Upshaw hurt again.

[baltravensrj55]

Its too early to call him a bust but he looks like a bit slow out there.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1346522537' post='1136632']
This time last year Torrey looked like a bust. Let's see what happens.
[/quote]
True, but Upshaw does have an upper hand. He will probably be the starter every week. Gain valuble experience. Torrey was not expected to be the starter. I think Upshaw gets at least 6 sacks this year. Remember, his pass rush is based on pure power and stregnth. He isnt Suggs, but could be a good pass rusher.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1346523868' post='1136643']

True, but Upshaw does have an upper hand. He will probably be the starter every week. Gain valuble experience. Torrey was not expected to be the starter. I think Upshaw gets at least 6 sacks this year. Remember, his pass rush is based on pure power and stregnth. He isnt Suggs, but could be a good pass rusher.
[/quote]

Not sure what you've been reading, but Upshaw will not be a starter, at least any time soon.

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1346445810' post='1135619']
Of course he is. Suggs was 20 when he came to us from Arizona St....

The problem is burst, Upshaw doesn't have close to the same burst Suggs has/had as a rookie. Theres a reason Suggs had 12 sacks that year.
[/quote]

No doubt I'm not arguing that fact, Suggs is a better athlete by far and still has exceptional quickness for a man his size. I do think though that players that have the smarts for the game end up with productive careers. I never envisioned Upshaw to put up double digit sacks, but I can see him turning out to be a rock steady defender. I would be surprised if he ever hit 9+ sacks in a single season. He isn't a pure pass rusher coming out of college like Suggs, that isn't what he is known for.

[PeRK82]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1346466218' post='1136131']
Redding was very suspect against the run. JJ was too. JJ couldn't contain, and[b] Redding got driven back too often[/b]. That side was a mess.
[/quote]

You do realize Redding was getting double teamed most of the time right??

[DoctorBondurs]

lol who cares if you didnt want him before the draft and never liked upshaw hes on the team now, why cant people just wish him the best.

Right from the get go it was PUT into his head, from the media and the fans that he has to step up to help replace t sizzle. I think the young man is under to much pressure, people please dont forget he DOMINATED the SEC.

I think alot of you need to step back and realize you dont know as much about football as you think, just let what ever happens happen. We havent played one real game this year lmao.

Let me say that one more time, we have not played a SINGLE real football game this year.

[The Raven]

[quote name='PeRK82' timestamp='1346633622' post='1137637']
You do realize Redding was getting double teamed most of the time right??
[/quote]

That doesn't change the fact that he was driven back and abused. His job requirement as a 3-4 DE is to take on a double team and NOT get driven back so badly......

[CorvusCorax]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1346522537' post='1136632']
This time last year Torrey looked like a bust. Let's see what happens.
[/quote]

Man I remember how much negativity there was about Torrey. Look at him now. Just wait people. Things will sort themselves out. We are one of the franchises that actually drafts well.

[Gordo52]

Is he playing week 1? That's all I want to know at this point.

[redlobster]

[quote name='DoctorBondurs' timestamp='1346634164' post='1137646']
lol who cares if you didnt want him before the draft and never liked upshaw hes on the team now, why cant people just wish him the best.

Right from the get go it was PUT into his head, from the media and the fans that he has to step up to help replace t sizzle. I think the young man is under to much pressure, people please dont forget he DOMINATED the SEC.

I think alot of you need to step back and realize you dont know as much about football as you think, just let what ever happens happen. We havent played one real game this year lmao.

Let me say that one more time, we have not played a SINGLE real football game this year.
[/quote]

He did play well in the SEC but don't forget he played on a defense that had 3 players drafted in the first round and he could have been # 4.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1346640098' post='1137711']
Is he playing week 1? That's all I want to know at this point.
[/quote]

He'll be dressed, but not sure how much action he ends up seeing.

[Rav'n Maniac]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1346671494' post='1137821']
He'll be dressed, but not sure how much action he ends up seeing.
[/quote]

I think he'll see a few snaps. Probably on obvious passing downs or if Kruger gets winded. We'll see what happens.

[ClintLB8]

This is a guy that Ozzie was not seeing through his Crimson glasses. Upshaw will be a valuable part of the defense for years to come. I am a bit shocked that he has not come on stronger, sooner but I still believe he will be a great player. Injuries have slowed him down thus far and I think he is still trying to get valuable reps so the game can slow down for him. Give him some time. I'm not saying it's impossible for Upshaw to be a bust (just look at a similar player in Vernon Gholston) but I just think it's early. Give him some time and I think he will be the guy Ozzie and company want him to be.

[arnie_uk]

I hope he is Clint but me and you disagreed on him long before the draft even happened. He Needs to start by losing weight

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1346744248' post='1138718']
I hope he is Clint but me and you disagreed on him long before the draft even happened. [b]He Needs to start by losing weight[/b]
[/quote] I completely agree with you there Arnie. He looks to be stuck in that mode Suggs was in when he was over wieght.

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1346744248' post='1138718']
I hope he is Clint but me and you disagreed on him long before the draft even happened. He Needs to start by losing weight
[/quote]

I completely agree with him needing to lose weight. Getting to 280+ was not a good idea in the slightest. I believe he needs to play in the high 260s like 264-267. Upshaw has a lot in common with Lamarr Woodley in terms of build, speed, size, and strength. I understand comparisons are overrated but just look at them coming out of college..

