Osemele a starter?

[shildreth]

Osemele a starter?
8:16AM ET
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens lost starting LG Ben Grubbs to free agency, and there's a question mark in the LT slot heading into 2012 as well, owing to the fact that Bryant McKinnie's conditioning is a bit of an unknown until he shows up for training camp. But, the club did add another option for either a tackle or guard spot in second-rounder Kelechi Osemele.
Osemele played LT in college, but there is thought that he can slide over to guard or the RT spot in the pros. And slide over he did during the OTAs; the Ravens' Twitter feed passes along word that Osemele was with the first-team at LG for at least a portion of the practice on Wednesday, and "looked good." [Editor's note: There was no elaboration as to whether that meant he was attractive or skilled, but we'll have to assume it's the latter in this circumstance].
From the standpoint of his build, Osemele should be a good fit, in the opinion of ESPN AFC North blogger Jamison Hensley:
You can't teach size
"Osemele still has to work on his technique in switching from college tackle to NFL guard. But he definitely looks the part. At 6-foot-5, 333 pounds, Osemele is a space-eater on the interior."

[CLONECONES]

BOOOM

[ItsCyence]

I believe he has the skill set to be a very good guard in the NFL.

[Bigman38]

and "looked good." [Editor's note: There was no elaboration as to whether that meant he was attractive or skilled, but we'll have to assume it's the latter in this circumstance].

This made me laugh.

I bet he is a 16 game starter this year, there are some gaps on the Raven's O Line and it sounds like they are pretty happy with KO so far.

[Clone9]

KO will destroy some people run blocking from the guard position. I think he is going to be Ray Rice's new best friend.

[JP4CY]

KO will destroy some people run blocking from the guard position. I think he is going to be Ray Rice's new best friend.

Totally agree. If the ankles hold up, he will dominate the guard spot.

[ajk4st8]

Really gonna miss seeing KO blow away D linemen.

My favorite bit of watching KO was on the final drive vs OSU.

[Cydkar]

This made me laugh.

I bet he is a 16 game starter this year, there are some gaps on the Raven's O Line and it sounds like they are pretty happy with KO so far.

I bet he isn't healthy for 16 games.

[klamath632]

Woot Woot KO

[Cycsk]

KO will destroy some people run blocking from the guard position. I think he is going to be Ray Rice's new best friend.

By his own statements, it will depend upon whether he can be more mentally focused and play with more precision. It came fairly natural and easy to him in college, but he has already noticed that the NFL is much different.

[jay moe]

Really gonna miss seeing KO blow away D linemen.

My favorite bit of watching KO was on the final drive vs OSU.

Mine too, he was mauling the OSU players.

[Clone9]

By his own statements, it will depend upon whether he can be more mentally focused and play with more precision. It came fairly natural and easy to him in college, but he has already noticed that the NFL is much different.

Of course....he will have to figure it all out mentally. But physically, as a guard in the NFL, he will be a bulldozer.

[ISUFB]

NICE JOB KO!
Baltimore fans have really fell in love with him!
He's going to be a good one!

[MidwestZest]

Looking forward to watching him play.

Can we get a betting board over/under on # of KO false starts for the season? Hopefully that gets fixed for him

[cyhiphopp]

Looking forward to watching him play.

Can we get a betting board over/under on # of KO false starts for the season? Hopefully that gets fixed for him

I think some of that had to do with being out a LT. Farther away from the center and know he had to get a big jump to take on the opposing teams best pass rusher. I think he will be better in that respect at Guard.


I'm just really glad that KO ended up on a team that needs him and appreciates him. Even if it is the dirty dirty Ravens.