Three players that cost us in the draft

[kassaiscool]

Kruger, Cody, and kindle who got injured. All these players were second round draft picks, and just plainly haven't been good enough. We are most likely gonna let go of kruger and kindle this offseason, and maybe Cody in a year or two after. This is one of the reasons we are not good on the d-line.

[hawkprey]

I still believe in Cody and Kruger. Kruger has struggled against the run, but it's his first time focusing on being a run-blocker. Cody should be starting over Chemo.

[Ngata Chance]

[quote name='kassaiscool' timestamp='1350252831' post='1189426']
Kruger, Cody, and kindle who got injured. All these players were second round draft picks, and just plainly haven't been good enough. We are most likely gonna let go of kruger and kindle this offseason, and maybe Cody in a year or two after. This is one of the reasons we are not good on the d-line.
[/quote]


When did Ozzy tell you we were going to let them go?

[Cville-Raven]

I have some faith in Kruger and Cody;kindle on the other hand is done. I do however believe that Upshaw will change that trend for the better.

[PuRock]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1350253569' post='1189477']
I still believe in Cody and Kruger. Kruger has struggled against the run, but it's his first time focusing on being a run-blocker. Cody should be starting over Chemo.
[/quote]

I'm losing faith in Kruger. He just doesn't have a good repertoire of pass rush moves and even the strong ones he has, aren't strong enough to compensate.

[Bravens292]

i'm starting to wonder what has happened to our draft team in general. we are usually good at drafting but we've missed on a lot of talent and picked the wrong guys recently. I'm not worried but a little confused. We've spent 3 early picks on OLBs in 4 years (yes i keep pointing that out) and none have payed off. we haven't gotten much out of recent drafts (torrey pitta and webb being exceptions) while we've settled for veterans and they've waited for the young guys to receive the baton but none of them have caught up and its showed.

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1350253955' post='1189501']
I'm losing faith in Kruger. He just doesn't have a good repertoire of pass rush moves and even the strong ones he has, aren't strong enough to compensate.
[/quote]

His ceiling was always as a situational pass rusher. I think we're seeing his floor this season. Never understood some people's fascination with him.

[K-Dog]

[quote name='Ngata Chance' timestamp='1350253811' post='1189496']



When did Ozzy tell you we were going to let them go?
[/quote]

Ozzy also said we are replacing them with the hot dog vendor in scetion 517 and the beer guy in 114

[Ngata Chance]

[quote name='Bravens292' timestamp='1350254263' post='1189519']
i'm starting to wonder what has happened to our draft team in general. we are usually good at drafting but we've missed on a lot of talent and picked the wrong guys recently. I'm not worried but a little confused. We've spent 3 early picks on OLBs in 4 years (yes i keep pointing that out) and none have payed off. we haven't gotten much out of recent drafts (torrey pitta and webb being exceptions) while we've settled for veterans and they've waited for the young guys to receive the baton but none of them have caught up and its showed.
[/quote]

So you're telling me every single player we've drafted hasn't turned out exactly as we hoped? Nooooooo! I don't believe it.

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1350254657' post='1189543']
Ozzy also said we are replacing them with the hot dog vendor in scetion 517 and the beer guy in 114
[/quote]

That might actually be an upgrade.

[Ngata Chance]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1350254657' post='1189543']


Ozzy also said we are replacing them with the hot dog vendor in scetion 517 and the beer guy in 114
[/quote]

Ha ha! Well played.

[kassaiscool]

[quote name='Ngata Chance' timestamp='1350253811' post='1189496']
When did Ozzy tell you we were going to let them go?
[/quote]

I said "most likely". Why in the world would you bring them back? I had hope for kruger last year, but he isn't physical whatsoever. At times in the game he had 1 on 1 match ups with RB's and instead of going through them he went around. Teams block cody with one guy and actually get him moved, the reason we drafted him was to be stout against the run. Everyone knows cody won't get pressure on the qb we all knew he was a run stuffer but he can't even do that.

[T3hRaven]

The only guy I'd call a miss is Kruger. Cody is ok as a NT. His job is to be fat in the middle, and he is alright at that. There are not many elite players at that position because of the weight requirements not to be pushed around at the run. Cody started last season and that defense was pretty good. Kindle was a freak accident that happened, and no one could have predicted what would have happened with him. We have no way of knowing how he might have played had he not fallen down a flight of stairs and messed up his head.

[jaege]

[quote name='Bravens292' timestamp='1350254263' post='1189519']
i'm starting to wonder what has happened to our draft team in general. we are usually good at drafting but we've missed on a lot of talent and picked the wrong guys recently. I'm not worried but a little confused. We've spent 3 early picks on OLBs in 4 years (yes i keep pointing that out) and none have payed off. we haven't gotten much out of recent drafts (torrey pitta and webb being exceptions) while we've settled for veterans and they've waited for the young guys to receive the baton but none of them have caught up and its showed.
[/quote]


Well the rookies may be starting sooner than the FO wanted after all the injuries we got during this weekend. I hope they paid attention during practice.

[jaege]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1350265993' post='1190229']
The only guy I'd call a miss is Kruger. Cody is ok as a NT. His job is to be fat in the middle, and he is alright at that. There are not many elite players at that position because of the weight requirements not to be pushed around at the run. Cody started last season and that defense was pretty good. Kindle was a freak accident that happened, and no one could have predicted what would have happened with him. We have no way of knowing how he might have played had he not fallen down a flight of stairs and messed up his head.
[/quote]


Kruger isn't that bad. He seems to be more a support player. He looks better when he has a Suggs taking the brunt of the action. Everyone cannot be Suggs.

