Ogden and an O-line draft target
Keep an eye on Virginia guard Branden Albert tomorrow in the NFL draft. The Ravens really like the kid, and there is some speculation that they might take him at No. 8 overall. Very seldom are guards taken that high in the draft, but Albert has experience at left offensive tackle and some teams are projecting him at the position in the NFL.
Albert is one big guy, standing 6-7 and weighing 310 pounds. He runs extremely well and is very athletic. The Ravens could use him because as of 6:30 tonight, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said he has not heard a word from Pro Bowl left tackle Jonathan Ogden about his future plans. Ogden is contemplating retirement.
Also, the Ravens have talked with several teams including the Rams and Falcons about trading up to acquire Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, but apparently don't have enough to offer for either of the teams to make the deal.
One other thing: Newsome denied that Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, about to enter the final season of his contract, has demanded "Peyton Manning-type" money during contract negotiations.
"We're not even at that point," said Newsome.
Comments
I know that teams are built along the lines, but I'm hoping that the Ravens don't take an O-lineman with the 8th pick. Since 2005, the Ravens have had 6 picks in first and second round. Three of those picks have been offensive linemen. The Ravens have also used a 3rd and a 4th round pick on O-linemen since 2005. That is a tremendous amount of picks on offensive linemen.
And to take this Albert guy, who played guard at UVA, in the 8th slot just seems wasteful. It's wasteful not just b/c the Ravens have dedicated so many picks to O-line, but also because this Albert played guard in college. Since tackles are more valuable than guards, why didn't Al Groh, UVA's head coach, play Albert at tackle? Since when do players convert from guard to tackle? The Ravens already have a log jam at guard as it is and if this guy fails as a tackle, that would be more more guard.
Ozzie, take a D-lineman, a CB, or a QB with your first rounder. Let's stop the madness with the O-linemen.
Posted by: J | April 25, 2008 7:50 PM
I'm a BIG Ray Lewis fan but if he wants "Peyton Manning-type" money tell him he better line up "behind center" and stay there for 10 more years. GET REAL!!
Posted by: Patrick | April 25, 2008 9:55 PM
I don't know if you're just stirring the pot with that last item about Ray Lewis's supposed contract demand, but 33 year old linebackers who have been paid handsomely in the past should be at a stage where they are willing to help create extra cap room so their teams can acquire the players needed to get back to the Super Bowl rather than holding the team up for another megadeal. Unfortunately, as great a player as he has been, and as good as he still is, Ray's focus the last few years has been more about getting paid and solidifying his personal legacy than about helping the Ravens get back to the Super Bowl.
Posted by: Ray | April 25, 2008 10:48 PM
If Ogden has really not told the team about his plans before the draft, that is really not cool.
Maybe it does not matter, and they draft the same way, Ogden or no Ogden. Maybe they replace him anyway and send him to retirement. He has been great!! But it looks like it is time to give it up. He owes nothing to the Fans or the team, he should retire and start waiting for his Hall of Fame Election!
Posted by: Doug M | April 26, 2008 10:53 AM