The 2023 Offseason Thread

[QtR Nevermore]

I know it's only minicamps so we'll need to see how it progresses, but looks like Sala got the run with the 1s at LG today. Sounds like the competition is more likely him vs. John Simpson... aka Ben Cleveland might be toast.

Harbaugh was talking about trying Cleveland at RT, Sala at LG a little while ago. He talked about trying Fa'alele at G a while back too.

I have to say I don't like the way they keep doing that, for a few reasons

- if players can perform at a starter level at one position, experiment all you like, but before that point, I'd rather they got them to a point where they can at least do one job well.

- Maybe it's my prejudice but I just don't think big RT body types fit very well at Guard. The only player across the whole NFL that I can think of who made that switch successfully is Roger Saffold, so it seems like it's a small target the Ravens keep trying to hit. The other type of Tackle to Guard conversion - that of a smaller guy with good technique who could play tackle at college (eg Yanda, Mekari) - seems to be much more successful.

- The attempt to switch positions seems even less likely to succeed when you look at the players the Ravens keep trying it with. Tyre Phillips, Sala, Fa'alele all have great Tackle bodies but the fact that the Ravens picked them on Day 3 (more or less) tells you that their technique didn't match up to their physique. If it had, they'd have been Day 1 or 2 players.

So why put them in a position where they can't get the maximum benefit from their frame and length, and where their height might even be a disadvantage? Isn't that taking away from their strengths (size) and putting more pressure onto their weaknesses?

 

[rmcjacket23]

Harbaugh was talking about trying Cleveland at RT, Sala at LG a little while ago. He talked about trying Fa'alele at G a while back too.

I have to say I don't like the way they keep doing that, for a few reasons

- if players can perform at a starter level at one position, experiment all you like, but before that point, I'd rather they got them to a point where they can at least do one job well.

- Maybe it's my prejudice but I just don't think big RT body types fit very well at Guard. The only player across the whole NFL that I can think of who made that switch successfully is Roger Saffold, so it seems like it's a small target the Ravens keep trying to hit. The other type of Tackle to Guard conversion - that of a smaller guy with good technique who could play tackle at college (eg Yanda, Mekari) - seems to be much more successful.

- The attempt to switch positions seems even less likely to succeed when you look at the players the Ravens keep trying it with. Tyre Phillips, Sala, Fa'alele all have great Tackle bodies but the fact that the Ravens picked them on Day 3 (more or less) tells you that their technique didn't match up to their physique. If it had, they'd have been Day 1 or 2 players.

So why put them in a position where they can't get the maximum benefit from their frame and length, and where their height might even be a disadvantage? Isn't that taking away from their strengths (size) and putting more pressure onto their weaknesses?

OK but...
1. It's OTAs. It's the perfect time to figure these things out
2. They have two years of Cleveland at Guard, including camp, preseason, and regular season. Feel like they have a good idea of what they're getting there. His ability to provide positional flexibility could, quite literally, be the difference between whether he makes the team or not. He's certainly not guaranteed a roster spot. If he had the LG job locked up, he wouldn't be working out at RT.
3. Basically same as #2 for Faalele and Sala, but the opposite spectrum. What is Faalele's path to playing time as a Tackle? He's basically the #4 tackle heading into camp. If he can play Guard, he can either a) start there or b) backup there. Even if he doesn't win the starting LG battle, if he shows well enough, he's now the top backup at Guard and top 4 Tackle on the roster. That's valuable.
Sala is literally a rookie who's never played a snap in the NFL, and was a late round pick. If he's only here as a Tackle, he has literally no value for the '23 season whatsoever, and very little for next year. He's, what, the 5th tackle, at best? I don't even know if we can carry like a 10th offensive lineman who can only play on position.

Basically same mindset... your depth Olinemen have to be flexible. There just aren't enough good one's coming out of the draft that you can take a 5th or 6th rounder and think they can only play RT. They may settle in later in their career to that level, but that's just not a luxury NFL teams have.

You said yourself... if these players were high end players at their positions coming out of college, they wouldn't have been late round picks to begin with. For all we know, they've been playing out of position in College. Happens all the time.

 

[redrum52]

You damn right. I #SIIE'd that shit then and I'mma stand by until he ain't on the team anymore LMAO.

Lol... didn't mean you. For what it's worth a majority were on the bandwagon when he was originally drafted. But a specific person up to last year was still pushing the narrative he can be great. I would love it. Too bad he sucks.

 

[OURavensFan]

I saw that Bateman got an injection for his foot, you’ve got to be shitting me. Thank god we drafted a WR

 

[Simba]

On the CB conversation, I wouldn't discount Trayvon Mullen. I'm not sure I see it as he hasn't been very good in the NFL, but he did somehow get a fully guaranteed 1 year deal.

Just feels like a year where a lot of the guys you'd feel comfortable with at CB 5/6 are actually competing for CB 3/4 right now and that's concerning.

 

[JO_75]

Bye bye Proche?

