[News] The Competition 2015: Offensive Tackle

[BR News]

Both starters are expected back and healthy, but there are options if they're not.

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[Bleedpurple&black52]

With the contract we gave Monroe, he needs to do much better NOOO he MUST do better & I mean much better.

[RavenManiac#7]

Really thought Monroe was better than he showed last season. Of course, he did suffer those two injuries, but when he Was playing he sure didn't seem to do as well as I expected him to. LT is Such an important position on the OL. It's probably the Most important considering he's protecting Joe's blindside. I sure hope he steps up and plays to the level of the contract we gave him, mainly not for the investment's sake but, rather, for Joe's health. Joe has certainly showed himself to be more durable than Monroe has. Good LTs are very hard to find so I just hope that Monroe had an off year or maybe played with a little complacency after he was able to get a good money contract. Still, though, I prefer players that play to the utmost of their ability on every play Regardless of their contract situation. Not saying Monroe didn't; just saying I wasn't too fond of what I saw from him. Hoping to see better. If not, I could see Hurst perhaps one day pushing him for his starting spot. I'm not predicting that for this season. Just say'in!

[hen826957]

I'm thinking in the back of my head is that if we really want to keep K.O. and Yanda and Monroe doesn't live up to his expectations this year I'll say try to trade him next year put and younger James Hurst at LT use the money to tried to keep K.O. and Yanda even cut Zuttah to save more room and put Urschal at center then our starting lineup for next season will be James Hurst LT, K.O. LG, Urschal C, Yanda RG, and Wagner RT just my opinion.

[law215]

How could Mink not list, Zuttah, Urshel, or Myers? I'm thinking Jah Reid will be cut. There is no way you keep him in the 53 with the talent Ravens have at other positions. We need one of the rooks to be the G/T so Yanda can stay inside. Hopefully Wagner and Monroe are healthy this season.

[stampedehero]

No mention of Myers and the versatility of Urshal. Both of these players should be considered .

[757RavensFan]

How could Mink not list, Zuttah, Urshel, or Myers? I'm thinking Jah Reid will be cut. There is no way you keep him in the 53 with the talent Ravens have at other positions. We need one of the rooks to be the G/T so Yanda can stay inside. Hopefully Wagner and Monroe are healthy this season.

The article is about offensive "tackles".

[mearzunkies]

And a pretty solid opinion hen826957

[Halshayeji]

I'm thinking in the back of my head is that if we really want to keep K.O. and Yanda and Monroe doesn't live up to his expectations this year I'll say try to trade him next year put and younger James Hurst at LT use the money to tried to keep K.O. and Yanda even cut Zuttah to save more room and put Urschal at center then our starting lineup for next season will be James Hurst LT, K.O. LG, Urschal C, Yanda RG, and Wagner RT just my opinion.

Monroe and Zuttah are basically untradeable this season because the Ravens would have more dead money then the actual cap hit. Next year is not as bad but we'd save about 2 mil on each and also carry a hefty dead cap number. Asking Monroe to take a paycut if he has another subpar season would probably be our best option next year.

Hurst and urschal played descent football last year for rookies. But that's where if ends. Going into a season with hurst and urschel as starters would be asking for trouble as both would suffer growing pains and there is no guarantee that they ever play as good as Monroe and zuttah. Besides, it takes 7 or 8 good linemen to finish a season. The Ravens have great depth in those 2 youngsters so why fix it if it ain't broke?

I honestly thought zuttah played great and there's absolutely no reason to replace him anytime soon. I do agree tho that Monroe needs to pick it up a bit.

[hen826957]

@Halshayeji I agree what everything you said I like Zuttah and Monroe is okay just making suggestions and ideas if you want to keep K.O. and Yanda next year. This season is already set up so no trades for either of those players this year. To me if you want to keep K.O. and Yanda together we have to free some room so trading like Monroe and releasing Zuttah "next season" would makes sense if we want to keep both of those guys a Raven.

[Postapocalypse Raven]

Four LTs in the top 50 of the top 100 players this year, but hey, look on the bright side... at least we've got Yanda. Oh well... top 80 ain't too bad.

Edited June 29, 2015 by Postapocalypse Raven

[Fastynart]

How is it that none of these people see that Reid sucks? He is just absolutely awful, yet, here he is, resigned to a one year deal. Every time they put him in the game he gets beat. It doesn't matter, guard or tackle, the guy just can't freakin block anyone. FIVE YEARS? He shouldn't have lasted five minutes. Just asinine.

[Nick04263]

I don't take Reid seriously. He has shown he can't stay healthy or play well when given the opportunity. When a 3rd round pick is consistently beaten by later round picks or UDFAs then it is time to cut ties. Why is he back and "Dedicated"? Probably because he sees this is truthfully his last chance to stay in the NFL and get some money. Maybe I am wrong but I would have moved on by now if I was in the front office.

