Yahoo Sports Ranks The Best Defensive Lines

[Haloti Hell]

Jason Cole ranks the Ravens as #2 in the 3-4 scheme...

[quote]2. Baltimore Ravens: As mentioned above, ranking 3-4 teams really high is tough because those fronts generally don’t produce a lot of the pass rush. Rather, they set the table for the linebackers. That’s still the case with the Ravens, but they manage to milk enough pass rush from aging Trevor Pryce at one end spot. However, the true greatness of the Ravens line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening.[/quote]

interesting description of Ngata, I got a chuckle out of it..

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtXB2XAteJXU1YWo5WF3k1dDubYF?slug=jc-dlinerankings062810

[RAYvenFan20]

[b][/b][quote name='Haloti Hell' date='28 June 2010 - 03:00 PM' timestamp='1277755212' post='427428']
Jason Cole ranks the Ravens as #2 in the 3-4 scheme...



interesting description of Ngata, I got a chuckle out of it..

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtXB2XAteJXU1YWo5WF3k1dDubYF?slug=jc-dlinerankings062810
[/quote]


[i] "led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering."[/i]


i love it

[EdReedFTW]

I believe he meant something like this.

[img]http://www.unizar.es/departamentos/filologia_inglesa/garciala/images/terminator.jpg[/img]

[theFRANCHISE]

The article is actually ranking the best defensive lines in the NFL, with the subtitle reading that the 3-4 complicates their evaluation since teams alternate so frequently between the 3-4 and the 4-3 that it makes it hard to discern whether the effectiveness of the rush is because of the extra man or the space-eaters on the line.

I noticed that because it didn't make sense that the Minnesota Vikings would be ranked as the best 3-4 defense in the league, when they actually run a primary 4-3. Additionally, it ranks all 32 teams in the NFL; as prevalent as the 3-4 is, it's not the base defense of [i]every[/i] team in the league.

I'll change the title.

[WinnipegRaven]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='28 June 2010 - 03:02 PM' timestamp='1277758936' post='427456']
The article is actually ranking the best defensive lines in the NFL, with the subtitle reading that the 3-4 complicates their evaluation since teams alternate so frequently between the 3-4 and the 4-3 that it makes it hard to discern whether the effectiveness of the rush is because of the extra man or the space-eaters on the line.

I noticed that because it didn't make sense that the Minnesota Vikings would be ranked as the best 3-4 defense in the league, when they actually run a primary 4-3. Additionally, it ranks all 32 teams in the NFL; as prevalent as the 3-4 is, it's not the base defense of [i]every[/i] team in the league.

I'll change the title.
[/quote]

glad I wasnt the only one confused.... I was all "since when does EVERY NFL team run a 3-4"?

[PuRock]

I'll take 2nd in a heartbeat. The Vikings D-Line is disruptive and run stopping. I can see why their #1.

[catty112]

Even better they rank us in the top 15 in every category. What made me most happy was the recognition of our young line receiving 3rd. They even go as far as saying Michael Oher could beat out Ryan Clady and Jake Long as the best young LT if he makes the switch.

We all know our running backs are spectacular, and they earned the 4th best overall. Flacco came in at 13 ahead of Matt Ryan (15th)and our revamped receiving corps earned 14th overall which I think is fair seeing how it is unproven so far in Baltimore.

[justifythegame]

[quote name='Haloti Hell' date='28 June 2010 - 04:00 PM' timestamp='1277755212' post='427428']
Jason Cole ranks the Ravens as #2 in the 3-4 scheme...



interesting description of Ngata, I got a chuckle out of it..

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtXB2XAteJXU1YWo5WF3k1dDubYF?slug=jc-dlinerankings062810
[/quote]
Well over the years i've always thought our DL was always underrated. But last year i thought our DL actually took a step back for the first time. Kelly Gregg just didn't seem half as good as he was before his microfracture surgery. Trevor Pryce was taken off the line completely for some reason, and he was only coming in half the time (i have no clue why as i think he is one of the most underrated ends). Ngata is great, he was one of the most hyped players on our team last year so he finally got some recognition, but at the same i think he had career lows in all his statistics yet thats the year he finally gets credit and gets into the pro bowl... its a little confusing.

I knew we needed to head into the draft looking for a NT and/or an end. With Kruger pushing 280 now, we might be set for the future. But being objective, i can't say i would agree the ravens have the #2 DL, with Pryce getting benched, and Kruger and Cody having to prove themselves. I think we got some great depth on the DL now with addition of redding also, but there is still so many players who still have to prove something first.

