Gino to take "Giant" step

[cravnravn]

 

As Matt Birk announced his retirement Friday, he pointed to his heir.

The logical man for the job is Gino Gradkowski, whom the Ravens drafted in the fourth round last year to spend a year being mentored by the veteran.

 

But just because Gradkowski is the logical choice doesn’t mean it’s an easy job. Gradkowski called Birk “irreplaceable on and off the field.”

“I have mixed feelings,” Gradkowski said Monday.

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“Matt’s had a tremendous impact on my life in the last six months. He’s just been a great influence on me. It’s sad to see him go because you build such strong connections with guys on your team and you never want to see them go.”

 

On the other hand, there is now a clear path to the field for Gradkowski. The Ravens don’t have another center on the roster.

Gradkowski isn’t taking that for granted.

 

“I was raised to believe that nothing is ever handed to you, and especially at this level,” Gradkowski said. “They’re going to bring somebody in, and that’s fine. I have to work for this spot. The way I see it is there’s a job opening. I need to work my butt off this offseason to earn that spot.”

 

The former Delaware product was active for all 16 games last season and got a sort of tryout in Week 17 when the Ravens rested their starters for most of the game. Gradkowski played 73 snaps and held his own against the likes of Pro Bowler Geno Atkins and the rest of the Bengals’ talented defensive line.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Gino-Gradkowski-In-Line-To-Replace-The-Irreplaceable/9b5d85ad-006f-4380-b99f-5c61bd76cf65

[cravnravn]

Guess this means we will be drafting or picking up a center through free agency, no way can we go into camp with only Gino.

[vmax]

I heard Brirk on the radio today. He said Geno will be fine....that he has what it takes.

[papasmurfbell]

I would expect a low level FA. You need someone who has been in the league a while but matbe not a great player.