Thoughts On Kruger

[darklight1216]

[quote name='1/28/01' date='29 September 2009 - 12:32 AM' timestamp='1254198766' post='244133']
Again, case in point...you're a funny dude. I mean no disrespect, you just say some funny stuff.

Ray and Ed will not retire after this year and Pryce will not garner a top draft pick.
[/quote]
Ed Reed stated that he has contemplated retirement for the last two years. His retirement is not at all farfetched.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='29 September 2009 - 12:36 AM' timestamp='1254198994' post='244136']
Ed Reed stated that he has contemplated retirement for the last two years. His retirement is not at all farfetched.
[/quote]

Agreed - not farfetched.

Ray will need to be dragged off the field and Pryce is not equal to a top draft pick though.

On topic - Kruger is not needed now.....they'll work it out

[darklight1216]

[quote name='1/28/01' date='29 September 2009 - 12:39 AM' timestamp='1254199147' post='244137']
Agreed - not farfetched.

Ray will need to be dragged off the field and Pryce is not equal to a top draft pick though.

[b]On topic - Kruger is not needed now.....they'll work it out[/b]
[/quote]
He hasn't been needed so far, but do you remember Ozzie saying that they drafted the players they did in order to "protect the quarterback" and "put pressure on the other teams quarterbacks... especially the one in Pittsburgh?" I had expected for Kruger to have been playing by now, but whatever. As you said, it'll work out. Linebacker isn't exactly exactly the weakest position on the team.

[samic]

I thought over the past 3 games our passing game put all talk of needing another receiver right this minute to rest. I think they deserve that respect at least until draft day 2010 or significant injury to the corps.

About Kruger, I think Rosburg hinted at it when he said that in college Kruger was one of the star players and as such wasn't required to play ST. We know that on this team if you don't break the starting lineup at your position, you have to play ST. Whether or not he has a bad attitude is speculation until we hear anything definitive about it. This would be kind of odd, after hearing about Kruger's background with his missionary work and so on. It just seems out of character for someone like him to have a bad attitude.

In defense of Murray, he was responding to someone asking him about the rumor. Actually no, he does say that the rumor is close to fact. So, can't really defend him there. Oh well, we still shouldn't just the kid until we hear anything definitively about it. Rarely have we missed on high draft picks so I'm sure they'll get this straightened out. Maybe they are saving him for if injury hits other guys. We just don't know.

[Alexir]

[quote name='Fred Sanford' date='28 September 2009 - 10:15 PM' timestamp='1254190546' post='244034']
Well, Harbaugh said in his press conference today:

“Paul has been practicing with special teams from the day he got here, just like he’s practicing with defense. He’s doing a good job. He works really hard. At some point in time, he’s going to be really important to us. He’s going to be up and active and playing in a game. Until that time, he’s important to us for what he’s doing in practice. Paul has a great future. He works really hard at it, and he’s a good football player.”

I know coaches always obfuscate things, but if you take him at his word, the situation is just fine and we're bringing him along.

Would love to see him ripping it up and Demetrius getting big plays. Give it time, I guess.

You always have to be skeptical with the media. They were trying to bait TO for a story yesterday, create drama where there is none. They're basically professional rumormongers, because that's what ostensibly makes good headlines.
[/quote]

Harbaugh could be telling the truth but didn't he bench McAlister for his attitude and work ethic and totally deny it in the media saying it was injury related.....grain of salt

[Ravnet]

[quote name='Wacco4Flacco' date='28 September 2009 - 02:34 PM' timestamp='1254162882' post='243648']
I say let him play on 3rd down situations. If he shows hes effective then he earns Starting job by december.
[/quote]

Over whom, exactly?

[baltiMORE RAVENS]

This was taken from the Baltimore Sun website. It is a Q and A with Mike Preston.

[b]Anne: Mike, When is Paul Kruger going to suit up and play? I understand the coaches have made decisions based on who will play on special teams, but this is ridiculous. Can't he learn special teams? Anyway, our special teams stink. What is the real scoop on this guy? After all, he was a second-round draft pick.

Mike Preston: Anne, he'll play when the Ravens think he is ready. Kruger works hard and has volunteered to play every position possible to get on the field, but apparently the Ravens don't think he is ready. That's the real scoop, unless the National Enquirer has something different.

