C Gino Gradkowski needs to be benched

[Corvus]

Lol. I love how Gino is the default scapegoat here. It's great.

I know right? What makes it even funnier to me at the moment is that (and I know this isn't some be-all, end-all statement by any means) ProFootballFocus just gave him the highest grade of our 5 starting linemen in the Packers game...

[sameoldbull]

I know right? What makes it even funnier to me at the moment is that (and I know this isn't some be-all, end-all statement by any means) ProFootballFocus just gave him the highest grade of our 5 starting linemen in the Packers game...

 I don't know man. Gino is as of now graded as the worst center in the league according to ProFootballFocus. I guess that's kinda bad. I know for certain that it isn't good.

[izvoodoo]

 I don't know man. Gino is as of now graded as the worst center in the league according to ProFootballFocus. I guess that's kinda bad. I know for certain that it isn't good.

Really impressed to see Travis Frederick up there.

[sameoldbull]

Really impressed to see Travis Frederick up there.

 

I've been on some forums and most of the cowboysfans are really impressed with him.

[izvoodoo]

I've been on some forums and most of the cowboysfans are really impressed with him.

That's one of those good picks.  Where everyone thinks you're wrong but the player is a stud.  That's when Jerry can tell everyone to bite him.


Still switched to a tampa 2 though.

[rmw10]

That's one of those good picks.  Where everyone thinks you're wrong but the player is a stud.  That's when Jerry can tell everyone to bite him.


Still switched to a tampa 2 though.

 

 

The issue with that pick is that he probably could have gotten someone else with that 1 and still could have gotten Frederick later.

[izvoodoo]

The issue with that pick is that he probably could have gotten someone else with that 1 and still could have gotten Frederick later.

True, but if he's playing like a top 5 center right now it's hard to argue with.  He may have turned out to be the best player on the board. 

[sameoldbull]

The issue with that pick is that he probably could have gotten someone else with that 1 and still could have gotten Frederick later.

 

Hindsight is 20/20, I saw him projected from late 1st round to top third round. I think what caused the uproar was more that Dallas should have gotten more from the trade than picking Travis where he was picked. They got seriously shorthanded by a couple of hundred points.

[rmw10]

Hindsight is 20/20, I saw him projected from late 1st round to top third round. I think what caused the uproar was more that Dallas should have gotten more from the trade than picking Travis where he was picked. They got seriously shorthanded by a couple of hundred points.

 

Yeah it's the whole scenario really.  We'll never really know if Frederick could have been picked up later, but it sure looks that way.  Not really a surprise from the Cowboys.  They've made some really weird draft moves.

[BloodRaven]

 I don't know man. Gino is as of now graded as the worst center in the league according to ProFootballFocus. I guess that's kinda bad. I know for certain that it isn't good.

 

It's depressing seeing Ramirez up top, he's someone I thought would be a perfect signing for us at guard or centre.

[The Raven]

It's depressing seeing Ramirez up top, he's someone I thought would be a perfect signing for us at guard or centre.

 

What are your thoughts on Gino? You think he oughta be benched? Or do you think we should stick with him at this point?

[BloodRaven]

What are your thoughts on Gino? You think he oughta be benched? Or do you think we should stick with him at this point?

 

I would stick with him, he flashes ability and knows the system unlike any trade or FA acquisition.

 

Shipley knows the system too but he seems to overextend because of his lack of length, he has really short arms even for his height.

[The Raven]

Well, for those wanting Birk, here's his opinion on Gino.

 

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Late-For-Work-1018-All-Hell-Could-Break-Loose/379d7899-4834-4630-adc9-09bdc793cf34

 

"I don't think they need a new center." "I know Gino has got the goods."

 

He basically hinted that Gino needs experience, especially with calls.

[GrimCoconut]

Well, for those wanting Birk, here's his opinion on Gino.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Late-For-Work-1018-All-Hell-Could-Break-Loose/379d7899-4834-4630-adc9-09bdc793cf34

"I don't think they need a new center." "I know Gino has got the goods."

He basically hinted that Gino needs experience, especially with calls.

So he's saying exactly what a few of us have been saying for a while? Live with the growing pains that come from starting a raw guy and let him grow? Wow.

[sflegend89]

The sooner we bench Gino and get a tough hard nosed Center in there the better. No way Shipley could possibly be worse until Jensen is healthy enough to start getting serious reps there in practice. I don't think it's his learning curve on making calls that people are mad about, it's his lack of physicality blocking and that's even more concerning. He uses his hands poorly, he uses leverage poorly, he's slow off the snap.. there's some serious problems with Gino at Center besides communication.

[GrimCoconut]

The sooner we bench Gino and get a tough hard nosed Center in there the better. No way Shipley could possibly be worse until Jensen is healthy enough to start getting serious reps there in practice. I don't think it's his learning curve on making calls that people are mad about, it's his lack of physicality blocking and that's even more concerning. He uses his hands poorly, he uses leverage poorly, he's slow off the snap.. there's some serious problems with Gino at Center besides communication.

