McKinnie

[cravnravn]

What are we doing with this goof..

 

Harbs is worse than Billick with his dancing around questions, Im not buying his holding him out explanation.

 

We just brought in another guard, this cant bode well for the shape that McKinnie is in.

[oldno82]

The one thing I don't like about Harbaugh (and mostly I think he's a very good coach) is this annoyance about being asked about injuries. What the hell is the big deal about keeping it all secret? Especially doesn't make sense this time of year before they are actually playing anybody.

[cravnravn]

Heres an audio link from Thursday, McKinnie says he is 9 lbs overweight.

 

http://wnst.net/audio-vault/?listen=%20Bryant%20McKinnie%20(Ravens%20LT)%20tells%20Glenn%20that%20he%20only%20needs%20to%20lose%20nine%20pounds

 

Im sorry but what is 9lbs, he could have shed that after one practice..

[yagersports]

Why would we be pushing a veteran lineman into early mini camp stuff if they need a few extra days.

 

Fact when we get old, we need a little more time physically than the young pups. Just the way it is. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed both frequently take time off during mini camps and training camp.

 

Fact, Bryant showed up last year grossly overweight and worked his way into our lineup and played admirably.

 

Let's not make a mountain out of a molehill. This really isn't a big deal if Harbs says it isn't a big deal. Harbs doesn't talk to the media about this stuff because it doesn't belong in the media. The reporters are just looking for a juicy piece of something to get the fans all worked up about.

 

I trust that when a vet is being held out of some kind of practice that the coaching staff is making a educated informed decision. What reason do we have to doubt the staff's decisions? I can't think of too many, we've been awfully successful.

[papasmurfbell]

He also played like ass many weeks.

[cravnravn]

McKinnie Further Explains Why He Didn’t Practice

There’s no reason to read too deeply into Bryant McKinnie being held from full team minicamp practice last week for conditioning reasons, Head Coach John Harbaugh explained last Thursday.

McKinnie told radio listeners essentially the same thing Friday.

“Sometimes it can be worded different and interpreted differently by people,” McKinnie told WNST host Glenn Clark.

The 32-year-old veteran explained that the Ravens would like to see him play at about 345 pounds – which is close to his college size. He appears to be well on his way.

McKinnie revealed that he left minicamp at 354 pounds, so he only has nine more to lose before training camp begins in late-July. He told our own Ryan Mink in May that he weighed 365, so he’s lost about 11 pounds in six weeks.

And the reason he didn’t practice with the team last week?

“They just told me when I had the meeting, just for precautionary [reasons], not to go out there and get injured during minicamp and just do the running and the lifting and stuff,” McKinnie said. “So I was just in there, lifting and running for the whole two and half hours.

“…And then at the same time still getting the conditioning and everything together. We’re just trying to work to get there without anything slipping up or going wrong.”

 

http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2012/06/18/late-for-work-618-bryant-mckinnie-further-explains-why-he-didnt-practice/

 

 

A little more on MT McKinney

[vmax]

Sounds like he's completely on schedule to come into camp in his best shape in years.

[papasmurfbell]

Then I don't get holding him out. They need to see him with the other 4.

[cravnravn]

Im agreeing with Papa here, its not like we employ 5 all pro linemen, they need to be together, afterall Joe was sacked alot last year.

[papasmurfbell]

yep

[vmax]

Im agreeing with Papa here, its not like we employ 5 all pro linemen, they need to be together, afterall Joe was sacked alot last year.

 

They will be together...when it counts...in camp.

This is not McKinnies first rodeo. He knows the position and offense. So does Birk.

I'd rather they show up day 1 at training camp 100% healthy and in shape. With their knowledge and experience they are capable of playing a game...now.

 

Let the rookies and inexperienced players...the projects...players in development get the most reps while they can. They may have to start or fill in at some point in the season.

[cravnravn]

31 sacks last year with McKinney & Birk on the line, just saying

[papasmurfbell]

Yep again. Also they need to build a relationship with the rookies and new parts on the OL. There is no reason why he can't be 100% healthy moving around in shorts and a t shirt.

[reddog271]

he was signed the week before the season last year and played every game. I don't think he needs to be out there for 3 day minicamp.

[reddog271]

Yep again. Also they need to build a relationship with the rookies and new parts on the OL. There is no reason why he can't be 100% healthy moving around in shorts and a t shirt.

 

if the team thought that was true.. then he would've been out there

[papasmurfbell]

Well they have done so many counter intuitive moves you never know.

[thundercleetz]

I like the approach we are taking with McKinney. It's either you're playing at the weight we want you at or you're out of here. If he truly gets down to 345, he has a chance to be a VERY good player for us. Remember how good he was week one against the Steelers? That's what the Ravens want out of him.

[papasmurfbell]

But week one was really the exception than the rule. There is no reason why he can't get to weight and be on the field.

[yagersports]

Push a vet lineman to perform in mini camp in May and June huh? Sometimes I question people's logic.

 

Honestly, if you want to maximize a veteran, why would you push them outside of what they do and risk injury? Training camp is for building cohesion. Mini camps are for looking at what you have, getting guys in shape, and most importantly getting a look at the rooks. Bryant has little to gain going out there now.

 

This isn't his first rodeo as others have stated. Bryant was good the second half of the season and it stands to reason if he's in better shape now than last year, that trend should continue. And ya'll wonder why Harbs doesn't want to talk to the media about injuries and such.

[papasmurfbell]

They don't hit. They don't do anything but run through plays. It is basically as my coach in high school said "mental reps." It is getting used to the other guys on the line who are new.

