Ravens Do Double-Take on Miss. State OT Sherrod

by Bruce Raffel on Mar 7, 2011 12:00 PM EST

The Baltimore Ravens obviously like what they see in Mississipi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod. So much, in fact, that they have met withhim twice, both at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama this past January and again at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Ravens might be looking for an offensive tackle to play on the right side opposite left tackle Michel Oher. Depending on what happens with free agent tackle Jared Gaither, the team needs to explore their depth on the line and what they can do to move Marshal Yanda back to right guard, his more natural position.

If that's the case, then Sherrod seems to be the exact type of player the Ravens would covet on their team, both on the field and in the locker and classroom.

Sherrod brings with him a 3.54 GPA and a degree in Business Administration. He also earned a post-graduate scholarship. Sherrod has the size (6'5", 321 pounds) that Baltimore would love to anchor the right side of the line, to not only protect QB Joe Flacco with his huge wingspan (35+"), but help collapse the defensive front to open holes for RB Ray Rice to dart through.

This was a problem last year, as the running game almost always ran the ball to the left side due to its dismal results going to the right side. Having a guy on the right side actually bigger than the guy on the left would be a great luxury for the team that needs to have a solid run game in order to make the passing game even better.

Sherrod played left tackle for the Bulldogs, starting 47 of 50 career games at Mississippi State. He believes he can play left tackle in the pros, although he most likely would play right tackle for the Ravens. The Ravens pick 26th in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, which begins on April 28th.

See the related story by Aaron Wilson at the National Football Post.

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Would be a solid option for RT. He is an Oher clone.

"If only Flacco could put up numbers similar to Matt Ryan, or maybe just improve his stats year-to-year, he wouldn’t seem like such a wasted draft pick. It’s as if a young quarterback needs to put up better stats in his first three years than nearly every other quarterback to play in the NFL to justify a first round pick." - Amp

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 7, 2011 12:04 PM EST reply actions

Not really, other than his athleticism

as he is MUCH bigger than Oher and longer arms.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Mar 7, 2011 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

he could start at RT and perhaps switch to left with some experience

one of the things I like to see most in a draft pick is games played. it shows health, commitment, dependability. it correlates very highly with pro success. 47/50 is very good

by davver on Mar 7, 2011 12:30 PM EST reply actions

Funny thing is...

he is built to be better suited at LT than Oher due to his size and athleticism. Oher is agile, but just not a bull like JO was, or this kid could grow to be. To me it seems like if we got him, let him play at RT for a coule of years then switch the two of them like the team did with Gaither. See how Michael would like that switch!?

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Mar 7, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions

edit

“…might be looking for an offensive tackle to play on the left side opposite right tackle Michel Oher.”

by burds358 on Mar 7, 2011 1:47 PM EST reply actions

hmmm I dont think olinemen is such big need if we are able to retain

Gaither. Gaither really cant request for big bucks because he hasn’t played to that level to even receive such a reward; I know he is very good and has big potentials but I hopefully we keep him at a reasonable price.

by jazz20 on Mar 7, 2011 1:50 PM EST reply actions

Targetting a guy like Sherrod probably means they plan on moving back for more picks, which would allow us to get an early receiver and possibly one of those DEs as well. Pretty sweet.

by Keith R on Mar 7, 2011 2:04 PM EST reply actions

Cracks me up

That the Steelers and Ravens are basically looking at the same players besides CB for us and WR for you.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Mar 7, 2011 2:45 PM EST reply actions

lol well both teams do need olinemen help from the draft

by jazz20 on Mar 7, 2011 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

because the steelers and ravens know the game is won in the trenches

they aren’t going to blow a top pick on newton or some flashy WR like the dumb teams will

by davver on Mar 7, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah but unfortunately the difference is

the Steelers still win with their o-line decimated by injuries and we lose one guy and our run game goes down the tubes. Sad but true.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Mar 7, 2011 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

Because they have a top 5 QB and a much better pass rush.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 7, 2011 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

His position...

…is on the left. If we take Sherrod at 26, I bet we slide Oher back to the right side and stick Sherrod on Flacco’s blind side. He’s supposedly NFL ready to play left tackle.

by JoshuaStein on Mar 7, 2011 2:57 PM EST reply actions

I doubt his is NFL ready for LT. JO even started at guard his first year.

by MrPoopyPants on Mar 7, 2011 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry, but the Ravens did not pick

Oher, much less trade up for him, to accpet that he is a RT not a LT after only one full year at the position.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Mar 7, 2011 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

I think it would be very counter-productive to shift Oher back to the right side after just one season of him being on the left. I was just responding to the post’s subject about the Ravens talking to Sherrod. Here’s hoping we take a pass rusher at 26 or trade down for more selections…

by JoshuaStein on Mar 7, 2011 6:24 PM EST up reply actions

if sherrod was still there at say #40-45 in the second round

i would trade some later round picks to move up and get him.

by davver on Mar 7, 2011 3:38 PM EST reply actions

Doubtful

There’s a fir chance he won’t be there at #26 when we pick. Of course, then I’d gladly “settle” for OT Gabe Carimi, who also might not be there at #26, and bothwill certainly not be there at #40-45.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Mar 7, 2011 4:37 PM EST up reply actions