He's got to learn. I love the thought process around here. Let's start young guys then we do and people are upset with the results. These things happen. It's part of the learning curve.

[sflegend89]

He's got to learn. I love the thought process around here. Let's start young guys then we do and people are upset with the results. These things happen. It's part of the learning curve.

 

There's a difference. Elam is going through a learning curve. Gino is just flat out struggling and not putting us in the best position to win football games. Your starting Center  being physically out matched and getting consistently stepped past or out leveraged is going to land Flacco on the IR. It's not like he's making mistakes playing wr and if he drops a ball or runs the wrong route the game simply goes on, if you consistently make mistakes like that on the offensive line your going to get your QB hurt. It will be all fun and games until Gino get's caught blocking air on a DL stunt and Flacco has 300 lb lineman diving at his knees. I'm all for patience with young players but starting on the OL of a $120M QB is serious business, Shipley isn't going to light it up out there but imo he at least gives us a better chance to win and that's what's most important. I trust him more to protect Joe and not to make a crucial error then I do Gino and that's just the reality of the situation.

[The Raven]

There's a difference. Elam is going through a learning curve. Gino is just flat out struggling and not putting us in the best position to win football games. Your starting Center  being physically out matched and getting consistently stepped past or out leveraged is going to land Flacco on the IR. It's not like he's making mistakes playing wr and if he drops a ball or runs the wrong route the game simply goes on, if you consistently make mistakes like that on the offensive line your going to get your QB hurt. It will be all fun and games until Gino get's caught blocking air on a DL stunt and Flacco has 300 lb lineman diving at his knees. I'm all for patience with young players but starting on the OL of a $120M QB is serious business, Shipley isn't going to light it up out there but imo he at least gives us a better chance to win and that's what's most important. I trust him more to protect Joe and not to make a crucial error then I do Gino and that's just the reality of the situation.

 

Yeah, uh, Gino isn't physically overmatched. He's fine there, whether you believe it or not. It's all mental.

 

So, bench Gino. Then what? Put in who? Shipley? The guy that was worse than Gino in the preseason? Common sense would lead to the conclusion that if Gino won the position battle, he's a better option than Shipley.

[sflegend89]

Yeah, uh, Gino isn't physically overmatched. He's fine there, whether you believe it or not. It's all mental.

 

So, bench Gino. Then what? Put in who? Shipley? The guy that was worse than Gino in the preseason? Common sense would lead to the conclusion that if Gino won the position battle, he's a better option than Shipley.

 

Using that logic, common sense would also lead you to the conclusion that if Huff won the position battle, he's a better option then Elam. Doesn't work like that, the depth chart is constantly fluid. That's plain ignorance to refuse to make adjustments based on preseason performance when we're heading into week 7. Shipley was just getting settled in and learning the system during the preseason anyway, far from comfortable with the playbook or his new teammates at that point. You can look at his starts at Center with the Colts and see he was a more efficient Center. The proof is in the pudding.

 

I'm telling you guys right now, the whole "stand by your guy" thing is real admirable until Flacco is on the IR. There has been multiple plays this year where Gino has been blocking air, it's just too dangerous for Joe with Gino's current form. Everybody has to get through a learning curve but Gino is performing at a dangerously low level right now, literally the worst starting center in football. That's not okay and a change has to be made for the sake of the team, not Gino's personal development. Shipley is far from a  great Center, he'll be middle of the road but that's still an improvement at the end of the day and going to put us in a better position to win football games.

[GrimCoconut]

There's a difference. Elam is going through a learning curve. Gino is just flat out struggling and not putting us in the best position to win football games. Your starting Center  being physically out matched and getting consistently stepped past or out leveraged is going to land Flacco on the IR. It's not like he's making mistakes playing wr and if he drops a ball or runs the wrong route the game simply goes on, if you consistently make mistakes like that on the offensive line your going to get your QB hurt. It will be all fun and games until Gino get's caught blocking air on a DL stunt and Flacco has 300 lb lineman diving at his knees. I'm all for patience with young players but starting on the OL of a $120M QB is serious business, Shipley isn't going to light it up out there but imo he at least gives us a better chance to win and that's what's most important. I trust him more to protect Joe and not to make a crucial error then I do Gino and that's just the reality of the situation.

“I don’t think they need a new center,” Birk told WNST.

According to Birk, Gradkowski just needs a little time to polish his responsibilities as a center. He said he can remember when he was the new center with the duties to make calls for the entire offensive line. Birks said the situation is “intimidating.”

“It was like, ‘Whoa! OK, this just got real all of a sudden,’” Birk said. “You have to earn respect. Earn credibility as a young player within the huddle. They talk about that with a young quarterback all the time, it’s kind of the same to a lesser degree with a center.

Matt Birk supports my argument that it takes time for a player on the OL to get comfortable, gain chemistry, and become confident in their play. Everyone on this forum thirsted for Peter Konz in the draft the year we got Gino, and he has struggled just as much as Gino. My point is, we always ask to let young players play. I always hear that. The problem is these things happen when they do. You have to give them a chance. I recognize it's not ideal because it might get Joe hurt. I know that. Thank God we haven't been that unfortunate yet. All I'm saying is, we have to try because it's not like there's a solution on the team and there's nothing truly better out there right now. 

