Im Mad About Our Center Situation

[march4superbowl]

I havnt posted since last year, wats up purple people? This situation here really upsets me and im worried. Jason was the leader of a O-line they should have kept together for Flacco, im sure it was because of salary cap issues, but how well do u guys feel Matt Birk will fill his shoes?? Tough loss IMO.

[WACKO4FLACC0]

[quote name='march4superbowl' post='173263' date='Mar 26 2009, 08:44 PM']I havnt posted since last year, wats up purple people? This situation here really upsets me and im worried. Jason was the leader of a O-line they should have kept together for Flacco, im sure it was because of salary cap issues, but how well do u guys feel Matt Birk will fill his shoes?? Tough loss IMO.[/quote]
I think Birk was a better pick up if u ask me..... Birk is a veteran and I think 6 time pro bowler.... Flacco will do just fine with Birk... Also you dont always have to lead with your mouth... Lead by EXAMPLE

Center should be your least concern what about our CB's.

[edreedfromtheu]

I believe Birk knows what calls to make, and knows who is supposed to block who. Jason Brown wasn't horrible, but by his decision to go to the Rams, you know what he was after. Birk is older, but like others have said... he is an upgrade talent-wise.

[Wacko4Zacko]

Im not worried at all. Im more concerned abotu our WR's, we sign Foxworth and Chris Carr can be a back up, so thats good enoguh for me. But we should atleast draft two rookie WR's.

[crazyboutravens]

Also think we need to draft a cb. we need the depth there. someone who can take over is a couple of years

[Lets_Go_Joe]

Birk is on par with Brown. And for the people who seem to think a Center QB relationship is sacred.... Joe only had Brown for one year, he will have the same experience with Birk as he had with Brown heading into last season, so I don't understand that argument.

Birk is probably on the decline, but he is still a top center and a very smart guy. I'm fairly confident we will be very happy with the effort he gives us.

[mhead66]

[quote name='Lets_Go_Joe' post='173288' date='Mar 26 2009, 10:22 PM']Birk is on par with Brown. And for the people who seem to think a Center QB relationship is sacred.... Joe only had Brown for one year, he will have the same experience with Birk as he had with Brown heading into last season, so I don't understand that argument.

Birk is probably on the decline, but he is still a top center and a very smart guy. I'm fairly confident we will be very happy with the effort he gives us.[/quote]
Good points...

I don't think Birk is as good as Brown anymore - 3 years ago, sure, but not at 33... but he is much cheaper, and the Ravens don't have to commit to a high pick replacement for a while now.

Birk was a good sigining - but Brown is/will be better...

[Alexir]

Good riddance to Jason Brown. I don't like his personality and I think he is overrated. Birk is a temporary solution but still better than JB.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='Alexir' post='173308' date='Mar 26 2009, 11:06 PM']Good riddance to Jason Brown. I don't like his personality and I think he is overrated. Birk is a temporary solution but still better than JB.[/quote]

technically isn't everything temporary in the NFL?

[darklight1216]

I can understand your concern. Jason Brown was good and he's young talent, so why bring in an old guy from the Vikes? Because Birk is better; he's a 6 time pro-bowler and still doing well. Jason Brown was a center, but he wanted to be (and more importantly wanted to get paid like) a guard. Wouldn't you rather have a tried and true veteran center rather than one doesn't even want to be play that position? As for leadership: Jason Brown obviously did okay but look at the Vikings; their o-line crumbled in 2005 when Birk was injured. Matt Birk was the glue that bound them together he brought leadership that was clearly missed when he was gone. He may not be a long term solutions but we're definetly on the right track.
So don't be mad; get glad.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='darklight1216' post='173315' date='Mar 26 2009, 11:44 PM']I can understand your concern. Jason Brown was good and he's young talent, so why bring in an old guy from the Vikes? Because Birk is better; he's a 6 time pro-bowler and still doing well. Jason Brown was a center, but he wanted to be (and more importantly wanted to get paid like) a guard. Wouldn't you rather have a tried and true veteran center rather than one doesn't even want to be play that position? As for leadership: Jason Brown obviously did okay but look at the Vikings; their o-line crumbled in 2005 when Birk was injured. [b]Matt Birk was the glue that bound them together[/b] he brought leadership that was clearly missed when he was gone. He may not be a long term solutions but we're definetly on the right track.
[b]So don't be mad; get glad[/b]. [/quote]


oh the irony

[raven-god]

