Welcome to Bmore, Zuttah

[BmoreBird22]

How good can he be, if the Bucs signed EDS in FA?

In all fairness, I'd go after EDS over most centers in the league. He's a pretty dominant pass blocker and he's really solid in run blocking. He'd be an upgrade over most of the centers in the league and given that the Bucs were looking to overhaul their entire offensive line for the most part, why not go after the best available center, outside of Mack of course.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Welcome!  Solid move for the Ravens.

[PolishRifle]

Then again, Jacoby Jones fumbled the football during his first punt return and play in his first postseason game. The Texans thought he was "useless" and expendable. Surely, he never saw postseason success after that, right?

 

NOTE: Lame example; but, you get the idea. One team's trash is another team's treasure...

 

I just don't want to see this ever again:

 

[blitzking33]

You ain't lying, my friend. This team is starting to come together. Broncos and Pats aren't the only AFC forces to be reckoned with!

If we get Blount to Bmore... Wow. No words to say how scary that would be.

What would be even better is Blount/Leach.

[Bltravens]

Interesting note

If Walt says it then it must be a good thing.

[Stephenjr]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=6iioXJycf5w

 

This is what Mel Kiper had to say about Zuttah on Draft day. We just were blessed with a great player! Thank You Ozzie!

[Stephenjr]

Then, the question would be: What happens to Gino Gradkowski? No, seriously! Would they cut him, seeing how the front office is trying to lock-up Zuttah to an extension (and everything indicates he'll be playing center)? Or, do they just keep him as depth at either center or guard?

Depth, and maybe he pans out in the future. We could trade him if he ever does improve.

[Stephenjr]

 

I think something we need to consider is that Birk was PFF's 20th ranked center in 2012 during the Super Bowl run. Zuttah was 22nd last year, so the drop off isn't big between them. He'll have the chance to play with an All-Pro on his right side and a possible Pro-Bowl/All-Pro on his left, which I'm sure eases his concerns some. 

 

What we're getting is a very young center who can still improve in some aspects, and I'm sure he will given the pedigree of the coaching staff and the players right next to him. Again, the most important aspect will be the fact that he can make the correct calls and reads. Birk wasn't the best blocker, but he lessened it by putting people in the position to succeed and help him out and minimize his deficiencies, something I'm sure Zuttah will do also. This is huge for the Ravens.

 

This kid is a Beast. Huge upgrade from Gino.

[Yatagarasu]

what we spent a 5th Rounder???

 

I thought we could've fleeced the Bucs more like a 7th Rounder since they were going to release him anyways.

 

Also, the reworked contract better be good since we put a pick on the line.

 

I'm going to wait to see all the details before going judgment day!!!

[izvoodoo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=6iioXJycf5w

 

This is what Mel Kiper had to say about Zuttah on Draft day. We just were blessed with a great player! Thank You Ozzie!

Off topic.  That's a really good draft board.  Jamal charles, Brandon Albert, and Brandon Flowers.  Not a bad haul.

[RavensAllTheWay]

Don't know much about Zuttah, so I can't say much, but any upgrade is a win for us.

[Stephenjr]

How good can he be, if the Bucs signed EDS in FA?

Real, Real Good!! The Man is a flat out athletic Beast. His Motor never stops, and he gets to the next level with no problem. Bucs are redoing there whole line. Remember Bobby Rainey. He almost had a 200 yard game running behind Jeremy Zuttah! Not only can he play Center, he can play every position on the O-Line.

[ravensdan]

To be honest this is a possibility. I think it would improve the line anyways. I liked Osemele at RT. I feel Gradkowski will be better than he was last year. That being said, if I had to choose I wouldn't want Gradkowski being our center.

Possibly lg could be a home for Gino.

[GrimCoconut]

Possibly lg could be a home for Gino.

This is how I see it. I've said for a while Gino could play LG if we decided to get a veteran center. Granted, I think we may still address the position in the draft, I just feel like Gino may be playing LG next year. It's a possibility. Furthermore, I want KO at RT. I feel it would be best for his back and reduce injuries due to his height and playing low. With this move, we could just need a LG and there are quite a few tantalizing prospects in this draft that give me hope.

[SeaHawk]

Also, zuttah did not give up a single sack in either 20!2/2013. Impressive

[Purple_ICE 81]

Well he is not a flashy signing...but Kubiak knows what he is looking for in centers I guess...looking for the specific type of athlete, and Zuttah ran a  4.9  40 yard dash. He has some starting experience which is also good, but he was part of a  Bucs o-line that wasn't good last year. And the fact that they wanted to improve on the position by adding Evan Dietrich Smith this offseason makes me wonder how good Zuttah really is.

 

Im not sure if anything has been set in stone as far as the starting job goes...but I would assume there to be a competition in training camp. Maybe with the addition of a couple more cheap Kubiak choices we will find a quality starting center who will help boost the running game, although Im optimistic at this point it will be Zuttah.

