Ravens Draft 2014

[hawkprey]

Do you guys see john urschel as a guard or could he be our future center? I kind of like the idea of a super genius calling the adjustment checks.

I would love that. He'd show up to the line and face the nose tackle:

 

"Mate in 137 moves."

[Cville-Raven]

I'm curious to see how the battle between A. Brown and Mosely plays out. 

[RavensNation14]

I'm curious to see how the battle between A. Brown and Mosely plays out. 

I'm thinking Mosley wins it. I love Brown, but Mosley is a better compliment to Smith in the middle. I could see them both getting a fair share of time though throughout the season. All of them have some injury history though so wouldn't surprise me to see them all getting time this season. 

[RavensNation14]

Do you guys see john urschel as a guard or could he be our future center? I kind of like the idea of a super genius calling the adjustment checks.

I want to see how he plays out as OG first. If he's dominant there, there's no reason to move in to play C especially since we just signed Zuttah to a long term deal. 

 

Now if Zuttah isn't playing up to expectations, I wouldn't mind putting him there but we also have Gino as our backup. That's not appealing at all, but were super thing at OG and Urschel is a better fit for OG imo. 

[Militant X 1]

I think the new qb is a good idea tyrod needs a chance to shine on his own . He doesn't fit our scheme .

 

I've always said this!

 

#Mili

[ellicottraven]

Gradkowski sucked at center, but that was because Shipley was starting next to him and he didn't know the calls. Gradkowski could be a decent guard. Urschel could be a good guard as well.

Urschel gets pushed back a lot, which seems like the Gradkowski syndrome to me. However, he is super smart unlike Gino who had trouble dissecting defenses and getting his O-line on the same page... hopefully in a year or two Urschel adds strength and bulk and is our future center in 2 yrs. Zuttah can be a formidable guard for us.

[The Raven]

Urschel gets pushed back a lot, which seems like the Gradkowski syndrome to me. However, he is super smart unlike Gino who had trouble dissecting defenses and getting his O-line on the same page... hopefully in a year or two Urschel adds strength and bulk and is our future center in 2 yrs. Zuttah can be a formidable guard for us.

 

Have you actually watched Urschel? For some reason I doubt it

[ellicottraven]

Have you actually watched Urschel? For some reason I doubt it

For the very same reason you sir, are wrong.

[Inqui]

Urschel gets pushed back a lot, which seems like the Gradkowski syndrome to me. However, he is super smart unlike Gino who had trouble dissecting defenses and getting his O-line on the same page... hopefully in a year or two Urschel adds strength and bulk and is our future center in 2 yrs. Zuttah can be a formidable guard for us.

I think we need to be a bit careful with getting excited about Urschel's intelligence, as it's one of those things that differs from person to person. You have guys who have PHDs who can't balance a checkbook or maintain a relationship (for example). The point is that all kinds of things require a different kind of intelligence, and there's a reason FOs talk up "football IQ". To be honest, CJ Mosley doesn't seem all that bright (maybe he just comes off that way in the interviews), but his football IQ seems to be through the roof.

 

Does Urschel have the mind capacity to understand NFL-level coverages? Sure. But I think we should wait before proclaiming him a super-genius until after he hikes a few balls.

 

All of that said, I haven't seen him play yet so I can't say whether he regularly made the right reads in college.

[ravensnick]

Urschel gets pushed back a lot, which seems like the Gradkowski syndrome to me. However, he is super smart unlike Gino who had trouble dissecting defenses and getting his O-line on the same page... hopefully in a year or two Urschel adds strength and bulk and is our future center in 2 yrs. Zuttah can be a formidable guard for us.

I thin Urschel ultimately plays center. And agreed, Zuttah would be a nice guard, maybe even better at that than center.

[ellicottraven]

I think we need to be a bit careful with getting excited about Urschel's intelligence, as it's one of those things that differs from person to person. You have guys who have PHDs who can't balance a checkbook or maintain a relationship (for example). The point is that all kinds of things require a different kind of intelligence, and there's a reason FOs talk up "football IQ". To be honest, CJ Mosley doesn't seem all that bright (maybe he just comes off that way in the interviews), but his football IQ seems to be through the roof.

