Post Draft Analysis: Michael Oher
by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Apr 27, 2009 5:12 PM EDT
Email
PrintNow that the NFL draft is said and done, what do we Rebels need to expect from our former football player's new employers? In this four part series, we at the Cup will do our best to outline our feelings and conjectures on the futures of Michael Oher, Peria Jerry, Mike Wallace, and Jamarca Sanford. We'll be presenting our ruminations on each player in the order of their respective selection so, naturally, Michael Oher is up first.
Baltimore, huh? I can't say any of us saw that one coming. Many people thought Oher would end up in Cincinnati, San Francisco, or Philadelphia while few, if any, even mentioned Baltimore. If you'll recall, I opined that Philly or Cincy would be ideal for the our very own feel-good-movie-to-be but, after putting three seconds or so of thought into it, I think Baltimore will be an excellent place for Oher.
Consider this: The Ravens were in the AFC Championship game last season with a rookie quarterback and head coach. Their defense is solid, their halfbacks are solid, and their roster has plenty of emerging young stars. This is a team that will be winning a lot of games over the next few seasons and it's great to see one of our Rebels get to be a part of that.*
There have been some murmurs going about suggesting that Oher may end up at the Ravens right tackle slot. While this isn't exactly thrilling in that he would certainly make more money at the other tackle position, it gives me confidence that he'll have a longer, more fruitful pro career by increasing his versatility. I also feel that the Ravens may be preparing Oher to replace Willie Anderson, the aging 13-year NFL veteran and 4-time pro-bowl selection at offensive tackle.
I am very, very confident that Oher will perform well in Baltimore as will Baltimore as a franchise. When considering what our concerns for our favorite college athletes upon the moment their professional transition should be (money and wins), this will work out just fine for him.
Nice work, Baltimore. Nice work, Mike. We can't wait to see you on Sundays.
*Actually, three Rebels are now a part of this franchise with the recent additions of Tre Stallings and Jason Cook to the roster.
10 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I really don't like it...
Because I couldn’t give two shits about the ravens (or the city of Baltimore in general), but it is cool to have Jason Cook on board. At least for a little while.
I put oooooon. I put on for tennessee.
The Cup should
get stupid or embarrassing pictures of other SEC teams various sports and have a caption contest for the funniest one.
Good idea
We’ve actually got some swag and other shit to give away and we’re looking for creative ways to do so. We think we’ll be doing that stuff closer to football season.
Take a picture, trick.
by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Apr 27, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions
As a Ravens fan, I get the opposite perspective
and I’m thrilled Oher is coming to Baltimore. In the beginning of the season, when I expected the Ravens to struggle with their Rookie HC and Rookie QB, I expected the Ravens to be in position to draft Oher, but did not expect them to do so, as they had some pretty glaring needs at other positions.
As the team found success last season, a lot of the Ravens needs were either answered from within or in the offseason from outside (like the signing of CB Dominique Foxworth), but I never imagined it possible that Oher could fall to the bottom half of the first round, and figured there was no chance of the Ravens drafting him. I was stunned when he fell and thrilled that Ozzie Newsome traded up and targeted this player. He’s a steal at #23.
Answering the position question, Oher absolutely projects to a RT short term for the Ravens. That’s not guaranteed long term (didn’t Oher start at RG for Ole Miss?) but the truth is, the Ravens love their LT in Jared Gaither and are already looking to sign him to a contract extension. Willie Anderson was an excellent pickup as a stop gap just before the season started, but he’s obviously not the long term answer for the Ravens at RT. There’s a very good possibility that Oher will be an upgrade over Willie Anderson on day one. As for money considerations, draft slot dominates position in the first contract (with the exception of QB), so that’s not a concern. I suspect if Oher is seen in five years as an elite LT, he’ll either be signed to a LT sized contract by the Ravens or by another team, most likely the Ravens, as Ozzie Newsome loves his first round picks.
As for Jason Cook, I think the chances of him sticking with the Ravens are higher than you might expect. The Ravens are one of the biggest power running teams in the NFL, and last year they carried two fullbacks on the roster and used both throughout the season. The second of those fullbacks, Lorenzo Neal, is 38 years old and an Unrestricted Free Agent who the Ravens do not seem interested in re-signing. Jason Cook is supposed to be an excellent lead blocker and could definitely fill Neal’s spot on the roster.
I actually have one major question about Oher. I’ve heard that he’s an excellent run-blocker, and I’ve also heard that he’s primarily a pass blocker. These two statements are contradictory. Which one by your observations is accurate? Run blocking is going to be extremely important for a Ravens lineman.
Answers
He started at LG as a true freshman. He has started at LT ever since then.
He is good at pass blocking and run blocking. He is more consistently great at pass blocking (gave up two sacks during his four years as a starter… in the SEC), but when he actually puts the effort into it, he is an incredible run blocker. It’s just that he’s an inconsistent run blocker. Some plays he’s very aggressive. Others, it’s like he forgets that this isn’t intramural football.
Jason Cook is an incredible ambassador to a football team. The guy is brilliant, a class act, and talented.
by Juco All-American on Apr 28, 2009 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Cool, thanks
hopefully, he’ll continue to work on his run-blocking then, since we’re on the most run-heavy team in the NFL. It will probably help that the rest of our offense absolutely loved run-blocking.
I’m really intrigued by Jason Cook, if he could fill the role Lorenzo Neal had for us just much younger that would be a huge bonus for the team. The Ravens seem like a good fit for the mauling blocker.
I’m thrilled that Oher is coming to Baltimore.
Harbaugh said Mike has a ton of talent. This guy has only played 5 years of organized...
sports. He had 3 different line coaches, who coached 4 different schemes in 4 years. I don’t think effort was ever a problem with him. It was always there, he just was having to learn something new ever year.
I cannot fathom how some say he was a dissappointment. He made All Sec for 3 years, 1st team All American as a Sr, and was drafted in the 1st round of the NFL draft. He also graded out at over 80% over 4 years, which is incredible since he played as a true freshman.
by Bruce Dickinson on Apr 28, 2009 9:35 AM EDT reply actions
Welcome to Baltimore, Michael (and Ole Miss fans)
Oher is being welcomed with open arms, as we are learning his story for the first time this weekend. He will make a great Raven and his post draft interview was one of the best, most humble and classy that I’ve ever heard. We already have our LT, and Oher is more than willing to play wherever he is directed to without argument. If there is an injury, I’m sure he can just move right on over, but for now he will anchor the right side of our O-line which has been a weakness. He can learn from one of the best, Willie Anderson and take over this season.
Come on over to Baltimore Beatdown and see all the positive comments about him.
Rexx
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
