Kruger Is A Beast

[RayZ27]

and i'm not saying kruger is bad because he is a beast. I know that Oher could have blocked him out any day.

[lowrider]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' timestamp='1282082627' post='453312']
very well said,he is one of the few guys I actually knew about coming out of college(not a big college watcher),and when they announced we drafted him i was so pumped.He wasn't very imoressive(even tho he helped us defeat Pittsburgh greatly),I feel this season will be different.he had 3 tackles and 1.5 sacks vs Carolina,and got tons of pressure minus his first series
[/quote]
Well once I heard we drafted him to play DE and we wanted him to gain weight, and the fact that he had only been playing DE/OLB for 2 years, I knew he was going to take some time to develop. But it sounded like he had good character, good work ethic, and had potential. Just gotta let him develop a little. If the potential is there, then all we have to do is wait for the hard work to pay off

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='RayZ27' timestamp='1282136162' post='453561']
and i'm not saying kruger is bad because he is a beast. I know that Oher could have blocked him out any day.
[/quote]

Last year they went head to head in one-on-one drills and Oher was getting beat like a redheaded stepchild. Now I'm hoping that's all due to Kruger developing physically and as a player, if Oher is given the full time responsibility of protecting Flacco he needs to be up to par.

Now I know Gaither is in the doghouse with pretty much everyone but at the end of the day he is the best blocker on the team, even when injured.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' timestamp='1282082627' post='453312']
[b]very well said,he is one of the few guys I actually knew about coming out of college(not a big college watcher),and when they announced we drafted him i was so pumped.[/b]He wasn't very imoressive(even tho he helped us defeat Pittsburgh greatly),I feel this season will be different.he had 3 tackles and 1.5 sacks vs Carolina,and got tons of pressure minus his first series
[/quote]
Maybe we are the same person because that describes me perfectly.

[YYZ66]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' timestamp='1282082627' post='453312']
very well said,he is one of the few guys I actually knew about coming out of college(not a big college watcher),and when they announced we drafted him i was so pumped.He wasn't very imoressive(even tho he helped us defeat Pittsburgh greatly),I feel this season will be different.he had 3 tackles and 1.5 sacks vs Carolina,and got tons of pressure minus his first series
[/quote]


[quote name='Fred Sanford' timestamp='1282118895' post='453540']
Kruger and Barnes are really impressing so far. Not to jump the gun, but if these guys pan out like I think they can, we could be looking at some Michael McCrary/Peter Boulware type players, respectively.

I'm a little worried that the improving pass rush might be nullified by quick release, three step drop qb's though. If we don't have guys who can play bump 'n' run and deny the short stuff, no pass rush is going to get there quick enough.

Hopefully, the improved pass rush from 3 or 4 guys allows our corners to play tighter with more linebacker and safety help since we won't need to blitz to generate pressure.

--

Regarding Michael Oher, we just need Sandra Bullock to go out there and explain that protecting a QB is like family, and have him instantly turn from a teddy bear into a mauler. Gotta love the simplified silliness of Hollywood.
[/quote]

I don't follow college either. I see who the Ravens draft then read the scouting reports on them. That was my thought exactly, that we landed another McCrary in Kruger.

[hale3333]

As a Raven fan, I hope Kruger develops into a Pro-Bowl type DE. That said I thought a cornerback in the second round of last years draft made more sense. There were a few CBs that would have helped us last year and of course this year more than Kruger. The one that comes to mind is Sean Smith who last season started every game, becoming the first Dolphins rookie to do so, and contributed 39 tackles and a team-high 12 pass deflections. He was on the board when we drafted Kruger I remember how shocked I was when they picked a project guy that plays no special teams, with only two years of college ball, instead of a corner. Like I said I hope Kruger lives up to the value of a 2 round pick, but still believe, right now, we'd been better off drafting a corner.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='hale3333' timestamp='1282163588' post='453848']
As a Raven fan, I hope Kruger develops into a Pro-Bowl type DE. That said I thought a cornerback in the second round of last years draft made more sense. There were a few CBs that would have helped us last year and of course this year more than Kruger. The one that comes to mind is Sean Smith who last season started every game, becoming the first Dolphins rookie to do so, and contributed 39 tackles and a team-high 12 pass deflections. [b]He was on the board when we drafted Kruger I remember how shocked I was when they picked a project guy that plays no special teams, with only two years of college ball, instead of a corner.[/b] Like I said I hope Kruger lives up to the value of a 2 round pick, but still believe, right now, we'd been better off drafting a corner.
[/quote]

The team didn't draft Smith because they had signed Foxworth to a multi-year deal. And they [i]did[/i] draft Webb the next round.

