Paul Kruger...

[Ed_Reed20]

Kruger's lack of playing time this year has been one of most interesting talking points this season. His skill set supposedly doesn't translate to special teams(from what I've heard) but after looking at his scouting report on NFL.com, the words [i]hustle[/i], [i]motor [/i]and [i]relentless[/i] are used multiple times. Those are qualities that can't be taught and EVERY special teams coach wants players with display them.

With all that said, special teams has actually been good this year. I can understand that the team is very deep and a lot of players have to active because of the various areas they contribute. But why is it a player like Chris Carr should be activated when he's just a body in already struggling defensive back unit while Kruger stands on the sidelines in street clothes?

I'll never turn my back on the Ravens nor do I have all the facts. What I do know is that Kruger came into the league billed as a pass-rush specialist and flashed some other skills in pre-season. If Kruger isn't active every game or at least given some sub-packages where he's let loose, I'll really begin to question why the team drafted him.

[ravensfan160]

We need to totally shake up our defense so I certainly hope we see him play in 2 weeks.

[FlaccoFlicker]

ticked off cuz the man was a beast in preseason,bought the jersey now it just sits and waits like i do for him to play

[Alexir]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='22 October 2009 - 12:54 PM' timestamp='1256230497' post='264645']
ticked off cuz the man was a beast in preseason,bought the jersey now it just sits and waits like i do for him to play
[/quote]

Harbs is a fool for making him inactive and for making Barnes inactive last week

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Alexir' date='22 October 2009 - 11:31 AM' timestamp='1256232676' post='264660']
Harbs is a fool for making him inactive and for making Barnes inactive last week
[/quote]
Agree whole heartedly he sits guys that can help out the pass rush significantly, which has easily been one of the most disappointing things of the defense thus far and constantly plays all these special teams "aces".

[Perfekt]

i agree it doesnt make sense to have someone like carr that just takes a roster space playing when we can have people that might make a difference get a shot. i think this year we can all agree that the coachings has been less then great. im not trying to say we dont have a good team but we need to get back to the one game at a time appoarch and making the players responsible for their mistakes. stop all this sugar coating crap and make them play smash mouth.

[Alexir]

[quote name='Perfekt' date='22 October 2009 - 03:21 PM' timestamp='1256239261' post='264715']
i agree it doesnt make sense to have someone like carr that just takes a roster space playing when we can have people that might make a difference get a shot. i think this year we can all agree that the coachings has been less then great. im not trying to say we dont have a good team but we need to get back to the one game at a time appoarch and making the players responsible for their mistakes. stop all this sugar coating crap and make them play smash mouth.
[/quote]

Minus the Bengals game, Cam has been amazing. I feel he needs to run the ball more obviously, but he is doing real well.

Other coaches are doing pretty bad this year.

Inactives vs. Broncos should be:
John Beck
Kelly Talavou
Oneil Cousins
Jalen Parmele
Chris Carr
Demitrius Williams
Jameel McClain
Tony Moll

Putting in key players like Tyree, Barnes and Kruger.

[ravensfan2430]

Living in FL, the only preseason game i was able to see was the nationally televised game vs NYJ. I thought Paul played fine, but nothing blew me away. Did he play really well in any of the other game? Was he getting pressure on the QB? thanks in advance

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Alexir' date='22 October 2009 - 02:27 PM' timestamp='1256243222' post='264753']
Minus the Bengals game, Cam has been amazing. I feel he needs to run the ball more obviously, but he is doing real well.

Other coaches are doing pretty bad this year.

Inactives vs. Broncos should be:
John Beck
Kelly Talavou
Oneil Cousins
Jalen Parmele
Chris Carr
Demitrius Williams
Jameel McClain
Tony Moll

Putting in key players like Tyree, Barnes and Kruger.
[/quote]
Whats Tyree going to do, hes not going to see the field because Heap and Rice are our 4th and 5th "receiver". Personally Id rather have McClain as although hes been less than impressive on defense this year Mattison could still use him in blitz packages, Tyree wont see the field at all unless theres an injury.