 

Does Urschel have the mind capacity to understand NFL-level coverages? Sure. But I think we should wait before proclaiming him a super-genius until after he hikes a few balls.

 

All of that said, I haven't seen him play yet so I can't say whether he regularly made the right reads in college.

Point well taken. However, NFL level coverages can't be any more complicated than integral calculus right?

[Ravenseconbeast]

I thin Urschel ultimately plays center. And agreed, Zuttah would be a nice guard, maybe even better at that than center.

 

Urschel (as much i like the guy as a person) is not going to beat even Gino.  John is probably the weakest guy in the whole lineman corp we have atm.  It also doesn't help he has no physical attribute nor the technique.  

 

I think if anything, he can help other players understand and teach them the schemes while his learning our football offense.  Other than that, him being on the field is going to be incredibly hard.

[52520Andrew]

Urschel (as much i like the guy as a person) is not going to beat even Gino.  John is probably the weakest guy in the whole lineman corp we have atm.  It also doesn't help he has no physical attribute nor the technique.  

 

I think if anything, he can help other players understand and teach them the schemes while his learning our football offense.  Other than that, him being on the field is going to be incredibly hard.

 

The intelligence is what is key at the center position more than anything. Being able to play the chess game with the ILB on the defense as to who blocks who is critical in every play and Gino could not do that at all last year. 

[Inqui]

Point well taken. However, NFL level coverages can't be any more complicated than integral calculus right?

I just think it's a different kind of complexity. In terms of mind capacity there's no reason he can't step up and become Peyton Manning, but for all we know he might struggle with the coverage concepts.

[T3hRaven]

Point well taken. However, NFL level coverages can't be any more complicated than integral calculus right?

 

Integral calculus isn't that complicated.

[The Raven]

Integral calculus isn't that complicated.

 

Maybe not for you! Aren't you in engineering?

[Inqui]

Maybe not for you! Aren't you in engineering?

All of which proving my point.

[T3hRaven]

Maybe not for you! Aren't you in engineering?

 

LOL yeah.

 

Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but one of the OL I knew when I was in college was also a math major, although not one of the upper tier guys.

[52520Andrew]

Integral calculus isn't that complicated.

 

I have to agree, a lot of it is about keeping track of everything and knowing when to apply certain theorems and identities but if you know that, the math itself isn't too bad

[Ravenseconbeast]

Aaron Wilson @RavensInsider 

 

Sunny Shah, Timmy Jernigan's agent, said the defensive lineman agreed to terms a little while ago, will sign his $4.382 million deal tonight

 

[hawkprey]

Urschel (as much i like the guy as a person) is not going to beat even Gino.  John is probably the weakest guy in the whole lineman corp we have atm.  It also doesn't help he has no physical attribute nor the technique.  

 

I think if anything, he can help other players understand and teach them the schemes while his learning our football offense.  Other than that, him being on the field is going to be incredibly hard.

What are you basing this on? He did 30 reps of 225 at the combine. Only 7 O-linemen did better this year. Not that it directly translates to total strength. We also play a zone scheme which isn't so much strength-oriented - so why would it be incredibly hard for him to get on the field? 

[Ravenseconbeast]

What are you basing this on? He did 30 reps of 225 at the combine. Only 7 O-linemen did better this year. Not that it directly translates to total strength. We also play a zone scheme which isn't so much strength-oriented - so why would it be incredibly hard for him to get on the field? 

 

He used to get pushed around pretty easily while he was on pit.  Not that its really reliable...but just from the few games i saw, his not a reliable player when it comes to pass protection.   I'm not too sure about run game though.  

[flynismo]

He used to get pushed around pretty easily while he was on pit.  Not that its really reliable...but just from the few games i saw, his not a reliable player when it comes to pass protection.   I'm not too sure about run game though.  

I only saw him play three times last year, but ironically, my first impression of him was Matt Birk. You are correct, he can definitely be overpowered by the big guys, but he is going to be very good in a ZBS.

[flynismo]

What are you basing this on? He did 30 reps of 225 at the combine. Only 7 O-linemen did better this year. Not that it directly translates to total strength. We also play a zone scheme which isn't so much strength-oriented - so why would it be incredibly hard for him to get on the field? 

He has a very weak lower body from what I can tell...if you watch him lock up and try to drive a guy, you'll see what I mean.