[papasmurfbell]

http://www.ravens24x7.com/columns/The-Beat-with-Aaron-Wilson/Bryant-McKinnie-frustrated-by-focus-on-his-weight\

 

 

 

The Beat with Aaron Wilson - Bryant McKinnie frustrated by focus on his weight

 

 

 

OWINGS MILLS -- Under scrutiny due to his conditioning issues, Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie vowed that he'll hit his target weight by training camp.

The 6-foot-8 former Pro Bowl blocker was held out of the Ravens' mandatory minicamp as he attempts to get down to 345 pounds, saying he currently weighs 354 pounds.

"I'm going to show up at the weight I'm supposed to be and handle my business and get everybody off my back," McKinnie said in a telephone interview Monday night from New York. "I want to get this work done, come in at the right weight and shut everybody up. I'm only nine pounds away.

"I'm getting in shape. I'm lower now in my weight than any time last year. I think people got the wrong idea about why I wasn't out there last week."

The Ravens picked up a $500,000 roster bonus for McKinnie in March after he made a pledge to general manager Ozzie Newsome that he would participate in the offseason conditioning program and get in better shape.

During that time, McKinnie has lost roughly 10 pounds.

Prior to the Ravens' minicamp, McKinnie said he met with team officials and was told the plan was to not practice for precautionary reasons to avoid any potential injuries.

"I was there every day, I was inside lifting and running," McKinnie said. "I'm just getting ready for the season and getting my body right."

McKinnie was cut by the Minnesota Vikings last summer after ballooning up to 387 pounds during the NFL lockout.

He was signed by the Ravens and started every game, playing his way into shape.

McKinnie said he gained weight during the work stoppage partially due to eating late at night while supervising recording sessions for his music label.

"For people to say I had a weight issue my whole career, that's just wrong," McKinnie said. "That happened one year and that was after the lockout. I've still got bitter Vikings fans Tweeting me. I feel like that's uncalled for. It's not like I've struggled with my weight every year. When I was with the Vikings, I didn't let anybody beat me out.

"They just awarded it to somebody and then you saw they went and drafted somebody this year in the first round, [uSC All-American offensive tackle Matt Kalil]. I feel like the Vikings fans are just bitter. They obviously follow me on Twitter, so I'm starting to believe that."

The primary focus for McKinnie isn't only his weight. It's improving from a cardiovascular standpoint to build his stamina for the rigors of playing four quarters.

"It's the type of cardio you do to keep the wind going," McKinnie said. "It's not doing as much banging on the knees. My whole goal is to slim down. It's about working smart based on losing weight.

"I'm lighter now. They want me to get back to where I was at Minnesota. It's about getting back to that Pro Bowl level, and that's what I'm trying to do."

Ravens coach John Harbaugh declined to elaborate on what McKinnie needs to do to be on the field when camp opens in July.

Harbaugh also praised the work of Michael Oher, who lined up at left tackle in McKinnie's place last week.

“We will leave that between us,” Harbaugh said last week. “That’s something that’s an in-house type of thing right now. Bryant has done a good job, he’s worked hard. It’s not as simple as some of you guy want to make it.

“It’s just a situation where we are going to do what’s best for the team, what’s best for Bryant. We want him here. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be here. He has worked hard, so you try to do what’s most beneficial for every guy in every situation. And it’s always individualized.”

McKinnie said he'll spend the next six weeks working out in South Florida with trainer Pete Bommarito.

Several NFL players, including former Ravens wide receiver Donte' Stallworth, work out with Bommarito.

"I'm looking forward to that," McKinnie said. "It's definitely a good atmosphere with a lot of NFL players and hard working guys."

McKinnie, 32, who's facing a lawsuit from a loan he took during the lockout, said he's also about to sign with a new agent. He was previously represented this year by Drew Rosenhaus followed by Jason Fletcher.

According to NFL Players Association records, McKinnie is currently represented by three agents: Michael Weisberg, Ian Greengross and Ashanti Webb.

McKinnie is due a $3.2 million base salary this year.

McKinnie said he's looking forward to playing next to former Cincinnati Bengals offensive guard Bobbie Williams on left side.

"He's been around for a while," McKinnie said. "He's definitely respected."

Although McKinnie had his moments last season, especially in the first game of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers when he knocked down outside linebacker James Harrison, he didn't always grade out very highly as a run blocker.

"I'm a little more familiar with the offense and the team environment, so I should be able to play a little better," McKinnie said. "I want to be more consistent. Hopefully, everybody steps in and does what they need to do. I'm looking to get a Super Bowl ring. I need one after all this times."

[yagersports]

More useless info from the slow season. How bout we let training camp start before we start to get all up in a fuss.

[oldno82]

Its funny in a way because I remember when Jim Parker, the All-Everything offensive lineman of the late 50s and 60s, almost always put on too much weight in the off-season. Then, just before training camp, he would drive around town with the windows closed (no AC in those days) in the July heat and sweat-lose whatever poundage was required.

[yagersports]

Its funny in a way because I remember when Jim Parker, the All-Everything offensive lineman of the late 50s and 60s, almost always put on too much weight in the off-season. Then, just before training camp, he would drive around town with the windows closed (no AC in those days) in the July heat and sweat-lose whatever poundage was required.

 

Now that's a retro way to lose weight! Sounds extremely dangerous lol.

[cravnravn]

Hey yages, the old timers used to run around in large garbage bags cut out like a poncho..