The Baltimore Ravens and T Bryant McKinnie have come to a two-year agreement in principle, pending McKinnie passing a physical on Wednesday.
The 6-8, 345-pound McKinnie, who enters his 10th NFL season, has played the past nine years for the Minnesota Vikings. Selected out of Miami in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2002 Draft, McKinnie has seen action in 132 career games (with 131 starts).
One of the league’s most durable lineman, he has started all 16 games seven times during his career, including each of the past two seasons.
“Through the years, we’ve been fortunate to obtain players late in training camp or just before the start of the season who help us win,” Ravens general manager/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome stated. “A couple of years ago, it was Willie Anderson. Last year, it was Josh Wilson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who each made big plays at the end of games that gave us wins.
“Bryant falls in this category. He’s been a productive player at one of the hardest positions to play, and he has been in sync with Matt Birk when Matt was a Viking. Plus, he has a relationship with Michael Oher and our Miami players. Ray [Lewis] and Ed [Reed] vouch for him as a person and as a player who can help us. I know these veteran players are happy we’re adding Bryant.”
Added Lewis: “Some people look for speed, some people look for youth. But give me heart, wisdom and the will to play and win the game, and I will take that player on my side any day of the week. That is what Bryant has. I have played against him, and I know from experience how tough he is. He has a proven track record as a winner, and he is a Raven. He is one of us, and I know he will make us better.”