[TSizzle00]

Maybe Kruger can spark the pass rush in the same way Kindle was suppose to.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1282086544' post='453331']
Man we don't know how serious Gaither's injury is. Still no proof of him not practicing on purpose. All I can say is he better be healthy and get on the field week 1 and at LT because he is the best option at LT when healthy. I'm gonna keep saying it, but I feel Oher needs more time to develop into the [i]NFL[/i] LT everyone wants him to be.
[/quote]
I agree 100%.

[Guest RBates]

Once again i have to be the voice of reason at the expense of my rep points but who cares. This might be a confidence booster practice but by no means did he look good in the Carolina game fellas. Are you kidding me? He got zero pressure and did he even have a tackle. I commend him for putting on the weight and yes he looked good in the Pittsburgh game last year, but the extra weight has made him slow and i didn't see anything positive in the Carolina game as far as taking the next step. So i respectfully have to disagree that he does not look like a beast. "YET" Sorry.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1282181255' post='453979']
Once again i have to be the voice of reason at the expense of my rep points but who cares. This might be a confidence booster practice but by no means did he look good in the Carolina game fellas. Are you kidding me? [b]He got zero pressure and did he even have a tackle.[/b] I commend him for putting on the weight and yes he looked good in the Pittsburgh game last year, but the extra weight has made him slow and i didn't see anything positive in the Carolina game as far as taking the next step. So i respectfully have to disagree that he does not look like a beast. "YET" Sorry.
[/quote]

Kruger had two tackles including 1.5 sacks. Not sure what game you were watching.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1282181255' post='453979']
Once again i have to be the voice of reason at the expense of my rep points but who cares. This might be a confidence booster practice but by no means did he look good in the Carolina game fellas. Are you kidding me? He got zero pressure and did he even have a tackle. I commend him for putting on the weight and yes he looked good in the Pittsburgh game last year, but the extra weight has made him slow and i didn't see anything positive in the Carolina game as far as taking the next step. So i respectfully have to disagree that he does not look like a beast. "YET" Sorry.
[/quote]
I love your posts.....20 just said it above me, so I won't again.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1282181812' post='453984']
Kruger had two tackles including 1.5 sacks. Not sure what game you were watching.
[/quote]
Oh ok second team stuff and that half of sack must have been cause he was just in the area right. When you play against a teams two's and three's its not worth mentioning again just another confidence booster. But im with yall he will get there. I love the kid but i watched the two's take him off the ball seemingly effortlessly so i have to admit down the stretch in the game it got a lil boring. But he is a beast in the making he looks like he could be Mccrary's son.......lol

[Fred Sanford]

I thought Paul played pretty well in the Carolina game. He's got work to do on keeping his pads low with leverage at the point of attack, but he's all hustle and is improving his technique noticeably.

He was a ballhawk for a d-lineman in college, I suspect he'd be worth dropping into zone coverage even with the added weight as maybe a QB spy. He has a way of hiding from a QB and baiting some picks like we saw against Dennis Dixon.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1282181255' post='453979']
[b]Once again i have to be the voice of reason at the expense of my rep points but who cares. This might be a confidence booster practice but by no means did he look good in the Carolina game fellas. Are you kidding me? He got zero pressure and did he even have a tackle.[/b] I commend him for putting on the weight and yes he looked good in the Pittsburgh game last year, but the extra weight has made him slow and i didn't see anything positive in the Carolina game as far as taking the next step. So i respectfully have to disagree that he does not look like a beast. "YET" Sorry.
[/quote]
He had 1.5 sacks. Thats pretty good for the 1st preseason game. Sorry but you deserve to lose rep points with posts like this.

[Runnin Raven]

Harbaugh had some nice things to say about his progress in the presser. I'll take his word for it.

[lowrider]

[quote name='Runnin Raven' timestamp='1282225949' post='454139']
Harbaugh had some nice things to say about his progress in the presser. I'll take his word for it.
[/quote]
To play devil's advocate he also said that Troy Smith was having a good camp and was a good qb, but it did look like it hurt him inside to lie like that. He's a politian, and will never say anything bad to the media to stur up trouble.

But Kruger has looked good. I'm excited to see his progress in the next game. I imagine he will go up against he one's next game to see how he matches up.

[Runnin Raven]

[quote name='lowrider' timestamp='1282226855' post='454154']
To play devil's advocate he also said that Troy Smith was having a good camp and was a good qb, but it did look like it hurt him inside to lie like that. He's a politian, and will never say anything bad to the media to stur up trouble.

