Birk and Baltimore: A Perfect Fit
March 6, 2009 – 9:06 am by Doug Farrar
The Minnesota Vikings have spent a great deal of money on their offensive line in the last few years — there was the famous 2006 “poison pill” deal with guard Steve Hutchinson — the one that started a wave of seven-year, $49 million contracts for guards — and half a year later, a seven-year, $48.5 million deal with left tackle Bryant McKinnie. That line has been a major part in making Adrian Peterson the running back he is today, but the team may have made a major miscalculation in letting center Matt Birk go over a few million bucks.
The Ravens signed the free agent center, a Harvard Grad and 11-year veteran, to a three-year, $12 million contract on March 4. The next day, Birk talked to Bob Haynie of Baltimore’s WNST.
On what prompted the change of scenery:
“Sometimes, it’s important to get outside your comfort zone. Get a fresh start …from the moment we got here, we were just so impressed with the whole organization. The whole time we were here, it just seemed to get better and better and better. We kept looking for the negatives, and there really weren’t any. Professionally, it’s a great fit for me to come to the Ravens. I’m honored, I really am.”
Birk is the best type of center — tough, smart, been through all the wars, and he’ll no doubt help Baltimore’s line with his experience.
Listen to Matt Birk on WNST in Baltimore
Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Bryant McKinnie, Matt Birk, Minnesota Vikings, sports radio interviews, Steve Hutchinson