Never in the brief history of the Ravens has there been so much interest in one rookie not suiting up for games. Kruger has talent. He had a decent training camp and preseason, but he isn't better than the guys in front of him. Nope, he's not better than Terrell Suggs, Antwan Barnes, Trevor Pryce, Dwan Edwards or Jarret Johnson. Face it, that's a deep and talented gang of players ahead of him.[/b]

If Ken Murray was right about Kruger having a bad attitude, Mike Preston would know and would be bashing the crap out of Kruger, so don't believe all the rumors. Kruger seems like a good kid who just wants to play. He is probably frustrated but he is working hard not complaining.

[rastaman831226]

[quote name='tweety' date='28 September 2009 - 03:45 PM' timestamp='1254167124' post='243708']
Pyrce is former pro bowl, I dont see Kruger getting DE until Pryce retires. Trevor still has a satisfactory amount of performance left. As for Jarret Johnsons successor I think Barnes and McLain are ahead of Kruger for LOLB. I hope we dont have a pre maddona on our hands. The last time a rookie started on defense was Landry after we lost Demps.
[/quote]


Common misconception, Dwan Edwards is heir apparent to Trevor Pryce's DE job should Pryce retire. I think Kruger was drafted as insurance against Suggs not resigning. The draft slot was open to either a young CB or another LB/DE. CB Sean ( somebody help me with the last name ) was there to be had but Kruger was taken instead.

[wbirkhead]

[quote name='rastaman831226' date='29 September 2009 - 11:55 AM' timestamp='1254239719' post='244244']
Common misconception, Dwan Edwards is heir apparent to Trevor Pryce's DE job should Pryce retire. I think Kruger was drafted as insurance against Suggs not resigning. The draft slot was open to either a young CB or another LB/DE. CB Sean ( somebody help me with the last name ) was there to be had but Kruger was taken instead.
[/quote]

You're thinking of Sean Smith who was drafted 4 spots after our pick by the Dolphins. I know hindsight is 20/20, but Smith beat out the Dolphins 1st round CB pick Vontae Davis, and looks to be a great pick by Parcells. Anyway, you can't really judge a draft this soon after it. Give it a couple years and we'll see where everyone stands, but I agree with most people that I am disappointed that a 2nd rounder hasn't even been active on gameday yet.

[PuRock]

[quote name='rastaman831226' date='29 September 2009 - 11:55 AM' timestamp='1254239719' post='244244']
Common misconception, Dwan Edwards is heir apparent to Trevor Pryce's DE job should Pryce retire. I think Kruger was drafted as insurance against Suggs not resigning. The draft slot was open to either a young CB or another LB/DE. CB Sean ( somebody help me with the last name ) was there to be had but Kruger was taken instead.
[/quote]

But is Dwan Edwards cutting it? If he is the heir apparent why did we only sign him to a one-year deal in Feb then drafted Kruger. I have a feeling Dwan won't be back next year. He's a great back-up but nothing more.

[CorvusCorax]

[quote name='baltiMORE RAVENS' date='29 September 2009 - 10:57 AM' timestamp='1254236274' post='244222']
This was taken from the Baltimore Sun website. It is a Q and A with Mike Preston.

[b]Anne: Mike, When is Paul Kruger going to suit up and play? I understand the coaches have made decisions based on who will play on special teams, but this is ridiculous. Can't he learn special teams? Anyway, our special teams stink. What is the real scoop on this guy? After all, he was a second-round draft pick.

Mike Preston: Anne, he'll play when the Ravens think he is ready. Kruger works hard and has volunteered to play every position possible to get on the field, but apparently the Ravens don't think he is ready. That's the real scoop, unless the National Enquirer has something different.

Never in the brief history of the Ravens has there been so much interest in one rookie not suiting up for games. Kruger has talent. He had a decent training camp and preseason, but he isn't better than the guys in front of him. Nope, he's not better than Terrell Suggs, Antwan Barnes, Trevor Pryce, Dwan Edwards or Jarret Johnson. Face it, that's a deep and talented gang of players ahead of him.[/b]

If Ken Murray was right about Kruger having a bad attitude, Mike Preston would know and would be bashing the crap out of Kruger, so don't believe all the rumors. Kruger seems like a good kid who just wants to play. He is probably frustrated but he is working hard not complaining.
[/quote]

This seems to make a lot of sense. I think his ST attitude was really, "I don't think I'm ready for ST" and the media turned it into, "I don't want to play ST". Should injuries on defense occur, we have solid depth, which I'm very happy with. I like our current roster.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='PuRock' date='29 September 2009 - 10:18 AM' timestamp='1254241085' post='244255']
But is Dwan Edwards cutting it? If he is the heir apparent why did we only sign him to a one-year deal in Feb then drafted Kruger. I have a feeling Dwan won't be back next year. He's a great back-up but nothing more.
[/quote]
I havent especially ever been high on Edwards, hes very athletic but on pass downs he doesnt seem to generate much of a pass rush, or collapse the pocket. If you cant do one you better be able to do the other, and he doesnt seem to do much of either. Im not so sure the ravens will let him go as hes more than an adequate backup, but hes not starting anytime soon.

