Friday, August 26, 2011

Ravens Notebook: Line prepares for shift

BALTIMORE - As a hulking Bryant McKinnie walked around the sidelines in workout clothes one day after passing his physical and signing his $7.5 million contract, there was already change on the Baltimore Ravens' offensive line.

With McKinnie's arrival about to trigger a watershed change with Michael Oher about to move to right offensive tackle from the left side, the Ravens had Oher start at left tackle against the Washington Redskins last night at M&T Bank Stadium.

New offensive lineman Mark LeVoir normally plays offensive tackle, but he lined up with the starters at right guard ahead of Oniel Cousins with Marshal Yanda still sidelined due to back spasms.

Rookie third-round draft pick Jah Reid started at right offensive tackle for the second time this preseason.

McKinnie didn't look anywhere near the nearly 400-pound girth he reportedly showed up weighing when he reported to the Minnesota Vikings' training camp prior to being released.

"They needed to do something," retired All-Pro Ravens offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden said. "The questions are whether McKinnie is going to be ready as far as being in shape and how he'll fit into the locker room. It didn't look like Jah Reid was going to be ready to start against the Steelers in the first game, so they needed to do something.

"I think Michael Oher is a good left tackle, but you don't want to move him around constantly. I thought he did a good job at right tackle as a rookie. When you talk about having Bryant McKinnie, Ben Grubbs, Matt Birk when he gets back, Marshal Yanda and Michael Oher, that's a pretty good group to put together."

FOXWORTH GETS START: Domonique Foxworth started at cornerback for the first time since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last year.

He was beaten for several completions, including a 33-yard pass to Anthony Armstrong up the sideline.

LINEUP LOOP: The Ravens started Cary Williams opposite Foxworth.

Tight end Ed Dickson started for the second consecutive game along with Bryan Mattison at center with Matt Birk sidelined following knee surgery at the start of training camp.

The Ravens started Jameel McClain next to Ray Lewis at middle linebacker. The first inside linebacker to substitute for McClain was Tavares Gooden.

Not playing besides McKinnie, Yanda and Birk: running back Matt Lawrence (knee) and wide receiver James Hardy (hamstring).

Chris Carr (hamstring) was dressed out for the game.

SHAKY HANDS: Rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith, the Ravens' second-round draft pick from the University of Maryland, dropped two passes.

He has had shaky hands in games and during practices.

Later in the game, fellow rookie Tandon Doss put on a demonstration of how to haul in a pass with an acrobatic leaping catch to close the third quarter.

REDSKINS: The Redskins started Rex Grossman over former Ravens quarterback John Beck.

Beck completed 14 of 17 passes for 140 yards against the Indianapolis Colts.

Grossman completed 19 of 26 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Former Ravens cornerback Josh Wilson was replaced in the starting lineup by Byron Westbrook.

BREAKING UP A FIGHT: Ravens rookie wide receiver Tandon Doss saw some action before kickoff, apparently breaking up a fight at the Inner Harbor at the Five Guys restaurant.

"Jus had to break up a fight at five guys," Doss wrote on his Twitter account. "Baltimore is too ratchet!!!"

When asked why he would get involved in a confrontation during the day of a game, Doss said he doesn't care "wat day it is I'm not gonna sit there and let someone get jumped. Where ur from but we don't do that in Indy."

MOMENT OF SILENCE: The Ravens held a moment of silence for the late Orioles pitcher and executive Mike Flanagan.

Flanagan committed suicide with police saying he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

ROSTER MOVE: The Ravens announced that they've waived defensive back Marcus Paschal after saying he was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.

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