Birk to finalize return

[The Fanatic]

Ya'll need to keep it civil please.

[JustaslowZ06]

I love it when young men like you think you can even scratch the surface of what it takes to be a professional football player. Your comparison is laughable. Yes, perhaps Birk isn't the Center he was 5 years ago, but he centered a team that was one drop or FG from going to the Super Bowl... Bc

Hmmm try being in the military for 14 years, try being a grunt for most of them. Yeah pretty sure I can scratch the surface of what it takes physically to be a NFL player. Lets strap 140+ pounds to one of their backs ask them to hump 20 miles, than trim down to 65 pounds and assault a enemy position under heavy fire. So yeah pretty sure my "comparison" is valid, although it wasn't even a comparison to begin with, as it realy isn't even close.

As for Birk, who's to say if we had a Center who wasn't sitting in Flacco's lap every down it would've even come to a dropped TD or a missed FG? Maybe Flacco has time and we're up by 3 TD's by than? Hell we outplayed Brady and their offense with what we had. The point was we lost the game, PERIOD and Birk had a hand in it.

I have NOTHING against the guy at all. Stand up, great charector and wished we had him for a long time before. But AGE catches up with everyone, and it has with Birk.

[JustaslowZ06]

Please.

You are already waving the damn white flag because Birk is so damn horrible. So I'm just being grateful for the "kiss a ring goodbye" foresight. Now we all know what will happen that's all.

Knee jerk reaction. But the fact remains he won't be doing us any favors down the stretch. We've SEEN it, for 2 years in a row.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Knee jerk reaction. But the fact remains he won't be doing us any favors down the stretch. We've SEEN it, for 2 years in a row.

Yeah, I mean despite all the complaining about play calling, WR drops, WR's not getting open, Joe holding the ball too long, Backs getting ran over in pass pro...if we just didn't have Birk, we'd have won the Super Bowl during one of the last 2 years.

FWIW...I have no problem with people not liking particular moves. But when someone points out one move as a reason to "kiss a ring goodbye", that is not right or very smart.

[BcRaven]

Hmmm try being in the military for 14 years, try being a grunt for most of them. Yeah pretty sure I can scratch the surface of what it takes physically to be a NFL player. Lets strap 140+ pounds to one of their backs ask them to hump 20 miles, than trim down to 65 pounds and assault a enemy position under heavy fire. So yeah pretty sure my "comparison" is valid, although it wasn't even a comparison to begin with, as it realy isn't even close...

Justaslow, I did my time too (although not nearly as long as you), and have an honorable discharge from the United States Army (is that still a politically correct thing to post these days?)...and I am double your age too. I still don't agree with your assessment of Birk, but my steel pot is off to you for your long service to our country.
We may not agree on all things Raven related, but there is one important thing we do see eye-to-eye on... ... Bc

[LukeDaniel]

Seems like we've abandoned that "right player, right price" mantra for this offseason. I'm content watching us lay low (in fact, I applaud it). I'm reluctantly okay with losing JJ, Grubbs, et al. Signing Birk for that amount of money makes no sense to me.

[TheJoeFlaccoShow]

Can anyone tell me who was responsible for Ray Rice's 1300 plus yards,.tje fewest sacks since 2006, and the 7th ranking line according to a certain play review website?

Who was that? Did Yanda do it all? He seems to be the only one spared this.utterly ridiculous criticism around here.

So do tell!

[JustaslowZ06]

Justaslow, I did my time too (although not nearly as long as you), and have an honorable discharge from the United States Army (is that still a politically correct thing to post these days?)...and I am double your age too. I still don't agree with your assessment of Birk, but my steel pot is off to you for your long service to our country.
We may not agree on all things Raven related, but there is one important thing we do see eye-to-eye on... ... Bc

Hooah! Lol, damnned if I know what is politically correct anymore they keep changing the rules lol. Thank you for your service! As for Birk, meh I really do like the guy but at this point I'm thinking he's more of a "mentor" than the guy fighting in the trenches. It'd b like going through RIP again, don't think I'd have very much fun at this age .

[JustaslowZ06]

Can anyone tell me who was responsible for Ray Rice's 1300 plus yards,.tje fewest sacks since 2006, and the 7th ranking line according to a certain play review website?

Who was that? Did Yanda do it all? He seems to be the only one spared this.utterly ridiculous criticism around here.

So do tell!

I think everyone played their part. WE as fans get to nitpick and monday morning QB everything. You could go onto the team board for the #1 line and I bet they're frying someone. lol.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Seems like we've abandoned that "right player, right price" mantra for this offseason. I'm content watching us lay low (in fact, I applaud it). I'm reluctantly okay with losing JJ, Grubbs, et al. Signing Birk for that amount of money makes no sense to me.

You have no idea of what the terms of the contract are.

It may be essentially a 1 year deal with 2 "phony years" with most of the money pushed into those years.

Just because you hear $3 million in one post and 3 years in another doesn't mean that it is a deal with a $3 million cap hit in each year with years 2 and 3 being guaranteed.

I doubt his cap number is more than $2 million and probably closer to $1.5 million for this year. Solid numbers.

[Ravenswintitle]

The 3 years is strictly for financial security. He'll retire after two years, tops.

And I think I'm the only person on earth that thinks Birk is still a good center. Well, me and Ozzie anyway.

I am glad they signed him and have said that a few times. With Grubbs gone we dont need to rebuild the entire interior of the line. Makes sense to get him back

[JustaslowZ06]

You have no idea of what the terms of the contract are.

