Courtney Upshaw--Speak On Him

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='usmccharles' timestamp='1335793536' post='1067932']
I very happy about getting upshaw, but would you guys of rathered have....him or hightower?
[/quote]
Upshaw, and that's not because we got him over Hightower. I never liked Hightower that much. I think Upshaw is a better OLB than Hightower, though I think Hightower can play both inside and outside. I don't think Upshaw can play both.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1335794430' post='1067949']
Upshaw, and that's not because we got him over Hightower. I never liked Hightower that much. I think Upshaw is a better OLB than Hightower, though I think Hightower can play both inside and outside. I don't think Upshaw can play both.
[/quote]
This. Upshaw is way better at what he does than Hightower is. But I really liked the scheme versatility that Hightower had which is one of the major reasons I liked him.

[757RavensFan]

He dominated in the talented SEC conference. What more can you ask for?

On another note, are we seriously having discussions about his actual play in the league compared to his Madden rating?

LOL.

[wolfpack]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1335800159' post='1068035']
He dominated in the talented SEC conference. What more can you ask for?

On another note, are we seriously having discussions about his actual play in the league compared to his Madden rating?

LOL.
[/quote]
A lot of people here play Madden and we are just excited about "our new guy" so yeah, why not talk about him in Madden?

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='wolfpack' timestamp='1335803817' post='1068096']
A lot of people here play Madden and we are just excited about "our new guy" so yeah, why not talk about him in Madden?
[/quote]theres a whole thread on his madden rating in the video game section if you really want to talk about it

[Clutch Ravens]

For anyone who still has doubts, go back and watch the Alabama @ Florida game from 2011. He destroyed Florida and made Xavier Nixon (a projected 1st round pick next year) look very average.

[Gordo52]

I have no doubt at all but......
Does he look kind of slow to anyone else?

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1335805108' post='1068121']
For anyone who still has doubts, go back and watch the Alabama @ Florida game from 2011. He destroyed Florida and made Xavier Nixon (a projected 1st round pick next year) look very average.
[/quote]
Football player, period. He makes plays.

[arnie_uk]

[url="http://nfldraftmonsters.com/scouting/scouting-report-courtney-upshaw/"]http://nfldraftmonsters.com/scouting/scouting-report-courtney-upshaw/[/url]

Thats a very good scouting report on him

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1335805268' post='1068126']
I have no doubt at all but......
Does he look kind of slow to anyone else?
[/quote]yes, thats my only issue, along with the short arms, if he doesnt have the explosive first step and he is up against a powerful long armed tackle he culd get annihilated

[Gordo52]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1335805824' post='1068141']
yes, thats my only issue, along with the short arms, if he doesnt have the explosive first step and he is up against a powerful long armed tackle he culd get annihilated
[/quote]
You think he should lose weight? From what I've seen he looks about as slow as JJ.

[Crabcakes&Football]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1335805758' post='1068138']
[url="http://nfldraftmonsters.com/scouting/scouting-report-courtney-upshaw/"]http://nfldraftmonst...ourtney-upshaw/[/url]

Thats a very good scouting report on him
[/quote]

Reading that makes me all the more excited to have him.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1335806103' post='1068150']
You think he should lose weight? From what I've seen he looks about as slow as JJ.
[/quote]yes, 100 % he should play around 260 or so, he weighed in at 272, and he even said he was shocked at that. if he gets down to around 260, without losing power, ie trim fat, he should get a wee bit extar explosion of the line while having a bit more longer speed as well.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='Crabcakes&Football' timestamp='1335806716' post='1068163']


Reading that makes me all the more excited to have him.
[/quote]

Top 10 talent in the top of the second round.

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1335807692' post='1068180']
yes, 100 % he should play around 260 or so, he weighed in at 272, and he even said he was shocked at that. if he gets down to around 260, without losing power, ie trim fat, he should get a wee bit extar explosion of the line while having a bit more longer speed as well.
[/quote]

I believe he should lose 7 to 8 points and get right under 265. That would put him at 6-2 265 which I believe is perfect for him. He is the splitting image of Lamarr Woodley but has the potential to be even better. His speed is a lot better than people give him credit for but he doesn't have elite speed. I guarantee one thing.. He will be much faster than Jarrett Johnson. He will be able to set the edge effectively while also being able to put up IMO anywhere from 8-12 sacks a year. The one thing that I do not think he will be better at than J.J. is in the pass coverage department. He did drop at Alabama occasionally but he is still very raw in that aspect of his game. I don't think it matters too much though.. He will be getting after the QB with Suggs on the majority of 3rd downs anyways.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1335807692' post='1068180']
yes, 100 % he should play around 260 or so, he weighed in at 272, and he even said he was shocked at that. if he gets down to around 260, without losing power, ie trim fat, he should get a wee bit extar explosion of the line while having a bit more longer speed as well.
[/quote]

He was shocked at weighing 279 pounds. I agree he could sculpt himself a bit better, but at 6'1, he should be fine at his current weight. When rushing the passer, he'll be able to beat tackles with a combination of hand usage, leverage and strength.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1335805824' post='1068141']
yes, thats my only issue, along with the short arms, if he doesnt have the explosive first step and he is up against a powerful long armed tackle he culd get annihilated
[/quote]
I dont know, his hand use is so active and aggressive I dont know if tackles could keep him at bay all game long in a "annihilated" fashion. Suggs only recently starting using his hands in an emphasized role.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1335805268' post='1068126']
I have no doubt at all but......
Does he look kind of slow to anyone else?
[/quote]

Not at all. Definitely not any slower than Jarret Johnson, that much is certain. I think his perceived lack of athleticism is a myth. He looks pretty quick for a 275 OLB. We'll probably have him lose weight to help with that.

