Kruger? What Happens This Year?

[ellicottraven]

Paul Kruger is an enigma to me. He has all the makings of a great one, but something is missing and I cannot put my finger on it. I want him to have a monster year, but don't know if he will. He has bulked up this off season and says he is beginning to carry his new weight well, but how will he fare? Will he be a sack machine? Has he learned that participation in special teams will allow him to be fielded? What? Help me break this enigma down.

[berad]

I think [b]ALL[/b] of those questions will be answered by Paul Kruger, himself, come September. Until then, it's speculation and none of us have the definite answers.

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

I know what you are saying and what you are asking. Isnt that the definition of enigma though: mystery: something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained.

[ellicottraven]

[quote name='Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan' date='23 May 2010 - 08:42 PM' timestamp='1274661751' post='413527']
I know what you are saying and what you are asking. Isnt that the definition of enigma though: mystery: something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained.

[/quote]

Yes Dan the Man - I want this enigma to be deciphered - the suspense is killing me! You know how badly we need to rush the passer and he is one possibility...

[T-ray]

Paul Kruger.... could he be the next Jared Allen??? Or will he be the next bust like Dan Cody?? Only time will tell!

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

[quote name='ellicottraven' date='23 May 2010 - 08:45 PM' timestamp='1274661943' post='413528']
Yes Dan the Man - I want this enigma to be deciphered - the suspense is killing me! You know how badly we need to rush the passer and he is one possibility...
[/quote]

I know, I was just making fun. Like Berad said, we will only know the answers to these questions once training camp and the season begins. I think Harbs nailed it last year when he described Kruger as a work in progress. Only time will tell and only Kruger can make this happen any quicker. Dont take my sarcasm the wrong way, just playin! By the way it is a very good question.

[ellicottraven]

[quote name='Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan' date='23 May 2010 - 08:51 PM' timestamp='1274662269' post='413534']
I know, I was just making fun. Like Berad said, we will only know the answers to these questions once training camp and the season begins. I think Harbs nailed it last year when he described Kruger as a work in progress. Only time will tell and only Kruger can make this happen any quicker. Dont take my sarcasm the wrong way, just playin! By the way it is a very good question.
[/quote]
No issues Dan the Man - God Bless and the Ravens too!

[RavensUCfan]

I like to see what he can do as DE. Tough to win the starting role for OLB when you have to compete with Suggs.

[JO_75]

[quote name='RavensUCfan' date='23 May 2010 - 09:07 PM' timestamp='1274663246' post='413546']
I like to see what he can do as DE. Tough to win the starting role for OLB when you have to compete with Suggs.
[/quote]

and Kindle and Jarrett Johnson. Isn't the bulking up all helping so he can play defensive end in our 3-4 scheme? I always thought he would be a great defensive end who can take over for Trevor Pryce, it would be cool to see him and Pryce rotate this year at DE with Kruger coming in for 3rd down situations.

[ellicottraven]

[quote name='JO_75' date='23 May 2010 - 09:52 PM' timestamp='1274665936' post='413563']
and Kindle and Jarrett Johnson. Isn't the bulking up all helping so he can play defensive end in our 3-4 scheme? I always thought he would be a great defensive end who can take over for Trevor Pryce, it would be cool to see him and Pryce rotate this year at DE with Kruger coming in for 3rd down situations.
[/quote]
Where then would you fit Redding??

[GuitarScott]

I thought Redding was more of a DT

[JO_75]

[quote name='ellicottraven' date='23 May 2010 - 10:03 PM' timestamp='1274666592' post='413570']
Where then would you fit Redding??
[/quote]

He's more of a defensive end. He'll be the backup to Ngata with Kruger being the back up and 3rd down guy for Pryce. Suggs is locked down at ROLB, Jarret Johnson would be the starter at LOLB with Kindle having the role Suggs had during his rookie year where he can contribute in some form just like I expect Cody to come in for Gregg on some situations. Jarrett Johnson don't have much on his contract, I think 2 years and with a young upcoming guy in Kindle, I expect Johnson to be let go when his contract runs out before Kindle takes over full time. We our going to have a young front 7 in 2-3 years. Imagine this in 2012-2013:

Right End: Ngata
Nose Tackle: Terrence Cody
Left End: Paul Kruger
ROLB: Terrell Suggs
LOLB: Sergio Kindle
ILBs: Ray Lewis/Dan Ellerbe

I love our young talent on this team, enough of this defense getting old talk, as most assume because of Ray's and Ed's age that our defense is old, our average age on defense should greatly gone down since our draft this past year.

