KO at left tackle in 2016.

[BmoreBird22]

We've seen players take less than they could get on the open market before, so you never know what will happen. I have no idea what's going on in his head, but I wouldn't rule him out automatically

[GrimCoconut]

I think there's a 50/50 chance to keep KO when I once considered him all but gone. While I understand and appreciate those who think he'll be gone, I do think we could cut Monroe if reports are true regarding how the team feels about him. Cutting Monroe does mean we can re-sign KO if we potentially choose to do such move, which becomes even more likely if we plan to use him at LT.

[GrimCoconut]

Btw this game should be a good test for KO at LT going against Justin Houston.

[The Raven]

KO looked pretty good today. He let up some pressure, but I mean, he went against Tamba Hali for much of the game. He really had a good game.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

KO looked pretty good today. He let up some pressure, but I mean, he went against Tamba Hali for much of the game. He really had a good game.

Yes he did it will be hard to keep him unless Oz can work his magic. I would love to see him protecting Joes blind side. It is going to cost BUCKOO BUCKS$$$.

Edited December 20, 2015 by ALSKAN RAVEN FAN

[CTFan]

I think we'll find a way to keep KO, but only if it's as a LT. However, I think the decision will rest more with Flacco than our FO. 

 

Not many teams will pay him Osemele as an LT, but I think we will. And assuming he would prefer to be a Raven, I think he'll be flexible in structuring a deal that let's us eat Monroe's contract next year.

[Inqui]

I think we'll find a way to keep KO, but only if it's as a LT. However, I think the decision will rest more with Flacco than our FO. 

 

Not many teams will pay him Osemele as an LT, but I think we will. And assuming he would prefer to be a Raven, I think he'll be flexible in structuring a deal that let's us eat Monroe's contract next year.

Iirc the last time Joe had any say (at all) in a personnel decision we came away with Tandon Doss. I don't think he'll have any say on the matter.

 

I think KO will get top LG pay, and his ability to play LT will be more of a flexibility argument in negotiations - either with us or with another side (the Broncos are my guess, but you never know until it happens) and that'll be what prices us out of keeping him.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

So KO and Yanda can both switch to LT and RT and be competent while we appear to have two serviceable backup guards?

Pay the man.

[GrimCoconut]

Iirc the last time Joe had any say (at all) in a personnel decision we came away with Tandon Doss. I don't think he'll have any say on the matter.

 

I think KO will get top LG pay, and his ability to play LT will be more of a flexibility argument in negotiations - either with us or with another side (the Broncos are my guess, but you never know until it happens) and that'll be what prices us out of keeping him.

I think what they're saying is that Flacco's extension/restructure will determine if we can keep KO. That's how I understood the comment, anyway.

[Inqui]

I think what they're saying is that Flacco's extension/restructure will determine if we can keep KO. That's how I understood the comment, anyway.

Ah yeah, that makes more sense. I think if we can knock $5-8 million off his cap hit that would make KO's future with us a little more up in the air. I really hope we can get another WR (albeit not an expensive one) and have a run at a cap casualty LT like Beatty or Clady (as well as extending Tucker) so I won't complain either way if we retain KO or let him bring in a nice comp pick.

[PurpleCity5]

We have big time FAs in 2017 in Brandon Williams, Ricky Wagner, and Will Hill. I think Brandon Williams will be offered an extension and Wagner will decide to play it out so he can rebound himself into a bigger contract. Will Hill should also be in for a pay day. I do think that will factor into wether or not we keep K.O

[JoeyFlex5]

ko played lights out against top flight pass rush.

We finally found a lt, aaaaaaaand its gone..

[Deflated Football]

Couldn't watch the game today. Did KO have a good day at LT?

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Couldn't watch the game today. Did KO have a good day at LT?

He played pretty darn good and against Tamba Hali too.

[Deflated Football]

He played pretty darn good and against Tamba Hali too.

Cool and thanks!

[GrimCoconut]

He played pretty darn good and against Tamba Hali too.

Cool and thanks!

Yeah, I was hoping I'd see him go against Houston, but it looks like he was out of the game today and recently. I really hoped to see that match-up. Still, he did well going against Hali, even if he is a bit older.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Yeah, I was hoping I'd see him go against Houston, but it looks like he was out of the game today and recently. I really hoped to see that match-up. Still, he did well going against Hali, even if he is a bit older.

I know its a long shot but I hope Oz can find a way to keep K.O. but I am not delusional it is going to cost $$$. He can play LT or LG at a very high level.

[GrimCoconut]

I know its a long shot but I hope Oz can find a way to keep K.O. but I am not delusional it is going to cost $$$. He can play LT or LG at a very high level.

I think it's more likely than I once did. If we do plan on moving on from Monroe, I can't see any reason why we can't keep KO. People will point to how it only saves $2.1M or whatever this year, but the fact is the Ravens won't plan for just 2016 but for beyond that. I think if we cut Monroe, then it all but ensures that KO will remain a Raven. 

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Anyone know what the franchise tag would cost? or if we could even use it on K.O.?

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

I think it's more likely than I once did. If we do plan on moving on from Monroe, I can't see any reason why we can't keep KO. People will point to how it only saves $2.1M or whatever this year, but the fact is the Ravens won't plan for just 2016 but for beyond that. I think if we cut Monroe, then it all but ensures that KO will remain a Raven. 

Can we use the franchise tag and if so do you know how much it would cost or if it would be smart even.

[GrimCoconut]

Can we use the franchise tag and if so do you know how much it would cost or if it would be smart even.

