Offensive tackle update
Adam Terry is walking around without the use of crutches, but the team is still in the market for adding a free agent to add depth after losing Terry (sprained left ankle) and Jared Gaither (injured right ankle) for what appears to be an extended period of time.
Speaking to the media for the first time since Sunday, coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that general manager Ozzie Newsome and director of pro personnel George Kokinis have been working on drafting a list of potential free agents.
The Sun's Mike Preston then asked Harbaugh a series of questions regarding the position. Here is the exchange:
Preston: "John, do you have a time frame for bringing in a tackle?"
Harbaugh: “Yes.”
Preston: "When is it?"
Harbaugh: “Soon.”
Preston: "How soon?"
Harbaugh: “As soon as we can. We’re working on it right now. So it’s going to happen quickly.”
Harbaugh then quickly added, “To explain a little bit, it would already be done except there’s a physical issue. They’ve got to take the physicals and we’ve got to get them cleared for practice.”
Finally, the first offensive line remained the same from yesterday with Jason Brown at center, Ben Grubbs and Marshal Yanda at left and right guards, respectively, and Mike Kracalik and rookie Oniel Cousins at left and right tackle, respectively.
There's some speculation that the team could shift Yanda to right tackle and either insert Chris Chester at right guard or put Chester at center, move Brown to left guard, and shift Grubbs to right guard -- essentially the same configuration used on occasion last season. So far, that hasn't happened.
Comments
Why is Harbaugh parrying with Preston? Why is it such an exercise to get information out of the Head Coach? Just let the press -- and subsequently, the fans -- know what the hell is going on with the team.
Posted by: patrick | July 30, 2008 2:11 PM
I do not think moving the core three of Grubbs, Brown, and Yanda is a good decision. Those three have started to gel at the center of the line. Brown is a much better center than Chester would be and in my opinion an upgrade over Flynn from last year as well. Grubbs is back to his normal/natural opsition at LG now and Yanda is better suited to be a great guard where if at tackle he would only be fair. I would look for a veteran tackle and use Kracklik and Cousins there as well. Gaither is propbably due to be back by the end of training camp at the latest and Terry - who knows it was his reconstructed ankle and it may need 6 weeks of strength training before it is game ready.
I am against the reshuffling of the center of the line that has been gelling since the early min-camps.
With these injuries at OT it would appear that the QB will need to be more mobile and able to step up into the pocket, something Boller has not shown that he can consistently do in the past. If Smith wants this job he needs to step up since he has not been consistent at practice since camp started
Posted by: donna | July 30, 2008 2:34 PM
If Chester plays center we will not only have Olineman hurt but we will have broken Quarterbacks (plural). He gets blown up by any halfway decent tackle.
Posted by: Rage | July 30, 2008 3:33 PM
chill out patrick, it's not even remotely evasive
Posted by: Anonymous | July 30, 2008 4:04 PM
Whatever u do, keep the core three inside the same.
Posted by: Stevers | July 30, 2008 4:17 PM
Actually, Brown's natural position is C and Grubbs' natural position is LG, and Yanda's best position is RG. I think you keep those guys in the middle of the line and try out Cousins at RT. Bring in a veteran to play LT and just get through the year. To protect Flacco, start Boller all year and then take a LT in the draft next year. By then, the other 4 should be comfortable with their positions and next thing you know, the Ravens have a decent O-line
Posted by: Anonymous | July 30, 2008 4:26 PM
Actually, Brown's natural position is C and Grubbs' natural position is LG, and Yanda's best position is RG. I think you keep those guys in the middle of the line and try out Cousins at RT. Bring in a veteran to play LT and just get through the year. To protect Flacco, start Boller all year and then take a LT in the draft next year. By then, the other 4 should be comfortable with their positions and next thing you know, the Ravens have a decent O-line
Posted by: Andrew | July 30, 2008 4:27 PM
Just a thought. I think with the offensive line issues (youth and inexperience) the best QB for the Ravens right now has to be Troy Smith. He is the most mobile and that adds an extra dimension to a struggling offense. Just give Troy the d__n ball and see what happens. In addition to new signing new O lineman, looking for more running backs might be a good idea as well; not a whole lot of daylight for Willis and company.
Posted by: Bruce | July 30, 2008 4:31 PM
What about Zeus Brown? Is he still around?
Posted by: Lenny | July 30, 2008 4:41 PM
Zeus?? LOL!!! He sucked 6 years ago at Right Takle...now you want to bring him back at Left Tackle???
Oh boy...
Posted by: Mike | July 30, 2008 5:56 PM
Anybody else starting to get nervous?
Posted by: Larry | July 30, 2008 6:05 PM
as if this is a new problem - i was worried about gaither and terry, much less their replacements. i think it's good the spotlight is in the right place - and i agree, leave the well enough alone in the middle.
Posted by: tom | July 30, 2008 6:22 PM
We'd better use Smith as QB and Rice at RB, because Boller and Flacco can't run, and with two rook Tackles, our QB will be on the run this year!
Posted by: Art | July 30, 2008 6:24 PM