Gooden To Safety?

[ravensfan160]

One of the writers on the Baltimore Sun's website threw this idea out there. I think there is some merit to it for more than a few reasons.

1) I remember in training camp people were going crazy about how fast Gooden is. Apparently he has around 4.4 speed and can outrun WR's. Clearly, if that is accurate, he could play strong safety.

2) He is awfully tiny. There is a picture of him next to Ray Lewis and Ray makes him look small. Considering how dominate Ray has been for a relatively small ML I wouldn't normally hold that against him. However, the guy he was replacing was a battering ram at ML. All Bart did was run full speed into the line and take out a blocker or two so Ray could mop up. We are still #1 against the run but thats because teams are throwing so much. IMO our run defense is not nearly as good as we are used to.

3) He is a bit of an injury concern. He missed the Patriot game due to injury and that seems to be his track record. Moving to safety might prolong his career.

4) While I'm not ready to write Landry off yet, Landry has played poorly this season so far IMO. Clearly Gooden couldn't immediately take over for Landry but maybe the threat of it could light a fire under Landry's you know what.

5) We have two very talented battering rams who I think can and in fact already have played well filling in for Gooden in McClain and Ellerbe.

It probably won't happen since we have a logjam at safety right now anyway. Gooden would be a good fit to replace Ayanbadejo as the fast linebacker in nickel situations. As for the other downs, I think we'll see plenty of rotation of those 3 linebackers. What do you all think?

[BloodRaven]

1 He hasn't played safety

2 Speed doesn't equal coverage skills

3 We have good potential in our Nakamura/Zibby




Thats not to say he couldn't make the transition, I just don't see it happening.

[Gtown Purple]

Gooden needs to stay at LB where he belongs.

[slayback0317]

I think Landry is doing good he has he has 21 tackles 2 Int 4 PDEF, So hes not doing bad plus he has been injured so far so thats a plus. The guy was out just about all of last year so he should get even better through out the season. as far as Gooden as safety no way its a hard transition from LB to safety, And we have two good ones in that spot as is. well that about summs it up.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Gtown Purple' date='09 October 2009 - 11:15 AM' timestamp='1255101345' post='252182']
Gooden needs to stay at LB where he belongs.
[/quote]
Look Gooden misses his entire rookie season to injury so this year is really his rookie season. Rookies change position once entering the NFL all the time. DT move to DE, DE move to OLB, CB move to safety.

My point it, IMO we have better options at ML right now. So Gooden either sits on the bench or maybe the coaches look at other ways to get him on the field.

[BloodRaven]

Personally I don't care for him at all, he was overrated to start with and now looks like Dan Cody all over again. I simply don't have patience for guys who can't stay healthy, give Ellerbie, Burgess and McClain their shot.

[PuRock]

[quote name='ravensfan160' date='09 October 2009 - 10:59 AM' timestamp='1255100363' post='252173']
2) He is awfully tiny. There is a picture of him next to Ray Lewis and Ray makes him look small. Considering how dominate Ray has been for a relatively small ML I wouldn't normally hold that against him. However, the guy he was replacing was a battering ram at ML. All Bart did was run full speed into the line and take out a blocker or two so Ray could mop up. We are still #1 against the run but thats because teams are throwing so much. IMO our run defense is not nearly as good as we are used to.
[/quote]

In all fairness, everybody looks small next to Ray Lewis. He gets bigger and bigger every year. He's a monstrous LB. Look at Patrick Willis who is often compared to Ray Lewis. Willis is listed at 240, Gooden at 242.

[lowrider]

Hmm. The thought of it is kind of exciting. No one would want to go across the middle with him there. He would match up with TE's better too. But some good points have been made. I don't know if he can play safety and cover well. We will see but I think McClain and Ellerbe have looked better at LB. But if Gooden isn't going to play LB he might as well learn another position and try for safety. That would be ridiculous. If he cut 15 pounds and learned the position. Scary.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='lowrider' date='09 October 2009 - 11:49 AM' timestamp='1255103345' post='252196']
Hmm. The thought of it is kind of exciting. No one would want to go across the middle with him there. He would match up with TE's better too. But some good points have been made. I don't know if he can play safety and cover well. We will see but I think McClain and Ellerbe have looked better at LB. But if Gooden isn't going to play LB he might as well learn another position and try for safety. That would be ridiculous. If he cut 15 pounds and learned the position. Scary.
[/quote]
Thats exactly my point. It doesn't really matter if he can play safety. Bottom line is I think we have better options at LB. But if he can't play safety then let him sit on the bench.

