[Blogs] ‘Freakish’ Dunlap Racking Up Sacks

[BR News]

The Ravens will face a huge challenge in Bengals rookie defensive end Carlos Dunlap, but good thing there is an authority on the young player already in the building.

Ravens Defensive Coordinator Greg Mattison recruited and coached Dunlap when both were at the University of Florida, and he’s not surprised Cincinnati’s leading pass rusher is having the success he is.

“He was one of those guys that would make you pull your hair out. He had freakish athletic ability, he’s a tremendous kid with great character, but there were times when he just wouldn’t go. You’d say, ‘OK, he’ll figure it out.’

“I remember one time, I had [current Jaguars defensive end] Derrick Harvey, who was also a D-end at Florida. I told Derrick we needed to get Carlos to play, and he told me, ‘Coach, I don’t know what’s going on with him.’  And then, the next game, he’d get three sacks.”

Dunlap is leading a resurgent pass rush for the Bengals.

Cincinnati had only six sacks in the first seven weeks of the season, but posted 17 more over the last eight weeks.

Dunlap, a second-round pick, owns eight of those sacks, including seven in the last five games.

During his stint as a coordinator for Florida, Mattison said Dunlap showed glimmers of talent in college.  Dunlap played in 13 games and notched seven sacks as a freshman under Mattison.   He later matured into an All-SEC selection.

“For Carlos, it was a question of when – not if – the light would turn on,” said Mattison.  “He was a younger guy for his class, and I think he’s grown into the player you see today.

“When we recruited him, he was a kick returner for his high school team at 6-6 and 225 pounds when he came in.  It was amazing.  He can run like crazy.  I remember watching his high school film and just saying, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’”

For the Ravens, it will fall on tackles Michael Oher and Marshal Yanda to stop a red-hot Dunlap in passing situations.

Oher actually allowed Dunlap to register a half-sack in a 2008 meeting, when Oher was starring at Ole Miss.

“He’s a good player,” said Oher.  “He’s having a good season.  That was a long time ago, so we’ll have a good battle on Sunday.”

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/12/31/freakish-dunlap-racking-up-sacks/]View the full article[/url]

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

he's gonna be flatten into a sandwich by Oher and Yanda... lol

[loverj86]

he's what we hoped kindle would be for us but pay attention kingserg's story isn't over yet.

[DevilsLuck]

well Oher better hope he can hold his guy this time. Go Ravens!!!

[ThRaShMeTaLRaVeN]

Careful on telling Oher to hold this guy this time... lol Especially when the guy leads the team in penalties. Oops, did I just call out everyone's favorite left takle? Everyone pray that the Gator monster dosen't eat Joe Cool up this week

[touchdownwins]

Sunday we can "unleash" our new n improved scrambling QB..Joe Cool can be our 4th running back to keep these guys guessing.Everytime Joe scrambles for yards he gets pumped up n scores..Mobile Joe will change the way they rush him..another edge to win this one..Ravens 37..Bengals 13..bada-bing!

[scrock]

Dumlap will be taken to school by The Ravens o-line this coming Sunday

[The King]

Everyone knew going into the draft that he has fantastic athletic ability and great potential. The thing that held him back was that everyone also knew he was a slacker. He's having a really good year, but whether he'll go all out if he gets shut down at the beginning will be interesting to see, and that will be the key to taking him out. Discourage him early on.

[bcurrie]

I guess we kind of missed on taking Kindle over Dunlap! I was all about the Ravens draft class but the Bengals rookies (Shipley, Gresham, and Dunlap) all had huge seasons. The funny thing is all three of these guys were predicted on our draft boards at different times. We can only hope that Kindle can sober up and Cody can keep developing,

[coreyadams]

Our O-ine is going to push the Bengals back all game.

[UpSiEcRk52]

@ThRaShMeTaLRaVeN.... Really dude? Lol.

[touchdownwins]

I have complete confidence in our O line now..we've gotten better as the year went on..sure Joe will get smacked a couple times but the proof is in the pudding..our quarterback is healthy n putting up decent numbers for a primarily running team..the replacements for the starting injured were the next man up n got the job now..it took a little shuffling around but we're there now..without a good front line we wouldn't be where we are now..hat's off to the big n beefy guys upfront..

[BoominRaven]

honestly... this is the guy we shoulda taken with the 25th pick.

[ravenomics]

Hey folks, don't give up on Sergio just yet. I have faith that he'll play next year and do the things he was supposed to do this season.