[Reed_Fence_20]

Maybe if he loses ten pounds and adds more speed. I think he make pro-bowl first year. It will be great to see him rushing on the other side of T-Sizzle

[berad]

I don't get why people are calling him slow, he's not Ray Lewis 2003 fast, but he's got some quicks. I've seen multiple plays where he forces the pitch and then tackles the option - you don't do that without decent speed and agility. Lots of instances where you can see his speed.

One problem I see with him is that he'll stop running during a play if he feels its out of his reach.

A play that stands out is against Auburn, he rushes upfield but the QB lofts a pass over his head on a screen. Rather than instantly turn around and chase the ball, he's walking around in the backfield watching the play. When he sees the ball-carrier make a juke and get some space, though, he turns on the burners and makes the tackle. A good display on his speed but, in the NFL, giving effort is huge. Definitely can be fixed.

The play is at the 5:00 mark
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur-fQdhjFq8[/media]

[steeler hater]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1335707753' post='1067064']
i never said he cant, he just snt comparable to freeney at all.
[/quote]Almost clones, as far as height and weight are concerned. Very similar build. Not as explosive as Freeney (who is?) but if you think Freeney is just about speed you haven't watched him play much, and Upshaw is a power rusher- as is Freeney.

[PurpleReign92]

Coming from the Nick Sabian Camp this guy is the real deal got all the fundementals on lockdown. I don't see why Ted Monochino would not put his bid in to start this guy day 1 regular season along side Suggs!

[The Raven]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1335829430' post='1068585']
I don't get why people are calling him slow, he's not Ray Lewis 2003 fast, but he's got some quicks. I've seen multiple plays where he forces the pitch and then tackles the option - you don't do that without decent speed and agility. Lots of instances where you can see his speed.

One problem I see with him is that he'll stop running during a play if he feels its out of his reach.

A play that stands out is against Auburn, he rushes upfield but the QB lofts a pass over his head on a screen. Rather than instantly turn around and chase the ball, he's walking around in the backfield watching the play. When he sees the ball-carrier make a juke and get some space, though, he turns on the burners and makes the tackle. A good display on his speed but, in the NFL, giving effort is huge. Definitely can be fixed.

The play is at the 5:00 mark
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur-fQdhjFq8[/media]
[/quote]

I think that his perceived lack of athleticism may be partially attributed to the Alabama scheme. He is very fundamentally sound in that he always makes contact with the tackle and gets his hands on him instead of just rushing upfield. I guess when people see an OLB/DE using proper technique instead of just rushing upfield and shooting gaps they just assume that the OLB/DE is slow.

[Trapped_in_Cincinnati52]

[quote name='Reed_Fence_20' timestamp='1335828936' post='1068571']
Maybe if he loses ten pounds and adds more speed. I think he make pro-bowl first year. It will be great to see him rushing on the other side of T-Sizzle
[/quote] Agreed that's all I could think about when I first saw his name come up.

[Blex64]

[quote name='Reed_Fence_20' timestamp='1335828936' post='1068571']
Maybe if he loses ten pounds and adds more speed. I think he make pro-bowl first year. It will be great to see him rushing on the other side of T-Sizzle
[/quote]

I like Upshaw a lot. That being said, there's no way he's starting the Pro Bowl as an AFC OLB.

[BloodRaven]

He mostly plays containment and does a lot of surveying off the snap, thats why he looks slow sometimes. He's rarely ever asked to go full speed and rush the edge.

[Northern-Raven]

[quote name='Crabcakes&Football' timestamp='1335806716' post='1068163']
Reading that makes me all the more excited to have him.
[/quote]

Same here, definitely can't wait for training camp/ preseason to get a preview. All round 1 I was just hoping for Hightower but after reading some articles, who knows, this could turn out to be much better and nastier.

[dirtybird10]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1335805824' post='1068141']
yes, thats my only issue, along with the short arms, if he doesnt have the explosive first step and he is up against a powerful long armed tackle he culd get annihilated
[/quote]

Not sure I get the whole short arms thing. Upshaw has pretty average arms, I don't think they are short at all. The dude is only 6-1 or 6-2 so he would be dragging his knuckles on the ground with 34 inch arms. He is shorter than Suggs and I believe the same size arms as he (at least from what I have found so far), and similar size and arm length to Woodley.

[GrimCoconut]

One thing that hasn't been said about this whole Upshaw vs. Hightower situation is this: during DeCosta's interview today, he was asked whether he would have traded up to get Hightower. His reply was that was not in the plan.

I've felt for a while Upshaw and Barron were the best players on that defense to come out of Alabama this year. I feel like they may have felt the same.

[ClintLB8]

DeCosta kind of has to say that in a way. I think they did try to trade up, but the Patriots were willing to give the Broncos just a little bit more than the Ravens were at 25. Either one would've been an unbelievable pick up so we did great. Only reason I would've preferred Hightower is his versatility but at the same time.. We still have Jameel McClain and next year I think we will make a serious move to get Teo out of Notre Dame (yes, that means I predict the Ravens will make a huge push to jump into the 13-16 spot to get him).