Courtney Upshaw--Speak On Him

[GrimCoconut]

This was a very good pick by our team. We not only got the guy we wanted and really coveted, but we also got a 4th round pick that is very high. I love this pick. I really am very fond of it. I really wonder if the whole thing around Upshaw was staged, though. I mean, he didn't participate at Alabama's pro day then when he did he didn't do well. It just doesn't make sense. I think this was staged by Ozzie so he could get the guy he really wanted and Upshaw was in on it so he could be here with Lewis, Reed, Suggs.

I think Upshaw will take the job from Kruger and start from day one. Suggs and Upshaw will be a very dominant tandem and will finally give us someone opposite of Suggs who will take some of the pressure off of him.

[Blex64]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1335585107' post='1062925']
Yet neither of them could outplay JJ and get a start.

Come to think of it how do we use Kindle if he emerges as a pass rush threat? Suggs, Kruger, Kindle, Upshaw, where do they fit? this is a good problem to have but I can imagine that Upshaw would have preferred going somewhere he could just start.

Edit: Is Kruger in his final contract year?
[/quote]

I think Upshaw is likely going to start, with Kruger being incorporated in to rush packages somehow. Maybe Suggs in at DE with Kruger and Upshaw at the OLB spots? I don't know, but Suggs can play both DE and both OLB positions, so we have plenty of flexibility there. If Kindle does emerge, I honestly don't know what were going to do...but its pretty unlikely at this point. I think this is more of a plan for the worst hope for the best scenario. The pick is awesome regardless.

[wayne]

[quote name='Blex64' timestamp='1335586594' post='1062994']


I think Upshaw is likely going to start, with Kruger being incorporated in to rush packages somehow. Maybe Suggs in at DE with Kruger and Upshaw at the OLB spots? I don't know, but Suggs can play both DE and both OLB positions, so we have plenty of flexibility there. If Kindle does emerge, I honestly don't know what were going to do...but its pretty unlikely at this point. I think this is more of a plan for the worst hope for the best scenario. The pick is awesome regardless.
[/quote]

Never can have too many pass rushers and even if that's the case, good trade bait is never a bad thing.

[JO_75]

What was his college number?

[PurpleReign92]

One of these guys is going to end up playing the Defensive End position Upshaw, Suggs or Krugar..
I think most likely Krugar but at the end of the day we are going far with this defense especially as more hybrid players emerge amongst this flock!

[kassaiscool]

[quote name='Cville-Raven' timestamp='1335584338' post='1062884']
Ive been hearing a lot James Harrison comparisons.
[/quote]
Jame Harrison is listed at 6'0 242, Courtney is about 30 pounds heavier than him. I think James is a little more faster than he his, but Upshaw is bigger. Lamarr Woodley and Courtney Upshaw have similar body types and both of them are usually playing on the left side of the line. As far as toughness I think James and Courtney are the same type of players, both don't get run at.

[T3hRaven]

How many dominant players have we snatched up in the draft after they were devalued because of 40 time? It seems like that was part of Upshaw's problem, and it will certainly turn out to be our reward. Wasn't T-Sizzle himself knocked for his 40 time?

[SizzleSuggs55]

[quote name='Marc2k6' timestamp='1335586374' post='1062981']
Hey, we picked him in the 2nd rd and pick up a 4th rd pick plus he will be getting a 2nd rd contract! Winning!
[/quote]
As Charlie Sheen would say!! Haha we basically get the third pick tmrw for nothing. Wonder who we will take? maybe Streeter? But Upshaw will be a difference maker for our D this year, opposing quarterbacks will shiver with fear. Sizzle, Upshaw, Ngata, Mclainn, Mcphee, Kruger and Ray ray as well as our secondary will be among the best! cannot wait....

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1335589126' post='1063065']
What was his college number?
[/quote]41

[The King]

He doesn't have elite straight-line speed, which is what caused the questions about his position in the pros. But that didn't really deter the Ravens just because we're used to doing hybrid DE/OLB players a bit more, and because he's a talented pass rusher, and you can never have enough of those. He might never be a great cover LB, but he can play the run, set the edge, and rush the passer. That's enough tools for a high second round pick.

[BmoreRavens732]

[quote name='The King' timestamp='1335597004' post='1063152']
He doesn't have elite straight-line speed, which is what caused the questions about his position in the pros. But that didn't really deter the Ravens just because we're used to doing hybrid DE/OLB players a bit more, and because he's a talented pass rusher, and you can never have enough of those. He might never be a great cover LB, but he can play the run, set the edge, and rush the passer. That's enough tools for a high second round pick.
[/quote]yeah man i love this pick!! JJ or sizzle dont have alot of speed and look what they can do. This kid is definately an upgrade over JJ. He can set the edge but also rush the QB where JJ could only run stop. I honestly see alot of sizzle in him imo

[BloodRaven]

Sizzle had really bad 40 times as well. People always say he's slow this and that but go to the tape, when they tell him to go upfield he's a rocket.

[Radinho84]

[quote name='BmoreRavens732' timestamp='1335597380' post='1063157']
yeah man i love this pick!! JJ or sizzle dont have alot of speed and look what they can do.[b] This kid is definately an upgrade over JJ.[/b] He can set the edge but also rush the QB where JJ could only run stop. I honestly see alot of sizzle in him imo
[/quote]
never underestimate the effort JJ had as a raven. he was one of the best in the league at what he was doing. he is still one of the most underrated players. don´t be too fast with telling that a rookie will be an upgrade over a guy that was a leader for us over many years...