[FerrariFan87]

Like others have said, Kruger will get on the field when the coaches feel he is one of the 45 guys we need in order to win that week...

[Wacco4Flacco]

Come on Harbaugh,,Give him a chance.

[BloodRaven]

In retrospect, it kinda still hurts that we took Dwan Edwards ahead of Darnell Dockett. For me thats worse than Dan Cody and ranks up there with Kyle Boller.

Anyway, not better than Barnes or Edwards? c'mon now. We all saw those pre-season games.

[FlaccosFlock]

[quote name='wbirkhead' date='29 September 2009 - 12:02 PM' timestamp='1254240138' post='244247']
You're thinking of Sean Smith who was drafted 4 spots after our pick by the Dolphins. I know hindsight is 20/20, but Smith beat out the Dolphins 1st round CB pick Vontae Davis, and looks to be a great pick by Parcells. Anyway, you can't really judge a draft this soon after it. Give it a couple years and we'll see where everyone stands, but I agree with most people that I am disappointed that a 2nd rounder hasn't even been active on gameday yet.
[/quote]

Even though Sean Smith is currently playin CB, the Dolphins have high hopes that he will turn into a pro-bowl safety eventually. The CB position for Dolphins has been in shambles for the past few years, which is the only reason Smith is currently playing (Not that I don't think he is solid, with a lot of upside). I think the Ravens may have felt that Sean Smith might eventually transition to Safety, so we went away from him and picked Kruger who has a lot of versatility.

I constantly read the National Football Post because I feel it's a great source for the NFL and Aaron Wilson hasn't mentioned anything about Kruger. Wilson is always writing articles about the Ravens and I haven't seen anything about him. Wasn't Kruger a Red Star prospect???? I'm pretty sure those prospects grade out to the highest standards, so I doubt that he has a bad attitude or has been complaining. Just give him some time and he will work his way into some playing time.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='29 September 2009 - 07:45 PM' timestamp='1254275117' post='244573']
In retrospect, it kinda still hurts that we took Dwan Edwards ahead of Darnell Dockett. For me thats worse than Dan Cody and ranks up there with Kyle Boller.

Anyway, not better than Barnes or Edwards? c'mon now. We all saw those pre-season games.
[/quote]
Cody would have been a good player but he was a bandaid in every sense of the word. Amd ya the Edwards pick is a head scratcher....1 career sack.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='Wacco4Flacco' date='28 September 2009 - 02:27 PM' timestamp='1254166050' post='243690']
Pyrce. Kruger can play in 3rd down situations. hes gotta prove himself. If hes better than Pyrce then i think we can trade Pyrce and were get a upgrade in the draft. Like get a WR with Sprint speed and then Flacco can throw longer bombs for asn instant quick 6.
[/quote]

Absurd statement is absurd.

You're saying... someone who needs to "prove" themselves should do that on a third down? I'm sorry, but on such a crucial down, I want people who [u]have[/u] proven themselves in.

Trading Pryce is just downright silly. We're going to trade a great defensive end to have an unproven rookie play his spot, for a wide out with "sprint speed"? Flacco is dangerous now with who we have. I've said it before, getting down the field in one play is nice, but it's not needed, and your defense does need some time to rest. Let's say we did get a wide receiver with "sprint speed" and it worked exactly to your expectations, and Flacco was throwing downfield for a quick touchdown, you're going to see the defense on the field much, much more, which is back to the same issue we had years past. Even great defenses need time to catch their breath, and years past the offense struggled, forcing the defense onto the field more often then not.

And as for your comment on Mason retiring at the end of the year, if he does, he does. Ozzie has proven that he knows what moves to make when, so why not put your trust in him, like many have? There's a saying, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, and that rings true in this situation.

As for Kruger, he has the raw talent, but he needs time to develop that raw talent into professional talent. Or else, he's just going to be a liability on the field. With all the talent the Ravens defense has, there's no need to give Kruger a trial by fire. Let him hone his skills on the practice field, and in a year or two, he'll be the beast that people are already expecting of him.