T-Good's Performance Thus Far

[Ravens_Fan13]

Hey ravens nation just wanted to get your thoughts on tavaris gooden so far.

I personally had higher expectations for the guy for this late in the season he is missing alot of tackles and his gaps are usally the ones open for bigger run gains....i love his size and speed but somethings gotta give on his assignments getting blown

[Twoo]

Obviously you're not paying attention to the games then.

Gooden has started 10 games, with 33 solo tackles, 7 assisted tackles, 1 blocked punt. He's been playing extremely well for his first year starting in MLB.

[beetus]

In addition, his numbers aren't at where we saw Bart Scott's numbers because our second ILB position is more a ILB by comittee with Gooden, Ellerbe, and McClain. Personally, I think this is great, keeps rotating fresh guys in, and all 3 are great talents, especially Ellerbe, he sort of came out of no where.

[theFRANCHISE]

His season's been mostly up-and-down; the issue is, for as many good plays as he's made, he's also had just as many bad ones, sometimes in the very same game. This past Sunday against the Steelers was a prime example of that, as he missed two or three tackles that led to big runs, and he was lost in coverage on one play in particular, giving up a catch to Hines Ward, I believe. However, he also helped stuffed two runs and made a nice open-field tackle as well.

The point is, Gooden is still a project and still needs time. He's not ready to be a full-time starter alongside Ray Lewis, and he's not ready to be the successor to #52 either, but splitting snaps with Jameel McClain and Dannell Ellerbe affords him more time to learn while also giving him valuable playing time and giving him a level of urgency since he's essentially competing for a future (permanent) starting job.

[Ed_Reed20]

I would say Gooden's season has been average so far. Like Franchise said, he's had his ups and downs. His speed and athleticism have helped him make plays like chasing down Adrian Peterson from over 20 yards away. However, his slight frame has caused to him to be rag-dolled by numerous offensive lineman. He hasn't yet learned how to shed blocks like Ray and doesn't have the strength to take them on either. Hopefully, he has the frame to add bulk because I think his size could be the one hurdle that keeps him a solid special teamer as opposed to a solid starting LB.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='03 December 2009 - 01:33 PM' timestamp='1259865221' post='301372']
I would say Gooden's season has been average so far. Like Franchise said, he's had his ups and downs. His speed and athleticism have helped him make plays like chasing down Adrian Peterson from over 20 yards away. However, his slight frame has caused to him to be rag-dolled by numerous offensive lineman. He hasn't yet learned how to shed blocks like Ray and doesn't have the strength to take them on either. Hopefully, he has the frame to add bulk because I think his size could be the one hurdle that keeps him a solid special teamer as opposed to a solid starting LB.
[/quote]
I agree. Our run defense is designed around freeing up Ray to make tackles. Everyone elses job if they can't make the tackle themselves is to tie up as many blockers as they can to keep them off Ray. Down the road, once Ray retires maybe we shift that focus to Gooden. He's faster than Ray ever was and the concept of keeping people off him would help negate his primary problem which is lack of size in getting off of blocks. Then Ellerbe could fill the role of thumper in the mold of Bart Scott.

[Perfekt]

correction ellerbe is a thumper like bart scott use to be for us. i really look forward to what he will do for us in the future.

[Ravens_Fan13]

[quote name='Twoo' date='03 December 2009 - 02:16 PM' timestamp='1259864190' post='301362']
Obviously you're not paying attention to the games then.

Gooden has started 10 games, with 33 solo tackles, 7 assisted tackles, 1 blocked punt. He's been playing extremely well for his first year starting in MLB.
[/quote]

Obviously you didnt read my post corectly i didnt say he should be benched and i deff. didnt say he wasent productive or should be benched. Like franchise said i agree with he has had ups and downs and that what i was getting to and wanted to take the opinions out of this post.

[theFRANCHISE]

My biggest gripe is how much he whiffs when he's hitting the wrong gaps; it looks more as if he's sometimes given responsibility in choosing which gap to hit, rather than the blitz by design, and fully sells-out instead of demonstrating patience and waiting for the RB to make his cut. I understand that the reward is often a huge tackle for a loss, but the risk is obviously giving up a big run. I'm not sure if it's the playcall (and it could very well be), but it's happened with such a greater rate of frequency with T-Good on the play than the other guys, that I'm thinking maybe it's him.

He'll improve that over time, though. Experience is how a veteran like Ray Lewis was able to make a game-saving tackle on Darren Sproles by gambling on the play. Otherwise, if Gooden isn't given the room to gamble, he certainly shouldn't; not this young, not this inexperienced. He'll learn when it's the right time.

