Kruger Healthy Scratches

[Bltravens]

Second game in a row hes been a healthy scratch. He was brought in to help the pass rush as a 2nd rounder and in a game when we needed to get pressure on Rivers, he was a healthy scratch. I know last week the reason was cuz he doesnt play STs, but surely his contribution in sub packages on passing downs outweighs a guy who doesnt even play on non ST downs, can it not? Im not really understanding the logic here, fellas can ya help me out?

[tweety]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='20 September 2009 - 10:36 PM' timestamp='1253500607' post='239027']
Second game in a row hes been a healthy scratch. He was brought in to help the pass rush as a 2nd rounder and in a game when we needed to get pressure on Rivers, he was a healthy scratch. I know last week the reason was cuz he doesnt play STs, but surely his contribution in sub packages on passing downs outweighs a guy who doesnt even play on non ST downs, can it not? Im not really understanding the logic here, fellas can ya help me out?
[/quote]
The packages are the responsibility of the coordinator.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='20 September 2009 - 10:36 PM' timestamp='1253500607' post='239027']
Second game in a row hes been a healthy scratch. He was brought in to help the pass rush as a 2nd rounder and in a game when we needed to get pressure on Rivers, he was a healthy scratch. I know last week the reason was cuz he doesnt play STs, but surely his contribution in sub packages on passing downs outweighs a guy who doesnt even play on non ST downs, can it not? Im not really understanding the logic here, fellas can ya help me out?
[/quote]

Well I can see the ST needs this week. Going into the game, one of the biggest fears was Sproles in the return game. So we needed our best ST players available.

I'm thinking we'll see him against the Browns for the first time.

It is odd, he had a great preseason. The coaches must know something we don't.

[Moderator 2]

I heard in one of the pressers that because he does not play ST, is why he has been deactivated.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='tweety' date='20 September 2009 - 08:38 PM' timestamp='1253500735' post='239033']
The packages are the responsibility of the coordinator.
[/quote]
Ya but the coach ultimately decides the game day roster. So really Im wondering why Harbaugh thinks Kruger wont make a big enough impact to outweigh his non ST play.

[meckman71]

He also decided last year that C.Mac was done and notice who is still sitting as a free agent. We have great judge of talent especial in the front defensive 7 so if Harbaugh says hes no good for this game i believe him. Hope to see him soon though would like to see him step up and play special teams also. Brandon Aim-whatever-o cant keep being our lead special team tackler forever.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='meckman71' date='20 September 2009 - 08:54 PM' timestamp='1253501687' post='239061']
He also decided last year that C.Mac was done and notice who is still sitting as a free agent. We have great judge of talent especial in the front defensive 7 so if Harbaugh says hes no good for this game i believe him. Hope to see him soon though would like to see him step up and play special teams also. Brandon Aim-whatever-o cant keep being our lead special team tackler forever.
[/quote]
Kinda disappointed that a 2nd rounder cant offer any help in something hes supposed to be good at.

[RavensClaw52]

Did he play good ST at Utah?

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='PuRock' date='20 September 2009 - 10:40 PM' timestamp='1253500849' post='239037']
Well I can see the ST needs this week. Going into the game, one of the biggest fears was Sproles in the return game. So we needed our best ST players available.

[b]I'm thinking we'll see him against the Browns for the first time. [/b]

It is odd, he had a great preseason. The coaches must know something we don't.
[/quote]
If he's being deactivted in favor of guys that play special teams I doubt it. Cleveland has Joshua Cribbs who always kills us. In fact, with the way the ST are playing I don't know when we will see Kruger. He must be really bad at ST to not be able to help our rather pathetic unit right now. It might take a linebacker getting injured to get him activated much less on the field.

[Alexir]

My thing is why spend a 2 round pick on a guy if you arent gonna have him active. Keep in mind 1 and 2 rounders are normally starting quality and Kruger can't even beat out Burgess, Barnes or McClain for a spot?....Not liking this pick after all, I really think he was drafted to replace Suggs just in case we didnt get him to a long term contract.

Just my two cents.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Alexir' date='21 September 2009 - 01:06 PM' timestamp='1253552773' post='239395']
My thing is why spend a 2 round pick on a guy if you arent gonna have him active. Keep in mind 1 and 2 rounders are normally starting quality and Kruger can't even beat out Burgess, Barnes or McClain for a spot?....Not liking this pick after all, I really think he was drafted to replace Suggs just in case we didnt get him to a long term contract.

Just my two cents.
[/quote]

Kruger is great at what he does. Bull-rush, but outside of that he's an enigma. When opposing teams are going to be seeing him - they know he's going to have to be picked up as a blitzer.

I almost feel like they Ravens want to groom him into a DE - and take over for Pyrce eventually.

But as far as being versatile - he loses the battle to Barnes and McClain. With all that being said, I want to see what this kid can do.

[Alexir]

[quote name='PuRock' date='21 September 2009 - 01:21 PM' timestamp='1253553692' post='239407']
Kruger is great at what he does. Bull-rush, but outside of that he's an enigma. When opposing teams are going to be seeing him - they know he's going to have to be picked up as a blitzer.

I almost feel like they Ravens want to groom him into a DE - and take over for Pyrce eventually.

But as far as being versatile - he loses the battle to Barnes and McClain. With all that being said, I want to see what this kid can do.
[/quote]

Don't get me wrong, I want to see him be good but its baffling that we havent activated him yet. I think he will be activated this week because I believe Fabe will be out with his concussion. And after the way Pryce played yesterday we could use him there on 3rd downs.

[FerrariFan87]

Trust me, once Kruger gets on the field he'll be ready to go, and he'll show us why we invested a 2nd Round pick in him.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Alexir' date='21 September 2009 - 11:26 AM' timestamp='1253553990' post='239410']
Don't get me wrong, I want to see him be good but its baffling that we havent activated him yet. I think he will be activated this week because I believe Fabe will be out with his concussion. And after the way Pryce played yesterday we could use him there on 3rd downs.
[/quote]
Ya thats what I mean, B.A. gets 3/4 of our ST tackles anyway so its not like Kruger is taking away from some special teams demon. On 3rd and obvious pass Mattison should have a specialized pass rushing unit with Kruger, Suggs, Ngata, Pryce, and Barnes all rotating. Like obviously Kruger cant play OLB yet so teams would know hes blitzing, but i mean in base 4-3's nickel/dime formations you knows coming anyway. On 3rd downs its even more pressing to get pressure on the QB than it is 1st and 2nd down.

[JO_75]

Hopefully Kruger can get some playing time this week against Cleveland so he could get to know the playbook and be ready to help us put pressure on Tom Brady when we play the Patriots. I too think he will be groomed into Pryce's replacement at DE, which if Mattison was smart he would cycle in Kruger every once in a while at DE so we can see how Kruger does and to keep Pryce healthy.

Off Topic(sort of): If you move Kruger to DE in Madden 10, his rating goes up.

[Bltravens]

Every OLB gets better at DE, Suggs is a 99