[baltiMORE RAVENS]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='09 October 2009 - 11:34 AM' timestamp='1255102476' post='252187']
Personally I don't care for him at all, he was overrated to start with and now looks like Dan Cody all over again. [b]I simply don't have patience for guys who can't stay healthy, give Ellerbie, Burgess and McClain their shot.[/b]
[/quote]

Why the patience for Burgess then? He has been hurt for the entire 2 years he has been here.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='PuRock' date='09 October 2009 - 11:47 AM' timestamp='1255103220' post='252195']
In all fairness, everybody looks small next to Ray Lewis. He gets bigger and bigger every year. He's a monstrous LB. Look at Patrick Willis who is often compared to Ray Lewis. Willis is listed at 240, Gooden at 242.
[/quote]
You have a point about that but what I noticed more was his height. He looked to be a good couple inches shorter than Ray and isn't Ray only 5'11"?

[PuRock]

[quote name='ravensfan160' date='09 October 2009 - 12:24 PM' timestamp='1255105456' post='252212']
You have a point about that but what I noticed more was his height. He looked to be a good couple inches shorter than Ray and isn't Ray only 5'11"?
[/quote]

They're both listed at 6'1"

[Bltravens]

Gooden's problems have been of the injury kind but if you watch him play hes not a Hartwell or Scott kind of linebacker. To be the guy that plays beside Ray you have to be a little nuts, ultra aggressive, and run straight into pulling Guards, and Fullbacks running right at you. We all know Scott was unreal at this, just go watch the highlight of the play where Lewis ends Mendenhall's season last year and you'll see Scott run straight into the Steelers Fullback and Mendenhall run right into Rays gap. Gooden doesnt play like that, he plays more like a MLB who is "the linebacker" on the field, the guy whos supposed to make all the tackles (ala Ray) and run the defense. Mcclain I despise in coverage, but he plays downhill on run downs isnt afraid of running full steam into a blocker and is an effective blitzer. Ellerbe to be honest is who Id throw my money on. He played far better than Mcclain would have in coverage of the best slot receiver in the game, and on run plays he speared into the line looking for the ball carrier. Scott wasnt the best in coverage, and missed open field tackles last year with some regularity, Ellerbe I feel can be better in pass coverage than Scott is as a 7 year pro, and has the mentality to take guys on head on in the run game.

[wbirkhead]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='09 October 2009 - 12:31 PM' timestamp='1255105866' post='252219']
Gooden's problems have been of the injury kind but if you watch him play hes not a Hartwell or Scott kind of linebacker. To be the guy that plays beside Ray you have to be a little nuts, ultra aggressive, and run straight into pulling Guards, and Fullbacks running right at you. We all know Scott was unreal at this, just go watch the highlight of the play where Lewis ends Mendenhall's season last year and you'll see Scott run straight into the Steelers Fullback and Mendenhall run right into Rays gap. Gooden doesnt play like that, he plays more like a MLB who is "the linebacker" on the field, the guy whos supposed to make all the tackles (ala Ray) and run the defense. Mcclain I despise in coverage, but he plays downhill on run downs isnt afraid of running full steam into a blocker and is an effective blitzer. Ellerbe to be honest is who Id throw my money on. He played far better than Mcclain would have in coverage of the best slot receiver in the game, and on run plays he speared into the line looking for the ball carrier. Scott wasnt the best in coverage, and missed open field tackles last year with some regularity, Ellerbe I feel can be better in pass coverage than Scott is as a 7 year pro, and has the mentality to take guys on head on in the run game.
[/quote]

I totally agree with you about Gooden's style of play, but remember, we're doing more than just trying to find a battering ram to play next to Ray. We're also looking for a total MLB to replace Ray in 1 or 2 years. If we don't let Gooden play, we don't know if he can be that guy.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='wbirkhead' date='09 October 2009 - 10:40 AM' timestamp='1255106421' post='252222']
I totally agree with you about Gooden's style of play, but remember, we're doing more than just trying to find a battering ram to play next to Ray. We're also looking for a total MLB to replace Ray in 1 or 2 years. If we don't let Gooden play, we don't know if he can be that guy.
[/quote]
Ya I agree i forgot in my rambling in the original post to say it was imperative that we let Gooden play, because you can find other battering rams as you say, but its tough to find play making MLBs.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='baltiMORE RAVENS' date='09 October 2009 - 11:01 AM' timestamp='1255104100' post='252200']
Why the patience for Burgess then? He has been hurt for the entire 2 years he has been here.
[/quote]

True, Burgess has been hurt... but he isnt right now, Burgess had far less hype surrounding him coming into the season and in the preseason still outplayed Gooden in limited snaps.

