I’d like to thank EAG Sports Management for allowing me to interview Baltimore Ravens left tackle Bryant Mckinnie. McKinnie, a 2009 Pro-Bowl selection, is a critical component of an offensive line that protects one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, Joe Flacco. The Ravens are a hot topic as they currently are tied for second in the AFC North at 5-2.
Lars Hanson: First off whats it been like for you in Baltimore and hows the adjustment been coming from Minnesota.
Bryant Mckinnie: It’s been pretty good, right now we’re 5-2 and at this point we control our own destiny. Now coming from Minnesota it was fun and a nice ride but it was definitely time to move on. When I was a free agent I kept getting calls from Ray [Lewis] and Ed [Reed] and telling me to get by butt over to Baltimore and to not even look at any other teams. Since me and Ed and Ray are all from Miami we’re like brothers so it was the right decision to make plus I knew they already had a great defense and a good offense so it just made the decision easier.
Lars Hanson: What made you decide to sign with Baltimore?
Bryant Mckinnie: Well like I said Ray and Ed were already there and they were basically calling me every day, and Ray especially was crazy like saying don’t even think or look at any other teams you know Baltimore’s the best. When I came to Baltimore they wanted to move [Michael] Oher back to right tackle and since I’ve only played left in my career it just fit in perfectly. Also I played with Birk in Minnesota so I knew him as well so it was just the perfect scenario for me. Plus Ray and Ed put in a good word for me.
Lars Hanson: At 5-2 you guys are tied for second in the AFC North and play Pitt this weekend. Is this considered a make-or-break game at this point in the season?
Bryant Mckinnie: Not make-or-break but like you said it’s the half way point in the season and it’s definitely a big game for us. With a division rival like Pittsburgh and this being the second time we’ve faced them this season the winner of the division, I know with Cincinnati having a good season but, but the division winner will most likely come from this game so it’s definitely important but not exactly make-or-break.
Lars Hanson: What’s it like to play under a coach like Jim Harbaugh and what type of coach is he would you say?
Bryant Mckinnie: He’s cool, he gets the team fired up and he’s got everyone behind him on this team. One thing that he said right when I signed was be yourself, act free and show your personality. In Minnesota we didn’t really have that it was more of an uptight personality and you weren’t really able to express your personality. Also everyone treats each other like brothers here were as in Minnesota it wasn’t exactly like that. So he’s just got everyone together and he’s also a great football coach as well.
Lars Hanson: Going outside football you have a music group called B Major Music Group. Tell me a little bit about it and what made you decide to create the group. Also who;s in it?
Bryant McKinnie: Ever since I was in college me, Ed [Reed] Jerod Peyton and Bryant we all loved music. Me especially but we all wanted to do it together and its a good mix of Rap and Hip-hop with some new guys and a girl rapper named Guyana. So we have to break them in but it’s a love and passion of mine.
Lars Hanson: If you guys win the Super Bowl are you going to a remix of the Super Bowl shuffle?
Bryant McKinnie: Well actually back in 04-05 I thought about the idea and it’s definitely going to happen but we have to do the hard part and get to the Super Bow, and win it before that happens. But yeah you’ll definitely see that come out if we win a Super Bowl. Having Joe Flacco as Jim McMahon would be a sight to see.
Lars Hanson: Going back to football you signed a 2-year contract, how many years do you think you have left in you?
Bryant McKinnie: If I can stay injury free at least 3-4 years. [Matt] Birk is probably going to be done after this season which will be his fourteenth and I’m only on my 10th so I feel I can definitely make it to 13 or 14. Now Ray, I don’t know if he’ll ever stop playing because it’s just not him. Maybe he’ll be like Brett Favre and play into his 40s but yeah I don’t think I’ll go that long. But at least 3-4 more years.
Lars Hanson: You went into the NFL Draft in 2002, during your time at Miami were you ever involved with Nevin Shapiro in any way?
Bryant McKinnie: Yeah, I knew of Nevin but by that time I was gone into the NFL. But when I’d attend alumni events or games I’d see him around but I never knew the guy or was affiliated with him in any way.
Side note from Bryant: Bryant, along with teammate Ed Reed headline the University of Miami Hall of Fame class of 2012.
You can follow Lars on Twitter http://twitter.com/larshanson
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