[0_o]

He used to get pushed around pretty easily while he was on pit.  Not that its really reliable...but just from the few games i saw, his not a reliable player when it comes to pass protection.   I'm not too sure about run game though.  

 

Urschel (as much i like the guy as a person) is not going to beat even Gino.  John is probably the weakest guy in the whole lineman corp we have atm.  It also doesn't help he has no physical attribute nor the technique.  

 

I think if anything, he can help other players understand and teach them the schemes while his learning our football offense.  Other than that, him being on the field is going to be incredibly hard.

 

You couldn't be further from the truth. It's almost as though you aren't even trying to give an honest assessment. Whatever profile your read on the kid is wrong if that's your take on it because it's obvious you haven't watched him play. You don't have to like the pick but dont go making stuff just because...

 

What are you basing this on? He did 30 reps of 225 at the combine. Only 7 O-linemen did better this year. Not that it directly translates to total strength. We also play a zone scheme which isn't so much strength-oriented - so why would it be incredibly hard for him to get on the field? 

 

Urschel has a shot at starting at Guard this year. He's a technically sound linemen who drops the anchor in a hurry and understands the concept and the totality of a blocking scheme. He will be a key cog on our line at some point he just has to go out and earn it. We absolutely found a gem with this guy, Intangibles are off the chart, and he's definitely not a weak player mentally or physically. His potential at Center is the most intriguing.

 

If you have any doubts all you need to do is look up his tape. Maybe Penn State has a couple full games online somewhere. To be honest,  Gino might not even make the roster.

[BmoreBird22]

Integral calculus isn't that complicated.

It's actually vector calculus, which I got credit for without knowingly taking it when I transferred my credits, so it can't be that bad. It sounds like he taught vector and calc II

[ellicottraven]

Have you actually watched Urschel? For some reason I doubt it

Hello. A brief excerpt from Ryan Mink who literally saw Urschel at practice so you can spend some time pondering your caustic remark laden with ill founded sarcasm. Here is the actual observation from Ryan Mink's post:

"One knock on center/guard John Urschel is that he isn’t that strong. His arms don’t match up to defensive tackle Brandon Williams, but Urschel is a big, cut player."

[SecretAgentMan]

Hello. A brief excerpt from Ryan Mink who literally saw Urschel at practice so you can spend some time pondering your caustic remark laden with ill founded sarcasm. Here is the actual observation from Ryan Mink's post:

"One knock on center/guard John Urschel is that he isn’t that strong. His arms don’t match up to defensive tackle Brandon Williamsbut Urschel is a big, cut player."

Who's do?

[The Raven]

Hello. A brief excerpt from Ryan Mink who literally saw Urschel at practice so you can spend some time pondering your caustic remark laden with ill founded sarcasm. Here is the actual observation from Ryan Mink's post:

"One knock on center/guard John Urschel is that he isn’t that strong. His arms don’t match up to defensive tackle Brandon Williams, but Urschel is a big, cut player."

 

1. I am so impressed by Mr. Mink's expert analysis.

 

2. Oh good God, the rookie Urschel isn't as strong as the second year Mack truck, Brandon Williams. Urschel must be a weakling. If you watch film of Urschel, he demonstrates a good deal of strength.

 

 

Would you like some more ill founded sarcasm?

[GrimCoconut]

Hello. A brief excerpt from Ryan Mink who literally saw Urschel at practice so you can spend some time pondering your caustic remark laden with ill founded sarcasm. Here is the actual observation from Ryan Mink's post:

"One knock on center/guard John Urschel is that he isn’t that strong. His arms don’t match up to defensive tackle Brandon Williams, but Urschel is a big, cut player."

Well, fortunately we run a ZBS system so I'm not sure how important it is that John is super strong. Furthermore, he can improve in that area and that's exactly why we have a weight room at the UA facility. I don't think you need to be so caustic, however, in response. I understand that perhaps he was a bit sarcastic, but sarcasm doesn't necessarily need more sarcasm in return. Just my opinion.

 

Also, Brandon Williams has freakish body strength and that was before an entire season of NFL football. Combine that with the entire season and now off-season of football, and that may be an unfair competition for Urschel, who wasn't the strongest to begin with but going against Williams might be a bit too much at this point.