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Thread: Offensive Line
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03-07-2013, 01:22 PM #25
Re: Offensive Line
During the playoff run the offense played very well. Aside from the question mark at LT, we will return just about everyone. We have Reid, Harewood and Cornell as depth for the line and all of them should improve. We aren't likely to find a starting LT drafting at #32 and beyond, so it makes sense to find a FA or resign McKinney to a short contract. The Oher experiment at LT didn't work and the contrast with the line play during the regular season vs the playoffs last year is evidence. Our guard tandem could be the best in the game and sticking Gradkowski between them will help him be successful. All that is needed is to plug in a LT and we'll have a powerful offense with a great OL.
The defense played poorly for much of the year and we're losing Lewis and could eventually lose Ellerbe, Krueger, Williams, Kemo and Reed. Another question mark is McClain coming off his spinal injury. The defense needs to be retooled and IMO we'll draft heavily on that group.
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03-07-2013, 01:30 PM #26
Re: Offensive Line
Last edited by jonboy79; 03-07-2013 at 01:59 PM.
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Re: Offensive Line
I wouldn't say the front office has an undying allegiance to Michael Oher. His struggles at LT during training camp and the preseason, played a role in Bryant McKinnie being signed by the team. When Jah Reid got hurt, they could have put Williams at LG and left Oher at LT.
It just seems that the players they've chosen to groom for the spot have not panned out. Gaither's poor work ethic led to constant injuries and constant questions. McKinnie's work ethic is the only thing that led to Oher being at LT last year.
If they do draft a LT, I would expect them to select someone with an unquestionably hard work ethic."Please take with you this final sword, The Excellector. I am praying that your journey will be guided by the light", Leon Shore
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03-07-2013, 01:48 PM #28
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03-07-2013, 02:00 PM #29
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03-07-2013, 02:18 PM #30
Re: Offensive Line
LT is obviously the huge elephant in the room. I think we all agree they need to re-sign Mckinnie and draft his heir apparent soon. I think the other 4 spots are locked down pretty good, Jah gives good swing depth at G and RT, especially since we already know he can at least play G at a respectable level. I could see Caldwell and Cornell competing for a spot and we'll have to find a backup for Gino. All in all i think we are in good shape, assuming LT gets handled properly.
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Re: Offensive Line
they should draft with the intention of not renewing oher after his rookie contract runs out next year. there was talk earlier in this season about extending oher. i thought that was crazy and apparently it was a bad rumor.
i was driving one weekend and 98 rock was replaying the denver playoff game on the radio. it must have been the week before the superbowl. i heard ismail say "stay on your block 74". it was in response to a sack on joe. you don't hear players called out much but i think it is obvious to everyone about his level of play.
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03-07-2013, 02:55 PM #33Hyperbolic curmudgeometer
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Re: Offensive Line
Another strawman argument.
FTR I agree that Oher is an above-average RT & as with McKinnie this year, I would expect him to move to starboard if&when the developmental LT cracks the lineup. I disagree that "he's a replacement level starter on the left side"--he is IMO an adequate stopgap whose presence to port will require adjustments in protection (e.g. help from a TE) &/or game-planning (e.g. faster developing pass patterns) that will keep this offense from achieving its potential.
Flacco has been amazingly resilient in his career but with Michael at LT I live in apprehension of the day he whiffs on a blitzer, Joe doesn't see him (it is, after all, the blind side) & gets clobbered in a joint- or tendon-unfriendly manner, & the next morning this board is swamped with draft & free-agency threads in mid-season.
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03-07-2013, 03:04 PM #34Hyperbolic curmudgeometer
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Re: Offensive Line
Doubtful he'd be back in any event so long as he's convinced he's a genuine starting LT & deserves to be paid as such. The Ravens will probably offer him a contract that's upper end for a RT, but some team out there will want him to play LT & outbid them. (BTW, you ought to get those shift keys fixed.)
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03-07-2013, 03:39 PM #35Steve Flacco, Apparently
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I think bemoaning the inevitably of Flacco being IR'd if Oher plays LT is the real strawman, as evidenced by the fact that he's done it for us for a couple of seasons without Flacco having ever been seriously hurt outside of a hip bruise that he played through.
That's basically the definition of a replacement level player. A guy you can plug in and tread water with, but who you look to upgrade or scheme to help.
Name the realistically draftable or affordable free agent left tackle that that sentence doesn't apply to and you may have a point.My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging. -Hank Aaron
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03-07-2013, 04:20 PM #36
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