72 replies to this topic

[Ravenz52]

If J. Johnson were to leave us this year, would you feel comfortable starting Kruger opposite of Sizzle? Why or why not?

Edited by Ravenz52, 02 February 2012 - 08:01 PM.

[BabydollFlacco5]

Not sure really, I think JJ sets the edge really good but Kruger is a better pass rusher. we invested a high draft pick in kruger and spent alot of time delveloping him, I think it may be time for us to go with him.

[SideStep77]

Sadly I see JJ going to the Colts so we have Kruger which I still think would be good for us.

[BloodRaven]

It's a passing league, so even if Kruger cant handle run duties as well as JJ he becomes immediately becomes more valuable to the team due to his pass rushing.

[Bltravens]

We need to do something about our pass rush on non obvious passing downs. Its no secret that like 85% of our sacks came on 3rd downs. We need some pressure on 1st and 2nd down.

[The Raven]

Kruger. Simple.

I know people love JJ, and I do as well, but he's over 30, can't pass rush, and is relatively limited athletically.

Kruger is younger, can pass rush, and is, at least, more athletic than JJ.

[PurpleReign92]

I don't think we can part ways with Johnson he knows the game and he knows it well... He will be a good coach someday and we should always keep smart minded players around to develop talent like the Krugars and Kindles of this world...

[GrimCoconut]

I want JJ to stay, but I feel like it's time to let go. It's the worst feeling, really. I really like him a lot. He's one of my favorite players. He's very unappreciated outside of Baltimore. We'll see what Ozzie thinks. I would hate to be Ozzie right now. This is a tough decision to make.

[Alexir]

Ravenz52, on 02 February 2012 - 08:00 PM, said:

If J. Johnson were to leave us this year, would you feel comfortable starting Kruger opposite of Sizzle? Why or why not?

No. He has one Spin move and thats it. We need a better talent than that to get a pass rush going.

[gabefergy]

Alexir, on 02 February 2012 - 09:51 PM, said:

No. He has one Spin move and thats it. We need a better talent than that to get a pass rush going.

Kruger is not the sole answer for the pass-rush, but he is certainly an upgrade over JJ in that aspect. Why the perpetual negativity?

[Bltravens]

Alexir, on 02 February 2012 - 09:51 PM, said:

No. He has one Spin move and thats it. We need a better talent than that to get a pass rush going.

Actually Kruger has a really good power slap-rip move. Its what he got the majority of his sacks on this year.

[Purple Punishment]

JJ to the Colts? Don't they run a 4-3?

[Alexir]

gabefergy, on 02 February 2012 - 10:07 PM, said:

Kruger is not the sole answer for the pass-rush, but he is certainly an upgrade over JJ in that aspect. Why the perpetual negativity?

No perpetual negativity.

Just saying I don't feel like he is an every down guy. Solid back up but I would like to get better at that position via draft.

Pernell McPhee will be starting next year, and you have to be excited about that front 3.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

JJ has been valuable to us but his limited ability in getting to the QB is the main reason he should be let go. If we let JJ go, we need to bring in another pass rusher because I also don't see Kruger as an every down OLB and we would have nothing behind him but the uncertainty in Kindle.

Personally believe we should be taking a pass rusher early in the draft.

Edited by EnVy_CaLiBeR, 02 February 2012 - 10:26 PM.

[GrimCoconut]

EnVy_CaLiBeR, on 02 February 2012 - 10:21 PM, said:

JJ has been valuable to us but his limited ability in getting to the QB is the main reason he should be let go. If we let JJ go, we need to bring in another pass rusher because I don't see Kruger as an every down OLB and we have nothing behind him but the uncertainty in Kindle.

Personally believe we should be taking a pass rusher early in the draft.

Agreed! There's room on the Ronnell Lewis bandwagon.

As for whether Kruger can be an every down OLB, we don't know. So far he hasn't proven it because he hasn't been on the field enough to do it. With JJ gone, it would be the time to find out whether he can do it. This is the final year of his contract, so we have to find out if Kruger is worth keeping or not. What if we don't find out and he goes to another team and tears it up? That's what Biscotti was talking about when he said that we need to give our young talent a try.

Edited by GrimCoconut, 02 February 2012 - 10:28 PM.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

GrimCoconut, on 02 February 2012 - 10:24 PM, said:

Agreed! There's room on the Ronnell Lewis bandwagon.

As for whether Kruger can be an every down OLB, we don't know. So far he hasn't proven it because he hasn't been on the field enough to do it. With JJ gone, it would be the time to find out whether he can do it. This is the final year of his contract, so we have to find out if Kruger is worth keeping or not. What if we don't find out and he goes to another team and tears it up? That's what Biscotti was talking about when he said that we need to give our young talent a try.

True. I would at least give him some competition from another young talent. No offense to Kindle but there's too much uncertainty surrounding him.

[Ravenseconbeast]

JJ is a complete tackle machine when it comes to rush defense. I think he is one of the main reason why our rush D' has been so good for so long.

That being said, he is expensive. He is getting up there in age, and he doesn't necessary command any respect when it comes to pass D'

Kruger definately is no where near in par in terms of tackling in rush scheme. But he is improving. He presents better pressure on QB, but again, he isn't much of a presense in either pass D'/rush D.

We will be on a tight salary cap after signing RR/L.Webb/Grubbs/J.Flacco. Unfortunately, I see JJ leaving and Kruger trying to fill in the role JJ has had for a long time.

Edited by Ravenseconbeast, 02 February 2012 - 10:51 PM.

[jdynamite]

JJ has been a nice and reliable player, he's always played the run very well, but I am not in favor of bringing him back. Will Kruger be as good as him against the run ( no of course not early on ) but next season I'm anxious to see Kruger with an offseason of training with the starters and Kindle with a full yr under his belt from the injury. Perhaps a free agent pick up or draft pick could also add depth.

Over the last few games Kruger was seeing extensive action to provide ( potential pass rush, quickness on the edge ) teams attacked JJ with passes just like they did R.Lewis.

[jdynamite]

When I think about the whole JJ situation it makes me think of last 2 years... How people were upset when T.Pryce ( good veteran player that played his role well run-stuffer and occasional sacks ) or last season with Mason, Heap, Gregg. ( not many people seemed to mind McGahee ). Bottomline is sometimes fans want to hold on to players too long.....

[GrimCoconut]

jdynamite, on 02 February 2012 - 11:05 PM, said:

When I think about the whole JJ situation it makes me think of last 2 years... How people were upset when T.Pryce ( good veteran player that played his role well run-stuffer and occasional sacks ) or last season with Mason, Heap, Gregg. ( not many people seemed to mind McGahee ). Bottomline is sometimes fans want to hold on to players too long.....

True, but that's what makes us fans. It's like your emotionally attached to some of them. I also just love listening to I95 in the morning on 98 Rock. That's one of my favorite things, man. What will I hear now? I99? It's just not the same. JJ's a great guy, too. Not one of those people who cause drama and stuff. He's just a blue-collar guy and I love him for it. It's a shame he never developed better with the pass rush. If he did or even improved in it somewhat, he would be guaranteed to be back. I wanted him to win a Super Bowl with us. I think that's what makes it worse. If we won the Super Bowl this year, I wouldn't mind him leaving. He might have even retired.

He might still come back, so we don't know yet.

Edited by GrimCoconut, 02 February 2012 - 11:14 PM.