Linebackers

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

If I remember right he was the fastest MLB to run the 40 until Urlacher beat him.

[BloodRaven]

Ray was ridiculously fast when it came to reaction speed and quickness, but he's said on multiple occasions that he's never been the biggest, strongest or fastest MLB.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1310604849' post='707371']
Ray was ridiculously fast when it came to reaction speed and quickness, but he's said on multiple occasions that he's never been the biggest, strongest or fastest MLB.
[/quote]

True. Still, the guy was pretty fast. The first play in [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v51cna3vfwg"][u]this video[/u][/url] is prime example.

[wayne]

Yea, I seriously doubt if Ray was the fastest ILB coming out the 96 draft but I know its not far fetched either.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='wayne' timestamp='1310674069' post='707696']
Yea, I seriously doubt if Ray was the fastest ILB coming out the 96 draft but I know its not far fetched either.
[/quote]
In terms of pure speed I doubt it, but his reaction combined with the crazy athleticism he had in his prime sure made him seem faster than any HB we ever faced up against thats forsure.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1310674950' post='707703']
In terms of pure speed I doubt it, but his reaction combined with the crazy athleticism he had in his prime sure made him seem faster than any HB we ever faced up against thats forsure.
[/quote]

Yea Ray is one of those type guys who doesn't run fast but is always around the ball. His anticipation and reactions are above pretty everyone else on the field.

Ray is that kind of guy who plays faster then his timed speed and because he sees things quicker then everyone else it helps him tremendously.

From a pure speed stand point, guys like Gooden and AD would probably beat Ray in a race. But if Sports Science did a feature with all three of them, I'm willing to bet that Ray would be the slower of the 3 but would get to the predetermined spot quicker then either guy.

[jdynamite]

I'm hoping gooden gets the chance to line up more on the outside and use his speed for blitzes and covering the backs in the flats... ( like in the Saints game last season)... Gooden constant battle with injuries just makes me believe even more he shouldn't be in the middle taking on blockers head on....

J.J. is still dependable.. he didn't get 5 sacks like the previous years however...

If Kindle can contribute it would be wonderful for him to be pass rush specialist....

I would like Ellerbe to get the most snaps next to Ray in the middle

[CapoRocky]

We need to bring in a FA talent that can put pressure on the opponent's QB.

[jdynamite]

I thought barnes was going to come on as a rusher last yr then we traded him... So you just never know

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1310688154' post='707819']
We need to bring in a FA talent that can put pressure on the opponent's QB.
[/quote]

somebody like who? It's not that easy to say we need to bring someone in, because it's not that many quality people out there.

Edwards and Jenkins seem to be the biggest names, but their price will probably be way more then the Ravens can afford to pay.

So the Ravens might just have to rely a potentially improved secondary, two unknowns in Kindle and McClellan, a aggressive DC, and a slimmed down Ngata, to provide the pressure on QBs this year.

[edreedfromtheu]

[quote name='deathbird52' timestamp='1310182169' post='705198']
Over the years we have always had exceptional play from our LBs. We know what Ray and Sizzle will do but what about the others? Who do you see blitzing more and who will dropping back in coverage? What are your thoughts on our young LBs, undrafted rookies, and any potenial FAs we may pick up.
[/quote]

Ummnm... it really depends on what team the Ravens are playing.

He will not be sending many linebackers on the blitz against Peyton Manning. He will probably(or at least should, in my opinion) send them a whole lot against Roethlisberger, and whoever the QBs are for the Ravens divisional match-ups.

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1310182805' post='705203']
If Kindle can return successfully, I think he'll be used much like Suggs was during his rookie season. I'm hoping Gooden is sent on more blitzes(assuming he can stay healthy).
[/quote]

Gooden only has one sack in college and 0 in the NFl. I wouldn't call him a great blitzer.

Kindle however may be able to learn a little faster.

Kindle was actaully OLB in a 4-3 then DE in a 4-3 where as suggs only played DE. So maybe mid season he can start dropping into coverage and by the playoffs may start.

But for the first 6-8 games definitely 3rd down pass rush.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='izvoodoo' timestamp='1310733511' post='707949']
[b]Gooden only has one sack in college and 0 in the NFl. I wouldn't call him a great blitzer.[/b]

Kindle however may be able to learn a little faster.

