Bryant McKinnie

[flashjordnk]

Will he play in Week 1?

I'm really not sure what I feel about this situation which is why I'm curious. I'm kind of shocked they didn't let Oher get to RT for a bit in the game and go with LeVoir at LT just to test it out. But I guess they wanted to protect Flacco and scheme seemed to be a non-issue yesterday.

Votes and thoughts?

[Hooded Viper]

I honestly was about to start this same thread, great minds think alike

I also can't answer this question because while I know the Ravens listed him at 345lbs there is no way in hell he is. I doubt the Ravens know at this point but perhaps Miller could chime in on what he is hearing about BMck!

[MRLeavey]

I was skeptical of the McKinnie signing to begin with. You naturally have to wonder about a guy who allows himself to balloon in the offseason the way he reportedly did.

I would also play him at RT if I was the one making the decisions.

But with all of that said, I think that if the Ravens are going to trust Joe's blind side to McKinnie as they apparently are, it's an indication that they have a ton of confidence in his ability to get the job done. And they've long-since earned the benefit of the doubt with me. I think he starts week 1 at LT.

I think the structure of this contract is what really makes this deal a good one. I'm assuming that the incentivized remainder of the contract is predicated upon snaps played. If that is the case, McKinnie has 6.5 million reasons to play his best football over the next two years.

And if he does, this offense could really take off.

[Sports Guy]

Yes, he will play.

At first, I didn't like that they played Oher on the left side last night but really, what were their options? They could have played Cousins at RG and Levoir at LT I guess but its obvious they wanted LeVoir to get time at guard, since right now, the only interior lineman for depth that they have is Mattison.

So, they really had to play Oher at LT last night.

[Hooded Viper]

Yes, he will play.

At first, I didn't like that they played Oher on the left side last night but really, what were their options? They could have played Cousins at RG and Levoir at LT I guess but its obvious they wanted LeVoir to get time at guard, since right now, the only interior lineman for depth that they have is Mattison.

So, they really had to play Oher at LT last night.

Yeah I think they keep LeVoir over Cousins because he is more versatile but we shall see. I am listening to Ken and Vinnie and Vinnie said something that I just completely disagree with. He said that Mattison had a terrible game. I thought the kid did a pretty damn good job. Was it perfect, hell no, but he was solid and for someone who was a DT for his entire career, I see a lot of potential. He was getting to second level on some of Rice's runs and held up, mostly, to the brute pash rush. He has good size for a center (6'3", 315lbs), excellent athleticsm and the brains to be a good center going forward. I have no problem at this point him being Birk's backup, learning from him this seasona and being the starter next.

[flashjordnk]

Yeah I think they keep LeVoir over Cousins because he is more versatile but we shall see. I am listening to Ken and Vinnie and Vinnie said something that I just completely disagree with. He said that Mattison had a terrible game. I thought the kid did a pretty damn good job. Was it perfect, hell no, but he was solid and for someone who was a DT for his entire career, I see a lot of potential. He was getting to second level on some of Rice's runs and held up, mostly, to the brute pash rush. He has good size for a center (6'3", 315lbs), excellent athleticsm and the brains to be a good center going forward. I have no problem at this point him being Birk's backup, learning from him this seasona and being the starter next.

I say keep them both for now. I think there is some flexibility. Reduced ST roles mean that Gooden/Parmele don't need to be here. I imagine we're carrying more OL men than we want until we're 100% sure McKinnie can play.

I voted no on this poll though. A guy getting no live game action since last year vs. James Harrison doesn't sound like a Harbaugh thing to do.

Plus if they wanted this dude to start Week 1. Why wait until Week 3 to sign him of the preseason. He was cut two weeks before Week 1.

[Sports Guy]

I say keep them both for now. I think there is some flexibility. Reduced ST roles mean that Gooden/Parmele don't need to be here. I imagine we're carrying more OL men than we want until we're 100% sure McKinnie can play.

I voted no on this poll though. A guy getting no live game action since last year vs. James Harrison doesn't sound like a Harbaugh thing to do.

Plus if they wanted this dude to start Week 1. Why wait until Week 3 to sign him of the preseason. He was cut two weeks before Week 1.

I am sure McKinnie will play next week.

And they probably waited because they felt Oher was going to be the LT but after seeing him more in camp, decided that wasn't what was best for the team.

[Hooded Viper]

I say keep them both for now. I think there is some flexibility. Reduced ST roles mean that Gooden/Parmele don't need to be here. I imagine we're carrying more OL men than we want until we're 100% sure McKinnie can play.

I voted no on this poll though. A guy getting no live game action since last year vs. James Harrison doesn't sound like a Harbaugh thing to do.

Plus if they wanted this dude to start Week 1. Why wait until Week 3 to sign him of the preseason. He was cut two weeks before Week 1.

My guess is that they really hoped, and thought, that Oher would take the next step at LT and that Reid would be their RT but after last week's game they said oh Sh** we better get a LT in here quick!!

[flashjordnk]

I am sure McKinnie will play next week.

And they probably waited because they felt Oher was going to be the LT but after seeing him more in camp, decided that wasn't what was best for the team.

For a million guaranteed and a salary cap exemption for this, I still don't get why we waited...

Now what happens if McKinnie looks like a disaster next week against the two's?

[Sports Guy]

For a million guaranteed and a salary cap exemption for this, I still don't get why we waited...

Now what happens if McKinnie looks like a disaster next week against the two's?

Well obviously, the Ravens just forfeit the season.