[20ravens52]

[quote name='ravensfan2430' date='22 October 2009 - 05:30 PM' timestamp='1256247038' post='264795']
Living in FL, the only preseason game i was able to see was the nationally televised game vs NYJ. I thought Paul played fine, but nothing blew me away. Did he play really well in any of the other game? Was he getting pressure on the QB? thanks in advance
[/quote]

He looked good, and you could really see his non stop motor. He just looked like he was over shooting the quarterback( a lot like Suggs).

[Alexir]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='22 October 2009 - 07:30 PM' timestamp='1256254206' post='264873']
Whats Tyree going to do, hes not going to see the field because Heap and Rice are our 4th and 5th "receiver". Personally Id rather have McClain as although hes been less than impressive on defense this year Mattison could still use him in blitz packages, Tyree wont see the field at all unless theres an injury.
[/quote]


Tyree is an amazing special teams player.....thats why we signed him....didnt you get the memo [img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/34853_doh.GIF[/img]

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Alexir' date='22 October 2009 - 07:34 PM' timestamp='1256261643' post='264972']
Tyree is an amazing special teams player.....thats why we signed him....didnt you get the memo [img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/34853_doh.GIF[/img]
[/quote]
Ya I got that memo but Harbaugh can save it with his ST'ers, he was a pro bowler 4 years ago and has been injury riddled every since. Id rather have somebody play who can contribute to a phase of the game that we're sucking butt at, than add another guy to a unit that hasnt even been bad. And I highly doubt that adding Kruger to the ST unit is going to make the unit just aweful.

[Alexir]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='22 October 2009 - 09:41 PM' timestamp='1256262097' post='264988']
Ya I got that memo but Harbaugh can save it with his ST'ers, he was a pro bowler 4 years ago and has been injury riddled every since. Id rather have somebody play who can contribute to a phase of the game that we're sucking butt at, than add another guy to a unit that hasnt even been bad. And I highly doubt that adding Kruger to the ST unit is going to make the unit just aweful.
[/quote]

Yeah thats why we should activate Tyree. I mean face it Williams isnt getting playing time and isnt great on special teams. So if we get Tyree out there maybe we can get Kruger out there too. I just think some of the inactives we have been making our questionable.

[CorvusCorax]

Williams isn't getting playing time because they are using him as a b/u only, in case one of the other WR's gets injured (such as when Washington was banged up a bit). It makes sense. Now that Tyree is on the roster (or will be), Williams can be more utilized. Perhaps Tyree is to be used as a ST b/u. Who really knows? However, I don't know if we'll see Kruger in much action until we play Cleveland again.

[LilyRaven]

I can't say I understand it either. I watched Kruger play with the Utes, the kid's a beast.

[AlaskanRavensFan]

I watched Kruger when the Utes beat Alabama. He was beasting on their LT and was good against the run as well. I think that his major flaw in TC and preseason was that he didn't know how to use his hands.

Although I would like to see Kruger on the field. I like the fact that players on this team have to earn their spots and are not guaranteed a spot based on who they are. Under Billick players were granted their positions. Harbs will bench you if you don't play or leave you inactive if you aren't showing anything in practice. Fabian was benched during the Vikings game because he was getting embarrased. Unfortunatley, Walker filled in for him and got beat deep.

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

To be honest, without a change in scheme, meaning back to a 3-4, I dont think there would be any improvement in the pass rush. Pryce almost always commands a double team as does Ngata. Gregg is an unmoveable object, and when completely healthy and in full condition, Suggs is a beast. Kruger may eventually, once he puts on a few pounds, and learns some better technique, become a force to be reckoned with. I dont see him in a starting role anytime soon but would be nice as a fresh pair of legs later in the game. Be patient, he will get more and more time as the season progresses.

[Alexir]

I strongly believe going back to 3-4 will fix the defense. Secondary included.

