Kruger Needs To Go Back To OLB

[flynismo]

Some of you know that I'm a huge Kruger fan -- I thought landing him when we did was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

When our plans to bulk him up and move him to DE became known, I was a little skeptical, but thought 'well maybe..' and took the wait and see approach. If we were running a 4-3, this may have been a pretty good idea; I could see him developing into a Patrick Kerney kinda guy on the line out of a 4-3; but him playing as a 3-4 DE seemed a stretch, even if he packed on 20 lbs of beef.

After watching him intently this year, it's painfully obvious he's a fish out of water. Kruger is a guy that flourishes playing in space. His attributes (pursuit, intelligence, good first step, coverage skills, playing in space) make him ideal to play OLB where he can hunt down RBs, cover TEs and bring pressure off the edge.

What he ISN'T is a guy that can anchor and hold at the point of attack, or push back lineman to open holes for our LBs to make plays.

And now, with the Kindle situation and JJ looking like he's near the end of the road, we could use Kruger's skills more than ever.

If he remains at DE, he will be a bust, another wasted 2nd round pick by the front office. Fortunately, there is still time to salvage his career. We need to make this move now, before it is too late and he falls into a permanent rut of mediocrity.

Kid has all the talent in the world; we just need to start using it properly (seems to be a common theme around here lately, huh?).

[The Raven]

I agree completely!!! It's hard to be a good player when you're being used in the wrong position. I hate when people call him a bust, because Matty just used him in the wrong spot. Like you said, he does better in space. And that is very true. He's an edge rusher, not the guy that takes on double teams. Think the coaches will catch on to this early enough?

[bauer77]

YES! i think that would be a perfect situation for this team if we would switch him back to OLB and he would become some pass-rushing monster.

[Ravens1991]

I thought that moving Kruger to 34 DE was a good move judging his heart and motor. But the thing is this season he didnt weigh enough to play 34 DE at 275 pounds. While he did play 34 OLB his rookie season I was very impressed with coverage juding that he played mostly at 43 DE in Utah I believe. I want to see him at 285-290 if he is playing 34 DE though.

[tweety]

He is a much better pass rusher than redding. Someone needs to replace Corey.

[Ed_Reed20]

Kruger must have not have shown the athleticism to play on the outside in the 3-4 for the coaches to have him transition to the line. That makes me wonder why he was drafted in the 2nd round though, considering he doesn't have the frame to be an effective 3-4 DE.

I have a feeling the team will draft a rush LB whether Kindle is medically cleared or not. They could also draft one of the many talented d-lineman. The roles of Cody and even Arthur Jones should grow next season and Redding is returning as well. With all those factors, I'm really not sure what Kruger's future will be.

[XxSizzleXx]

I'd like to see the Ravens stay the course the Kruger and keep him on the defensive line. While he is athletic I don't think he's fast enough and isn't good enough in space to play outside backer in a 3-4. I also can't see him keeping up in coverage with TE's and RB's. I wouldn't object if it was happening though because of how little depth we have at OLB.

[tweety]

This may be the biggest issue going into next season minus resigning.

We need a solid DE, redding is weak and kruger hasn't shown blatant success either.

[harfordravenfan]

I agree with you 100% fly, kid has the tools, motor, and drive. I say move him to olb and go with a solid de in the draft.

[tweety]

So what would kruger do at OLB?

Pass rush??
Pass coverage??
Run support??

Seems to be below average in all aspects. Kruger would be more of a liability at OLB than part time DE.

[Bltravens]

Like others said, im also skeptical of his athleticism to play 34 OLB, he's weaker than JJ and doesn't play with the same nasty streak JJ plays with, so he won't hold the edge as well as JJ, and JJ is actually one of the better coverage 34 OLBs in the league...if he could just channel his inner Mike Vrabel from 2003-2007 lol. Not only that I don't even really think Kruger is much of a pass rusher, he was a bull rush effort guy in college with almost no counter moves or hand placement ability. That stuff doesn't work in the NFL.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='tweety' timestamp='1296768723' post='631761']
This may be the biggest issue going into next season minus resigning.

We need a solid DE, [b]redding is weak[/b] and kruger hasn't shown blatant success either.
[/quote]

He started off slow but played good football in the second half, and certainly in the play-offs.

[Bltravens]

Another thing to pay attention to in regards to Kruger's overall athleticism is that he ran a 4.8 40 both at the combine and his pro day. Ray's 36 and I think Ray is faster than that. 40 times don't tell the whole story but none of Kruger's measured acceleration,lateral mobility, straight line speed times were even what I'd consider good for a 34 OLB.

Comparing Kruger to Koa Misi who is what I'd call average athletically for 34 OLB.

Misi- 4.75(40), 4.18 (20 shuttle), 6.99 (3 cone)

Kruger- 4.79(40), 4.47(20 shuttle), 7.52(3 cone)

These were their best times in these drills, Kruger weighed 263, Misi 252 so Kruger had 11 pounds on Misi, but as you can see Misi kills Kruger lateral agility, and quick line acceleration.

Edit- Misi's 3 cone time is actually impressive for any LB, but regardless Kruger is a full half a second behind Misi's time also makes you see how slow Kruger is with his first couple of steps.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

I've never really seen a visual contribution from him on the field, but I don't think he's much suited to 3-4 in the NFL period. I think 4-3 DE would be his best position, where he would be in more space where I think he'd be a heck of a lot more effective.

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1296770284' post='631780']
He started off slow but played good football in the second half, and certainly in the play-offs.
[/quote]

Very true. One particular play comes to mind in the playoffs.

[Ngata Chance]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPa4BZMSing&feature=fvsr



I don't know; he isn't too bad a OLB, is he?

