Paul Kruger is the man...

[Alexir]

Where does he fit in our grand scheme for 2013? Where does Upshaw fit? Do we pay Kruger 9 mil a year?

Interesting off-season indeed.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1357526876' post='1295942']
Terrence Cody. Definitely Cody.
[/quote]

A little off-topic, but are you turned off by Chykie Brown's season so far?

[TonyTone1192]

Haha yuppp!!

he has emerged as our best pass rusher in Suggs' "absence".. and he is BALLING!

When suggs is healthy next season and he is on the strong side w/ kruger on the left side and ngata in the middle...

RIP to the opposing QB's

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1357526991' post='1295949']
Where does he fit in our grand scheme for 2013? Where does Upshaw fit? Do we pay Kruger 9 mil a year?

Interesting off-season indeed.
[/quote]

I think we could give Kruger 5-6M a year. Anything more than that is asking an awful lot for a player who plays only 50-60% of the snaps, even though he excels in that role. I'd like to think he will stick around but it's impossible to say. He's not going to get that much money though no where he goes (9M).

It's funny that Courtney is 2nd best OLB against the run and Kruger is best OLB as a pass-rusher. If we combine them we get 2011 Suggs.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1357527587' post='1295991']
I think we could give Kruger 5-6M a year. Anything more than that is asking an awful lot for a player who plays only 50-60% of the snaps, even though he excels in that role. I'd like to think he will stick around but it's impossible to say. He's not going to get that much money though no where he goes (9M).

[b]It's funny that Courtney is 2nd best OLB against the run and Kruger is best OLB as a pass-rusher. If we combine them we get 2011 Suggs.[/b]
[/quote] It took two roster spots, but we finally got our second Sizzle.

[PuRock]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1357526361' post='1295924']
Could you envision any Raven being moved over to MLB, or do you think BAL will just acquire one elsewhere?
[/quote]

Not many guys on the FA list at MLB. Draft should be interesting. We could invest a high pick on a inside linebacker or the team could stick with McClain/Ellerbe/Bynes and play around with Ricky Brown & Nigel Carr. I'm sure the Ravens will bring in a ton of UDFA ILB after the draft.

[Alexir]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1357527587' post='1295991']


I think we could give Kruger 5-6M a year. Anything more than that is asking an awful lot for a player who plays only 50-60% of the snaps, even though he excels in that role. I'd like to think he will stick around but it's impossible to say. He's not going to get that much money though no where he goes (9M).

It's funny that Courtney is 2nd best OLB against the run and Kruger is best OLB as a pass-rusher. If we combine them we get 2011 Suggs.
[/quote]

Someone will overpay him

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1357528894' post='1296057']
Someone will overpay him
[/quote]
Maybe. I thought the same thing about Ray Edwards, but he only got 5M a year. Teams have film and know Kruger is one-dimensional. 9M is what you give to guys who are complete players, maybe some team thinks he can become that and we get screwed or the maybe the Ravens offer him a fair deal and sticks around. I'll hope for the latter.

[Bltravens]

We're pretty much forced to overpay him. Him and Suggs are the only natural pass rushers on the team and Suggs will be 31 next year coming off TWO injuries, a blown achilles and bicep.

[Kwothdaraven]

After today i dont know how we dont keep him. Its not like upshaw has blossomed into a great pass rusher.

[Alexir]

[quote name='Kwothdaraven' timestamp='1357529619' post='1296090']
After today i dont know how we dont keep him. Its not like upshaw has blossomed into a great pass rusher.
[/quote]

Kruger took a long while to get there so be patient with Upshaw

[Yatagarasu]

I wonder how much will it cost to keep Kruger.

Some pass needy team might try to outbid us by giving just above our means ($6+ million)

[The Raven]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1357527259' post='1295967']
A little off-topic, but are you turned off by Chykie Brown's season so far?
[/quote]

I like Brown a lot.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1357532629' post='1296199']
I like Brown a lot.
[/quote]

What excites you about the Chyk-ster?

[The Raven]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1357532896' post='1296207']
What excites you about the Chyk-ster?
[/quote]

He's physical, fast, and good in coverage.

[tctony]

FO needs to keep this guy. Can't afford to let a pass rusher like him go.

[Bravens292]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1357532629' post='1296199']
I like Brown a lot.
[/quote]

I like both Browns in the secondary

[Bravens292]

its going to be tough to keep him but not impossible. In a year where we negotiated with Rice, Webb, and Flacco and we were pressed against the cap, we only ended up a few million off of what Grubbs wanted. anythings possible with Oz & co. We might have more room to work with than last year as well.

[GrimCoconut]

I want to keep Kruger. I just don't know if we can. Pass rushers tend to go for a lot, but then again he is only a situational player right now. I'd compare him to a more advanced Bruce Irvin. But I think that's a fair comparison. By that comparison I mean he has some work he needs to do in run support, has some suspect coverage for a guy who used to play DB (though his coverage isn't that bad), but is a damn good pass rusher. I think his coverage is OK. I don't want to say it's bad. My main problem with him is in the run game. He's hot and cold in that area. If he can set the edge better, he's definitely a top OLB in the NFL.

If we can get him for 5million, I would do it.

[berad]

Great pass-rusher and those are at a premium in the league. It's a shame because, as others have said he isn't a 3-down LB and struggles against the run with inconsistency in coverage - I don't know if the Ravens will outbid other teams for him. Either way, I'm glad he's turned it on these past two years and is finally coming into his own as a player.

[pep_meister]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1357529836' post='1296102']
Kruger took a long while to get there so be patient with Upshaw
[/quote]
yup, i remember when we didnt know how to use him at all.

[Ravensfan23]

The Ravens have to find a way to keep Kruger. But I think it's all on Kruger, will he be willing to take starter money and accept a rotational role? Or would he want to go out and prove he can be a top OLB in the NFL.

Hopefully the Ravens can sign Kurger to the same type of deal that JJ got. Maybe slightly more because he's proving to be a double digit sack guy the last couple years and he still has tremendous upside.

Maybe 5yr 30M with like 12M guaranteed. Back load the contract over the last 3yrs to free up money now and take your biggest hit over the years when the TV money get on the book and salary cap rise.