[BleedPurple92]

[quote name='Alexir' date='22 October 2009 - 01:31 PM' timestamp='1256232676' post='264660']
Harbs is a fool for making him inactive and for making Barnes inactive last week
[/quote]


If you're not starting, or playing a majority of the time on Defense, then you better be good on special teams, and Kruger just isn't that good on special teams, he didn't play it in college, and he hasn't played it much

[Alexir]

[quote name='BleedPurple92' date='23 October 2009 - 12:56 PM' timestamp='1256316991' post='265227']
If you're not starting, or playing a majority of the time on Defense, then you better be good on special teams, and Kruger just isn't that good on special teams, he didn't play it in college, and he hasn't played it much
[/quote]

...ok but when the coaches are complaining about getting a pass rush going and they have kruger in street clothes.....and barnes in street clothes, who actually brings great pressure up the middle....Special Teams will be fine without 1 rook

[FerrariFan87]

If Paul is one of the best 45 players in a given week,and is going to contribute and help us win that game, he will be out there.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='23 October 2009 - 01:33 PM' timestamp='1256319222' post='265238']
If Paul is one of the best 45 players in a given week,and is going to contribute and help us win that game, he will be out there.
[/quote]

I don't want to start an argument but do you really think it's a practice issue?

[WinnipegRaven]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='23 October 2009 - 11:33 AM' timestamp='1256319222' post='265238']
If Paul is one of the best 45 players in a given week,and is going to contribute and help us win that game, he will be out there.
[/quote]
As opposed to one of the current ACTIVE players who are helping us LOOSE games?

[Alexir]

[quote name='WinnipegRaven' date='23 October 2009 - 02:00 PM' timestamp='1256320825' post='265256']
As opposed to one of the current ACTIVE players who are helping us LOOSE games?
[/quote]

[size="7"]CHRIS CARR[/size]

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BleedPurple92' date='23 October 2009 - 10:56 AM' timestamp='1256316991' post='265227']
If you're not starting, or playing a majority of the time on Defense, then you better be good on special teams, and Kruger just isn't that good on special teams, he didn't play it in college, and he hasn't played it much
[/quote]
The guys we have on ST are hardly pro bowl guys or "aces". Last year 3/4 of our ST tackles were recorded by 2 people, Tommy Z and B.A. Half the guys on that unit dont even make tackles, so im pretty sure Kruger can stay in his lane and plug that gap.

[BloodRaven]

Currently our best special teamer is Antwan Barnes, who incidentaly is our worst linebacker. No really he is by far, watch the tape.

Basically if you break it down he probably just isn't fast enough to be a gunner.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='23 October 2009 - 12:19 PM' timestamp='1256321946' post='265274']
Currently our best special teamer is Antwan Barnes, who incidentaly is our worst linebacker. No really he is by far, watch the tape.

Basically if you break it down he probably just isn't fast enough to be a gunner.
[/quote]
He wouldnt be if Mattison would just use him as a situational pass rusher...which is what he is.

[Alexir]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='23 October 2009 - 02:19 PM' timestamp='1256321946' post='265274']
Currently our best special teamer is Antwan Barnes, who incidentaly is our worst linebacker. No really he is by far, watch the tape.

Basically if you break it down he probably just isn't fast enough to be a gunner.
[/quote]


McClain wins that role not Barnes. I agree with Bltravens, he needs to be situational pass rusher.

Speaking of Mattison, I think its bull crap that his son is on our practice squad when other guys out played him....

This is the NFL, not middle school football where coaches son doesnt get cut.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='23 October 2009 - 02:19 PM' timestamp='1256321946' post='265274']
Currently our best special teamer is Antwan Barnes, who incidentaly is our worst linebacker. No really he is by far, watch the tape.

Basically if you break it down he probably just isn't fast enough to be a gunner.
[/quote]

Barnes is a great special teamer. I'll never forget the hustle tackle he made against Pittsburgh on MNF last year. Defensively, he has been disappointing this year though. The coaches haven't let him do what he does best which is rush the passer.

He may not have the pure speed to be gunner but can't he play contain? And isn't special teams about desire rather than natural talent?

[JEEPercreepermd]

They need to bench Carr, Webb would then return the punts, and get some time at Nickel. He can't play any worse then Walker and Carr are playing already. Use that spot to activate Kruger and at least use him on passing downs.

I don't understand why they keep sending bums like Carr on the field, taking up spots for other guys that could do SOMETHING at the very least.