But Kruger has looked good. I'm excited to see his progress in the next game. I imagine he will go up against he one's next game to see how he matches up.
[/quote]
I hear ya. Its true. I try to "read between the lines" when Harbaugh talks and he seemed to get excited and give actual detail about Kruger, vs his "he's having a good camp" type comments. But you're right - he's very adept at saying the right thing or not saying much of anything.

[lowrider]

[quote name='Runnin Raven' timestamp='1282227178' post='454157']
I hear ya. Its true. I try to "read between the lines" when Harbaugh talks and he seemed to get excited and give actual detail about Kruger, vs his "he's having a good camp" type comments. But you're right - he's very adept at saying the right thing or not saying much of anything.
[/quote]
I take everything our FO and the BR.com website say with a grain of salt. Because if I didn't, I would consider every player to be a potential pro bowler. But I trust baltimoresun.com on how they report.

As much as everyone hates Mike Preston, I think he is very fair and accurate. He is very critical on players but when they play well, he gives them credit. And when Preston gave Kruger credit, it really excited me to see how he is going to play. If you can please the toughest critic, then thats good encouraging.

[PuRock]

[quote name='lowrider' timestamp='1282227471' post='454158']
I take everything our FO and the BR.com website say with a grain of salt. Because if I didn't, I would consider every player to be a potential pro bowler. But I trust baltimoresun.com on how they report.

As much as everyone hates Mike Preston, I think he is very fair and accurate. He is very critical on players but when they play well, he gives them credit. And when Preston gave Kruger credit, it really excited me to see how he is going to play. If you can please the toughest critic, then thats good encouraging.
[/quote]

I agree. There isn't one single player on our team according to Harbs or BR.com that isn't making strives and is starter/pro-bowl material.

I hate it when someone brings that into an arguement. "But Harbs said that they really like him and he's improved".

The only way I know this for sure if that player is getting significant playing time (w/o an injury ahead of them).

[lowrider]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1282227790' post='454162']
I agree. There isn't one single player on our team according to Harbs or BR.com that isn't making strives and is starter/pro-bowl material.

I hate it when someone brings that into an arguement. "But Harbs said that they really like him and he's improved".

The only way I know this for sure if that player is getting significant playing time (w/o an injury ahead of them).
[/quote]
True story. As a head coach and FO standpoint though, I agree with how they talk about their players. He never humilates his players or makes them look bad. But then again he never says they are the best (defensive) player they have ever seen..... Because we all have seen how hyping up a guys ego can hurt a team.

Kruger is going to be a key part to our team. His progress is essential to our teams success. But if he is good or great. Our team will make strides. Ngata, Cody/Gregg, Kruger/Redding. Thats a pretty terrifying defensive line.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='lowrider' timestamp='1282226855' post='454154']
To play devil's advocate he also said that Troy Smith was having a good camp and was a good qb, but it did look like it hurt him inside to lie like that. He's a politian, and will never say anything bad to the media to stur up trouble.
[/quote]
Very true. I still think they're looking to unload Smith so of course he's gonna say he's playing great. However, I don't think even Matt Millen would fall for that. haha

[-Truth-]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1282181255' post='453979']
Once again i have to be the voice of reason at the expense of my rep points but who cares. This might be a confidence booster practice but by no means did he look good in the Carolina game fellas. Are you kidding me? He got zero pressure and did he even have a tackle. I commend him for putting on the weight and yes he looked good in the Pittsburgh game last year, but [b]the extra weight has made him slow[/b] and i didn't see anything positive in the Carolina game as far as taking the next step. So i respectfully have to disagree that he does not look like a beast. "YET" Sorry.
[/quote]
I never knew 3-4 DE's were supposed to have blazing speed. Someone inform Ozzie before the next draft.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='-Truth-' timestamp='1282232984' post='454204']
I never knew 3-4 DE's were supposed to have blazing speed. Someone inform Ozzie before the next draft.
[/quote]
To be fair some are really fast, like Freeney. But as far as 3-4 DE's none of them are fast I agree.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='ravensfan160' timestamp='1282225682' post='454135']
He had 1.5 sacks. Thats pretty good for the 1st preseason game. Sorry but you deserve to lose rep points with posts like this.
[/quote]
You might be right but did you read the first part, "i don't care". Im gonna be the voice of reason on here sorry. I love this team as much as any one of you but when you start singing praises to a guy to early i have to say something. Neg rep points only matter to me when they are legit. But to neg rep someone that says that his game play was not all that is kinda silly in my opinion, because the fact that he was not all that in the Carolina game is the truth. I thought our DT's had a better game.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='-Truth-' timestamp='1282232984' post='454204']
I never knew 3-4 DE's were supposed to have blazing speed. Someone inform Ozzie before the next draft.
[/quot
There are alot of speeds in between blazing and slow. I don't want him to be blazing fast, but definitely not slow unless he has a mean bull rush, which he does not. Come on fellas "Really" i will def be watching him this game since he had a great three or 4 days of practice and all. Question- can a player really make those kinds of leaps in his play in such lil time.....hmmmm. Come on Harbs..... Really

