is Birk done?

**Section 502 Raven** · 09-18-2012, 04:12 PM

he seems to be getting manhandled by most of the NT's we've played against. there was a good article last year that said the difference in the ravens/patriots AFC championship game was Wilfork. the article spoke about how he dominated the whole game and collapased the pocket.

a center is like a baseball catcher. a catcher can impact the game two ways; calling a good game or offensivley producing with the bat.

Birk looks like he can call a good game but i'm not sure he can execute at the point of attack.

**Dirt1** · 09-18-2012, 04:17 PM

Physically, Birk was done by the end of last year. He will not be able to hold up physically for this entire season. He is still a very bright player, who would make a great OL coach someday.

**leachisabeast** · 09-18-2012, 04:19 PM

Here we go again, the mysterious story of how bad people think Birk is, who has actually been a really solid Olinemen for us for the past 3 years with one or two bad games.

Please name me an alternative that would be better than Birk (please do not say Gino, he's a 4th round rookie out of Delaware and is just not ready to start in this league by evidence of the pre season). Until Birk is taken off as the number 1 center on the depth chart, no, he is not "done". You can think it all you want, but the coaches obviously do not agree right now.

**Mista T** · 09-18-2012, 04:25 PM

Our weekly discussion on which Ravens player sucks. IIRC, last week it was Kruger, then previously it was whoever was on the WR depth chart above Thompson.

Isn't it great that Baltimore fans don't have Boller anymore to kick from behind their keyboards?

**leachisabeast** · 09-18-2012, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Dirt1

Physically, Birk was done by the end of last year. He will not be able to hold up physically for this entire season. He is still a very bright player, who would make a great OL coach someday.

Nonsense, he aint a top 3 center in the league anymore, but he is still more than good enough for us right now. He has another good year left in him despite his age. People are forgetting the fact that the previous DT's Birk has had to deal with were Cullen Jenkins, Geno Atkins, and Vince Wilfolk.

**rharris1986** · 09-18-2012, 04:28 PM

The only topic at hand is how long will Joe survive with Birk at center. I think the answer is not very long!

**leachisabeast** · 09-18-2012, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by rharris1986

The only topic at hand is how long will Joe survive with Birk at center. I think the answer is not very long!

Seriously?

Three years Birk has been the starting center here, and has been the guy snapping the ball to Joe for 80 % of the time of his career, you'd think Joe would have had his career ended by now if you really think he's that bad.

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 09-18-2012, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Seriously?

Three years Birk has been the starting center here, and has been the guy snapping the ball to Joe for 80 % of the time of his career, you'd think Joe would have had his career ended by now if you really think he's that bad.

LOL...Leach, you are fighting a losing battle. Once the board finds a scapegoat, it's over. Nothing you can say, no logic you use, no stats to back you up will change anything.

Just accept it state your opinion and move on...you'll be better off screaming at your wall.

**ballhawk** · 09-18-2012, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mista T

Our weekly discussion on which Ravens player sucks. IIRC, last week it was Kruger, then previously it was whoever was on the WR depth chart above Thompson.

Isn't it great that Baltimore fans don't have Boller anymore to kick from behind their keyboards?

I guess we should just talk about how awesome everybody is and all the moral victories from the game against the eagles???

Birk is aproaching his late 30's, he is not above criticism. Nor is ozzie for not having somebody ready to step in yet.

**Mista T** · 09-18-2012, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by ballhawk

I guess we should just talk about how awesome everybody is and all the moral victories from the game against the eagles???

Birk is aproaching his late 30's, he is not above criticism. Nor is ozzie for not having somebody ready to step in yet.

Not at all. No one is perfect.

However, there has been a recent pattern here of naming a scapegoat of the week on a team which went 12-4, near Super Bowl last year, and should be a serious contender again. It's amusing, but nothing new for Baltimore sports.

**GOTA** · 09-18-2012, 06:02 PM

I thought Birk was done last year. His technical skills are great but his legs are old and worn down. It sucks getting old.

**Captain Silver** · 09-18-2012, 06:04 PM

Most of the time Birk is fine, unless its Wilfork eating his lunch like in the AFCC game, that was bad.

**The Excellector** · 09-18-2012, 06:12 PM

Birk won't be done until Gradkowski is ready to replace him. Gradkowski's blitz recognition definitely needs work. So, Birk ain't done yet.

**wickedsolo** · 09-18-2012, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

I thought Birk was done last year. His technical skills are great but his legs are old and worn down. It sucks getting old.

He's still solid, but two games into this season and it is obvious that teams are keying on him.

The team doesn't have a better option right now and frankly with how young the OL is, I'd rather Birk be out there. I think that they need to do a better job of getting Harewood and Yanda to chip some of the guys across from him so he isn't getting bowled over as much.

**CRZA938** · 09-18-2012, 07:18 PM

Somewhat off topic, but did you notice that Yanda (I believe) tapped Birks leg prior to every snap? And if you did, did you ever see them mix it up? Could explain the awesome jumps Eagles d line was getting.

DeputyDawg · 09-18-2012, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Here we go again, the mysterious story of how bad people think Birk is, who has actually been a really solid Olinemen for us for the past 3 years with one or two bad games.

Please name me an alternative that would be better than Birk (please do not say Gino, he's a 4th round rookie out of Delaware and is just not ready to start in this league by evidence of the pre season). Until Birk is taken off as the number 1 center on the depth chart, no, he is not "done". You can think it all you want, but the coaches obviously do not agree right now.

Absolutely true, and we need to understand that the coaches know more than we know, and if there's a better option at any position, they will make the change.
Birk is our best at this time. I would have liked to have kept Gurode around but the cap wouldn't allow it.

**jd345** · 09-18-2012, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

He's still solid, but two games into this season and it is obvious that teams are keying on him.

The team doesn't have a better option right now and frankly with how young the OL is, I'd rather Birk be out there. I think that they need to do a better job of getting Harewood and Yanda to chip some of the guys across from him so he isn't getting bowled over as much.

Totally agree with this^^^^ What Birk lacks in physicality at his age (and injuries) is replaced by his knowledge of the game and leadership on the line. There will come a point, and it is not to far off, that his knowledge of the game will not make up for the 25 year old opponen bull rushing him over. We just need to buy time to get our next center ready to go. I'm sure Gradkowski is much stronger than Birk, but for now Birk's knowledge, technique, and leadership skills are more of an asset than Grad's strength. Hopefully Gradkowski is a quick learner and Birk is a good teacher

**Ravenswintitle** · 09-18-2012, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

I thought Birk was done last year. His technical skills are great but his legs are old and worn down. It sucks getting old.

That's a fair assessment. He has the smarts to call the protections and make adjustments and he makes the players around him better. Those are great traits. But he's not a spring chicken

**JMUpurkfool** · 09-18-2012, 07:38 PM

Watching the last two games from the All 22 tight you can see a lot of pressure coming right up the middle. Joe is having trouble being able to stay on his mark/step into his throws.

Birk, physically, is the weakest link on this line. The eye in the sky doesn't lie.

**Ravenous1** · 09-18-2012, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Mista T

Our weekly discussion on which Ravens player sucks. IIRC, last week it was Kruger, then previously it was whoever was on the WR depth chart above Thompson.

Isn't it great that Baltimore fans don't have Boller anymore to kick from behind their keyboards?

Sometimes I think we forget the other team is actually trying also. If this team does not fulfill its potential I highly doubt its because of Matt Birk. He is not a dominant C at this point of his career but he is certainly more than serviceable. You cant have all pro caliber guys at every position on the field...just does not work that way