[52Kia Kaha92]

he has the potential to be great but he makes a lot of mental mistakes such as picking the wrong gap. He picked a good gap against the steelets but then he kept going through that same gap and ran right past the play. His tackling is suspect and he isnt all that great in coverage. He is a big hitter but isnt very physical and doesnt suit the 3-4 very well at all. I believe he can be a very good linebacker in the future and this year has been a good learning experience for him and he has shown flashes of brilliance. i think he becomes our starting MIKE in our 4-3 defense when ray retires. He would be a much better fit playing MLB for the 4-3 as that is where he exceled at miami and thats where his talents would be better utilized.

I think it is safe to say we all thought he was going to be Ray Lewis V 2.0 in TC and we all got a bit carried away and he hasnt lived up to the high expectations we put on him. I fully expect him to come in next year and compete for the starting strong side backer position in TC.

(when is say Ray Lewis V 2.0 i dont mean Ray Lewis, we where all very excited and expected great things out of him in TC is what i mean lol)

[MagicianCamille]

Gooden's been solid. He still has room to grow and improve but right now I think he is well on his way to being a solid piece of this defense for years to come.

[BleedPurple92]

Ellerbe has outplayed, him and Frankly Ellerbe looks like the better Linebacker.

We don't need Track stars, we need football players, and we have that in Ellerbe.

[J-man]

Wait? What game did he block a punt?

[Radinho84]

maybe we should line him up as a safety. i mean we have so many good linebackers and everyone is expecting us bringing anotherone in this offseason. like mclain or something. i don´t see gooden being our future linebacker superstar. ellerbe and mclain are both more solid and better footballplayers in my opinion. but i think with his skills, speed and intensity he could be a good ss. what do ya think?

[JEEPercreepermd]

I don't know about putting Gooden at SS. I think he has a lot of potential, he needs to bulk up a little because he can't shed blocks to save his life, and he just needs more experience. He's young. Remember, Bart Scott was a special teams player for a few years before he even got a shot on the defense so give it some time.

[Ravens_Fan13]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' date='05 December 2009 - 08:48 AM' timestamp='1260017284' post='302304']
I don't know about putting Gooden at SS. I think he has a lot of potential, he needs to bulk up a little because he can't shed blocks to save his life, and he just needs more experience. He's young. Remember, Bart Scott was a special teams player for a few years before he even got a shot on the defense so give it some time.
[/quote]

Agree but if you remember what ray looked like when we first drafted him they was about the same size now look at ray he is a machine i see good things coming from him i honestly think we are in good shape we have alot of promising young talent waiting to be stars i feel good about the future of this club.

[Radinho84]

ur right about his frame. he could be as big as ray in a few years who knows. but as bigger he gets as slower he gets also. i think he is a solid player, but not the replacement for ray FOR THE MOMENT. that´s wy i thought about lining him up as a safety. man, he is so fast and a good open field tackler. his coverage skills could be like that of landry´s brother. did you see him getting burnt twice by the same move this weakend? lol. was nice to see that other secondaries aren´t that much better than ours. but thats a different point i know- sorry

[Ravnet]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='03 December 2009 - 05:26 PM' timestamp='1259879176' post='301470']
He'll improve that over time, though. Experience is how a veteran like Ray Lewis was able to make a game-saving tackle on Darren Sproles by gambling on the play.
[/quote]

Ray also has freakish instincts, Gooden most certainly does not.

Gooden, as I have always thought, is an absolute monster physically, but he always looks far too lost out on the field.

This isn't necessarily Gooden's fault, but when Scott left, we needed a linebacker who could covers TEs/WRs over the middle, and I doubt Tavares will ever be able to do that.

[jdynamite]

I feel like maybe gooden is more of an outside coverage linebacker, than an inside backer.. he's has the speed but the power at point of attack isn't there. (I figured with all of speed by now he would have blown up a couple of rbs or TEs on screen plays or something..)


(now this is dreaming but when I watch Alabama's LB. McClain I see a raven type backer... calling plays, making adjustments, down-hill attacking, speed in pursuit of ball carrier.... i been very impressed with that kid)

[H8R]

Bart wasn't good his first year as a starter either, he was ok...Just like T-Good is. Bart had more NFL experience before he cracked the starting defensive spot. Tgood will be fine.

[Ravens_Fan13]

more and more i think about it i think this guys gonna be a stud i hope he fills the right gaps tonight though