 

[Simba]

Bye bye Proche?

I mean he's basically a long shot at this point regardless of him dropping a pass in minicamps. Competing for WR6 and not playing ST is a death knell for him.

 

[SepticeyePoe]

Bye bye Proche?

I could've sworn Isabella signed somewhere else. Must've been a different practice squad guy?

 

[OURavensFan]

Bye bye Proche?

Yea I’m still fuming over the last one he dropped in the endzone, we’d have probably gone for two and missed it though

 

[JoeyFlex5]

I was worried about Ben Cleveland the day he showed up to rookie camp and couldn’t get low enough to run one of the drills

 

[RavensMania]

One thing about our team, we give guys chances even after their showcasing of terribleness( is that even a word)….. probably why they always show up big in their contract year though

lol, it's not a word but no reason you can't use it as one on this board. Only one person will rat you out for using it.

 

[JoeyFlex5]

Y’all can call me crazy but man I got a feeling about Odell this year.. I think he’s gonna be an absolute pro and I think he’s gonna have a really good year, might not break 1k considering andrews and flowers and the run game, but I think he’s gonna make a shit ton of big plays in big moments and decide a lot of games.

 

[Sandtown]

I mean he's basically a long shot at this point regardless of him dropping a pass in minicamps. Competing for WR6 and not playing ST is a death knell for him.

Yeah but Proche usually has good hands. I think his mom or some relative of his just passed a few weeks ago .I can only imagining whats on his mind but hopefully he can have a good showing in training camp.

 

[Davesta]

I know it's only minicamps so we'll need to see how it progresses, but looks like Sala got the run with the 1s at LG today. Sounds like the competition is more likely him vs. John Simpson... aka Ben Cleveland might be toast.

One of “Harb’s guys.”

Never let this dude pick again! EDC gotta take away his rights

 

[airconteka]

Y’all can call me crazy but man I got a feeling about Odell this year.. I think he’s gonna be an absolute pro and I think he’s gonna have a really good year, might not break 1k considering andrews and flowers and the run game, but I think he’s gonna make a shit ton of big plays in big moments and decide a lot of games.

I got $50 on him 800+ yards with my dickhead Steelers mate

 

[RavensMania]

I got $50 on him 800+ yards with my dickhead Steelers mate

that's a pretty good bet

 

[Davesta]

I got $50 on him 800+ yards with my dickhead Steelers mate

Andrews - 1100
Odell - 850
Bateman - 700
Flowers - 550
Likely - 300




Pat Richard - 2500

Lamar’s 6k szn.

 

[Davesta]

OK but...
1. It's OTAs. It's the perfect time to figure these things out
2. They have two years of Cleveland at Guard, including camp, preseason, and regular season. Feel like they have a good idea of what they're getting there. His ability to provide positional flexibility could, quite literally, be the difference between whether he makes the team or not. He's certainly not guaranteed a roster spot. If he had the LG job locked up, he wouldn't be working out at RT.
3. Basically same as #2 for Faalele and Sala, but the opposite spectrum. What is Faalele's path to playing time as a Tackle? He's basically the #4 tackle heading into camp. If he can play Guard, he can either a) start there or b) backup there. Even if he doesn't win the starting LG battle, if he shows well enough, he's now the top backup at Guard and top 4 Tackle on the roster. That's valuable.
Sala is literally a rookie who's never played a snap in the NFL, and was a late round pick. If he's only here as a Tackle, he has literally no value for the '23 season whatsoever, and very little for next year. He's, what, the 5th tackle, at best? I don't even know if we can carry like a 10th offensive lineman who can only play on position.

Basically same mindset... your depth Olinemen have to be flexible. There just aren't enough good one's coming out of the draft that you can take a 5th or 6th rounder and think they can only play RT. They may settle in later in their career to that level, but that's just not a luxury NFL teams have.

You said yourself... if these players were high end players at their positions coming out of college, they wouldn't have been late round picks to begin with. For all we know, they've been playing out of position in College. Happens all the time.

I was worried about Ben Cleveland the day he showed up to rookie camp and couldn’t get low enough to run one of the drills

You see Sala working with the 1st team in both clips.

Goodbye Squirrel boy.

 

[redrum52]

I was worried about Ben Cleveland the day he showed up to rookie camp and couldn’t get low enough to run one of the drills

I'm pretty sure you never liked the Cleveland pick. Good eyes.

Y’all can call me crazy but man I got a feeling about Odell this year.. I think he’s gonna be an absolute pro and I think he’s gonna have a really good year, might not break 1k considering andrews and flowers and the run game, but I think he’s gonna make a shit ton of big plays in big moments and decide a lot of games.

I talked shit about him because all the cool kids are doing it... but like you I think he has a great year with us and becomes a fan favorite.

 

[Deebo813]

I was worried about Ben Cleveland the day he showed up to rookie camp and couldn’t get low enough to run one of the drills

Soon as i seen the hype, i was worried. A bunch of hype about nothing. All cause he big and a country boy