[quote name='darklight1216' post='173315' date='Mar 26 2009, 11:44 PM']I can understand your concern. Jason Brown was good and he's young talent, so why bring in an old guy from the Vikes? Because Birk is better; he's a 6 time pro-bowler and still doing well. Jason Brown was a center, but he wanted to be (and more importantly wanted to get paid like) a guard. Wouldn't you rather have a tried and true veteran center rather than one doesn't even want to be play that position? As for leadership: Jason Brown obviously did okay but look at the Vikings; their o-line crumbled in 2005 when Birk was injured. Matt Birk was the glue that bound them together he brought leadership that was clearly missed when he was gone. He may not be a long term solutions but we're definetly on the right track.
So don't be mad; get glad. [/quote]
what up with redskins logo darklight1216

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='raven-god' post='173366' date='Mar 27 2009, 01:59 AM']what up with redskins logo darklight1216 [/quote]

hers used to be the ravens and redskins, but something happened with the ravens one she had, (as in the host site did something with it) but she is a fan of both teams


EDIT: changed the his/he 's to she/hers

[Mahatma_Sloth]

birk is going to help along the center we draft this year or next(alot of good depth at center this year)..... we should trade back for a couple more picks get DHB in the second and a C like Eric Wood

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='Mahatma_Sloth' post='173369' date='Mar 27 2009, 02:26 AM']birk is going to help along the center we draft this year or next(alot of good depth at center this year)..... we should trade back for a couple more picks get DHB in the second and a C like Eric Wood[/quote]

he'll be gone by 2nd round no doubts about it, if we did that i'd think about ramses barden, louis murphy or brian robiskie

EDIT

to be clear though, i'm not sure exactly where these guys are supposed to fall in what round, just stated what i thought

[BloodRaven]

Birk declined badly last year, pro bowl or not hes ageing and no longer elite. We should seriously consider a switch to zone blocking.

[Ranger275]

[quote name='BloodRaven' post='173375' date='Mar 27 2009, 10:48 AM']Birk declined badly last year, pro bowl or not hes ageing and no longer elite. We should seriously consider a switch to zone blocking.[/quote]


He didn't decline that badly last year. All of those sacks people said he was giving up (well, most) were the results of AD not being able to pick up the blitz. The center can't block a defensive tackle, stunting end and middle linebacker at once.

Birk's glory days were before the zone blocking scheme, so I think he might thrive with Bmore.

The biggest question is whether or not he can still pull. That used to be his biggest strength, and he was the absolute best center in the league at it, bar none. If he can still pull, with the Raven's blocking scheme, he's going to open huge holes for a trio of good backs.

I'm rooting for the guy as a life long Vikes fan. I think he still has some juice in his tank, and getting out of the zone scheme might help him show it off.

[CustomUserName]

I wouldn't be upset, I'll agree Jason has more upside and Birk is past his prime, but for the moment I'd say they are equal talent wise. The difference is Birk brings leadership to a young and physical offensive line, and will only serve as a band-aid until we find a young replacement for Brown.

However, before signing Birk, I felt Brown was more important to sign than Lewis. I think we need to shift our focus from defense to offense this year. We have a young, smart, physical O-line, a three-headed monster in the backfield, a franchise QB, a top-tier TE, and decent WRs (hopefully we improve here, otherwise, meh).

[SUPERBOWLorBUST]

I think Birk is just fine. I would have been upset if they didn't try to replace Brown, and just let him go. But Birk has an upside. He has more experience then Brown, and he's a probowler. Plus, you can't look at his age. He's a lineman, they are crazy and tough and can go on forever...

he's got 4-5 years left in him.

[Ranger275]

[quote name='SUPERBOWLorBUST' post='173395' date='Mar 27 2009, 03:07 PM']I think Birk is just fine. I would have been upset if they didn't try to replace Brown, and just let him go. But Birk has an upside. He has more experience then Brown, and he's a probowler. Plus, you can't look at his age. He's a lineman, they are crazy and tough and can go on forever...

he's got 4-5 years left in him.[/quote]


Birk is intelligent and seasoned, as well as physically capable and motivated. If he's healthy and comfortable with the scheme, expect to see him back in the pro-bowl. If he can still pull like he used to, and has the opportunity to, expect him to be all-pro.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Reddawn36' post='173363' date='Mar 27 2009, 01:53 AM']oh the irony[/quote]
Lol I considered saying "Don't worry, be happy," but I think it was more appropriate.

[quote name='Reddawn36' post='173368' date='Mar 27 2009, 02:15 AM']his used to be the ravens and redskins, but something happened with the ravens one he had, (as in the host site did something with it) but he is a fan of both teams[/quote]
Thanks for standing up for me. I really do need to do something about that sig.
Btw, I'm a girl.

[edreedfromtheu]

Oh hell... let's just make Ngata play both sides of the ball. Nose Tackle and Center! LET'S DO IT!

