OWINGS MILLS – Gambling on a massive offensive tackle with a history of conditioning and character issues, the Baltimore Ravens agreed to terms on a two-year, $7.5 million maximum value deal with former Pro Bowl selection Bryant McKinnie.
The deal includes a $1 million signing bonus.
Provided that McKinnie passes his physical today after being cut by the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 2 after reportedly ballooning up to nearly 400 pounds and being placed on the non-football injury list and flunking their physical, then he’ll officially join the roster.
The Ravens are listing the 6-foot-8 blocker at 345 pounds, but he’s expected to tip the scales higher than that. McKinnie, 31, has been listed as heavy as 386 pounds.
The Ravens need an experienced hand at offensive tackle where Michael Oher and Jah Reid are unproven and former New England Patriots lineman Mark LeVoir is more of a backup. McKinnie could operate as the Ravens’ starting right tackle or take over the left tackle spot and shift Oher back to the right side.
“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 Ozzie Newsome said. “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.”
McKinnie has started every game each of the past two seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl two years ago. However, McKinnie decided not to show up to practice and was removed from the NFC roster. He was ordered to pay back nearly $5,000 in travel expenses paid by the league and forfeited a $22,500 game check.
“I’m out on the 1st flight smoking,” McKinnie wrote on his Twitter account. “Let’s Get it!”
It’s been three years since the former University of Miami standout and first-round draft pick had an off-field incident.
McKinnie was charged with aggravated battery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest following an altercation at a Miami nightclub.
McKinnie also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge in 2005 stemming from the so-called “Love Boat” scandal where he allegedly received and performed sex acts on a woman on a Vikings boat cruise. He was fined by the court system and $41,000 by the NFL and ordered to perform community service.
McKinnie was also arrested that year along with a teammate on suspicious of disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process.
McKinnie has started 131 games and is regarded as a strong blocker.
“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,” middle linebacker Ray Lewis said. “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.”
MCADOO SIGNED: The Ravens made it official, signing former University of North Carolina defensive end Michael McAdoo after he went undrafted in the NFL supplemental draft.
McAdoo agreed to terms Monday night.
The 6-foot-7, 245-pounder recorded 29 tackles, 10 tackles for losses and 3 ½ career sacks, and had four sacks and an interception in the Tar Heels’ spring game.
McAdoo missed all of last season after a plagiarism incident where the student honor court determined that he didn’t properly credit someone else’s work on a paper. He sued the university and the NCAA, but his request for an injunction and reinstatement were denied by a judge.
“Don’t know much about him,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I’ve heard good things about him. I know he got caught up with some situations at North Carolina, but he’s supposed to be a good guy and a talented guy. So, we’re looking forward to seeing him here.”
The Ravens placed defensive back Marcus Paschal on injured reserve after waive-injuring him due to his quadriceps injury.
McAdoo has 4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash and could line up at either defensive end or outside linebacker.
“The first thing I bring to the table is passion about the game,” McAdoo told 24×7 before joining the team. “I’m very confident. I love the game of football. I’m somebody who works hard and goes hard every down. I can bring a lot to whatever team decides to pick me . I like both positions. I like rushing the passer. It really doesn’t matter. I just want to play football wherever they put me.”
A former blue-chip recruit from Nashville, Tenn., McAdoo defended his character.
“I’m not a bad person," McAdoo said. "I love the game of football. The people that I hung out with and associated with they assumed I was just like them other guys.
“It was guilt by association. I’m a good guy. They can check my background and know that I don’t have any issues off the field. They just have to get to know me.”
RAVENS HAPPY WITH TAYLOR: The Ravens aren’t ruling out the possibility of installing rookie quarterback Tyrod Taylor as the potential backup to Joe Flacco, at least publicly.
The sixth-round draft pick from Virginia Tech has completed 24 of 39 passes for 267 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions and has been sacked seven times for a 61.5 quarterback rating. He has rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
Through the first two games of the preseason, the Ravens have given a vast majority of snaps with the second offense to rookie quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
“The cement is still wet,” Harbaugh said .“We’ll see. He is doing well. I think he could be our backup quarterback. By the same token, we will keep our options open. You never know who is going to become available.”
One potential backup quarterback is off the market as Brodie Croyle is heading to the Arizona Cardinals.
PLAYING TIME: The Ravens plan to have the majority of their starters play as long as into the third quarter or an entire three quarters Thursday night against the Washington Redskins.
Key players like Lewis, safety Ed Reed, linebacker Terrell Suggs and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata won’t play nearly that long.
“Our plan will be to play them into the third quarter, maybe the whole third quarter,” Harbaugh said. “You will see certain guys that won’t go that long, as usual. There are other guys that really need the work, so we will be pushing them into the second half.”
