McPhee Or Kruger...... Who Earns Future Start First?

[jdynamite]

I have been thinking which player I like more, I think McPhee gets a slight edge because of his unexpected success, while Kruger battle prospects of either breaking out or becoming a 3rd yr bust.... Pagano has got us some young studs in development. So with that said... Who would you rather see become a starter on the D-Line first.....?
Basically I'm saying which player will take Cory Redding position ( my preference ) maybe as soon as next season...

Although A.Jones hasn't gotten the sacks, he also looks good during games so feel free to comment on him as well.

[jdynamite]

If a similar topic has already been posted then I'm sorry didn't see it.

But every time I see these guys they impress me more than Redding.

[The Raven]

Well, considering Redding's and JJ's contract are up this season, they both might start next year.

[Dudeman]

I'm leaning on Mcpheenom if I had to pick one, but I like them both. Kruger is starting to show some versatility, but there is something to be said for the way Mcphee plays.

[Bltravens]

Kruger is an OLB now, so the two wouldnt be competing for Redding's job anyways.

[PurpleCorsair]

Yes, but I think the question is who gets a starting nod first regardless of position?

[CalvinSmoke]

Redding could possibly get the Derrick Mason treatment, but i don't see JJ not staying around. I'd be completely disgusted if he became a Jet, I mean seriously. I still miss Jim Lenard.

[jdynamite]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1320885155' post='862283']
Kruger is an OLB now, so the two wouldnt be competing for Redding's job anyways.
[/quote]

In reality he isn't an OLB. He rarely drops into coverage. When Kruger is in he's in a 3pt stance.... With JJ lined up behind him.

Ravens defense isn't hand-cuffed by positional titles like other in the league. Especially since Mattison is gone.... Kruger lines up at both positions at times sure. He is by no means just a OLB.

[jdynamite]

[quote name='CalvinSmoke' timestamp='1320893402' post='862433']
Redding could possibly get the Derrick Mason treatment, but i don't see JJ not staying around. I'd be completely disgusted if he became a Jet, I mean seriously. I still miss Jim Lenard.
[/quote]

That would be the destination given his relationship with Rex Ryan. Lol

Although that wouldn't help the Jets lack of a pass rush...

[RoflDogs]

[quote name='jdynamite' timestamp='1320893988' post='862453']
In reality he isn't an OLB. He rarely drops into coverage. When Kruger is in he's in a 3pt stance.... With JJ lined up behind him.

Ravens defense isn't hand-cuffed by positional titles like other in the league. Especially since Mattison is gone.... Kruger lines up at both positions at times sure. He is by no means just a OLB.
[/quote]
Kruger does drop into coverage often though

[jdynamite]

[quote name='PurpleCorsair' timestamp='1320886543' post='862303']
Yes, but I think the question is who gets a starting nod first regardless of position?
[/quote]

U r correct.... And I think it's funny that someone was so quick to say he is OLB as if he never lines up down front. I guess Ngata is strictly a DE now that Cody lines up at NT.... Lol

Kruger doesn't have a set position yet. Although he has gained and lost weight at times to play both positions but again that was a totally different co-ordinator that lacked creativity to find ways to play a young player and utilize them correctly.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='jdynamite' timestamp='1320893988' post='862453']
In reality he isn't an OLB. He rarely drops into coverage. When Kruger is in he's in a 3pt stance.... With JJ lined up behind him.

Ravens defense isn't hand-cuffed by positional titles like other in the league. Especially since Mattison is gone.... Kruger lines up at both positions at times sure. He is by no means just a OLB.
[/quote]
Ive seen him drop into coverage quite abit considering the amount of snaps he plays. Also take into account we do the same thing with Suggs that we do with Kruger in our nickel packages when he comes in, its as a down lineman. If JJ was hurt, Kruger would be playing LOLB.

[Militant X 1]

i like both of these cats

~Mili

[BloodRaven]

Kruger should be first in line, I don't want him to walk because of lack of playing time.

[The Raven]

[quote name='jdynamite' timestamp='1320894454' post='862472']
U r correct.... And I think it's funny that someone was so quick to say he is OLB as if he never lines up down front. I guess Ngata is strictly a DE now that Cody lines up at NT.... Lol

Kruger doesn't have a set position yet. Although he has gained and lost weight at times to play both positions but again that was a totally different co-ordinator that lacked creativity to find ways to play a young player and utilize them correctly.
[/quote]
Well typically, 3-4 OLBs play as downlineman or as stand up DEs in passing situations. Theyre still OLBs. Following your logic, Matthews, Harrison, Woodley, Ware, Hali, etc are all DEs.

I think he's pretty set right now. He has done very well at OLB, and not just a rushing. He's improved in coverage and in run stopping.

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1320894912' post='862483']
Ive seen him drop into coverage quite abit considering the amount of snaps he plays. Also take into account we do the same thing with Suggs that we do with Kruger in our nickel packages when he comes in, its as a down lineman. If JJ was hurt, Kruger would be playing LOLB.
[/quote]

Not only does he drop into coverage at times, he's good at it too!!! He's really surprised me with his coverage.

[jdynamite]

3/4 edge rusher has evolved into hybrid DE/OLB The label of a single position comes from purposes of reporting a dept chart or contract disbute. Remember how Suggs argued he was a DE and not an OLB because he wanted the bigger franchise Tag a few yrs ago and then he argued the number of snaps he played with his hand in ground vs standing up as a Traditional LB.....
And by all accounts some of those guys shouldn't be called LBs because they don't do all aspects of LB. I really like Demarcus ware but he doesn't use his ability to cover Rbs or TEs ever....
Basically a lot guys aren't as capable of playing DE at Jason Taylor's size these days......

Fact is Kruger has been tried at both LB and DE. He drops in coverage sure but I've seen Ngata drop into coverage a lot this yr some times we run those schemes to throw offenses off lol.

The steelers 3/4 scheme is more aggressive than most so there OLBs are primarily there to rush 90% of time....

Clay Matthews may have exploded as an edge rusher in the nfl but he is a complete linebacker that can do it all.

[jdynamite]

Tamba Hali was a DE. A struggling DE also. Even with Jared Allen playing opposite of him for 2 yrs Hali poor technique did him no favors...
Now as OLB he has looked much much better....

[jdynamite]

Once again regardless of Position since that has taken over.

Who will earn a future start first.......

[Radinho84]

mcphee will compete aginst redding and jones for the starting spot. kruger against JJ. i think kruger could become what JJ is and was for us for so many years: the most underrated player in the nfl that does a very good job for our defense.

mcphee has more superstar-potential in my eyes...

[indianstick]

I don't think we will resign redding or jj next year but McPhee n Arthur jones will go for redding's spot n McPhee will probably win it..and Krueger will probably win jj's spot

They both have been playing great this year but I think Krueger earns the start first, he has been itching to get on the field and gained weight when they asked him to which didn't work out. Now he's worked hard to get back to his original weight n his explosion shows it.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='jdynamite' timestamp='1320932180' post='862684']
Tamba Hali was a DE. A struggling DE also. Even with Jared Allen playing opposite of him for 2 yrs Hali poor technique did him no favors...
Now as OLB he has looked much much better....
[/quote]

Hali is an OLB, but he rushes the passer a good amount of the time and he usually has his hands in the dirt too.