With the 29th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft

[Ravens0587]

The Baltimore Ravens select Ben Grubbs Guard Auburn

[Bez513]

Kiper says he was a top 15 pick. Only knock is he is a true guard and at this time doesn't play any other positions.

[Bez513]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/players/draft/411859

One of the most unheralded players in the collegiate ranks, Grubbs has that old-school mauler's mentality combined with the new-school athleticism that saw him become even more dominant during his senior year, filling the leadership void on the Auburn front wall.

Not since the days of Alan Faneca (1995-97) at Louisiana State has a Southeastern Conference guard displayed that perfect blend of power, intensity and athletic ability that Grubbs brings to the field each week. Originally recruited as a defensive lineman, he moved to tight end during his redshirt freshman year before becoming a dominant force at the demanding left guard position for the Tigers during his last 32 games.

Playing a variety of positions is nothing new for Grubbs. At Elmore County High School, he competed as an offensive lineman, linebacker and fullback during his four-year career as a starter. Super Prep rated Grubbs one of the state of Alabama's top 10 prospects, according him All-America honors. He was a Class 4A all-state selection as an offensive lineman by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, adding all-county and all-metro accolades as an outside linebacker.

The Prep Star all-region choice registered 150 tackles and six sacks while also coming up with an interception as a senior. He rushed for 130 yards on 28 carries, scoring twice, and caught seven passes for 50 yards that year. As a junior, Grubbs posted 110 tackles, four sacks and an interception. He also lettered four times on the basketball team as a forward.

Grubbs redshirted during the 2002 season at Auburn, competing on the scout team as a 251-pound defensive tackle. He appeared in eight games during 2003 as a 281-pound blocking tight end, but did not have any receptions. Grubbs continued to fill out his impressive frame, as he again shifted positions, taking over left guard duties as a 289-pound sophomore in 2004. He started every game, producing 76 key blocks, including 16 that resulted in touchdowns, and finished his first year as a full-time starter with a 90.38-percent grade for blocking consistency.

He extended his string of consecutive starts to 25 in 2005. Grubbs teamed with tackle Marcus McNeill to form one of the best left-side blocking tandems in the collegiate ranks. He registered 64 key blocks, including 22 that produced touchdowns for the Tigers. For the season, Grubbs averaged 89.67-percent for blocking consistency.

With McNeill and five other starters having graduated, the young Tigers' team looked to Grubbs to fill the leadership void in 2006. He simply dominated the action in the trenches during his final season.

Positives: Grubbs demonstrates very good toughness and works until the whistle to finish off blocks … He has a solid hand punch and very good explosion on contact … He is quick to get out in front on pulls and traps and does a nice job of locating second-level defenders on the move … He has shown marked improvement sliding his feet, but needs to be conscious of not getting too narrow in his base or high in his stance, as he lacks the loose hips to redirect instantly … His hand punch can shock a lethargic opponent and he does a fine job of picking up stunts and games.

Negatives: He will sometimes fall off blocks late when he fails to bend at the knees, but has the body control to recover … When he fails to sink his hips, Grubbs will overextend a bit, but he is quick to recoil and get back on his assignment … When he gets too narrow in his stance, he will lose his base at the X's … He does have some inconsistency finishing blocks in the past, but Grubbs shows great pop on contact and is learning to keep his base wider in order to prevent the defender from shedding … When he gets too high in his stance, he can be walked back.

Has never suffered an injury or missed games, but does suffer from some allergies.

[camdenyard]

Only knock is he is a true guard and at this time doesn't play any other positions.

Neither did Will Shields. On the other hand, picking a guard in the 1st makes me wince a bit.

[Ravens0587]

thats perfectly fine with me
Ogden......Brown.....Chester....Grubbs.....Terry

[GreenWave52]

Great pick. This kid is a 12 year starter. We got another patented Ozzie steal.

[Dont Know]

I found Ben Grubbs Blog (http://www.ontheclockdraft.com/blogs/Ben_Grubbs/1751). It contains just two entries so far and hasnt been updated since early march... Maybe something will get added later now that he has been drafted.

[RavensInBrazil]

I really like this pick, although I would have been happy with Blalock. Seems like a great blocker, very serious about his play. It's also good that he appears to be the kind of guy who stays healthy

Good pick, good pick

[Ravens0587]

So do we trade up to get a Qb or Chris Houston or Dwayne Jarret or the MLb from michigan everyone has forgotten about ruffus alexander

[ExiledRaven]

The mock tracking was horribly wrong all year until last night when I updated it...with Grubbs eeeking out Kalil.

