papasmurfbell Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 http://www.baltimore...,3891865.column Signing running back Ray Rice and quarterback Joe Flacco to contract extensions are no longer the biggest issues facing the Ravens heading into the 2012 training camp. The Ravens have to find a good offensive line, not the bunch of no-names they paraded around in a three day minicamp which ended Thursday. Except for left tackle Michael Oher and right guard Marshal Yanda, who were these masked men? Starting center Matt Birk was a no-show because of a recent surgery to repair varicose veins in his legs, and 2011 starting left tackle Bryant McKinnie didn't participate because the Ravens thought it would be better for him to improve his conditioning instead of practicing. Huh? The Birk situation is understandable, but the entire McKinnie episode is strange and you wonder if he is going to be around when training camp opens. Here is a player who has a history of being overweight and struggled with the same problem last season. He also reportedly has financial problems, yet can't get into good enough shape to participate in minicamp. You have to question his commitment and when a team starts signing veteran offensive linemen and McKinnie gets held out of minicamp, it could be a sign of things to come. "We will leave that between us. That's something that is an in-house type of thing right now," said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh when asked what McKinnie has to do to be on the field the first day of training camp. "Bryant [McKinnie] has done a good job, he's worked hard." Oher took all of the repetitions with the first team on the left side and performed well. He looked comfortable and confident, especially working with recently signed veteran left guard Bobbie Williams. The Ravens are solid at right guard with Marshal Yanda, but there are questions surrounding Birk's availability, and the Ravens don't have a legitimate starting right tackle on the roster. Forget Jah Reid and Ramon Harewood. Harewood plays too high and Reid is slow and stiff. Rookie receiver impresses Rookie receiver Deonte Thompson, a free agent out of the University of Florida, had a good minicamp, especially on Wednesday when he blew by cornerback Chykie Brown and several other cornerbacks for long touchdown receptions. Not only did he show good speed, but strong bursts in running down passes. The knock on Thompson, though, is that he is like former Ravens receiver Justin Harper. He plays well in practice but has hands of stone in games. Rainy decisions The dumb decision award went to Harbaugh for having a practice in a monsoon Tuesday. All coaches want to set a tone and play the "tough guy" mind manipulation game with his players, but it would have been better if the Ravens had signed Noah to a free-agent contract and he started boarding the players two by two. I wonder if the rainy conditions caused rookie running back Bernard Pierce hurt his leg Tuesday. Hmmmm…… Upshaw shows improvement In only a short time, first round pick Courtney Upshaw has improved technically in working on leverage and being able to set the edge outside against the run. Also, fellow outside linebacker Sergio Kindle got constant pressure on the quarterback Wednesday and continues to improve even though his movement is still a little stiff. But early signs are good for the Ravens. Odds and ends Second-year receiver Torrey Smith has a strong work ethic. He doesn't chatter a lot in practiceand is always working on something to improve. He was a surprise in minicamp because he is already much improved from a year ago. And yes, he caught more passes with his hands than his body. ... The Ravens signed veteran center Tony Wragge earlier this week, but he struggled snapping the ball out of the shot gun Thursday. In the last two days of practice, the Ravens had a high number of passes tipped without Flacco participating. ... If you were hoping the Ravens tossed the 2-yard pass play to the fullback heading to the sideline out of the playbook, you might have to wait until 2013. It's b-a-c-k…… Quote
oldno82 Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 If the Ravens OL can't be productive and protective, it could easily mean no playoffs for the Ravens this year. Quote
papasmurfbell Posted June 15, 2012 Author Posted June 15, 2012 True. Question. Why 2 seasons in a row has Burk waited to get surgery? Quote
oldno82 Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 Good question. I have no idea. What was surgery for last year? I forgot. Quote
vmax Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 I like the Upshaw and Kindle update. As for receivers...if Joe can't count on them to catch the ball when he throws to them then sit them or cut them. I'm real tired of potential. Quote
cravnravn Posted June 16, 2012 Posted June 16, 2012 True. Question. Why 2 seasons in a row has Burk waited to get surgery? Remember last year, when the players were locked out, they had no health insurance, This year, i dont know why Quote
cravnravn Posted June 16, 2012 Posted June 16, 2012 How come when I see anything from the Great Prestoni my first reaction is to stick forefinger down throat til I projectile vomit? Quote
papasmurfbell Posted June 16, 2012 Author Posted June 16, 2012 Remember last year, when the players were locked out, they had no health insurance, This year, i dont know why Except they were not locked out until mid March. He was free starting mid Jan so he could have been under the knife easily. Quote
cravnravn Posted June 16, 2012 Posted June 16, 2012 I thought it was right after the Super Bowl that they became locked out..within a 3 week time frame. Quote
papasmurfbell Posted June 16, 2012 Author Posted June 16, 2012 Nope. http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-03-11/sports/29139759_1_nfl-lockout-salary-cap-injunction-blocks March 11. There was plenty of time for him to get cut. Quote
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