Kruger Needs To Go Back To OLB

[flynismo]

5.5 sacks and 2 pass deflections in limited playing, and a sound tackler ... not sure why we need to look for anyone else!
I mean really, he brings everything to the table JJ does, and is an excellent pass rusher as well.

[D-Rey]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1327127391' post='960851']
5.5 sacks and 2 pass deflections in limited playing, and a sound tackler ... not sure why we need to look for anyone else!
I mean really, he brings everything to the table JJ does, and is an excellent pass rusher as well.
[/quote]
I agree 100%. OLB is not a need for us anymore. Kruger has played great, and I think he could compliment Suggs. And if Kindle pans out, thats just a bonus.

[Grapple Raven]

I can't wait to see what McAdoo at DE will do for us next year...has the potential to be great!

[BloodRaven]

I don't see any problems with Kruger starting next season, especially with JJ recently starting to show effects of age.

[Guest RBates]

[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, b[b]ut you have to have something upstairs to make that play.[/b]
[/quote]
Instinct....... That's all. Not alot to that. Whats with this football smarts junk, a zone blitz requires you to be in an area. Read the quarterbacks eyes, and make the play if it comes to you. Not hard.

[KBoum]

I really like what Kruger bring to the table as a pass rusher. But is he ready to become a every down type of player yet ? Can he hold his edge against zone blocking team like the TExans that try to run stretch plays ? I don't know, I remember last week when the RAvens played the Texans i was screaming at JJ. He was just getting abused on his edge. He got pancaked on the TD and some others plays.

With Suggs bringing pressure on the outside and now Kruger, what we really lacked was the inside push. But I really think McPhee will change that next year.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1327127391' post='960851']
5.5 sacks and 2 pass deflections in limited playing, and a sound tackler ... not sure why we need to look for anyone else!
I mean really, he brings everything to the table JJ does, and is an[b] excellent pass rusher [/b]as well.
[/quote]
To strong.......good not excellent.

[sozo91]

This guy is a hybrid. Keep him as one. I wouldn't mold him to something he's not.

[Jamal]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1327127391' post='960851']
5.5 sacks and 2 pass deflections in limited playing, and a sound tackler ... not sure why we need to look for anyone else!
I mean really, he brings everything to the table JJ does, and is an excellent pass rusher as well.
[/quote]
But nobody knows if Kruger can stay as explosive when hes playing all 3 downs.

And calling him an excellent pass-rusher is overrating him a little bit.

[The Raven]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1327155972' post='960946']
To strong.......good not excellent.
[/quote]

5.5 sacks in limited time, most players don't do that as starters.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1327159499' post='961006']
But nobody knows if Kruger can stay as explosive when hes playing all 3 downs.

And calling him an excellent pass-rusher is overrating him a little bit.
[/quote]

He seemed explosive in the PS where he got extensive time. You can say "wah wah that was just the PS wah wah" but, its not like that makes him exert less energy. He stayed explosive whil eplaying every snap, and he dominated.

5.5 sacks in limited time? Like I said, most starters can't even do that. I'd say thats excellent.

[Jamal]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1327159799' post='961018']

He seemed explosive in the PS where he got extensive time. You can say "wah wah that was just the PS wah wah" but, its not like that makes him exert less energy. He stayed explosive whil eplaying every snap, and he dominated.

5.5 sacks in limited time? Like I said, most starters can't even do that. I'd say thats excellent.
[/quote]
Than where has he been the last 3-4 weeks?

We definitely could have used him, since Suggs, and Ngata are getting all the attention.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1327160470' post='961028']
Than where has he been the last 3-4 weeks?

We definitely could have used him, since Suggs, and Ngata are getting all the attention.
[/quote]

I haven't seen him on the field as much as he was the first 10 weeks. He's gotten a little less playtime. At least from what I can tell. And don't say Suggs and Ngata are getting all the attention. I see Suggs [b]1 on 1[/b] with the tackle most of the time lately.

[Jamal]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1327160662' post='961033']

I haven't seen him on the field as much as he was the first 10 weeks. He's gotten a little less playtime. At least from what I can tell. And don't say Suggs and Ngata are getting all the attention. I see Suggs [b]1 on 1[/b] with the tackle most of the time lately.
[/quote]
Other than San Diego, thats only happened when he was up against an elite tackle.

Kruger might be good enough to start on a lot teams, but not in Baltimore. I'm sorry, but the expectations are much higher here defensively. I'm fine with him being named the starter next year once JJ leaves, but I'd like to have a back-up plan via draft or FA in case he doesn't work out.

Right now hes only a 1 hit wonder(until he proves otherwise next year). Much like Carr was last year.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1327161052' post='961038']
Other than San Diego, thats only happened when he was up against an elite tackle.

Kruger might be good enough to start on a lot teams, but not in Baltimore. I'm sorry, but the expectations are much higher here defensively. I'm fine with him being named the starter next year once JJ leaves, but I'd like to have a back-up plan via draft or FA in case he doesn't work out.

Right now hes only a 1 hit wonder(until he proves otherwise next year). [s]Much like Carr was last year.[/s]
[/quote]

A backup plan is a good idea. Kruger is a lot more athletic than JJ, is better rushing the passer, and better in coverage. I'm hoping Kindle can recover though. If he could become what he was at Texas he could be a very special player. I think we draft an OLB/DE in the midrounds of the draft as a backup plan.