I'm no fan of 1st round guards, but if Grubbs is the type of perennial pro bowler people are saying he'll be...I'll be very happy

[Ravens0587]

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=207187&cl=2442842&ch=396337&src=sports

[donnaj]

So now we can look for a LB, CB, or DE back up. I think may take a QB, if the right fit is available.
I like David Harris, LB, Michigan or Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas. What about Charles Johnson, DE from Georgia.

I REALLY like Ben Grubbs - I think that is an immediate impact and improves our line. I wonder if he will play left guard and we move Brown or if we place Grubbs at Right guard.
So far we got incredible talent at the 29th pick - I feel just as certain that we are going to find a great player at 61 also!

[Big Meaty]

My initial reaction was lukewarm on Grubbs. I would really like to see more pancake blocks on his highlight reel, especially for a guy that is touted to be physical and mean. That said, I gotta believe in the Wizard so I am on board and excited, not that it matters. The Ravens have some depth at guard and center now with a deep class of tackles in this draft. I am sure we will land one of those tomorrow. So is Vincent gone to free up cap space or is he a transition option for Grubbs? The consensus seems to be that Grubbs has a nice blend of size, meanstreak and athleticism. Looks like he needs to hit the track or stairmaster though.

[ravensmadness15]

we should have gotten Houston with the 29th pick. Are you guys saying we can get Houston in the 2nd round? I would say there's a 0% chance of him being there.

[psuasskicker]

Guards in the first round can be questioned if you're in the top half, maybe. But this guy is as polished as Thomas. The only reason he's not a top of the first round selection is that G isn't a position most people like. I don't buy that hype at the bottom of the first. This guy has no holes in his game. He was both the best player available and filled a need. Can't get much better than that.

I'd love to wind up with Troy Smith today!

- C -

[Raveninwoodlawn]

OL is a much bigger concern than CB.

And I think Houston is overrated IMHO.

[donnaj]

There are lots of great defensive players still on the board, some very good LB's and DE's. I don't think we will use our only other 1st day pick on the O-line again, but Blaylock, Ugoh, and Kalil are still on the board.
I am wondering why Harris from Michigan and Chris Houston are still out there. We could get Lamar Woodley DE from Mich. as well. Not to mention some QB's we have talked about are still out there...STanton, Edwards, Beck..
Wish we had a 3rd, but I have to look at Mcgahee as our 3rd

[psuasskicker]

I want Troy Smith, but he won't be there for us in the fourth round. I wouldn't mind taking him with our second rounder though some might not like it here. I think he's got a ton of potential. This guy was supposed to be a high first rounder until his one bad bowl game. After that he went into a free fall for no real reason other than that and that he's "only" 6'1ish. He's a McNair clone, and could learn real well from him...

- C -

[UKRavenStockers]

I want Troy Smith, but he won't be there for us in the fourth round. I wouldn't mind taking him with our second rounder though some might not like it here. I think he's got a ton of potential. This guy was supposed to be a high first rounder until his one bad bowl game. After that he went into a free fall for no real reason other than that and that he's "only" 6'1ish. He's a McNair clone, and could learn real well from him...

- C -

No he wasn't, he was never a high first and never graded out well as a pro prospect. His mechanics are terrible, he's got questions about his attitude and argh I know there's something else but it's 1.30 and I'm knackered so I can't remember.

[festivus]

Ben Grubbs at #29, awesome. Based on everything I've seen he looks like he'll be a Pro Bowler & starter for many years. What else can you ask from a 29th pick, at any position?

[Bez513]

Gil Brandt's Analysis
Grubbs is a very solid pick here. He's going to be a starter for a long time. He's a player who came to Auburn originally as a DL, then moved to offense. He has been a three-year starter on a team that loves to run the ball. He also does a very good job with pass protection.

Pat Kirwan: Very impressive run blocker. He'll be a first-day starter. He can enter the NFL and pass block right away. The most impressive thing is he has great balance and can pull and trap. He also can get out in front of a screen, block and trap.

Vic Carucci: The Ravens needed to bring some youth to their offensive line. Grubbs might not play the position that was the team's No. 1 need on the O-line (tackle), but he should do plenty to help improve Baltimore's run blocking and pass protection. He is talented enough and smart enough to be an immediate starter.

[Greg]

I would really like to see more pancake blocks on his highlight reel, especially for a guy that is touted to be physical and mean.
I could care less about "pancake" blocks. Can he open holes and pass block by pushing the guy around? If so, who cares if he ends up on his ass. It's like rating baseball pitchers by strike outs, who cares, just get outs.

This guy sounds like a rock solid G and I hear Faneca comparisons. If he is a perennial pro-bowler like Faneca and he plays the next 10 years next to Brown and Chester we are golden, especially with Terry taking over LT when JO retires. Our OL looks young and quite good now and damn...I LIKE IT!

It's about f***ing time. Our skill players on offense all just got better.