There's no way we use the franchise tag on KO. I'll quit this forum if we do. That's how convinced I am that it won't happen. This is coming from someone who hates to talk in absolutes. After all, only Sith deal in absolutes...

 

...oh wait, wrong topic.

Edited December 21, 2015 by GrimCoconut

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

There's no way we use the franchise tag on KO. I'll quit this forum if we do. That's how convinced I am that it won't happen. This is coming from someone who hates to talk in absolutes. After all, only Sith deal in absolutes...

 

...oh wait, wrong topic.

LOL!!! Like I said I was just curious because I know it would cost us for sure.

[atomicfront]

Can we use the franchise tag and if so do you know how much it would cost or if it would be smart even.

 

We can use the franchise tag on Osemele.  This past year franchise tag for an Offensive lineman was 12.9 million.  This upcoming year will be more.  We cannot fit that amount of money into our cap number. 

[ellicottraven]

I think the more he plays LT and plays fairly well, the more out of reach he becomes for the Ravens. I think the Ravens realize that K.O may actually price himself out of the Ravens reach and are simply affording him the opportunity to make a lot more in free agency. While helping themselves at the LT position given Hurst's inability to pass protect consistently.

[GrimCoconut]

I think the more he plays LT and plays fairly well, the more out of reach he becomes for the Ravens. I think the Ravens realize that K.O may actually price himself out of the Ravens reach and are simply affording him the opportunity to make a lot more in free agency. While helping themselves at the LT position given Hurst's inability to pass protect consistently.

I just don't understand this. Why is that? I think he would earn $8.5M/average at the most. It's true that a few games at LT may make teams and the Ravens feel he can play there, but there's no guarantee he does. Andy Levitre showed he could play LT as a LG and he got paid only marginally more money by the Titans. 

[Winchester]

Kelechi is a completely different breed than levitre. Osemele can play left tackle in a pinch. He played well vs Hali but Hali is not what he once was. Houston would have been very interesting!! In my opinion Osemele is the best left guard in the league. He could play tackle but ravens could not find a left guard like Osemele. The OLine additions in Arizona is the driving force propelling Palmers resurgence, thus Fitzgerald's resurgence, cj2k's resurgence and their prolific efficient balanced offense. Arizona is going to be tough to beat in the playoffs. Especially with David Johnson running behind that line!! He is as good or better than Gurley and with Palmer throwing to the receivers in a clean pocket. As good as their Oline is, their Oline couldn't compare to Tunsil Osemele Urschel Yanda Wagner across the board. Harbs likes Urschels physicality at center and I believe he wins the job at center next year. Ravens have the opportunity to front the most dominating intimidating OLine since the cowboys of the 90's. But more athletic across the board. After a LT the ravens only need a receiver like Boyd, Doctson or Thomas to complete the offense. Osemele is the most powerful drive blocker on the line and very important to the Oline and offense.

[baltimorefan328]

My biggest issue with Osemele is he's another player who plays at a very high level, when he's actually playing.  Since his rookie year he's missed 7 games his second year, 2 last year, and 2 so far this year.  Even with the games he's missed, I feel like he's had nagging injuries more often than not.  I think he's a great player and without taking into account the money to sign him and all that, Osemele makes me extremely nervous as another top end talent guy with injuries who the Ravens might sign to big time money, and the player only gets hurt.  Obviously you can't anticipate big time injuries, but Jimmy and Webb and Pitta were all guys that the Ravens knew had injuries before.  Also you can't anticipate guys without an injury history then getting hurt often (Monroe).

 

I'm not suggesting any hard and fast rule of never signing a player with top end talent who has had a major injury because there have obviously been plenty of players who have not been hurt again.  It's just Osemele is another guy who sort of fits the potential script we've seen before of a high talent guy who's been hurt before, and then gets hurt again after a big contract.

[terrynjulia03]

KC has a pretty good D, and while Hali may not be the player he was hes still damn good. KO held his own, Ill give him that. Jensen is horrible at G and proved hes a backup and nothing more.

Now we can argue till were blue in the face. Should we resign KO and tell Monroe to take a hike, or draft Tunsil to play LG until Monroe goes down, again and than move him to LT the following year? All legit questions. However, we need to retain a few other guys also BWill for one will be the biggest contract. Tucker has to be paid along with Hill. I just dont see the cap space to keep KO, Bwill, Hill and Tuck. Tuck being the cheapest prob. Were gonna have to sacrifice one of these guys. Period. Personally I choose KO, just because Urschel can step in at LG and I think will do well.

[rmcjacket23]

KC has a pretty good D, and while Hali may not be the player he was hes still damn good. KO held his own, Ill give him that. Jensen is horrible at G and proved hes a backup and nothing more.

Now we can argue till were blue in the face. Should we resign KO and tell Monroe to take a hike, or draft Tunsil to play LG until Monroe goes down, again and than move him to LT the following year? All legit questions. However, we need to retain a few other guys also BWill for one will be the biggest contract. Tucker has to be paid along with Hill. I just dont see the cap space to keep KO, Bwill, Hill and Tuck. Tuck being the cheapest prob. Were gonna have to sacrifice one of these guys. Period. Personally I choose KO, just because Urschel can step in at LG and I think will do well.

Hill is under contract for 2016. He will be a UFA in 2017.

[terrynjulia03]

Hill is under contract for 2016. He will be a UFA in 2017.

Ahhh apologies. I knew he signed a 2 year deal in 14, but it was a 2 yr extension. Your right, my mistake.