[ed.s52]

Cody may not be proven... but he is 350 pounds and NO ONE rushed for over 100 yards in a game while he played at 'Bama. That is an impressive statistic and that kind of talent does not just dissapear.

Not to mention Ngata is still arguable the best DL in the league, or at least in discussion for it.

Kelly is very consistent although undersized for a NT (But now we have Cody) and Pryce, although aging and not what he once was, is still a skilled pass rusher.

#2 is a fair ranking imo, and even if it is a little high we are at least top 5.

[DMT]

Nice recognition

[EdReedFTW]

You know, since we're on the subject of Dline men. I only just realized that even with the giant lack of proper 3-4 nose tackles that the league is experiencing, we actually have THREE people who either have proven to play well at the nose or at least project well to it(Cody) That is some very serious depth.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='justifythegame' date='28 June 2010 - 04:30 PM' timestamp='1277764231' post='427505']
Well over the years i've always thought our DL was always underrated. But last year i thought our DL actually took a step back for the first time. Kelly Gregg just didn't seem half as good as he was before his microfracture surgery. Trevor Pryce was taken off the line completely for some reason, and he was only coming in half the time (i have no clue why as i think he is one of the most underrated ends). Ngata is great, he was one of the most hyped players on our team last year so he finally got some recognition, but at the same i think he had career lows in all his statistics yet thats the year he finally gets credit and gets into the pro bowl... its a little confusing.

I knew we needed to head into the draft looking for a NT and/or an end. With Kruger pushing 280 now, we might be set for the future. But being objective, i can't say i would agree the ravens have the #2 DL, with Pryce getting benched, and Kruger and Cody having to prove themselves. I think we got some great depth on the DL now with addition of redding also, but there is still so many players who still have to prove something first.
[/quote]
Pryce was having a hard time setting and sealing the edge on Gs/Ts against the run to his outside. Gregg took awhile to come around as well. But I believe you are correct that our Dline was not as dominant as it had been in years past. The addition of Cody as a true 3-4 NT will only help things.

[justifythegame]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='30 June 2010 - 02:05 AM' timestamp='1277877919' post='428073']
Cody may not be proven... but he is 350 pounds and NO ONE rushed for over 100 yards in a game while he played at 'Bama. That is an impressive statistic and that kind of talent does not just dissapear.

Not to mention Ngata is still arguable the best DL in the league, or at least in discussion for it.

Kelly is very consistent although undersized for a NT (But now we have Cody) and Pryce, although aging and not what he once was, is still a skilled pass rusher.

#2 is a fair ranking imo, and even if it is a little high we are at least top 5.
[/quote]

I believe the coaching would like him to drop some of that weight. He is seriously out of shape, and his downside was that whatever team drafts him has to help him battle his weight issues.

And i don't understand the assumption that Cody is going to be playing next year. Even if Billick was still coach i think it would take Cody a while to see the field because he has a lot of work ahead of him, but John Harbaugh of all people definitely doesn't like to start rookies unless injuries force him to do so. Gregg is a vet that has dominated that position for years, it would be insane to just hand it Cody- a rookie, in the first place. We are more likely to see the likes of 2nd yr player Kruger and Cory Redding in the rotation. Cody isn't even half as ready to start as first round prospects like Dan Williams, who i think Harbaugh would still hesitate to start.

[ed.s52]

According to some reports I heard, Cody is a better athlete than given credit for and isn't as out of shape (if he even is out of shape) than people think.

Also, Cody's size is one of the reasons we drafted him. He may drop to 340 but that is the lowest I see him goin. His downside wasn't that teams would have to get him in shape but it was "Can he keep his weight under control"? It seems like he can.

I never said he would be handed the job, but if he proves to be the better player in practice he is bound to see rotations at the very least. Cody is more fit to play at NT than Gregg, who has stated he is a bit undersized to be playing their himself.

Why would Cory Redding be more likely to see the field? He obviously was not brought to be a starter here and is a vet who still is learning the system while Cody is a 350 lb monster of a NT (not Reddings position) with sky-high potential. Maybe equal but since they are both "rookies" to our system, I would not say he deserves more time, maybe equal amount of time but not more.

Cody was a top 30 prospect, he just fell. Do you think Harbaugh actually would hesitiate to start him because he wasn't drafted in the first round?

This is not mentioning the fact that Kelly is declining and soon enough, maybe even this year, he will retire and Cody is his replacement. Cody should be given proper time considering he himself is more suited for the nose tackle role and he very well may be better than Gregg.