[Purple Punishment]

If Mattison was still here, Kruger, McPhee, and Art Jones probably wouldn't be on the field this season. Pagano brought this defense back to what it should be. Let the boys run wild. Pagano proved to Mattison that running the Ravens defense is no country for old men

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1327161052' post='961038']

Other than San Diego, thats only happened when he was up against an elite tackle.

Kruger might be good enough to start on a lot teams, but not in Baltimore. I'm sorry, but the expectations are much higher here defensively. I'm fine with him being named the starter next year once JJ leaves, but I'd like to have a back-up plan via draft or FA in case he doesn't work out.

Right now hes only a 1 hit wonder(until he proves otherwise next year). Much like Carr was last year.
[/quote]

With respect to Paul Kruger, he gained 20lbs of muscle to be a DE which wasn't natural to him. The position or the weight really weren't.

It takes time to adjust with that much weight on you. He surely had to learn how to move again like a football player. That shows willingness, drive and determination to succeed.

[flynismo]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1327161249' post='961041']

A backup plan is a good idea. Kruger is a lot more athletic than JJ, is better rushing the passer, and better in coverage. I'm hoping Kindle can recover though. If he could become what he was at Texas he could be a very special player. I think we draft an OLB/DE in the midrounds of the draft as a backup plan.
[/quote]


As good as I think Kruger can become, a healthy Kindle would be our answer to James Harrison in his prime.

[The Raven]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1327169362' post='961191']


As good as I think Kruger can become, a healthy Kindle would be our answer to James Harrison in his prime.
[/quote]

That's actually a great comparison to what Kindle can be. They have a somewhat similar build and style too.

[Jamal]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1327169362' post='961191']


As good as I think Kruger can become, [b]a healthy Kindle would be our answer to James Harrison in his prime.[/b]
[/quote]
Well at least your expectations aren't too high. [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/laugh.png[/img]

[Bltravens]

Ehhh, Im as high on Kindle as anyone else on this board but he doesn't possess James Harrison's raw power and strength. When I was watching Kindle at Texas I saw some Peter Boulware in him in the way he played, a leaner a pass rusher who relied on his burst off the line to get around Tackles before they could set the edge.

[hawkprey]

If Kruger can set the edge he will be the starter. Luckily he gets to learn from JJ. Now what we really need is for Art Jones to become a force next to him. Then our 5-man rush will be incredible.

Also note that Kruger, McPhee, Ngata, and Sizzle makes one hell of a front four.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1327169673' post='961198']
Well at least your expectations aren't too high. [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/laugh.png[/img]
[/quote]

A guy that talented? I'd be very confident in Kindle emerging as a premiere player.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1327169809' post='961199']
Ehhh, Im as high on Kindle as anyone else on this board but he doesn't possess James Harrison's raw power and strength. When I was watching Kindle at Texas I saw some Peter Boulware in him in the way he played, a leaner a pass rusher who relied on his burst off the line to get around Tackles before they could set the edge.
[/quote]

I saw Kindle push guys on their rears quite a few times; I dont think he has Harrison's power, but he is no finesse player by any means.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1327170182' post='961205']

I saw Kindle push guys on their rears quite a few times; I dont think he has Harrison's power, but he is no finesse player by any means.
[/quote]
I never meant it to come across as though Kindle was finesse, he's a violent tackler and never shied away from contact. Harrison just has unrivaled power and physicality at the OLB position, I'd say the only one close is Suggs.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1327170182' post='961205']

I saw Kindle push guys on their rears quite a few times; I dont think he has Harrison's power, but he is no finesse player by any means.
[/quote]

He's jacked, but his arms are almost bigger than his legs now.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1327170528' post='961209']
I never meant it to come across as though Kindle was finesse, he's a violent tackler and never shied away from contact. Harrison just has unrivaled power and physicality at the OLB position, [b]I'd say the only one close is Suggs.[/b]
[/quote]

Really? I've never really thought of him as a real powerful, physical player. The fact that he can't beat big tackles says that he's not.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1327179996' post='961369']

Really? I've never really thought of him as a real powerful, physical player. The fact that he can't beat big tackles says that he's not.
[/quote]
Suggs is extremely physical against the run and holds the edge as good as any OLB in the entire league. With the pass rush he does struggle at times and his motor seems to be hit or miss when we play mediocre teams. Harrison is the only OLB in the league that does everything with a physical edge on every play I think, most OLB's are hit or miss in some phase. There is absolutely zero finesse in any part of his game, also might explain why he's such a psycho.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1327180357' post='961373']
Suggs is extremely physical against the run and holds the edge as good as any OLB in the entire league. With the pass rush he does struggle at times and his motor seems to be hit or miss when we play mediocre teams. Harrison is the only OLB in the league that does everything with a physical edge on every play I think, most OLB's are hit or miss in some phase. There is absolutely zero finesse in any part of his game, also might explain why he's such a psycho.
[/quote]

Thats a fair assessment. Agreed on all counts.

[BloodRaven]

Suggs doesn't blow up people in the open like that because he doesn't want to hurt his team and get suspended. Any idiot can ram their helmet in to a defenseless ball carrier who can't see them.