Kindle was actaully OLB in a 4-3 then DE in a 4-3 where as suggs only played DE. So maybe mid season he can start dropping into coverage and by the playoffs may start.

But for the first 6-8 games definitely 3rd down pass rush.
[/quote]

Where in my post did I say Gooden was a "great" at blitzing?

I remember him getting some decent pressure a few times against the Texans and Saints. He's obviously got the speed, so sending him on more blitzes makes sense.

[BloodRaven]

You need more than speed to be a good blitzer

[blitzking33]

I miss Barnes.

[deathbird52]

[quote name='blitzking33' timestamp='1310871809' post='708556']
I miss Barnes.
[/quote]

Same here. He was a good young player.

[jdynamite]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1310789707' post='708340']
Where in my post did I say Gooden was a "great" at blitzing?

I remember him getting some decent pressure a few times against the Texans and Saints. He's obviously got the speed, so sending him on more blitzes makes sense.
[/quote]


I agree with you that Gooden's speed should be utilized more on outside blitzes (like in the Saints game) inside blitzes are hard to get sacks on....
So the other comment about his College and NFL sack count are skewed considering how often Gooden drops in coverage because his speed allowed him to cover ground quickly... Plus he has been injured too often...

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

Gooden is great..... at holding down the top spot on our injury report.

[flynismo]

And good at sucking.

[flynismo]

[quote name='blitzking33' timestamp='1310871809' post='708556']<br />I miss Barnes.<br />[/quote]


why? He never did anything for us to miss him.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1310951522' post='708773']
why? He never did anything for us to miss him.
[/quote]

He brought more pressure than J.J.

[PurpleReign92]

I think Chuck will do the same thing as Mattison that is to have Ray Lewis as the center piece of this defense.
Then positioning Ed Reed behind him and Ngata in-front then having other players in this puzzle of a defense...

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1310955579' post='708808']
He brought more pressure than J.J.
[/quote]

AS true as that is i take JJ all day, just because he is more well rounded and to be honest barnes can't hold a candle to the overall production we get out of JJ.

Maybe it is my disdain for exclusively situational player's though. They are like closer's in baseball all they are is a glorified relief pitcher.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ArmyRaven52' timestamp='1310957398' post='708822']
AS true as that is i take JJ all day, just because he is more well rounded and to be honest barnes can't hold a candle to the overall production we get out of JJ.

Maybe it is my disdain for exclusively situational player's though. They are like closer's in baseball all they are is a glorified relief pitcher.
[/quote]

I'd take J.J. over Barnes as well. I was just pointing out that he excels in an area the D has struggled at for a while.

Situational players can key if they're good enough at what they do well. The coaches had some legitimate reasons for letting Barnes go, but not having a pass rusher like him obviously hurt.

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='PurpleReign92' timestamp='1310955750' post='708809']
I think Chuck will do the same thing as Mattison that is to have Ray Lewis as the center piece of this defense.
Then positioning Ed Reed behind him and Ngata in-front then having other players in the puzzle of a defense...
[/quote]

Got it all figured out eh? That is their location on the field on a typical sunday....

[deathbird52]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1310951522' post='708773']
why? He never did anything for us to miss him.
[/quote]

He sacked Brady and Big Ben. I miss anyone who can drop Ben without help.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='deathbird52' timestamp='1311035965' post='709319']
He sacked Brady and Big Ben. [b]I miss anyone who can drop Ben without help.[/b]
[/quote]

Do you miss Corey Ivy?

[img]http://images.usatoday.com/sports/football/_photos/2006-11-29-ivy.jpg[/img]

[flynismo]

[quote name='deathbird52' timestamp='1311035965' post='709319']
He sacked Brady and Big Ben. I miss anyone who can drop Ben without help.
[/quote]

haha, fair enough...

[PurpleReign92]

Suggs>JJ>Barnes...

I think that is how it goes!!!!

Does Suggs play on the right or Left Side?
That makes a huge difference on OLB performance because 1 of these guys is going up against a Left Tackle every Sunday...