[BloodRaven]

I'm worried about Ngata's pectoral surgery, considering he has some of the strongest hands in the NFL I'd hate to see him struggle to dominate on his usual level.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='01 July 2010 - 03:18 AM' timestamp='1277968720' post='428401']
Why would Cory Redding be more likely to see the field? He obviously was not brought to be a starter here and is a vet who still is learning the system while Cody is a 350 lb monster of a NT (not Reddings position) with sky-high potential. Maybe equal but since they are both "rookies" to our system, I would not say he deserves more time, maybe equal amount of time but not more.
[/quote]
Cory Redding [i]was[/i] brought here to be a starter, though; in the article on [url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2010/03/Ravens_Add_Cory_Redding.aspx"]BaltimoreRavens.com[/url] detailing his signing, it was implied that the signing of Redding was in response to the loss of Dwan Edwards to free agency, and it was explicitly stated that Redding is meant to play most downs so as to keep Trevor Pryce fresh. Redding is versatile and has been a starter at both defensive tackle and defensive end, and will likely be rotated in both spots much in the same way that Pryce has since 2006.

That doesn't mean that there is direct competition between Terrence Cody and Cory Redding on the depth chart at DT/NT, that just means that Redding will likely see more snaps by virtue of being versatile [i]and[/i] experienced in both spots.

[ed.s52]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='01 July 2010 - 09:54 AM' timestamp='1278006870' post='428493']
Cory Redding [i]was[/i] brought here to be a starter, though; in the article on [url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2010/03/Ravens_Add_Cory_Redding.aspx"]BaltimoreRavens.com[/url] detailing his signing, it was implied that the signing of Redding was in response to the loss of Dwan Edwards to free agency, and it was explicitly stated that Redding is meant to play most downs so as to keep Trevor Pryce fresh. Redding is versatile and has been a starter at both defensive tackle and defensive end, and will likely be rotated in both spots much in the same way that Pryce has since 2006.

That doesn't mean that there is direct competition between Terrence Cody and Cory Redding on the depth chart at DT/NT, that just means that Redding will likely see more snaps by virtue of being versatile [i]and[/i] experienced in both spots.
[/quote]
Really, I was under the impression he was primarily depth and Pryce would start. My badddd.

But I still would be suprised if Cody didn't get rotations at least. Kelly is getting old and although he has been good I would not say he has "dominated" the position. Not to mention Kelly is more of a 4-3 DT and is a true NT like Cody. Not to mention it sounds like Cody is beastin it up at OTA's (we all heard the first play when he man-handled Birk and took Rice down) and I would dissappointed if we don't see a lot of Cody this year.

[XxSizzleXx]

Not to shabby at all. I wonder if there's an article like that rating the best Linebacking corps in the league, I would be interested to see where Sizzle, Lewis, Johnson and company are rated. The Vikings have a very disruptive front four, no shame in being 2nd to them.

[eandb17]

based of last years performance i don't think the ravens are #2 we were great run stoppers, but not very good at pass rushing. With the addition of Cody and if Terrel Suggs has a great year I think we can possibly be #1 this year.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='01 July 2010 - 11:38 PM' timestamp='1278041892' post='428667']
Really, I was under the impression he was primarily depth and Pryce would start. My badddd.

But I still would be suprised if Cody didn't get rotations at least. Kelly is getting old and although he has been good I would not say he has "dominated" the position. Not to mention Kelly is more of a 4-3 DT and is a true NT like Cody. Not to mention it sounds like Cody is beastin it up at OTA's (we all heard the first play when he man-handled Birk and took Rice down) and I would dissappointed if we don't see a lot of Cody this year.
[/quote]
It was stated in a Q&A with Mike Duffy on BaltimoreRavens.com (I can't pull up the link right now, I'm about to leave work) that Terrence Cody will likely be brought in slowly, taking a few snaps here-and-there at the beginning of the season before seeing his snaps increase if he earns it. I'm fine with that method, as you never want your rookies to hit the proverbial wall too quickly.

[ed.s52]

Yea I just read that today, but I still hope they pull out Cody this season, although I, and most others, expected him not to start right away but eventually get more and more snaps. If he proves himself, I can't see him not getting a lot of time on the field.

Either way, at the end of this year/ beginning of the next, I think he will take the starting position from Gregg although they both will get a lot of snaps if he proves he can be as good as we all think he can be.

[BloodRaven]

I really don't see Cody taking the starting spot in his rookie season, there is still a lot for him to learn behind Gregg before he takes over full time.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='03 July 2010 - 03:19 AM' timestamp='1278148794' post='428972']
I really don't see Cody taking the starting spot in his rookie season, there is still a lot for him to learn behind Gregg before he takes over full time.
[/quote]
There is alot to learn, but Ill be shocked if he isnt splitting time with Gregg towards the end of the season. There are just things Cody can do that Gregg was/never able to do.