Kelechi Osemele named one of Grantland's breakout stars

[Inqui]

It's not a grand accolade like CJ Mosley competing for DRoY or Tucker winning (another) ST award, but it's great to see number 72 getting some recognition out there ("the best interior lineman in football right now") and I thought he deserved a place to get his own love here.

 

It has to be said that he's rebounded nicely from his injury and is looking like a monster in Kubiak's line. Hopefully he can keep playing at this level and prove a long-term answer at the position.

 

The article also brought up this GIF, which frankly I can't seem to get bored staring at. Deserved a repost.

 

[TDubbs]

So great to see a young guard like KO getting the attention he deserves. He's played very well to start the season and that block vs. the Bengals was just text book. As long as he stays healthy he could be a perennial Pro Bowler. 

[codizzle]

The best thing about that gif is that him and yanda do the exact same thing

[rmw10]

The interior and the line as a whole is so much better now.  A healthy KO and Yanda both look to be what we thought they could be together.  Zuttah is playing some very solid football.  He's not perfect but he gets the job done.  Wagner has been a godsend in run blocking on the right side.  Monroe has struggled a bit but that could be another case of injury holding him back.  Time to see what we have in Hurst.  Regardless, this OL is much improved.

[beasy2487]

What annoys the crap out of me is how well KO, Zuttah, and Yanda blow their guys off the ball but Pierce squanders the hole with indecisive running. A guy a Le'Veon Bell, a Gio Bernard, or even perhaps a Forsett runs behind KO and then break toward the sideline or back to the middle for 20+ yards. Even if he just plants his foot and guns it he gets 8-9 yards instead of 4-5.

 

One thing I've begun to notice about the ZBS is that yes, if you're a one-cut slasher you can have consistent positive yardage, but if you're a truly patient runner you can break off huge runs. I hope the coaches are showing tape of Bell and how he deliberately moves with the line and explodes into space. Forsett does it naturally but if Pierce can learn it he'll be deadly...assuming he doesn't shatter upon impact.

 

On topic though, I disagree that this isn't huge recognition. Journalists vote for the accolades so if he KO is getting noticed in the media now (with the grades to boot), he might be looking at an All Pro selection which would be amazing.

[codizzle]

If KO plays this way all season, he is a lock for All Pro.. This year

And no I'm not being sarcastic

[The Raven]

KO is beast! Love seeing him and Yanda just destroy people in that clip above. Best two guards in the NFL right now.

[GrimCoconut]

I'm wondering if we can keep both Yanda and KO when they're free agent in 2016.

[52520Andrew]

The interior and the line as a whole is so much better now.  A healthy KO and Yanda both look to be what we thought they could be together.  Zuttah is playing some very solid football.  He's not perfect but he gets the job done.  Wagner has been a godsend in run blocking on the right side.  Monroe has struggled a bit but that could be another case of injury holding him back.  Time to see what we have in Hurst.  Regardless, this OL is much improved.

 

Agreed, not many people are talking about how much better it is but they deserve some recognition

[Bullrush]

Grantland, huh.

 

He's playing well right now, hope he continues to make progress.

[Mt. Crushmore]

For what its worth, Osemele is PFF's top rated G right now.  Second?  That would be Yanda.

[GrimCoconut]

For what its worth, Osemele is PFF's top rated G right now. Second? That would be Yanda.

Think we'll be able to keep both when they're free agents in 2016? I certainly hope so.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Think we'll be able to keep both when they're free agents in 2016? I certainly hope so.

 

I hope so.  With Flacco, I think the most important position to invest in is the OL.  I feel his performance is directly correlated to that of the OL.

[GrimCoconut]

I hope so. With Flacco, I think the most important position to invest in is the OL. I feel his performance is directly correlated to that of the OL.

I agree. I'd rather throw our money into Yanda and KO, Jimmy Smith. I think Flacco needs a strong OL just like any other QB but Joe especially because I don't see him making great adjustments at the LOS like some other QB. Probably my biggest gripe on his game.

[TDubbs]

I agree. I'd rather throw our money into Yanda and KO, Jimmy Smith. I think Flacco needs a strong OL just like any other QB but Joe especially because I don't see him making great adjustments at the LOS like some other QB. Probably my biggest gripe on his game.

 

100% agree. Flacco has to have a good OL to be successful. I believe part of his inability to make good adjustments at the LOS is the Matt Birk effect. Flacco had Birk to lean on as a young QB for those adjustments, a guy who was probably the smartest Center to ever play the game. 

[The Raven]

I'm wondering if we can keep both Yanda and KO when they're free agent in 2016.

 

I don't want to talk about that. Not ready to cope with the possibility that Yanda could be gone. Top three favorite all time Raven. 

[Gtown Purple]

beast mode......

[codizzle]

I don't want to talk about that. Not ready to cope with the possibility that Yanda could be gone. Top three favorite all time Raven.

Not happening.. Nope nope nope

[Ravenseconbeast]

One concern: injury.

Like many young upcoming stars, few very rarely knows how to keep themselves upright. Longivity is key.

Jimmy and KO seem to have the talents to be pro bowl. But how dependent are they?

I Dont want another L.Webb,Pitta situation happening.

[GrimCoconut]

One concern: injury.

Like many young upcoming stars, few very rarely knows how to keep themselves upright. Longivity is key.

Jimmy and KO seem to have the talents to be pro bowl. But how dependent are they?

I Dont want another L.Webb,Pitta situation happening.

That's a fair criticism but Jimmy has only been nicked up. He hasn't yet had any of those devastating season ending injuries. Both of those players have had that happen, and even KO has.

[redrum52]

What's crazy to me is how much people appreciated his absence last year. We could possibly have the best interior line and if not at least top 5.