Bryant McKinnie discovering the benefits of OTAs

Ravens offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, whose weight and conditioning were scrutinized during his first season in Baltimore, attended this week’s organized team activities and has been a regular participant in the team’s offseason program for most of the past few weeks.

“He’s been working really hard,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s been out here most of the time and conditioning has been a fair amount of a priority. He’s done a good job. We’ll just have to see how he does.”

McKinnie, who is listed at 360 pounds, doesn’t appear to have packed on additional pounds since last season. The voluntary workouts have helped and McKinnie, who rotated with Michael Oher and Jah Reid at tackle on Wednesday, is using the workouts to refine his technique, too.

“Just being here for the workouts and the running and the lifting, and getting a little extra film study in, allows me to be a little more comfortable and know the offense a lot better,” McKinnie said. “I’m here for the OTAs just so I can get a chance to get my technique down. Last year we didn’t have any and I didn’t have a chance to really go through training camp, so this is my chance to get my technique back.”

The Ravens signed him during training camp last season after the Minnesota Vikings released him -- reportedly because he weighed nearly 400 pounds. He started every game at left tackle for the Ravens in 2011. The Ravens picked up a $500,000 roster bonus on McKinnie in March, but team officials wanted him to be in better shape than he was a year ago. He looks to be heading in the right direction.


(baltimoresun.com)