Still he isn't held in the same regard, he's not from the U, didn't run a 4.4 on his pro-day, didnt wear number 52 etc etc.

So Im saying any one of those 3 deserve a shot, Gooden had his chance.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='09 October 2009 - 11:33 AM' timestamp='1255109595' post='252234']
True, Burgess has been hurt... but he isnt right now, Burgess had far less hype surrounding him coming into the season and in the preseason still outplayed Gooden in limited snaps.

Still he isn't held in the same regard, he's not from the U, didn't run a 4.4 on his pro-day, didnt wear number 52 etc etc.

So Im saying any one of those 3 deserve a shot, Gooden had his chance.
[/quote]

I dont know about that Gooden looked pretty impressive in preseason. Not only that but Burgess played against like 3rd team/practice squad guys when he was in.

[reediddy]

I'm not supporting this move at all, but just as reference...Landry has outplayed Reed so far this year...anyone disagree?

[Integrity]

I think 242lbs is WAY too big to be a safety. If he really is as fast as people say, he's better off playing closer to the line with that kind of size.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='reediddy' date='09 October 2009 - 01:44 PM' timestamp='1255110240' post='252238']
I'm not supporting this move at all, but just as reference...Landry has outplayed Reed so far this year...anyone disagree?
[/quote]
I think they have both underperformed so far this year but especially Landry. He is missing too many tackles. I can't be too sure with Reed but it probably comes back to his neck injury. Either that or he does tend to be a slow starter and maybe he'll start to pick it up.

[WinnipegRaven]

Thought Gooden was being groomed to become R. Lewis v 2.0? From what I have heard and what Ray himself has said, this is the case - no?

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='WinnipegRaven' date='09 October 2009 - 01:02 PM' timestamp='1255114942' post='252276']
Thought Gooden was being groomed to become R. Lewis v 2.0? From what I have heard and what Ray himself has said, this is the case - no?
[/quote]

Yea no kidding, before the season started Ray was talking about how hes being groomed into the next him or something. Either way give it some time.

[mhead66]

One big difference for Gooden is draft status, as a high 3rd round pick. He's expected to produce beter long term results, than a undrafted free agent (J. McClain), a 6th round pick (Burgess) or even a 4th round pick (Barnes)...

[darklight1216]

[quote name='wbirkhead' date='09 October 2009 - 12:40 PM' timestamp='1255106421' post='252222']
I totally agree with you about Gooden's style of play, but remember, we're doing more than just trying to find a battering ram to play next to Ray. We're also looking for a total MLB to replace Ray in 1 or 2 years. If we don't let Gooden play, we don't know if he can be that guy.
[/quote]
I think Jameel McClain is supposed to replace Ray Lewis, but maybe I'm getting my scrubs mixed up.

Anyway, I don't think Gooden can do anything as a strong safety that Landry can't.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='09 October 2009 - 02:15 PM' timestamp='1255119356' post='252296']
I think Jameel McClain is supposed to replace Ray Lewis, but maybe I'm getting my scrubs mixed up.

Anyway, I don't think Gooden can do anything as a strong safety that Landry can't.
[/quote]
Nah it was Gooden thats Rays replacement. None of them are scrubs, but none of them are complete LBs, so I dont know whats going to happen with all these guys.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='09 October 2009 - 05:58 PM' timestamp='1255125507' post='252349']
Nah it was Gooden thats Rays replacement. None of them are scrubs, but none of them are complete LBs, so I dont know whats going to happen with all these guys.
[/quote]
I call them scrubs simply because they're back-ups.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='09 October 2009 - 04:01 PM' timestamp='1255125707' post='252350']
I call them scrubs simply because they're back-ups.
[/quote]
lol alrite fair enough then.