Quote By Donta Hightower

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1330611306' post='1008158']

I'm not sure Lewis will still be available in the late second though. I'm not against Konz in the first but and there are few intriguing 3-4 ILBs to be had in the mid-rounds, but Hightower is too appealing.

On a related note, with Birk coming back, I wonder if Konz could play LG and then slide to center in 2013 when Matt probably retires...
[/quote]

Good point. My real hope is that the Ravens trade back and make a few moves in free agency (see my sig - Meachem isn't even making 2 million this season, so I think we could afford to raise his pay and have it still be reasonable), but I will elaborate more when I post my own mock draft (in the draft section, of course).

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1330611677' post='1008162']
When Ellerbe stepped in he did a solid job and there wasn't any noticeable dropoff. Things are different to when Ray ruled the NFL, it's a passing league and we need a 1st round middle linebacker who can't cover about as much as we need Brett Favre.
[/quote]

Ellerbe's provides great depth but I don't trust him as a starter. Hightower can get after QB, which is just as important in today's NFL.

[ravensfan160]

I would love to get Hightower. The thing I love about him is his versatility. He can play inside or outside in our system plus they said he was the QB of the Alabama defense which means he has leadership abilities.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' timestamp='1330569726' post='1007912']
Hightower won't make it past Pittsburgh IMO
[/quote]

The Steelers might take Konz as a guard instead of taking Hightower.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1330612192' post='1008166']

Ellerbe's provides great depth but I don't trust him as a starter. Hightower can get after QB, which is just as important in today's NFL.
[/quote]

Hightower is good in coverage, stopping the run, and rushing from the outside edge. We need him.

[redrum52]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1330575318' post='1007993']
Not a sexy pick, but I think were going for a OL for 1st round: Peter Konz

1. OL
2. Pass Rusher
3. WR
[/quote]

Because this draft is suppose to be deep at interior line I would put WR at 1, pass rush 2, moving up if necessary and line at 3. If we could finally find a true number 1 we wouldn't have to put repeated stress on our defense, especially with Torrey emerging if we had a big physical receiver to complement him our offense would have that last piece and I don't think our line would look as bad. When you have someone you know can go up for the ball you can throw into tighter windows. If Floyd was to make it to the 20's I'd move up for him.


On topic, I wouldn't no mind Donta and thought we might go after him instead of Burfict due to the defenae he played on and his Alabama connection.

[gabefergy]

I really like Hightower, and I think we would take him at 29 for sure. He does offer some versatility and could probably play SOLB if JJ doesn't come back as well.

This draft is strong for the Oline, but I really that the interior prospects are better than OTs. Besides Kalil, I don't see any other LTs. I don't think DeCastro or Glenn will fall to 29 so I'd rather have Hightower in the first and maybe Kevin Zeitler in the 2nd. A lot will depend on whether we bring back Grubbs.

[H8R]

Ellerbee has NEVER been able to stay healthy......

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1330619629' post='1008273']
[b]Hightower is good in coverage[/b], stopping the run, and rushing from the outside edge. We need him.
[/quote]

He can get by in zone coverage but he won't be manning up with many TEs or backs in the pros.

[admartian]

A WR in the first round is [b]PURELY A LUXURY PICK [/b]at this point. Unless Blackmon drops that far (highly unlikely) then we're going to pick somewhere else; whether it be LB, OL, or DL (the more likely picks).

Someone like Stephen Hill or Burfict are reaches in the 2nd, maybe even 3rd; rounds of the draft.

Seriously people, get rid of the fantasy football/madden glasses for once! [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.png[/img]

[Gordo52]

No way Hightower gets passed by G-Men. So I dont think trading back for him would work. If he and Konz are there who do we take? I'd still stay Konz.

[52Strong]

I think it really depends on what happens with Grubbs. I think If we can lock him up that takes Decastro off our board and devalues Konz a bit, in that we will have some continuity up front with Birk coming back. Now if Grubbs doesn't come back I would be really looking at trading up to get Decastro if he is availble in the 20's.

Just don't see us takinging Hightower before locking up the line. We're about to invest 100 million dollars in a qb, and protecting that investment will likely be priority 1.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='admartian' timestamp='1330630681' post='1008470']
A WR in the first round is [b]PURELY A LUXURY PICK [/b]at this point. Unless Blackmon drops that far (highly unlikely) then we're going to pick somewhere else; whether it be LB, OL, or DL (the more likely picks).