It may be essentially a 1 year deal with 2 "phony years" with most of the money pushed into those years.

Just because you hear $3 million in one post and 3 years in another doesn't mean that it is a deal with a $3 million cap hit in each year with years 2 and 3 being guaranteed.

I doubt his cap number is more than $2 million and probably closer to $1.5 million for this year. Solid numbers.

So whats the over/under in sacks and hurries given up the middle if Birk is indeed the starter? Friendly wager? Nothing big, maybe a beer at the final home game or something.

[Ravens44]

Can anyone tell me who was responsible for Ray Rice's 1300 plus yards,.tje fewest sacks since 2006, and the 7th ranking line according to a certain play review website?

Who was that? Did Yanda do it all? He seems to be the only one spared this.utterly ridiculous criticism around here.

So do tell!

Sure, it was putting Oher back to the right side where he belongs.
Getting a LT that doesn't have an attitude problem and a second life with a chance at getting a ring.
It was Yanda AND Grubbs. Yanda, who was also a tackle is better than most guards because he can pass block in space.

I hate losing Grubbs. He is not flashy, he just punches everyone in the mouth. I love THAT!
We signed Gurode and I said YES!!! They watched the tape!
But no...they didn't.
So, we run alot of 2 TE sets, have a monster in Leach at fullback (LOVE THAT GUY!!!) and Rice has holes to run through.
If Birk doesn't get pushed TOO far back, big gain. Pushed back alot, play disrupted, runningback fights to get back to the LOS. We had a difficult time on short yardage. IF all 5 generate a push, there is a good chance, with Leach leading the way, it will be a first down. Not the case, time and time again. Was it Birks fault everytime...no I don't think so, but that IS forcing the other 4 to be perfect. And that doesn't happen.

Passing plays, sometimes the uncovered guard slides over to help Birk. IF not, maybe the back does.
If neither helps, Flacco is getting chased, throws it away, or has his jersey grabbed, yadda yadda yadda...see playoffs.
Flacco played a great game against the Pats for having such pressure.
But that is what I saw all season. Rice has some incredible escape moves to help get those 1300+ yards.

This whole thing reminds me of something else I saw years ago.
Priest Holmes, ok RB here.
Goes to Kansas City and looks incredible.
That's what a great line can do.

Billick was called an offensive guru.
Not really, he just forgot that he had a great Oline helping to generate all those points in Minnesota.
Yes, he had great skill players too, but they can't generate THAT level of production without a great line.

[sandiegosean]

Yeah, I mean despite all the complaining about play calling, WR drops, WR's not getting open, Joe holding the ball too long, Backs getting ran over in pass pro...if we just didn't have Birk, we'd have won the Super Bowl during one of the last 2 years.

FWIW...I have no problem with people not liking particular moves. But when someone points out one move as a reason to "kiss a ring goodbye", that is not right or very smart.

You know, you keep using this mantra, and you're entitled to your opinion. However if the front line(pick a player) makes a play on third down, Cundiff doesn't even try the field goal, we have a first, and the TD is still possible. Since the guys that touch the ball make fans believe they are responsible for making plays, we forget it's the lineman who really do. Next to QB, they're the most important players on the field.
That's why i think a healthy Gaither would have allowed the offense to make plays, to reach a Superebowl, the last two years. A really good LT, would have made our offense, that much more productive, center as well.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

So whats the over/under in sacks and hurries given up the middle if Birk is indeed the starter? Friendly wager? Nothing big, maybe a beer at the final home game or something.

We'll come up with something...although it's harder to pinpoint who allowed what in the interior.

You know, you keep using this mantra, and you're entitled to your opinion. However if the front line(pick a player) makes a play on third down, Cundiff doesn't even try the field goal, we have a first, and the TD is still possible. Since the guys that touch the ball make fans believe they are responsible for making plays, we forget it's the lineman who really do. Next to QB, they're the most important players on the field.
That's why i think a healthy Gaither would have allowed the offense to make plays, to reach a Superebowl, the last two years. A really good LT, would have made our offense, that much more productive, center as well.

If we just wanted to get a first, Rice was WIDE open in the flat to the side Flacco rolled to and would have gotten at least 7 yards and a first. That was there if John/Cam/Joe wanted it...the pass rush was not a factor on that play.

[Tucker: M&T Sec 527]

For 3 million you'd expect him to be starting, not benching....

He wouldn't come back to ride the bench. If he re-signs it will be w/ the same arrangement as last season: as long as he can play, he'll start.

[sandiegosean]

RIW-
Do you not agree that a good offensive line, can make the Ravens offense more productive?

[Jayc00]

Here we go again...

[steelerhater]

I love it when young men like you think you can even scratch the surface of what it takes to be a professional football player. Your comparison is laughable. Yes, perhaps Birk isn't the Center he was 5 years ago, but he centered a team that was one drop or FG from going to the Super Bowl... Bc

Apparently you missed the Playoff game against the Patriots as well as several other games in the later part of the season. It got to the point where I was embarrassed for Birk. He made Wilfork look like he was playing against junior high school kids.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

RIW-
Do you not agree that a good offensive line, can make the Ravens offense more productive?

Of course.

I also believe that when you are constantly drafting well, you won't have pro bowlers, or even close to pro bowlers everywhere on the OL.

While the OL could improve, I also don't think it was bad last year and we could win with the line constructed as it was last year. We'll see what they do in the draft/UFA in regards to reinforcements. It's way too early to panic.