[PIG 20]

[quote name='march4superbowl' post='173263' date='Mar 26 2009, 08:44 PM']I havnt posted since last year, wats up purple people? This situation here really upsets me and im worried. Jason was the leader of a O-line they should have kept together for Flacco, im sure it was because of salary cap issues, but how well do u guys feel Matt Birk will fill his shoes?? Tough loss IMO.[/quote]

I hope your kidding. I was worried until they signed Matt Birk. Now, I feel better than I did when Jason was here. And you should too. The guy is a beast.

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='march4superbowl' post='173263' date='Mar 26 2009, 09:44 PM']I havnt posted since last year, wats up purple people? This situation here really upsets me and im worried. Jason was the leader of a O-line they should have kept together for Flacco, im sure it was because of salary cap issues, but how well do u guys feel Matt Birk will fill his shoes?? Tough loss IMO.[/quote]
Birk is a very good pick up for us. If we would have kept Jason Brown, I do not think we would have been able to make the free agent moves that we made.

[rastaman831226]

[quote name='mhead66' post='173305' date='Mar 26 2009, 09:56 PM']Good points...

I don't think Birk is as good as Brown anymore - 3 years ago, sure, but not at 33... but he is much cheaper, and the Ravens don't have to commit to a high pick replacement for a while now.

Birk was a good sigining - but Brown is/will be better...[/quote]
Nailed it!!!!! Brown is no doubt the better center at this point in his career than Birk is at this point in his career, however, he was the best option we could find at the time. What concerns me most is Birk's repudated difficulties against big bulldozing NT's, something he rarely faced in the NFC, but will see plenty of in the AFCN. Should Birk prove ineffective against the 3/4 alignment, Ravens's running game will suffer and the whole offense will stall.

[Ranger275]

[quote name='rastaman831226' post='173431' date='Mar 27 2009, 05:27 PM']Nailed it!!!!! Brown is no doubt the better center at this point in his career than Birk is at this point in his career, however, he was the best option we could find at the time. What concerns me most is Birk's repudated difficulties against big bulldozing NT's, something he rarely faced in the NFC, but will see plenty of in the AFCN. Should Birk prove ineffective against the 3/4 alignment, Ravens's running game will suffer and the whole offense will stall.[/quote]

The guy practiced against Pat and Kevin Williams, and had to line up across from Shaun Rogers twice a year. He also lined up against Corey Williams when he was with Green Bay. Rogers and Williams are both in the NFC North now, by the way.

I'd imagine that practicing against Phat Pat and K-Will would help a center learn how to manage big, athletic, physical defensive tackles.

[justifythegame]

[quote name='march4superbowl' post='173263' date='Mar 26 2009, 09:44 PM']I havnt posted since last year, wats up purple people? This situation here really upsets me and im worried. Jason was the leader of a O-line they should have kept together for Flacco, im sure it was because of salary cap issues, but how well do u guys feel Matt Birk will fill his shoes?? Tough loss IMO.[/quote]
Jason Brown wanted to hit FA knowing he could get more money. The Rams were even said to have tampered, and Brown knew the type of money he could get from teams with the worst OLs like the Rams, and try to force the Ravens to outbid. Did you see the contract Brown got? Its rediculous, he is getting paid like an elite guard. Why would we want to pay him that to play center? Brown wasn't as good a Center as he was a guard 2 years ago anyway, it wouldn't be worth it to us. If we paid Brown, we would kinda handicap ourselves and not be able to pay other players. We havent even been able to work out a deal yet with Suggs and we are in cap hell. Brown wasn't even the best player on the OL, he was behind Gaither and Grubbs in terms of ability and pure talent. Brown would've been nice to get back because he is so young, but our strategy has always been right player right price. We don't want to overpay players and handicap this team from being able to sign other players.

And i don't see the big problem, short term anyway, because we upgraded at C, even if it is only for about maybe 2 yrs (which is the big negative about the whole situation). But we are holding a private workout for Alex Mack, who if we draft would have loads of potential to be a great C one day after Birk retires. Letting Brown go worried me, but then when ozzie when and got Birk, all my worries are gone - we actually upgraded (at least imo), at the very least i think Birk is as good as Brown - at least for 2 to 3 yrs until he retires. This just proves ozzie is a genius.

[neepo13]

I am not happy about losing Jason Brown. Brown is younger and is only going to get better. Birk is only going to decline with age. BUT, 7 million a year for the a center when we've got a potential franchise LT in Gaither creeping up on free agency and Ngata going up next year, just wasnt a smart bussiness move in the long run. If Brown had accepted market value for a C and not market value for a G, I'd be even more angry about losing him but because of the deal he pulled I am not.

[Shawn`]

I was sad that Jason Brown was asking for that much and even more sad when he went to the Rams. But I'm estatic about acquiring Matt Birk, this guy should do better or just as good as Jason Brown.

[shaikh015]

Matt Birk sounds like a steal in this off season!