[lowrider]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1282250507' post='454408']
You might be right but did you read the first part, "i don't care". Im gonna be the voice of reason on here sorry. I love this team as much as any one of you but when you start singing praises to a guy to early i have to say something. Neg rep points only matter to me when they are legit. But to neg rep someone that says that his game play was not all that is kinda silly in my opinion, because the fact that he was not all that in the Carolina game is the truth. I thought our DT's had a better game.
[/quote]
We sing praises to a guy when he plays well. When other players played well and we discussed them on this forum, like Ed Dickson and Cody, I didn't hear you being like woah come on guys, since I am the self proclaimed voice of reason, we can't give these guys any credit for how they played.

Truth is, the majority of us understand that it is just a preseason game and he was running against the twos. But when a player gets 4 tackles and 1.5 sacks in a limited amount of reps in the game, he deserves credit. Regardless of the fact he went up against the twos. They are still NFL players, and he dominated. But I suppose he needs to get 4 sacks in 2 quarters to truly impress the "voice of reason"

[-Truth-]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1282250507' post='454408']
You might be right but did you read the first part, "i don't care". Im gonna be the voice of reason on here sorry. I love this team as much as any one of you but when you start singing praises to a guy to early i have to say something. Neg rep points only matter to me when they are legit. But to neg rep someone that says that his game play was not all that is kinda silly in my opinion, because the fact that he was not all that in the Carolina game is the truth. I thought our DT's had a better game.
[/quote]
You missed every one of his 4 tackles, and were under the impression that he didn't record a single statistic, even with the game stats readily available on several websites. Then when you were informed that he actually had 1 and 1/2 sacks, as opposed to the self-proclaimed 0, you replied that you simply didn't care. Tell me, which of the two actually involve reason? Look, I'm not exactly on the Paul Kruger bandwagon as of yet. But a player who was only active in 9 games during all of last year didn't exactly have a plethora of plays to worth in outside of practice. I'm just confused how an observer could brutally critique a player he was obviously not watching.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='-Truth-' timestamp='1282258945' post='454501']
You missed every one of his 4 tackles, and were under the impression that he didn't record a single statistic, even with the game stats readily available on several websites. Then when you were informed that he actually had 1 and 1/2 sacks, as opposed to the self-proclaimed 0, you replied that you simply didn't care. Tell me, which of the two actually involve reason? Look, I'm not exactly on the Paul Kruger bandwagon as of yet. But a player who was only active in 9 games during all of last year didn't exactly have a plethora of plays to worth in outside of practice. I'm just confused how an observer could brutally critique a player he was obviously not watching.
[/quote]
One of the best responses I've read in recent memory. Love it!! Some people just talk out of the side of their mouth, then when proven wrong, say "I don't care".

Brilliant!!

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='lowrider' timestamp='1282251243' post='454421']
We sing praises to a guy when he plays well. When other players played well and we discussed them on this forum, like Ed Dickson and Cody, I didn't hear you being like woah come on guys, since I am the self proclaimed voice of reason, we can't give these guys any credit for how they played.

Truth is, the majority of us understand that it is just a preseason game and he was running against the twos. But when a player gets 4 tackles and 1.5 sacks in a limited amount of reps in the game, he deserves credit. Regardless of the fact he went up against the twos. They are still NFL players, and he dominated. But I suppose he needs to get 4 sacks in 2 quarters to truly impress the "voice of reason"
[/quote]
wow this post is so well put together i can't even argue but ill try. Here lets try this from a athletes perspective he's not that impressive as of yet. I saw nothing in the game that really stands out. And when i said athletes perspective not saying that yall aren't so please don't take offense. But if you are then you know that he still has a long way to go to be a beast like the topic names him. And yes these are all NfL players even the two's but some of them might not be for long so that point is mute. Again the self proclaimed voice of reason has spoke....lol