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='JO_75' date='23 May 2010 - 11:08 PM' timestamp='1274674093' post='413625']
He's more of a defensive end. He'll be the backup to Ngata with Kruger being the back up and 3rd down guy for Pryce. Suggs is locked down at ROLB, Jarret Johnson would be the starter at LOLB with Kindle having the role Suggs had during his rookie year where he can contribute in some form just like I expect Cody to come in for Gregg on some situations. Jarrett Johnson don't have much on his contract, I think 2 years and with a young upcoming guy in Kindle, I expect Johnson to be let go when his contract runs out before Kindle takes over full time. We our going to have a young front 7 in 2-3 years. Imagine this in 2012-2013:

Right End: Ngata
Nose Tackle: Terrence Cody
Left End: Paul Kruger
ROLB: Terrell Suggs
LOLB: Sergio Kindle
ILBs: Ray Lewis/Dan Ellerbe

I love our young talent on this team, enough of this defense getting old talk, as most assume because of Ray's and Ed's age that our defense is old, our average age on defense should greatly gone down since our draft this past year.
[/quote]

I think that Redding will play over Pryce. Pryce was the pass rusher, we played Dwan on first and second more later in the season. I think Redding will man DE on the other side from Ngata and we'll see Kruger on third downs.

But Redding is also a good option for a 4-3 DT if we give more 4-3 looks.

[BloodRaven]

I read a soundbite that Kruger was struggling with the new weight.

[Skip727]

If Kruger can get used to the added bulk [b]AND[/b] pays attention to Mike McCrary(who I hear is coming to training camp as a volunteer coach, [b]true or not[/b]???) then Kruger will blossom as a DE. And like everyone else has stated only time will tell how he develops.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

[Twoo]

This will be a transition year for Kruger. He won't play every game and odds are he'll get the most action towards the end of the game. We need to test him at DE, see how he lines up against OT/TE's and see if he can put pressure on the QB. If he's effective I suspect he'll be a starter in 2011.

[lowrider]

With the added bulk hopefully Kruger will gain some speed over OTA's and training camp. He was saying how he felt a lot slower than last year. He needs to be a solid part to our defensive line, not a weakness. If he can get what Trevor Pryce got last year (31 tackles, 6.5 sacks) our defensive line will be pretty solid.

[display name]

Good question! I think his stats will go down with all the people we signed and drafted.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='ellicottraven' date='23 May 2010 - 08:45 PM' timestamp='1274661943' post='413528']
Yes Dan the Man - I want this enigma to be deciphered - the suspense is killing me! You know how badly we need to rush the passer and he is one possibility...
[/quote]

I think Paul might punch you if he knew you wanted to decipher his enigma. Just saying.

[flynismo]

[quote name='ellicottraven' date='23 May 2010 - 09:03 PM' timestamp='1274666592' post='413570']
Where then would you fit Redding??
[/quote]


On the bench, where he belongs. Redding isn't a very good player. He's not awful, but he's not an assett as a starter either.

[FerrariFan87]

We'll find out during Pre-season what Kruger is going to bring to the table this year...

[indianstick]

i think kruger will see time at the 3-4 DE spot..esp if he continues to bulk up to 280-285..and i think if he is serious about playing on our line..he'll eventually get up to 290..he doesn't need to be as fast as he was in college or last season..but he has to be an effective end in our defense which means to put pressure on the qb..clog up running lanes and be able to take on multiple blockers..he is a smart player with great work ethic..i don't see him being a bust

and as for redding..harbaugh basically said he is going to be the new edwards..which i see as an upgrade

[DocMartin]

[quote name='berad' date='23 May 2010 - 08:39 PM' timestamp='1274661597' post='413526']


I think [b]ALL[/b] of those questions will be answered by Paul Kruger, himself, come September. Until then, it's speculation and none of us have the definite answers.
[/quote]
Yes. 99% correct. I'm here to state my prediction - Paul Kruger will line up wearing Ravens jersey No. 99. Everything else is a speculation.