Bernard Pierece and Kelechi Osemele

[leachisabeast]

I remember back at the draft, everyone was like "WTF who's this guy?!" after we picked KO in the second round, and even moved up to get Bernard Pierce. I'm guessing a lot of us now understand why they made these picks.

Let me start with KO.

KO has done nothing so far to suggest that he isn't ready to be a starter in this league. He played well last week, but it was this week that he really stood out to me. Obviously defensive coordinators don't dial up exotic blitz schemes in the pre season, so he wasn't fully tested, but there where times when he was flat out mauling Cliff Avril at right tackle. Remember that this guy had the most knock downs in the big 12, so this doesn't surprise me. Did anyone see when he just slammed that guy (can't remember who it was) to the ground, and then just as he was about to get up, he pushed him back down, I actually lolled. Sure he drew a penalty flag for it, but it's only pre season, and I like that KO has that mean streak in him and wont take no shit. He had some snaps in the second half at left guard, and looked even more impressive. There was a time in a run play where I seen him shove someone back ten meters, not even kidding, go back and watch the third quarter.

Bernard Pierce had limited snaps, but in those snaps he played really well, barring one bad play where he tried to cut to the outside but was tackled for a big loss, luckily this was nullified by a face mask penalty. Apart from than that he has made me confident that we don't need to go out and find a vet RB. He looked down right elusive at times, and is definitely a similar type of back to Arian Foster. He broke a lot of tackles in some of his runs, and that was against a full first team Lions defense. If he continues to improve, I can easily see him getting as many snaps as Ben Tate does over in Houston, it can reduce the work load for Rice too, limiting his carries.

All in all I'm even confident at this point with KO possibly starting at RT at the expense of Bryant McKinnie, and Bernard Pierce backing up Ray Rice.

[LukeDaniel]

Agreed. There were very few people who impressed last night, but Pierce and KO looked solid. Rainey, Laquan Williams, Asa Jackson and Kemeoatu were also on that short list.

[jonboy79]

Agreed. There were very few people who impressed last night, but Pierce and KO looked solid. Rainey, Laquan Williams, Asa Jackson and Kemeoatu were also on that short list.

Yup, that's pretty much my list...

Chykie Brown too.

[DeputyDawg]

Yup, that's pretty much my list...

Chykie Brown too.

Agree with all but LW, he wasn't very impressive at all for me.....But first and foremost Joe Cool looks in command, calm, sharp and dare I say, a little Peyton like.....It looks like Caldwell is expanding Joe's abilities, and he looked improved to me. Go Ravens

[BcRaven]

Well, those who've read my posts (very few if you're smart), know I had slated KO to be our starting LG, then starting LT in 2013. He was a great draft choice by Ozzie, and I agree. For those who think Kemo will start (@ NT) over Cody, I am on the opposite side of that page... Bc

[leachisabeast]

I would actually like to see KO actually given a shot to play LT, at least in the pre season games. Michael Oher has looked good at LT so far, and looks bigger and stronger, but for future reference, it would be good to see how KO plays on the left side.

Bryant McKinnie looked bad as a run blocker against a bunch of second stringers, that's quite worrying, even if it is only pre season.

[ballhawk]

KO def looked pretty good. This could turn out to be one of those really good draft classes for us. Pierce was explosive and quick. He looked so so much better than allen or berry. He should be a good #2 for us and i think rainey deserves the #3. Also thought yanda did a fine job against suh.

[DeputyDawg]

KO def looked pretty good. This could turn out to be one of those really good draft classes for us. Pierce was explosive and quick. He looked so so much better than allen or berry. He should be a good #2 for us and i think rainey deserves the #3. Also thought yanda did a fine job against suh.

Yanda did do a great job against Suh....Suhzy was mad because he couldn't intimidate him...Dirty Suh, how do you do...lol

[JAB1985]

Well, those who've read my posts (very few if you're smart), know I had slated KO to be our starting LG, then starting LT in 2013. He was a great draft choice by Ozzie, and I agree. For those who think Kemo will start (@ NT) over Cody, I am on the opposite side of that page... Bc

I think the only way Kemo starts at NT is if Cody is filling in for Cory Redding. I think they envision Cody playing a different role. Jones being depth and McPhee being in on passing downs like last year. Thats just a thought though, but id agree with you otherwise. I think theyll have a healthy rotation regardless, a lot of talent on the DL in baltimore.

[BigPlayReceiver]

I was on the KO bandwagon in the spring of '11 when I was hopeful that he would declare.
When we drafted him, I was happily surprised.
Still I had no idea that he would look "NFL ready" so quickly.

Where does he end up in '12 though? RT, LG, reserve swing man?

Where ever, I can't wait for him to have enough games played to compare him vs. DeCastro, Zeitler, Glenn, Adams et al.

[leachisabeast]

I think the only way Kemo starts at NT is if Cody is filling in for Cory Redding. I think they envision Cody playing a different role. Jones being depth and McPhee being in on passing downs like last year. Thats just a thought though, but id agree with you otherwise. I think theyll have a healthy rotation regardless, a lot of talent on the DL in baltimore.

That would be one beast of a Dline, although I would have thought Kemo would be better suited to play 5 tech, I don't think Cody has ever played anywhere else apart from nose guard.

[BcRaven]

Here's what I see (as of August 18th) on the D Line :
A. Jones / McPhee - Cody / Kemo - Ngata / B. Hall.
Anyone see anything different? ... Bc

[leachisabeast]

Here's what I see (as of August 18th) on the D Line :
A. Jones / McPhee - Cody / Kemo - Ngata / B. Hall.
Anyone see anything different? ... Bc

That's pretty realistic. I keep forgetting about Bryan Hall, but whenever his name comes up, I keep thinking of how many plays he makes on the field. I definitely think he has a great shot at making the final roster this year.

[lobachevsky]

Just to remind everyone, the downside on Pierce hasn't so much been his ability when healthy as his ability to stay healthy. The team is no doubt going to keep on top of RB cuts until & unless BP shows he can keep himself whole while carrying a normal workload.

[The Excellector]

Yeah, Pierce has shown why he was drafted. Give Ray Rice more power and you have Bernard Pierce, that is the potential that he has, if he can stay healthy.

Anthony Allen is in trouble now. If Pierce stays healthy, he might end up being the powerback that Allen was supposed to be. Plus, Allen's missed several blocking assignments that would devastate drives in the regular season.

[leachisabeast]

To add to that, from what I seen of Pierce in pass protection, he held him self well out there for a rookie, a lot better than Allen anyway.

[NOLARavenFAN]

Impressed with Pierce and Rainey..........

[blacknpurplepain]

Here's what I see (as of August 18th) on the D Line :
A. Jones / McPhee - Cody / Kemo - Ngata / B. Hall.
Anyone see anything different? ... Bc

I agree especially with Cody over Kemo. We probably will have the top d line in the leagues n depth wise too


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[DeputyDawg]

Impressed with Pierce and Rainey..........

Me too, I think both are keepers, and that means Allen and Berry are gone.