OWINGS MILLS – Towering over his teammates along the offensive line, newly-minted Baltimore Ravens left offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie remains a massive figure at roughly 370 pounds.
Signed to a two-year, $7.5 million maximum value contract that includes a potential $300,000 bonus paid out in four $75,000 increments if he makes his weight, McKinnie has set a target weight of 355 pounds.
“I play at like 355, not 335,” McKinnie said with a smile prior to his first practice since joining the Ravens. “I haven’t been that since college, my junior year.”
Derided in NFL circles after being cut by the Minnesota Vikings after reporting to training camp at 387 pounds and being placed on the non-football injury list, McKinnie appears to have a chip on his shoulder about his conditioning.
And the hefty former Pro Bowl blocker is intent on taking out his frustrations on defensive ends this fall.
“I have a lot of motivation,” said McKinnie, who chose the Ravens over the Cleveland Browns. “So, you are definitely going to see a lot of pancakes this year.”
Yes, McKinnie was referring to knocking down opponents, not anything connected with breakfast food.
The Ravens immediately installed McKinnie as their starting left tackle and shifted Michael Oher back to right tackle where he was fairly successful as a rookie.
Although McKinnie, 31, is gigantic for a left tackle, he seemed to have fairly nimble feet during individual line drills.
Building up his stamina and teaching him the playbook are the primary challenges as he goes through a crash course of learning to get prepared to start the season-opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“That’s my job and that’s Ben Grubbs’ job when he’s out on the field with him,” offensive line coach Andy Moeller said. “That’s what we get paid to do. I feel that, just in the few days that he’s been here, he will be ready to go. He’s a pro.
“He’s a great player. He’s plenty bright enough. He just comes from a little bit of a different system, so the terminology and stuff will take a little bit of time. He will be ready to roll.”
When asked what Ravens fans can expect from him, McKinnie replied: “A dominant player that is trying to be the best at his position.”
After allowing 40 sacks last season, the Ravens would likely be grateful for any improvement.
The Ravens are hoping to have more of a vertical presence this season with quarterback Joe Flacco. In order to do that, though, the line will need to provide him with more time to pick out his receivers.
“Just to have another tackle, a great tackle, just anything to give Joe time, if you give Joe time in the pocket, he’s going to make all the throws that you need,” Oher said. “We are going to be a great team with him, and that’s exactly what we needed. We always want to get better, and we want to win and get to that big game.”
McKinnie has a history of off-field issues in his past, including his involvement in the infamous ‘Love Boat’ scandal while he was with the Vikings several years ago as well as afight outside a Miami nightclub.
He was booted from the NFC Pro Bowl squad two years ago after not showing up for practices and forfeited his $22,000 game check and had to reimburse the league for nearly $5,000 in travel reimbursement.
McKinnie has earned a reputation in league circles as someone who heartily enjoys the nightlife, but downplayed any perception of character issues surrounding him.
“I am actually more quiet and laidback than people think,” McKinnie said. “It’s just little things here and there that used to pop up in my past. It’s nothing like that I see happening anymore. I was kind of in my younger days anyway.”
McKinnie appreciates that former University of Miami players Ray Lewis and Ed Reed vouched for his character to Ravens management.
“I definitely like to hear that my guys from the ‘U’ definitely have my back and are supporting me,” McKinnie said
“I’m glad to be a part of this team and this organization and to actually finally team up with some guys that went to the University of Miami because I didn’t my whole career. It’s good to have somebody keep you competitive and everything like that. We just have a good bond with us.”
McKinnie has also been reunited with six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk, a former Vikings teammate working his way back from knee surgery.
“I definitely have chemistry with Matt Birk, and we have great communication skills between us,” McKinnie said.
“I am used to playing with Matt Birk, so it will be like old times.”
Meanwhile, Oher has accepted the position change after experiencing some struggles on the left side with penalty issues and speed rushers.
"I just like playing football," Oher said. "I am going to work hard at any position that I’m at. I’m going to work hard and be the best player that I can be at any position. We are going to be a great team with him, and that’s exactly what we needed.”
The Ravens are banking on McKinnie solving their left-tackle issue for this year and the immediate future.
Besides his $1 million signing bonus and $1 million base salary for this year, McKinnie’s deal includes $1.5 million in incentive clauses.
And McKinnie is due a $2 million base salary in 2012, and a $500,000 roster bonus due on the fifth day of the league year. The deal also includes a $1.2 million escalator clause based on playing time.
Now, it’s just a matter of getting him ready to block Steelers outside linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley.
“I expect him to get up to speed,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Let’s just set the bar high, expect him to know everything and we’ll go from there. He’s a veteran. He knows the pass protection. He knows the run plays and the running. Mainly, he’s got to translate the terminology and that is tough in the heat of battle.”
McKinnie is also hoping to fit in well in the Ravens’ locker room.
McKinnie isn’t known for being outspoken as far as guiding younger players, but said he’s willing to provide his knowledge to others.
“I am here to help everybody get better,” McKinnie said. “I am not real vocal, but I just pull people to the side and give them tips on stuff that I have learned in my past and just try to make us better.”