[Bltravens]

Even when he filled in for Suggs last year we frequently went to a 4 down lineman formation, Kruger didn't even stand up last year when he was 260. Even on that play you can see how slow he is, dude is trucking like Leron McClain.

[ravenbeast]

honestly he would just be another jj great at run defense but not a good enough pass rusher to compliment suggs. i do think he should see the field a little more though. i just dont think he is the answer to our pass rush problems.

[Ngata Chance]

But he made the read, caught the ball, and ran it back without fumbling or getting stripped. Speed isn't the be all and end all, right? Sure it's nice, but you have to have something upstairs to make that play.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Ngata Chance' timestamp='1296774249' post='631832']
But he made the read, caught the ball, and ran it back without fumbling or getting stripped. Speed isn't the be all and end all, right? Sure it's nice, but you have to have something upstairs to make that play.
[/quote]
Without question, but if you look back a couple posts to some numbers I posted of Kruger, he has neither straight line speed, lateral mobility, or change of direction speed. He has none of the major things "speed" categories in his favor. 34 OLB is an extremely athletic position, and if your not that athletic you better be able to stop the run like JJ does.

[flynismo]

[quote name='tweety' timestamp='1296769821' post='631774']<br />So what would kruger do at OLB?<br /><br />Pass rush??<br />Pass coverage??<br />Run support??<br /><br />Seems to be below average in all aspects. Kruger would be more of a liability at OLB than part time DE.<br />[/quote]

if his performance in Utah is any indication, he is outstanding in coverage both dropping off the line and as a backer. He is probably up there with Elleberbe in his coverage.

His run support is underrated. Great in pursuit, and has a knack for forcing turnovers. He just needs room to work; linemen will swallow him up against the run...he needs those big guys in front of him to free him up so he can make plays.

Conversely, I think he is overrated as a pass rusher. Awesome effort and motor, though.

As for the people who question his athleticism, he is, on his worst day, at least as athletic as JJ.

[Bltravens]

I can agree that Kruger is athletic as JJ, but we're trying to [b]upgrade[/b] that position, not remain at the status quo. Kruger may be under rated in his run support but I don't think he's close to what JJ is at run stopping.

[Bltravens]

FYI I dont want to make it sound like im belittling the kid, I admire his effort and desire, I just think its a tough luck situation for him, he was drafted by a team that can't use his talents. Him at 265-270 would be a godd LE for any 43 team. I just don't see where he fits in our scheme defensively other than nickel DT.

[True]

That's a pretty hard transition. First they are like "we want you to beef up and play DL" and now "we need you to drop weight and become faster" Wold drive the guy insane haha.

He would be a better fit for a 4-3 and the Ravens don't use it enough to warrant him as an every down player. Honestly I'm pretty lost on what he can do. He hasn't really shown much (nor really has gotten the opportunity) to determine what position is best suited for his talents. Have to see what happens in OTAs and the pre-season.

Though every time the Ravens decide to rush 3 they should be like "Wait..let's throw Kruger in there!"

I still believe the Ravens need to draft an OLB. They need a player who can make an immediate impact and help out Suggs.

[flynismo]

I'll prob catch heat for this, but I think Kruger would make a pretty solid ILB. In a 3-4, he wont need pure speed to run sideline to sideline, and it takes advantage of the things he does well. Just a thought...

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1296777844' post='631889']
I'll prob catch heat for this, but I think Kruger would make a pretty solid ILB. In a 3-4, he wont need pure speed to run sideline to sideline, and it takes advantage of the things he does well. Just a thought...
[/quote]

In all honesty I think he would be more successful as an ILB than an OLB. He could pound the LOS and would have more pass rushing technique than any of the other ILB.

[wayne]

Yea, I think when you like someone, you will overdue the positives about them. Kruger really hasn't shown anything to say some of the things that's being said, should have went somewhere else with that draft pick.

[wayne]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1296778132' post='631893']
In all honesty I think he would be more successful as an ILB than an OLB. He could pound the LOS and would have more pass rushing technique than any of the other ILB.
[/quote]
I cringe at the thought of using Kruger anywhere but De or Dt when its an obvious passing down.

[Andrew Glass]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1296774681' post='631836']
if his performance in Utah is any indication, he is outstanding in coverage both dropping off the line and as a backer. He is probably up there with Elleberbe in his coverage.

His run support is underrated. Great in pursuit, and has a knack for forcing turnovers. He just needs room to work; linemen will swallow him up against the run...he needs those big guys in front of him to free him up so he can make plays.

Conversely, I think he is overrated as a pass rusher. Awesome effort and motor, though.

As for the people who question his athleticism, he is, on his worst day, at least as athletic as JJ.
[/quote]

I don't think you can use his production in coverage in the WAC conference as a example IMO. Completely different ballgame in the NFL. He's not bad droping into zones sometimes but staying with guys with his speed/quickness or lack there of is the NFL is a whole different story.

[63bru]

I don't expect it to happen, and I don't know what his trade value is, but Kruger might be worth more to us if we trade him. The fifth or sixth round pick we'd get for him is almost certainly worth more for us than he is. It would be win-win; we get a better value and Kruger gets a chance to shine in a scheme that actually fits his talents. If we're drafting at his position anyway, we might as well get as much as we can from him.

[CapoRocky]

I don't think that Kruger did so poorly last season as a role-player. Certainly, he has never become the starter that they had hoped for when the drafted him, but he has a high energy level off of the bench. I surely wouldn't think of trading him after he has made so much progress. Let's see where he fits in next year's scheme. Kindle will not be back, and unless we draft an impact rookie to replace him, Kruger isn't going anywhere.