Signed Guard Bobbie Williams To A Two Year Deal

[arnie_uk]

Baltimore Ravens‏@Ravens
The #Ravens have agreed in principal to a 2-year deal with 12-year veteran guard Bobbie Williams.

He ended on IR last year, previously of the bengals.

Does this say anything baout Osemele or Reid? or purely adding depth?

[wickedsolo]

Depth.

I didn't (and don't) think that Reid is a good fit at LG anyway.

I still think KO will start at LG, so Bobbie Williams will probably be the swing guard (he primarily was the RG in Cinci).

Plus, KO is dealing with an injury as is Reid.

[Flipping Birdie]

He was still a starter before he was injured last year, right? I could seeing going either way, 11 year veteran starter, or faster/stronger rookie. Even if he doesn't start, he can mentor Osemele.

[bmorecareful]

Bobbie Williams was still very effective for the Bengals last year despite his age. Assuming he can recover 100% from his ankle injury, he's a very good run blocker and decent in pass protection. The only problem that I see is system fit; he's not a good fit for the zone-blocking scheme with his weight and build.

Having said that, I love the move because we now have a known quantity at G, even if he'll have to transition from RG to LG. If he can play at the level he has played for Cincinnati he should beat out KO and Reid at LG with ease.

That might sound shocking to some, but KO is a small-school OT who was playing against guys who are out trying to get real estate and insurance jobs right now. He has the physical tools, but he's a project, not an immediate answer. Jah Reid is a swing tackle, not a guard. I don't see a persuasive argument that Bobbie Williams at 100% can't beat both of them out in 2012 for a starting spot. 2013 is another matter entirely.

[Ravenswintitle]

He's been a solid guard but does he have anything left? getting kinda old...

[Iscull]

Seems to me like a Gurode type move. Great depth signing of a guy who knows the division and can help mentor KO. Don't see anything wrong with this pickup.

[leachisabeast]

Having said that, I love the move because we now have a known quantity at G, even if he'll have to transition from RG to LG. If he can play at the level he has played for Cincinnati he should beat out KO and Reid at LG with ease.

I think that you are way off here. Osemele was a solid second round pick, and came up against some pretty good pass rushers in college and did a good job on them, for example Aldon Smith in 2010. To say he isn't ready because he played at a "small school" is a little harsh, Iowa Cyclones have a great programme. It's a good depth signing but nothing else, as Wicked said, Osemele is going to be the starter at left guard barring any injuries. You can never have too many offensive linemen on a team.

[LukeDaniel]

That might sound shocking to some, but KO is a small-school OT who was playing against guys who are out trying to get real estate and insurance jobs right now.

You do realize that Iowa State is in the Big 12, right?

Perhaps you are mistaking Osemele with the other LG/LT with a hard to pronounce name who was also drafted in the 2nd round (Silatulo from Midwestern State). I realize that Osemele might be ever so slightly on the raw side of the tracks, but let's not use hyperbole to downplay his NFL readiness.

[leachisabeast]

You do realize that Iowa State is in the Big 12, right?

Perhaps you are mistaking Osemele with the other LG/LT with a hard to pronounce name who was also drafted in the 2nd round (Silatulo from Midwestern State). I realize that Osemele might be ever so slightly on the raw side of the tracks, but let's not use hyperbole to downplay his NFL readiness.

Yeah I think he might be mixed up with the two, after all Osemele has came up against some damn good pass rushers in the big 12.

[LukeDaniel]

Yeah I think he might be mixed up with the two, after all Osemele has came up against some damn good pass rushers in the big 12.

Yea, I think so too. I think Silatulo was regarded as the higher-upside player, but also a bit riskier due to the level of competition faced. Osemele was a four year starter at LT for the Cyclones, so I don't there was a lot of worry about his ability to compete well against top-end college talent. He is still a bit of an unpolished product, but to call him a project is unfair.

The Big 12 was a bit down in terms of elite pass rush talent in 2011, although Frank Alexander and Ronnell Lewis were certainly productive players. Think of the pass rush talent that Osemele blocked, and blocked capably back in his sophomore and junior years.

Von Miller and Aldon Smith are the names that first come to mind.

[leachisabeast]

Yea, I think so too. I think Silatulo was regarded as the higher-upside player, but also a bit riskier due to the level of competition faced. Osemele was a four year starter at LT for the Cyclones, so I don't there was a lot of worry about his ability to compete well against top-end college talent. He is still a bit of an unpolished product, but to call him a project is unfair.

The Big 12 was a bit down in terms of elite pass rush talent in 2011, although Frank Alexander and Ronnell Lewis were certainly productive players. Think of the pass rush talent that Osemele blocked, and blocked capably back in his sophomore and junior years.

Von Miller and Aldon Smith are the names that first come to mind.

Yeah Silatulo was a D2 guy who played tackle, he has immense athleticism and upside, but you can never really tell if it's going to translate from D2 to the pros. I would take the more proven Osemele any day of the week, he is actually bigger too, but I can see why a team would want Silatulo, not taking anything away from him, I was even kind of hoping the Ravens would draft him had we traded down prior to the draft (this was assuming that Upshaw and Cordy Glenn where both off the board which I thought they would have been!)

[Irish Raven]

I was hoping Justin Boren would make the roster

Looks like another year on the practice squad is likely now