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='Bravens292' timestamp='1350254263' post='1189519']
i'm starting to wonder what has happened to our draft team in general. we are usually good at drafting but we've missed on a lot of talent and picked the wrong guys recently. I'm not worried but a little confused. We've spent 3 early picks on OLBs in 4 years (yes i keep pointing that out) and none have payed off. we haven't gotten much out of recent drafts (torrey pitta and webb being exceptions) while we've settled for veterans and they've waited for the young guys to receive the baton but none of them have caught up and its showed.
[/quote]
Thats a little unfair. Krugers the only one I'd say was a bad pick. Upshaw is playing well and kindle fell down a flight of stairs.

[Bravens292]

[quote name='Ngata Chance' timestamp='1350254670' post='1189544']
So you're telling me every single player we've drafted hasn't turned out exactly as we hoped? Nooooooo! I don't believe it.
[/quote]

recently yes. especially in the 1st round we haven't been getting the impact a first rounder should have.

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1350266264' post='1190244']
Kruger isn't that bad. He seems to be more a support player. He looks better when he has a Suggs taking the brunt of the action. Everyone cannot be Suggs.
[/quote]

Like I said earlier, his ceiling was a situational pass rusher. In the first two rounds of the draft you try to get starters, and he is not starting material. I think he had one decent year in limited action last season and that's all we're going to get out of him. He has done nothing thus far to show he is worthy of another contract.

[jaege]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1350266412' post='1190252']
Like I said earlier, his ceiling was a situational pass rusher. In the first two rounds of the draft you try to get starters, and he is not starting material. I think he had one decent year in limited action last season and that's all we're going to get out of him. He has done nothing thus far to show he is worthy of another contract.
[/quote]

Yeah. I agree. But who do we replace him with? His new contract will be cheap considering his play. Who else would want him? Man do I question the decision of letting JJ go. We could not afford to keep Redding, but JJ would have stayed for a song. he may not have been great but he was really good.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='Bravens292' timestamp='1350266302' post='1190248']
recently yes. especially in the 1st round we haven't been getting the impact a first rounder should have.
[/quote]

2 of the last 3 drafts we haven't had a first round pick. 2011 it was Jimmy, and he's still young but has shown flashes of being very good - skill positions usually take a longer time to translate. 2009 it was Oher, and while he's been a mixed bag this year he's done a good job at left tackle, and if he's even an average left tackle for another decade that's a win. 2008 was our franchise quarterback. 2007 was one of the best guards in the league, but sadly we can't exceed a salary cap. 2000-2006 was 4 pro bowlers, three of whom may end up in the HOF, one bust in Clayton and another in Mr. Carrie Prejean, and one year we had no first round pick. So of our first round picks, who has truly been a bust in the last 10 years besides Clayton and Boller?

[PDO]

[quote name='Bravens292' timestamp='1350266302' post='1190248']
recently yes. especially in the 1st round we haven't been getting the impact a first rounder should have.
[/quote]

Recently we've been drafting pretty damn late in the 1st round.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft

Please tell me, who should we have taken over Jimmy Smith?

[display name]

I'm willing to give Kindle a chance with all the injuries.
Speaking of injuries, a Ngata update?

[Dudeman]

I think there is some flawed logic going on there.

Starting with it being too early to call any of these players busts. Kruger has shown steady improvement, and we're going to see more of T. Cody. Kindle has some upside in the pass rush department, and we need him for depth.

Secondly these aren't skill position players. Its hard to say how good or bad they are playing because they don't have flashy stats to go on their resumes. Actually most of the time the D and O line are appraised as a group.

Lastly, you always look at a draft as a group. We got Kindle, Cody, Pitta, and Dickson all in that draft. Not a bad haul if you look at them as a group.

Also want to say I really liked the Upshaw pick at the time of the draft, and I think he has tremendous upside.

[SecretAgentMan]

Cody isn't a bust, and has played at a high level. But we need a better rotation. I want to trade up for star or Hawkins.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='PDO' timestamp='1350266719' post='1190267']


Recently we've been drafting pretty damn late in the 1st round.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft

Please tell me, who should we have taken over Jimmy Smith?
[/quote]
Torrey Smith, but we got him anyway
To answer your question for real, I would say Akeem ayers out of ucla. He is playing well

[SecretAgentMan]

Jimmy was still the best pick. But I would have been fine with Ayers.

[PDO]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1350280386' post='1190680']
Jimmy was still the best pick. But I would have been fine with Ayers.
[/quote]

Exactly. We made the best pick available, and he looks better than a ton of guys taken right after him.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='PDO' timestamp='1350280825' post='1190689']


Exactly. We made the best pick available, and he looks better than a ton of guys taken right after him.
[/quote]
I still think its funny that the best pick after him was Torrey tho.

[BloodRaven]

The irony with those three picks (Kruger, Kindle, Cody) is that the Bengals have three beasts who were taken after those picks in Johnson, Dunlap and Atkins respectively.

[good_n_purple]

I have to agree being out maneuvered in the draft may be the root-cause of the Raven defense not being able to get off the field. We are missing the four, or five plays a game where someone steps up and makes a drive stopping play. The lack of playmakers can be attributed to poor draft selections because the war room is truly getting passed by other teams making aggressive moves.

I don't think the front office has reacted as well as other teams to the new rookie pay structure. With teams not worried about mortgaging their futures on first and second roungd picks they are free-wheeling themselves right past Ozzie and company so we get the "also rans" to choose from. Now, is there a chance the "also rans" will turn out to be good players? Sure, but there is a reason the players they didn't get were rated higher.