[BmoreRavens732]

[quote name='Radinho84' timestamp='1335598751' post='1063166']

never underestimate the effort JJ had as a raven. he was one of the best in the league at what he was doing. he is still one of the most underrated players. don´t be too fast with telling that a rookie will be an upgrade over a guy that was a leader for us over many years...
[/quote]no doubt!! JJ is a very underrated player and he was the clear meaning of what it means to play like a raven but he was 1-dimensional.we have a chance at a player who can set the edge AND contribute in rushing the passer!! I just think he has more upside

[ThePurpleWall]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1335589126' post='1063065']
What was his college number?
[/quote]

41

[BloodRaven]

Ugh what an ugly LB number, should give him a 50 or 90 something.

[MKdave]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1335600770' post='1063178']
Ugh what an ugly LB number, should give him a 50 or 90 something.
[/quote]
Yeah we won't give him 41 in the pros. I think LBs can only get 40 numbers in training camp? Not sure how the NFL would expect to police that, since you could just say he was a safety moved into the box on every play or something, but I'm sure I've heard that somewhere.

As for the pick, I'm sure this has been said already but he reminds me of Jarret Johnson in a lot of ways. Not an exceptional athlete but a true competitor and a 'Bama boy. Obviously we're gaining some pass rush and losing some run stopping, but that really seems like an upgrade in today's NFL. Really like the pick, and at 35 I think it's great value. Would have liked the pick even at 29, so the extra 4th is a bonus. In Ozzie We Trust.

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1335600770' post='1063178']
Ugh what an ugly LB number, should give him a 50 or 90 something.
[/quote]It's a college thing. Melvin Ingram was a DE and wore number 6.

[arnie_uk]

I just hope I'm wrong

[TXRaven]

I love this pick, Suggs coming from one end and Upshaw from the other will be a nightmare of opposing offenses. I know kruger wants the job and he can still get it but the competition for the spot has just been intensified.

[Ravenslifer]

He was, to me, a mid-first round talent that we got in the early second round. From what I've heard he was primarily asked to rush the passer at 'Bama. As far as pass coverage, I think the issue with him was he just wasn't asked to do it a whole lot. Heard he was an okay run defender but needs to get better. Overall I think this could be similar to the Kindle steal as long as he stays healthy - he's not the same kind of pass rusher Kindle was, but I think he's more well rounded.

[steeler hater]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1335576599' post='1062012']
He's like Woodley
[/quote]And that means that he's not like Freeney? I see a built-low-to-the ground guy with a knack for getting to the qb, and that reminds me of Freeney. He's a thick body like Woodley- I see that, too. I'd be thrilled if he turns out to be as good as either one of 'em.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='steeler hater' timestamp='1335614233' post='1063269']
And that means that he's not like Freeney? I see a built-low-to-the ground guy with a knack for getting to the qb, and that reminds me of Freeney. He's a thick body like Woodley- I see that, too. I'd be thrilled if he turns out to be as good as either one of 'em.
[/quote]freeney has great burst and acceleration, Upshaw to put it nicely does not

[Radinho84]

[quote name='BmoreRavens732' timestamp='1335599276' post='1063171']
no doubt!! JJ is a very underrated player and he was the clear meaning of what it means to play like a raven but he was 1-dimensional.we have a chance at a player who can set the edge AND contribute in rushing the passer!! I just think he has more upside
[/quote]
if you tell the story like this i can agree :-)

[3-4ravdef509]

I like the versatility he gives us, having Kruger and possibly Kindle in the mix means a constant rotation of young players with high motors and who have something to prove. the defense just got a whole lot better.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1335614935' post='1063275']
freeney has great burst and acceleration, Upshaw to put it nicely does not
[/quote]

No pass rusher has Freeney's burst and acceleration off the ball. NOBODY. Stop trying to make it sound like he's no better than JJ at rushing the passer. Lamarr Woodley isn't exactly a world beater with his 40 time either but he's more than capable.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1335618100' post='1063332']


No pass rusher has Freeney's burst and acceleration off the ball. NOBODY. Stop trying to make it sound like he's no better than JJ at rushing the passer. Lamarr Woodley isn't exactly a world beater with his 40 time either but he's more than capable.
[/quote]that's the point I'm making. someone compared him to freeney. Who pissed in your cherrios

And for the record I'm not trying to make it sound like he's no better than jj, that's just my opinion, and it must be the opinion of a lot of other teams as well otherwise he would have been a top 10 pick because he's the beat olb against the run. If his pass rush was comparable to the other guys in this draft, mercilus Ingram Perry coples etc he would have be the most complete olb to come out in years.

He isn't a quick twitch athlete with good burst like most. He's an strong, bull rushing guy, that can use his arms and strength to get off blocks and get to the QB. He may struggle with that against better tackles but I'd expect him to get coached up and learn more moves, maybe drop some weight and get quicker. hes an improvement over JJ but not much..... Right now

[Gordo52]

Upshaw was coached by the same guy who coached Julius Peppers. I just cant wait to see his name on gameday when they show the starters.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1335618908' post='1063345']
that's the point I'm making. someone compared him to freeney. Who pissed in your cherrios
[/quote]

Calm down keyboard warrior, you implied that he has no burst and I was just setting you straight. He's no JJ.

[jimmypowder]

I think this pick tells us the Ravens feel Kindle will never make it in the NFL with
the type of injury he suffered. I fully expect Kindle to get cut in the preseason games time frame
If he doesn't show major improvement .

Sadly,Kindle looked better on tape then Upshaw in his college years . Much
quicker,just as physical.