[rlh445]

Using that logic, common sense would also lead you to the conclusion that if Huff won the position battle, he's a better option then Elam. Doesn't work like that, the depth chart is constantly fluid. That's plain ignorance to refuse to make adjustments based on preseason performance when we're heading into week 7. Shipley was just getting settled in and learning the system during the preseason anyway, far from comfortable with the playbook or his new teammates at that point. You can look at his starts at Center with the Colts and see he was a more efficient Center. The proof is in the pudding.

 

I'm telling you guys right now, the whole "stand by your guy" thing is real admirable until Flacco is on the IR. There has been multiple plays this year where Gino has been blocking air, it's just too dangerous for Joe with Gino's current form. Everybody has to get through a learning curve but Gino is performing at a dangerously low level right now, literally the worst starting center in football. That's not okay and a change has to be made for the sake of the team, not Gino's personal development. Shipley is far from a  great Center, he'll be middle of the road but that's still an improvement at the end of the day and going to put us in a better position to win football games.

 

Dude, seriously.  Gino is a better center than Shipley.  All you have to do is watch the games.  It's not just Gino, the entire line has looked off from jump.  Maybe part of it is the calls at the line but I'm positive that isn't the only thing.  All of our guys on that line have been getting pushed around, making mental errors (penalties) and generally just looking lost.  That's on THEM, not just Gino by himself.  Give the guy a freakin' chance, and by chance I mean a full NFL season cuz uh....this is his first.  Aren't you glad your boss didn't can you after six weeks on the job with you still not being the top guy in your entire company?  

[The Raven]

Using that logic, common sense would also lead you to the conclusion that if Huff won the position battle, he's a better option then Elam. Doesn't work like that, the depth chart is constantly fluid. That's plain ignorance to refuse to make adjustments based on preseason performance when we're heading into week 7. Shipley was just getting settled in and learning the system during the preseason anyway, far from comfortable with the playbook or his new teammates at that point. You can look at his starts at Center with the Colts and see he was a more efficient Center. The proof is in the pudding.

I'm telling you guys right now, the whole "stand by your guy" thing is real admirable until Flacco is on the IR. There has been multiple plays this year where Gino has been blocking air, it's just too dangerous for Joe with Gino's current form. Everybody has to get through a learning curve but Gino is performing at a dangerously low level right now, literally the worst starting center in football. That's not okay and a change has to be made for the sake of the team, not Gino's personal development. Shipley is far from a great Center, he'll be middle of the road but that's still an improvement at the end of the day and going to put us in a better position to win football games.

Huff won the battle because he knew the system better. Harbs came out and practically said exactly that.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Huff won the battle because he knew the system better. Harbs came out and practically said exactly that.
 
You really have no clue how to judge linemen, do you. You have no clue what you're talking about dude.

^ irony abound

[The Raven]

^ irony abound

 

Why are you still here? Just to be a negative nancy and provide worthless input? K, got it.

 

Anyway, I think the scheme change today will show whether Gino has been the biggest problem or not. He might come out and knock heads today. He might not. We'll see.

[GrimCoconut]

Gino is a Steelers fan. Or was. I'm excited to see him play his childhood team.

[rmw10]

Gino is a Steelers fan. Or was. I'm excited to see him play his childhood team.

 

That's got to be one of the worst things ever lol.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'd absolutely be thrilled to play in the NFL, no matter what team.  I'd just hate to play for my most hated team.  I'd rather be on the Jags than the Steelers lol.

[izvoodoo]

That's got to be one of the worst things ever lol.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'd absolutely be thrilled to play in the NFL, no matter what team.  I'd just hate to play for my most hated team.  I'd rather be on the Jags than the Steelers lol.

You think that, but this is someone's life work you know?  Also I'm sure you would feel differently if you could meet the guys behind the jerseys and front office, you know?

[Corvus]

I don't know man. Gino is as of now graded as the worst center in the league according to ProFootballFocus. I guess that's kinda bad. I know for certain that it isn't good.

Yeah, I know brother. I know I had read their write up on on their o-line ranks for the first quarter of the season where he had earned a -13.something grade. Just saying I'm 99% sure I saw the grades posted by them on the main site a few days ago and in the Packers game only, our most recent game, he had the highest grade of our o-linemen. Its frustrating but he is still a very young guy playing arguably the toughest line position from a mental standpoint, he has seven career starts, period. Way to early to bail on him at this point, and are Shipley and Jensen whenever he actually gets healthy any better?

[Neil]

The play today where he just brushed Polamalu on his way by him...  jeez.

 

That stretch play that they just keep trying to run loses yards every time, because every time they run it Gino gets beat.

[The Raven]

Gino played very well today, and it's obvious that he is improving. I think Yanda has started helping him with the blitz calls too, and that has paid off.