Someone like Stephen Hill or Burfict are reaches in the 2nd, maybe even 3rd; rounds of the draft.

Seriously people, get rid of the fantasy football/madden glasses for once! [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.png[/img]
[/quote]

I disagree that WR in the 1st would be a luxury pick. Boldin isn't getting younger and we need more consistency from that position. I would like to see Torrey develop into that true #1 but there are no guarantees.

I give three WRs 1st round grades: Blackmon, Floyd, and Wright. Chances are all three will be gone by the time we pick, but if one happens to slide I think Ozzie would pull the trigger.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='52Strong' timestamp='1330632180' post='1008493']
I think it really depends on what happens with Grubbs. I think If we can lock him up that takes Decastro off our board and devalues Konz a bit, in that we will have some continuity up front with Birk coming back. Now if Grubbs doesn't come back I would be really looking at trading up to get Decastro if he is availble in the 20's.

Just don't see us takinging Hightower before locking up the line. We're about to invest 100 million dollars in a qb, and protecting that investment will likely be priority 1.
[/quote]
Trading up for a G isn't a wise move. Nobody does it because you can find adequate Gs late in the draft. In fact both of NOs pro bowl Gs are mid round picks. As is our own Yanda.

[The Raven]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1330611677' post='1008162']

When Ellerbe stepped in he did a solid job and there wasn't any noticeable dropoff. Things are different to when Ray ruled the NFL, it's a passing league and we need a 1st round middle linebacker who can't cover about as much as we need Brett Favre.
[/quote]

I guess you didn't watch the Patriots game........

[The Raven]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1330631661' post='1008486']
No way Hightower gets passed by G-Men. So I dont think trading back for him would work. If he and Konz are there who do we take? I'd still stay Konz.
[/quote]

I don't think he fits there. He wouldn't fit in a 4-3 defense.

[Gordo52]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1330640142' post='1008743']

I don't think he fits there. He wouldn't fit in a 4-3 defense.
[/quote]
I thought he could fit in both?

[The Raven]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1330641892' post='1008818']
I thought he could fit in both?
[/quote]

Some say that, but I really doubt it. Considering coverage is his weakness, and that 4-3 backers are asked to cover more often, I'm doubtful. I'm also not sure that he has the lateral quickness. In my opinion, his athletic deficiencies are best hidden in a 3-4 where he doesn't have to cover as much ground, and his ability to stop the run and blitz are used better.

[LB SAVAGE]

[quote name='Blex64' timestamp='1330570787' post='1007941']
Lol at the people who think were going to draft by need in the first.

If he's the best player on the board when we pick, we'll take him. Even if Peter Konz is still on the board. Konz is likely to be on the board to mid-second or so anyway.
[/quote]
Thank you, Dont'a is our best 1st round choice if he is still on the board

[Tsizzle93]

If the Steelers take Hightower I'm going to be pissed.

Ive looked at these comments and seen people say wait till the second round to pick him. No chance that happens its either Pittsburgh or Baltimore for him in the first. Am I the only one that would hate seeing him every year in a Steelers uniform?

[reediddy]

[quote name='admartian' timestamp='1330565429' post='1007807']
Pretty much how I feel at this point.

I would LOVE Hightower. But I think our OL is priority number 1. Even with the best case scenario of Grubbs being signed; we stil need to draft fairly high for a Tackle and/or Centre.

But, if he were to fall to us in the 2nd or 3rd; or we get (unlikely) some decent FA linemen, then yeah, I would be totally on-board with this pick.
[/quote]

I agree but I'd be very much against reaching for a Mike Adams at 29 if Hightower is available there. If Glenn/Konz are at 29 those are no-brainers. But other than that I'll take Hightower

[reediddy]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1330636893' post='1008613']
Trading up for a G isn't a wise move. Nobody does it because you can find adequate Gs late in the draft. In fact both of NOs pro bowl Gs are mid round picks. As is our own Yanda.
[/quote]

Yeah I agree, the class is pretty deep with interior linemen this year. If anything we trade down, that's only if Hightower/Glenn/Konz are all gone

[BloodRaven]

I don't mind Donta, I just think he plays slow and has issues diagnosing plays. I like Upshaw at DE, OLB or even ILB, I'm not sure what his stock is at the moment but I've got my fingers crossed.

