Jensen at RT?

**GOTA** · 06-03-2014, 06:04 AM

Going into camp they need to be open minded and consider all options at RT. I think it's very likely that we see an addition to compete for that job from the list that AirFlacco put up.

**AirFlacco** · 06-03-2014, 07:21 AM

And it will be one familiar with Kubes system. Look at all the guys he's brought in familiar with it: Smith, Daniels, even the rookie TE Gilmore knows it from watching it as a fan, and the new RB, Justin Forsett who said Ravens will be running the ball a lot.

So Eric Winston fits that bill playing in it for 6 years. Just makes sense.

**B-more Ravor** · 06-03-2014, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

I'm hearing that the Ravens are going to sign Eric Winston after June 1st...

Winston was pretty bad last year (and the last couple actually). KC made no efforts to re-sign him after 2012 and Arizona hasn't been interested in him at all this offseason.

We'll see, but despite the Kubiak connection, I don't see Winston being signed - that is, unless all of the present competitors totally flop.

**GOTA** · 06-03-2014, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by B-more Ravor

Winston was pretty bad last year (and the last couple actually). KC made no efforts to re-sign him after 2012 and Arizona hasn't been interested in him at all this offseason.

We'll see, but despite the Kubiak connection, I don't see Winston being signed - that is, unless all of the present competitors totally flop.

The good thing is that Winston is almost certainly going to be available. They do have time and can wait and see what happens with their other options. If no one rises up then you call up Winston. If 1 or 2 guys show something then you don't bring him in. It's not a bad position to be in.

**B-more Ravor** · 06-03-2014, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

The good thing is that Winston is almost certainly going to be available. They do have time and can wait and see what happens with their other options. If no one rises up then you call up Winston. If 1 or 2 guys show something then you don't bring him in. It's not a bad position to be in.

Agreed.

**BcRaven** · 06-04-2014, 09:21 AM

All the young RT candidates have to do is be as good as (hopefully better) than Oher. He didn't set the bar very high... Bc

**Tucker: M&T Sec 527** · 06-05-2014, 11:45 AM

It will be interesting to finally discover [or NOT] just what the Ravens see/saw in this small school, D-II International Man of Mystery. They certainly handled him "carefully" last year. He was evidently never in the pre-season competition for center and was not explored as an option when McKinnie returned to his old self, nor when KO went down. Injuries may have been part of it, but the guy was never active on a game day when he was on the roster. As an O-lineman, they had him below Shipley and Wagner on the Depth Charts. Not exactly ringing endorsements. But it felt like they were keeping a tarp (PS/IR) over this already somewhat puzzling draft choice, like they really had something in him. Inquiring minds are eager to see if there is anything there.;

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 06-05-2014, 12:27 PM

It's looking like Winston will not be signed unless the 2 second year guys fall over themselves in OTA's and training camp.

**alien bird** · 06-05-2014, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Tucker: M&T Sec 527

It will be interesting to finally discover [or NOT] just what the Ravens see/saw in this small school, D-II International Man of Mystery. They certainly handled him "carefully" last year. He was evidently never in the pre-season competition for center and was not explored as an option when McKinnie returned to his old self, nor when KO went down. Injuries may have been part of it, but the guy was never active on a game day when he was on the roster. As an O-lineman, they had him below Shipley and Wagner on the Depth Charts. Not exactly ringing endorsements. But it felt like they were keeping a tarp (PS/IR) over this already somewhat puzzling draft choice, like they really had something in him.

I think you are mischaracterizing the situation a little. Injuries may have been a part of it? More like all of it. He broke his foot at the end of July and wasn't on the practice field until the middle of October, so I'm not sure how he would have been an option for McKinnie or KO. And of course he would be lower on the depth charts - he didn't practice nor was he able to get on the field for two and a half months. Being a rookie, missing that much time pretty much ends your season; by the time you work your way back into shape and get your game up to speed, the season is over. The fact that he was not put on the practice squad nor put on injured reserve tells you that the Ravens felt highly enough of him to want him to develop last year. He might not turn out to be anything, but there is a reason they kept him active all year.

**Tucker: M&T Sec 527** · 06-06-2014, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by alien bird

I think you are mischaracterizing the situation a little. Injuries may have been a part of it? More like all of it. He broke his foot at the end of July and wasn't on the practice field until the middle of October, so I'm not sure how he would have been an option for McKinnie or KO. And of course he would be lower on the depth charts - he didn't practice nor was he able to get on the field for two and a half months. Being a rookie, missing that much time pretty much ends your season; by the time you work your way back into shape and get your game up to speed, the season is over. The fact that he was not put on the practice squad nor put on injured reserve tells you that the Ravens felt highly enough of him to want him to develop last year. He might not turn out to be anything, but there is a reason they kept him active all year.

If his foot was broken, why not put him on IR? That way he is stashed/protected from waivers, gets to heal the foot, and try again next year. Plus you can add a player to the roster that might even you know, PLAY or something. I'll accept the reasons you offer for why he didn't see the field. What I can't figure out is why in the face of the foot, missed time, rookie status, etc. the Ravens bothered to keep him on the 53 man roster. I'm not willing to accept it as a sign of the Ravens confidence in him. Hopefully he can meaningfully contribute. A small-time NCAA career and a lost rookie season lead me not to count on it.

**Doctor** · 06-06-2014, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by Tucker: M&T Sec 527

If his foot was broken, why not put him on IR? That way he is stashed/protected from waivers, gets to heal the foot, and try again next year.

I'm not disagreeing with the sentiment of what you're saying, but in order to have placed him on Injured Reserve, he would have to clear waivers.

We saw the Patriots claim Jake Ballard off waivers from the Giants after Ballard tore his ACL in the Super Bowl (then two months later had microfracture surgery on the same knee), fully knowing that Ballard was likely to miss the entire season (which he did).

Now...I'm obviously not saying that a 6th round rookie is on par with (what had been at the time) a reasonably productive pro...but you can't discount the possibility.