER, BUT, STILL STAYS

 

       * A.Q. Shipley - Has 1 more year left on his deal. Shipley was, at worst, traded-for to provide depth at the center position. Honestly, I think Baltimore would be worse with Shipley as the starting center, especially since he looked sloppy playing with the first team in the preseason (against the Falcons). Also, if the Ravens were to cut him, there would be no penalty and the team would save roughly $570 K. PREDICTION: RELEASED

 

       * Ryan Jensen - A rookie, who (apparently) has lots of upside. I keep hearing his name mentioned and, although he's still recovering from a foot injury, at the rate it's going with Gino, I would not be surprised if Jensen is given the starting position at center, sooner-rather-than-later. PREDICTION: STAYS

 

RG: * Marshal Yanda - Has 2 years left on his 5-year, $32 million contract. Obviously, Yanda is still recovering and has yet to get back to being 100%; but, without-a-doubt, if Yanda wasn't here, this line would be absolutely pathetic and maybe even the worst ever, at least in the 18-year history of the Ravens. PREDICTION: STAYS

 

RT: * Michael Oher - Will be a free agent. I have defended Oher, in the past, and he is definitely better suited for right tackle than the... err, "blind side". However, something is just amiss, this year, for Oher. I can't really pinpoint what it is, either. And, to be honest, he hasn't really been committing penalties. Other than Yanda, he is the second-least penalized offensive lineman on the team, if that makes sense.

 

Still, the team is better with Oher in the line-up, as evident by the Broncos. However, looking towards the future, I don't know if the team will want spend somewhere between $20-$25 million on Oher, to lock him up. I don't want for the Ravens to give-up on Oher; but, I just feel that there are better alternatives, at a much cheaper price, too. PREDICTION: LEAVES AS A FREE AGENT

 

       * Jah Reid - Meh... PREDICTION: EITHER STAYS OR IS RELEASED

 

There's 9 offensive linemen on the '13 Ravens 53-man roster. And, personally, I only see 5 (or 6, if you count Jah Reid) of them returning for the 2014 season. Agree or disagree?

[rmw10]

We need to put you in timeout for even suggesting a trade involving Yanda. 

 

But let's say we trade him. What next? Tell me your brilliant idea in its entirety. Who plays RG, and how will they play at the level Yanda does?

 

Jah Reid...

 

 

 

HAHAHAHAHAHA.

[BallHawker]

Convince Birk to come out of retirement.. PLEASE. That line doesn't know who to block. Focus on the center next game, and watch the linemen whiff on plays and let DEs and DTs slip through the cracks to get to Leach 3 yards behind the LoS. By that time, Rice/Pierce need to cut back and run sideways to see past Leach, meeting yet another defender.

 

This is atrocious... Also, why didn't we pass more on 1st downs in the first half? Stuffed run, short pass/incompletion, QB pressure, punt is all I could remember in that half besides the short TD drive to Marlon.

 

Also, Marlon looks like a Boldin. He isn't very good on the outside and needs to stay in the slot. Well, that is, if Flacco gets some damn time to look for his WRs.

[Alexir]

I'm not worried about the passing game. I'm worried that our best offensive weapon isn't being utilized due to failure by the offensive line

[BallHawker]

I'm not worried about the passing game. I'm worried that our best offensive weapon isn't being utilized due to failure by the offensive line

 

We need the O line to protect Flacco. The reason we won the SuperBowl was because the defense couldn't TOUCH Flacco in the post season. Freeney/Mathis? Nope. Von Miller? Nope. Chandler Jones? Nope. Aldon Smith? Nope.

 

This is the worst line I've seen from the Ravens since.. well, the beginning of last season (or the 2010 squad with Oniel Cousins)

[rafahash]

I've had enough of Gino. This OL is killing our running game.

[ravensfan160]

I've had enough of Gino. This OL is killing our running game.

I don't think it's fair to single out one player for our poor o-line play. Even if Geno is missing a lot of line calls allowing free rushers to the QB that's far from the only problem. Guys like KO and even Yanda are just getting beat in their one on one matchups.

 

My biggest concern with Gino heading into the season was if he could handle the job physically. I thought he would get overpowered. So far he seems to be holding his own.

 

For now I blame Juan Castillo. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Unfortunately, it seems like that is what he has done.

[Guest Im An Ozzie Newsome Guy]

Wasn't Juan Castillo know for utilizing a man-blocking scheme when he was with the Eagles? And, doesn't the Ravens personal seem better suited to run a MBS, as well? So, why is this team still trying to zone-block for Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce, then?