So who sticks around on the O-Line?

**chicagoravensfan** · 08-24-2011, 10:56 AM

Assuming McKinnie makes the team (not a given but he did get $1 million guaranteed)

McKinnie
Grubbs
Birk
Yanda
Oher

Reid
Harewood
Mattison

and then Boren vs. Levoir vs. Cousins if they decide to carry 9 OL?

Thoughts? Will be very interesting...

**Flipping Birdie** · 08-24-2011, 11:00 AM

McKinnie
Grubbs
Birk
Yanda
Oher

Reid
Cousins
Harewood

Yanda can play Center.

**BcRaven** · 08-24-2011, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by chicagoravensfan

Assuming McKinnie makes the team (not a given but he did get $1 million guaranteed)

McKinnie
Grubbs
Birk
Yanda
Oher

Reid
Harewood
Mattison

and then Boren vs. Levoir vs. Cousins if they decide to carry 9 OL?

Thoughts? Will be very interesting...

IF McKinnie (BIG IF) can lock down LT, then :
McKinnie - Grubbs - Birk - Yanda - Oher,
with Reid (RT) LeVoir (LT/RT) Cousins (OG) and Mattison (C)
Harewood to PS... Bc

**Carey** · 08-24-2011, 11:17 AM

Mckinnie
Grubbs
Birk
Yanda
Oher

Reid
Harewood
LeVoir
Mattison or Cousins

PS-Boren, Barnes, Bartholomew

**Jeremiah W** · 08-24-2011, 11:18 AM

I think they will carry 9 maybe even 10 since we have a guy that will put almost every KO deep into the endzone, the need for fringe players at other positions to cover kicks is greatly diminshed. Also with Birk and McKinney there are injury concerns.

Starting 5;
McKinney
Grubbs
Birk
Yanda
Oher

Solid reserves;
Reid
LeVoir
Harewood

Bubble but may have more value than other positions;
Cousins
Mattison

I think Mattison has the best chance of getting cut and brought back as needed like last year, Rabach could be brought in if he gets picked up. Harewood could be put back on IR, but doubt he gets cut. Cousins is on the bubble, but I think he is the primary backup at G.

**jonboy79** · 08-24-2011, 11:31 AM

I personally see Harewood, Levoir and Reid as backups, perhaps with Mattison as well. I think that is the most valuable and versatile depth chart we can get. I think that among Levoir Harewood and Reid we could find suitable depth at guard. Yanda could be an in-game center replacement with Rabach or Mattison likely a phone call away.

**B-more Ravor** · 08-24-2011, 11:32 AM

As I said in another thread, they usually carry 9 OL, but may carry 10 this year if Birk isn't ready.

So, that leaves:

McKinney
Grubbs
Birk
Yanda
Oher

LeVoir
Reid
Harewood (I don't think he's PS eligible)

Then, the 9th/10th spots come down to:

Cousins
Mattison
Rabach?

I really question whether Birk will be ready week 1 - and I really don't see Mattison starting, so I think they will sign a veteran back-up C to guard against Birk not being able to play. Yes, Yanda can play there, but why move him if you don't have to?

**psuasskicker** · 08-24-2011, 11:37 AM

I'm sort of disturbed by our now lack of G/C depth. It feels like we either need to keep ten OL with Cousins and Mattison, or we're gonna be completely without a backup at one of those two positions. This is especially concerning with Birk and Yanda's health questions.

- C -

**WxKevin** · 08-24-2011, 11:47 AM

I believe Harewood is PS eligible but the Ravens may be afraid that he won't make it to the PS. They really like him so I would lean towards them keeping him.

They will need to keep 10 OL until they actually see Birk in action. I think Mattison makes the team.

Reid is going nowhere.

**B-more Ravor** · 08-24-2011, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by psuasskicker

I'm sort of disturbed by our now lack of G/C depth. It feels like we either need to keep ten OL with Cousins and Mattison......
-

Exactly. That's why I'm thinking that they'll keep 10 and that Cousins and a TBD Center (Rabach?) probably both make the team.

I just don't see them going into the season with Mattison at C.

**Flipping Birdie** · 08-24-2011, 12:02 PM

Guard depth is why I don't see Cousins getting cut. LaVoir became expendable in less than 24 hours as now we have depth at T. Oher is RT, but also LT backup. Yanda is RG, but also can move to T AND C, with Cousins being backup G. Reid is not getting cut, even if LaVoir is better and more versatile with the ability to back up L and R T.

I'm thinking we keep 9 this year:

McKinnie LT
Grubbs LG
Birk C
Yanda RG (backup RT, Backup C)
Oher RT (backup LT)

Reid (developmental RT)
LaVoir (backup for both T)
Cousins (backup G)
Harewood

**B-more Ravor** · 08-24-2011, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by WxKevin

I believe Harewood is PS eligible but the Ravens may be afraid that he won't make it to the PS. They really like him so I would lean towards them keeping.

You're right. He has an accrued season, but he wasn't on the active roster, so he's eligible.

That said, I totally agree that they aren't likely to expose him to waivers in an attempt to get him on the PS. I think they value him too much to take that risk.