[The Raven]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1331107064' post='1014266']
I don't mind Donta, I just think he plays slow and has issues diagnosing plays. I like Upshaw at DE, OLB or even ILB, I'm not sure what his stock is at the moment but I've got my fingers crossed.
[/quote]

Upshaw is not explosive enough, and his hips are too stiff to play ILB.

[dirtybird10]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1330641892' post='1008818']
I thought he could fit in both?
[/quote]
Hightower is huge, I can't see him surviving in a 4-3. Its possible, but the guy is like Sugg's size.

[Purple_ICE 81]

Yea I think ILB will depend a lot on whether we resign Jameel Mcclain who did pretty well in Rays absence last season. I think OLB pass rusher along with o-line would be more important to adress first and foremost. I think Suggs has been pulling more than his own weight as far as knotting up sacks. I think someone like Whitney Mercilus or Courtney Upshaw to play on the opposite side of suggs would be an awesome ransition if we were to lose Jarred Johnson to free agency.

And we all know our o-line is frail and needs to get beefed up in order to give Joe more time to throw and to keep him safe.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1331121594' post='1014285']

Upshaw is not explosive enough, and his hips are too stiff to play ILB.
[/quote]

People knock his burst but check out the pass plays when his hand is in the ground, he's a rocket. Maybe it's just a roll tide thing, read and react instead of all guns blazing like Burfict, that would explain Hightowers surprising mid 4.6 second 40.

[The Raven]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1331357575' post='1017293']

People knock his burst but check out the pass plays when his hand is in the ground, he's a rocket. Maybe it's just a roll tide thing, read and react instead of all guns blazing like Burfict, that would explain Hightowers surprising mid 4.6 second 40.
[/quote]

That is a good point. I'm gonna try and look into their 10 yard splits and shuttle times to see whats up with that. I also wonder if Upshaw can show that explosion and agility out of a two point stance. If either of them lost 10 pounds that would help their explosion and lateral agility tremendously.

And, I think that the "read and react" philosophy fits perfectly with our defense. You don't see a whole lot of gap shooting in our defense, but you do see players reading their keys, filling holes, and getting to the ball carrier. They'd fit in with our defensive philosophy.


edit:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1084071-nfl-combine-2012-courtney-upshaws-workout-reveals-major-flaw-in-his-game

I read this article, and although it is from the dreaded bleacher reports, it says that he looked awkward in drop backs and he was the tightest linebacker in the combine. I don't know if that suits him as an OLB or an ILB. Unless his hips loosen up and he displays that ability to go into coverage he should strictly be a DE, though at 6'1 he may not have the length to do that. People have done it before, but there are not many DE's or OLB's that are 6'1.

[Radinho84]

[quote name='Tsizzle93' timestamp='1331105785' post='1014262']
If the Steelers take Hightower I'm going to be pissed.

[b]Ive looked at these comments and seen people say wait till the second round to pick him.[/b] No chance that happens its either Pittsburgh or Baltimore for him in the first. Am I the only one that would hate seeing him every year in a Steelers uniform?
[/quote]
i don´t get those either. he will be gone at 29. as much of the first round talent will be. no way the second best lb will drop to the second round.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1331385637' post='1017428']

That is a good point. I'm gonna try and look into their 10 yard splits and shuttle times to see whats up with that. I also wonder if Upshaw can show that explosion and agility out of a two point stance. If either of them lost 10 pounds that would help their explosion and lateral agility tremendously.

And, I think that the "read and react" philosophy fits perfectly with our defense. You don't see a whole lot of gap shooting in our defense, but you do see players reading their keys, filling holes, and getting to the ball carrier. They'd fit in with our defensive philosophy.


edit:

[url="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1084071-nfl-combine-2012-courtney-upshaws-workout-reveals-major-flaw-in-his-game"]http://bleacherrepor...law-in-his-game[/url]

I read this article, and although it is from the dreaded bleacher reports, it says that he looked awkward in drop backs and he was the tightest linebacker in the combine. I don't know if that suits him as an OLB or an ILB. Unless his hips loosen up and he displays that ability to go into coverage he should strictly be a DE, though at 6'1 he may not have the length to do that. People have done it before, but there are not many DE's or OLB's that are 6'1.
[/quote]

In that case Upshaw probably can't play inside, still, it's rare to find players like him and Hightower who can crash gaps and physically dominate olinemen.