Is Preston actually complimenting the Ravens?

[pyite32]

Preston: Ravens' 'O' line has new look, throwback feel
Mike Preston

July 24, 2007

Not since the days of Tony Jones, Steve Everitt and Jeff Blackshear has there been so much potential on the Ravens' offensive line. Back then, linemen such as Wally Williams and Orlando Brown were about to enter the prime of their careers, and Jonathan Ogden was still a pup.

See the rest here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.preston24jul24,0,3970406.column

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[birdbrain]

Actually a pretty decent article from him for once.....

[elland]

Nice article. However I think Vincent and Rimpf are figthing for the last spot.

[Gwaihir]

I know! I just finished reading the article and kept waiting for the hammer to fall ... and it never did! I think he actually likes our Offensive Line as much as I do!

[ClericBlackDave]

im actually not sure if anyone is fighting for the last roster spot. I dont' think that the Ravens would want to get rid of any of these lineman at this point.


The solution? Someone ends up on IR.


We won't know who until camp ends and preseason ends. But you could easily see someone like Marshall Yanda or Jared Gaither get an IR redshirt year. But then it could be someone else, as we are very thin at tackle and probably needs at least one of the two active gameday, if not both.


At the last camps Ogden still had a limp. While he might be recovered by now, he's missed time the last two years, and you need competent backups.


On the interior, we know Flynn's days are numbered. The future of the interior is Brown Chester Grubbs, but who are teh future backups? I think Rimpf and Yanda are both solid backups you dont want to lose, so that puts Vincent the most at risk, being older but mainly a backup now.

[skimmy]

I like the article, but I think he's a little too in love with the line from those early Ravens teams. They were part of a prolific offense in 96 and got Priest Holmes just over 1000 yards in 98... and that's about it. Last year's line was better than that line in both pass protection and run blocking, and this year's line could be even better.

[festivus]

Watch how fast he jumps on Billick after we've lost a few games. Here's a preview of a column he'll write in December:

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Mike Preston

This was the year the Ravens were supposed to go to the Super Bowl, right? The offensive line was upgraded, Steve McNair had another year in the system, it seemed all the pieces were in place.

Losses to New England, Cincinnati, the Jets, and the lowly Seahawks have put that all in doubt.

This team cannot expect to compete in the postseason unless Brian Billick turns over the boring, predictable offense to Offensive Coordinator Rick Neuheisel. Can the season be saved?

Etc.