[Purple Dawg 96]

"GAPEING" holes is what we got out the O line last season and "GAPEING" holes are what were gonna get this season!

[Halshayeji]

@Halshayeji I agree what everything you said I like Zuttah and Monroe is okay just making suggestions and ideas if you want to keep K.O. and Yanda next year. This season is already set up so no trades for either of those players this year. To me if you want to keep K.O. and Yanda together we have to free some room so trading like Monroe and releasing Zuttah "next season" would makes sense if we want to keep both of those guys a Raven.

If I had to chose between keeping Yanda and KO or zuttah and Moneoe id surely chose to keep Yanda and KO. But the beautiful thing next year is that we won't need to make very many tough decisions. So much dead money coming off the books and the cap will go up. We can comfortably keep our Oline for another 2 years at least.

If I'm not mistaken, last years Oline may have been the best group in Ravens history. Zero weaknesses and quality depth when needed. So I may be a little greedy here but I want all 7 guys back next year because we can

[Rants N Ravens]

No mention of Myers and the versatility of Urshal. Both of these players should be considered .

 

The article is about offensive tackles; Urschel plays guard primarily and can play center, while Myers is a rookie guard prospect.

[hen826957]

@Halshayeji that would be a dream come true if it's possible.

[Ngataninch]

I don't take Reid seriously. He has shown he can't stay healthy or play well when given the opportunity. When a 3rd round pick is consistently beaten by later round picks or UDFAs then it is time to cut ties. Why is he back and "Dedicated"? Probably because he sees this is truthfully his last chance to stay in the NFL and get some money. Maybe I am wrong but I would have moved on by now if I was in the front office.

The reality is we need a few guys like Reid...  He provides some depth at a pretty secure position and costs the Ravens next to nothing.  We can continue signing him to inexpensive contracts and he can continue providing the Ravens with an adequate backup.  This is a better plan than teaching some other average player every year only to have them bust or price themselves out of their contract once they are good enough to contribute.  

 

Everyone is knocking Jah Reid because they expect him to be a starter, I say we praise him for eating up so little of the salary cap and playing (not great, but) hard when his number is called.

[mearzunkies]

Look out the spelling and grammar po po are out

[mearzunkies]

Ngataninch I agree with you 100%. We need the Reids of the game on our team as well as the Monroe's!!

[Postapocalypse Raven]

The reality is we need a few guys like Reid...  He provides some depth at a pretty secure position and costs the Ravens next to nothing.  We can continue signing him to inexpensive contracts and he can continue providing the Ravens with an adequate backup.  This is a better plan than teaching some other average player every year only to have them bust or price themselves out of their contract once they are good enough to contribute.  

 

Everyone is knocking Jah Reid because they expect him to be a starter, I say we praise him for eating up so little of the salary cap and playing (not great, but) hard when his number is called.

Ok here goes...  Thanks Jah Reid for being an inexpensive player who almost never sees any snaps because you've either got a boo boo, or your busy getting beat out by late round and undrafted rookies. Thank you Jah Reid for consistently occupying one of the hot tubs, draining the medical staffs resources, eating the food, and breathing the air that could go towards the other players that actually have a chance to get onto the field. Maybe one day if you ever make it out of the tub then your number just might get called....   Nahhhh because even when your healthy you just flat out stunk up the joint, but at least you don't eat up a lot of salary cap right??? You are even less to our offensive line than what Terence Cody was to our defensive line. In fact the ONLY reason we should be thankful for you Jah Reid is for the fact that you were removed from the starting lineup back in 2012 which resulted in a win streak and a SB victory. It is for this reason that we are eternally grateful for the toe injury of 2012. Thank you.

 

How'd I do!!!? 

Edited June 30, 2015 by Postapocalypse Raven

[rmcjacket23]

@Halshayeji I agree what everything you said I like Zuttah and Monroe is okay just making suggestions and ideas if you want to keep K.O. and Yanda next year. This season is already set up so no trades for either of those players this year. To me if you want to keep K.O. and Yanda together we have to free some room so trading like Monroe and releasing Zuttah "next season" would makes sense if we want to keep both of those guys a Raven.

Not realistic. Max you would save by trading Monroe is $2.1M, which if that's all we needed to retain both of those guys, we could find that elsewhere.

 

Plus, I've seen nothing from Hurst to suggest he's better than Monroe.

[stixfix69]

i have high hope for Clausell, good size, and came from a good program....we will really get a good idea once camp starts, and they are in pads going full speed...