[Bravens292]

He should have more confidence because there is a bigger margin for error when you play with pro bowlers. Since their line was so bad, is 22nd out of 35 centers accurate? i mean he didn't give up a sack, correct? He could be a lot better this year.

[Bruce_Almty]

Looks like drafting an O-linesman in the first round is off the table; I'm happy with that.

AQ Shipley and Jah Reid are not long for this team.

[SecretAgentMan]

Out oline has gotten better.....

We might field a good one next year...

[GrimCoconut]

Looks like drafting an O-linesman in the first round is off the table; I'm happy with that.

AQ Shipley and Jah Reid are not long for this team.

I don't think this eliminate that as a possibility but I personally felt the OL hype in the first round was a bit misinformed anyway. I like Zach Martin quite a bit but I also feel like Joel Bitonio, Brandon Thomas, and even Dozier Dakota could play the role as well in time or possibly immediately. I don't know how they'll transition as I'm not a professional but they seem to be very skilled players from my evaluations.

[Gordo52]

Looks like a solid addition but I'm not getting my hopes up... Although he's an immediate upgrade over Gino so I'm happy.

[Free Agent]

Yeah, one inch and five pounds bigger. Lol

 

Compare the two with the eyeball test, Zuttah is clearly the larger man. He has longer arms, a wider frame; the listed height and weight isn't the point.

[-Truth-]

He should have more confidence because there is a bigger margin for error when you play with pro bowlers. Since their line was so bad, is 22nd out of 35 centers accurate? i mean he didn't give up a sack, correct? He could be a lot better this year.

 

If it helps, his grade was bogged down by an atrocious performance against Philadelphia, which was seemingly an outlier compared to his other performances. He would've ranked much higher without that game.

[hawkprey]

It's scary to think our offense this year might actually be... passable.

[mg90]

Maybe this move helps us to go for BPA in the draft. I couldn't tell you what I think our biggest need is now, I just know I want to see a good O-lineman taken at some point.

[Corvus]

Real, Real Good!! The Man is a flat out athletic Beast. His Motor never stops, and he gets to the next level with no problem. Bucs are redoing there whole line. Remember Bobby Rainey. He almost had a 200 yard game running behind Jeremy Zuttah! Not only can he play Center, he can play every position on the O-Line.

As I already said, I like this trade but I'm in a wait and see mode to see who earns the 3 starting spots up for grabs before gushing over the guy. You do realize the game you mentioned as an example was against the Atlanta Falcons' 31st ranked run defense right? Rainey's only other 100+ yard rushing game came against the 28th ranked Buffalo Bills' run defense. I have high hopes for Zuttah and our line too but not a particularly good example. Its sort of like how Rice had the terrible year he had but put up over 100 yards against a terrible Bears' run defense...

[rmw10]

Glad C is officially taken care of.  BDLP was a good option, but not a terrific scheme fit.  Montgomery was a good scheme fit, but a stop gap type of guy.  Zuttah fits the scheme and can come in and play some above average football in my opinion.  The chances of us getting anyone better with a 5th round pick are slim, so now that I've thought about it more, I'm more than alright with this trade, especially with how we do in stockpiling comp picks.  Glad to have him on board!

[GrimCoconut]

Glad C is officially taken care of.  BDLP was a good option, but not a terrific scheme fit.  Montgomery was a good scheme fit, but a stop gap type of guy.  Zuttah fits the scheme and can come in and play some above average football in my opinion.  The chances of us getting anyone better with a 5th round pick are slim, so now that I've thought about it more, I'm more than alright with this trade, especially with how we do in stockpiling comp picks.  Glad to have him on board!

I like the move because while we lost a pick, he might take care of this for years. It's a nice move. Still not happy about the 5th (if it's true) but it's not a terrible price to pay for a starting center.

[Ravenskid52752]

Glad C is officially taken care of.  BDLP was a good option, but not a terrific scheme fit.  Montgomery was a good scheme fit, but a stop gap type of guy.  Zuttah fits the scheme and can come in and play some above average football in my opinion.  The chances of us getting anyone better with a 5th round pick are slim, so now that I've thought about it more, I'm more than alright with this trade, especially with how we do in stockpiling comp picks.  Glad to have him on board!

oh rmw he's gonna be here long-term they want him here for the future and at only 27 to grow with monroe yanda and KO man this o-line is really taken shape. just LG or RT which ever KO wants to man down.

[rmw10]

I like the move because while we lost a pick, he might take care of this for years. It's a nice move. Still not happy about the 5th (if it's true) but it's not a terrible price to pay for a starting center.

 

I would have preferred something along the lines of a 6th, but apparently a lot of other teams were very interested in him as well.  if the 5th is what it took to get done, so be it.