Courtney Upshaw
Height: 6-2
Weight: 275
40 time: Approximately 4.75-4.8
Bench Reps: 22
Drafted: 2nd Round (#35 overall)

Lamarr Woodley
Height: 6-2
Weight: 270
40 time: Approximately 4.75-4.8
Bench Reps: 29
Drafted: 2nd Round (#46 overall)

Granted, Lamarr Woodley was significantly better in the bench press but I still see a lot of similarities. Woodley came to Pittsburgh slightly overweight and had to lose 5-7 pounds in order to be effective. Upshaw has a lot more work to do but has gotten down to 272 and needs to continue to get to that 265 range. When you watch the two on film, there isn't a whole lot of difference. Woodley played both DE and a little LB in college and the Jack position at Alabama is just that. I believe Upshaw would ultimately be a better SAM playing on the left side like Woodley and I think the Ravens should have Kruger playing Rush and eventually replacing Suggs at that position.

I see your concerns Arnie but just give him a little time. I would love to have our own version of Lamarr Woodley on our defense but a lot classier version.

[poedacrow]

[quote name='Florida Ravens Fan' timestamp='1346421675' post='1135026']
Upshaw suffered another shoulder stinger, seems hes off to a bad start! Played first half and only recorded 1 tackle. I followed the game on gamecast and through the board, many comments that Kruger sucked it up too. Anyone else really worried about the passrush for this season?
[/quote]

I'm a bit concerned particulary about the OLB position; not so much about Upshaw because he's a rookie and battling injury and I hadn't pegged him as a starter anyway. I think we'll be okay against the run and pressuring the QB from the middle. The interior D-line is solid and has a lot of depth. But hey who knows? one year its receivers the next its CB and then OL. Its always sumthin'! I remain confident our guys will be ready to ball come Monday night!

[CapoRocky]

I think that they picked up Hamilton from Dallas as an insurance policy if one of the starters/backups go down or someone proves to be totally ineffective after a few games.

[Bazooka Joe]

Hamilton is more than insurance. I think he'll be up by week 3.

As for Upshaw, I'm not worried.

[VabchRavens]

[quote name='DoctorBondurs' timestamp='1346634164' post='1137646']
lol who cares if you didnt want him before the draft and never liked upshaw hes on the team now, why cant people just wish him the best.

Right from the get go it was PUT into his head, from the media and the fans that he has to step up to help replace t sizzle. I think the young man is under to much pressure, people please dont forget he DOMINATED the SEC.

I think alot of you need to step back and realize you dont know as much about football as you think, just let what ever happens happen. We havent played one real game this year lmao.

Let me say that one more time, we have not played a SINGLE real football game this year.
[/quote]

Dude, where'd you get the stalhelm?

[Florida Ravens Fan]

Any status update on Upshaw?? Has he been practicing?

[rmw10]

[quote name='Florida Ravens Fan' timestamp='1346962803' post='1141160']
Any status update on Upshaw?? Has he been practicing?
[/quote]

He's expected to play Monday.

[ghost1986]

Also read a recent article on our site(forget which one) about him being down to 271 now. If he can get in the low-mid 260's that would be awesome. But he also needs the reps as long as he doesn't re-aggravate the injury.

[xxhighriser]

If its just shoulder stingers then he should be ok, hopefully it isn't anything worst though then I'll be worried.

[JacobYanez]

Upshaw will pick it up. He knows what a good defensive team expects. He needs to hit the gym a little more and he'll be fine. When it comes to injuries... jeez. Who knows. I really hope Suggs returns.

[arnie_uk]

Just hope and prayin I'm proved wrong. I think he's a jj clone in play style. Great edger setter, won't get to the QB much. That's not bad by all means, just not worthy of a second round pick, or first as he was slated to go. Prove me wrong, drop weight, gain that bit off explosion and be a Woolley,please please upshaw.

[nk02442]

we need to start looking for a replacement of suggs. Hes going on 10 years in the league and his injury is the worst one you can have. There is a very high chance he wont be the same player and will become an average rusher.

[ThePurpleWall]

[quote name='nk02442' timestamp='1347139898' post='1142457']
we need to start looking for a replacement of suggs. Hes going on 10 years in the league and his injury is the worst one you can have. There is a very high chance he wont be the same player and will become an average rusher.
[/quote]

wow really,NO.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='ThePurpleWall' timestamp='1347140176' post='1142461']


wow really,NO.
[/quote]umm what? There is a good chance he won't come back the same. A very good chance. all the driving force and push would come from calves and Achilles. He may not be the same. Nothing wrong with that statement

[RavensWin09]

[quote name='nk02442' timestamp='1347139898' post='1142457']
we need to start looking for a replacement of suggs. Hes going on 10 years in the league and his injury is the worst one you can have. There is a very high chance he wont be the same player and will become an average rusher.
[/quote]
he isn't the only person we need to be looking to replace there buddy. OLine, then MLB, then OLB. i am tired of wasting olb picks that aern't turning out (kindle, upshaw, and kruger). i'm optimistic on upshaw but seriously... its time to stop drafting early OLBs and move on to another position.