[Ngataninch]

Ok here goes...  Thanks Jah Reid for being an inexpensive player who almost never sees any snaps because you've either got a boo boo, or your busy getting beat out by late round and undrafted rookies. Thank you Jah Reid for consistently occupying one of the hot tubs, draining the medical staffs resources, eating the food, and breathing the air that could go towards the other players that actually have a chance to get onto the field. Maybe one day if you ever make it out of the tub then your number just might get called....   Nahhhh because even when your healthy you just flat out stunk up the joint, but at least you don't eat up a lot of salary cap right??? You are even less to our offensive line than what Terence Cody was to our defensive line. In fact the ONLY reason we should be thankful for you Jah Reid is for the fact that you were removed from the starting lineup back in 2012 which resulted in a win streak and a SB victory. It is for this reason that we are eternally grateful for the toe injury of 2012. Thank you.

 

How'd I do!!!? 

Nice attempt, but I doubt Jah will appreciate the genuine thanks lurking somewhere in all that sarcasm.  

[hen826957]

@rmcjacket23 not saying Hurst is better than Monroe. If Hurst at least close to the playing level of Monroe than I would trade him because Hurst is cheaper and use it for K.O. and Yanda along with other free agent moves in 2016.

[Postapocalypse Raven]

Nice attempt, but I doubt Jah will appreciate the genuine thanks lurking somewhere in all that sarcasm.  

Sarcasm? Who me??? I lose sleep at night thinking of ways to show Jah Reid how much I truly appreciate his many many many contributions to the team over the past four years. With many many many more contributions to come I'm sure.

[rmcjacket23]

@rmcjacket23 not saying Hurst is better than Monroe. If Hurst at least close to the playing level of Monroe than I would trade him because Hurst is cheaper and use it for K.O. and Yanda along with other free agent moves in 2016.

How would we know that? The only way Hurst gets on the field is if Monroe is hurt. So if Monroe plays all 16+ games in 2015, how exactly would the franchise know if Hurst is quality enough to replace Monroe?

For what its worth... I don't even think Monroe is nearly the problem people make him out to be, nor do I think his financial impact is sufficient enough where a change would need to be made. Sure, maybe in 2017, when there's more cap savings to be had, but Hurst will be in year 4 by then anyway, which means his "cheapness" would last about a ONE season total.

Put simply...I'd rather have Monroe and an Urschel/Myers/veteran/draft pick combo than a Hurst/Osemele comb at this point in time, and I don't suspect that will change in the next year.

Edited July 1, 2015 by Moderator 3
No need to bash fans on a fan site

[Blackmon1]

Looking forward seeing my son play on Sundays. Now is the time to fight for a spot on the roster to play for the Ravens.Hey!!!!! #63 Blaine Clausell, Let's go Big Boy This what we been working hard for.............

[hen826957]

@rmcjacket23 the coaches will know. If the coaches feel that Hurst can be a starting LT then he could be a starting LT to replace Monroe if needed to save space. I'm just saying if the Ravens want to keep K.O. and Yanda to stay in Baltimore then you have to switch it out and Monroe is the odd man out to be traded or release if Monroe improves then this is a different story. Remember you said to me when I was talking about letting like Perriman, Waller, etc to play first team offense in the preseason and let Steve Smith take less reps do to his experience then you said the coaches already no what they capable of during the practices well it pretty much the same thing with Hurst and Monroe.

[rmcjacket23]

@rmcjacket23 the coaches will know. If the coaches feel that Hurst can be a starting LT then he could be a starting LT to replace Monroe if needed to save space. I'm just saying if the Ravens want to keep K.O. and Yanda to stay in Baltimore then you have to switch it out and Monroe is the odd man out to be traded or release if Monroe improves then this is a different story. Remember you said to me when I was talking about letting like Perriman, Waller, etc to play first team offense in the preseason and let Steve Smith take less reps do to his experience then you said the coaches already no what they capable of during the practices well it pretty much the same thing with Hurst and Monroe.

Correct, the coaches will know. But at what point so far has any coach or any member of the FO given you any indication that they feel Monroe isn't good enough to be the LT of this team for the next 3-4 years minimum? What have they done to indicate that they will trade Monroe and start Hurst?

 

I've seen nothing, and I don't expect to see anything. That's my point. The notion of trading him and starting Hurst is completely fan driven by what I've seen so far, and that doesn't really mean much.

 

Me personally, I never understood why fans always think trading away depth is a good idea. I never really see how that makes this team better. We already know OLineman get hurt on an annual basis, and whether its Monroe or Hurst, they're not immune to it. So when we trade away Monroe, who's playing LT when Hurst inevitably gets injured? Scary thought isn't it?

 

If I've got a respectable backup LT who I know won't cost us games if he has to play, and he's playing for peanuts (which Hurst is), I'm riding that wheel until it falls off. If he proves he can play better than the starter, then so be it. But I'm not trading away either player just to potentially keep another guy who we probably still wouldn't keep. Just because we have the cap space to keep a player doesn't mean we will.