The Bigger Priority: Kruger or Reed

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1359751446' post='1337871']
Neither. Ellerbe was the single most important player on defense this season.
[/quote]
[quote name='bMore Heathen' timestamp='1359752722' post='1337883']
Ellerbe is more important than both combined.
[/quote]

Idk if I'd go that far, but I'd agree that behind getting the Joe deal done he'd be my #1 priority as much as it would break my heart to see the other two (especially Ed) in a different uni.

[dirtybird10]

If I had to choose one and assuming we could even keep either of them I would choose Kruger hands down. I love Reed and he is one of my favorite football players of all time, but he is no where near as effective as a quality pass rusher in the prime of his career just as he is finding his stride. No way am I sacrificing quality, effective young talent for a player who is at the end of his career that you would most likely be overpaying for 1-3 more years.

[beasy2487]

[quote name='tctony' timestamp='1359748523' post='1337815']
Why is there this assumption that Kruger is going to demand huge money? He had a great stretch there, but has been quiet before and since then... I'd like to keep him since he finally has come on, though.
[/quote]

It's not that he's going to demand it, he's going to [i]command[/i] it. He's a young, proven pass rusher in this league and we probably couldn't even afford what we would offer as a lowball. There is a team out there that's buying what he's selling in buckets and (especially with a Super Bowl already checked off his bucket list) if you're him you have to take the big money because you never know when your career is going to be over in the NFL.

[ClintLB8]

Sadly, Kruger is gone..

I also believe Ed Reed is gone.

We will franchise Flacco and resign Ellerbe, that will be the extent of it IMO.

On a brighter note, Cary Williams will be gone as well!

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1359751446' post='1337871']
Neither. Ellerbe was the single most important player on defense this season.
[/quote]

agree... still would gladly have Ed back as coach-player kind of... he wants to coach and one of the most talented safeties ever to play the game... kruger can be found in the draft... and ellerbe is a must

[Bltravens]

If Kruger was a 3 down LB he'd actually have a shot. Considering he needed to be replaced on 1st downs by Upshaw when we're in our base defense tells you all you really need to know.

You don't pay a 2 down LB 8mil a year. You just don't.

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1359738427' post='1337624']
I think one of the best teams for Kruger to go to would be the Vikings. Having Allen & Kruger across from each other would be a strong tandem. Add in the fact that they run a 4-3 and I think it's a good fit for him.
[/quote]

Well, they have Robinson as well and he is pretty good.. I don't think they'd sign Kruger. I think Jacksonville is the perfect fit.. 3-4, 4-3 hyrbid defense, he would star in the LEO role IMO.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='ClintLB8' timestamp='1359755159' post='1337917']


Well, they have Robinson as well and he is pretty good.. I don't think they'd sign Kruger. I think Jacksonville is the perfect fit.. 3-4, 4-3 hyrbid defense, he would star in the LEO role IMO.
[/quote]
Totally forgot about Robinson. Jacksonville would be an excellent fit for him, you're 100% right. They have cap space, too. I can see JAX, maybe even the Jets if they had cap space, but they have crap space.

The bottom-line is a lot of teams could go for his services. Even the Cowboys could want him if they so wanted. I think a lot more teams will want Kruger than Reed. That's not just due to age but the value of the pass rusher position.

[jaege]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1359738438' post='1337625']
LaCanfora reported he's expecting $8 million earlier in January. A desperate team could very well offer him more once FA starts.
[/quote]

I agree. He could easily get offered more after his performance this season. Particularly after the 2.5 sacks on the K-man.

[RavenzAllDay]

PFF has Paul Kruger as the best pass rusher in the league. Saying he gets the highest % of QB hurries per snap out of any OLB. Thats only accounting for pass rush though, run stopping he is average at best.

[Ravenslifer]

In terms of long-term benefit to the team no question it's Kruger - Reed will be 35 this year, and IMO he's got maybe 2-3 years of football left before he hangs it up. Kruger on the other hand will just be 27 this month, and has easily 5-6 years left of being in top form, and keep in mind Suggs will be 31 in October and has been in the league only one year less than Reed. In terms of overall impact for what he does, it's Reed, because nobody in this league changes the way an offense approaches us than Ed Reed. To me it all comes down to which deal ends up being more palatable - do we want to possibly overpay for Kruger when this is really his first breakout year and we've already drafted a few guys who could conceivably take his spot, or do we want to take a risk on Ed Reed, a guy who has had a lot of injury concerns and has openly talked about retirement for several years now. This isn't taking into consideration that Biscotti all but guaranteed Flacco would be here long-term and that will take up quite a bit of cap, nor does it take into consideration that Ellerbe is also an important free agent. In my opinion, if Kruger will stay for the right price, I'd prioritize his years left in the league over what Ed's will be, but if Kruger doesn't come down off of what he's asking for then he'll probably walk.

[tctony]

[quote name='beasy2487' timestamp='1359753296' post='1337894']
It's not that he's going to demand it, he's going to [i]command[/i] it. He's a young, proven pass rusher in this league and we probably couldn't even afford what we would offer as a lowball. There is a team out there that's buying what he's selling in buckets and (especially with a Super Bowl already checked off his bucket list) if you're him you have to take the big money because you never know when your career is going to be over in the NFL.
[/quote]

Proven? How? His stretch at the end of the regular season was the only time in his career he has done anything noteworthy.

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

We need both Reed and Ellerbe?

[beasy2487]

[quote name='tctony' timestamp='1359827372' post='1338549']
Proven? How? His stretch at the end of the regular season was the only time in his career he has done anything noteworthy.
[/quote]

...because he's coming off his rookie contract and his stretch at the end of the year and into these playoffs is the only thing scouts are going to be looking at. If he was a 30 yr old guy going onto his 3rd contract I'd agree with you but, much like Flacco, Kruger is playing his best ball at the perfect time for maximum leverage in the contract debate. Scouts are going to drool over his potential as an anchor on a crappy DL (which we know will probably go the same way as AD in New England) and pay handsomely for it.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Kruger only had 1 good season. I think he can come pretty cheap tbh.

Ellerbe & Kruger & Flacco back on Ravens jersey imo

[omar586]

neither. simply we dont have the cap to do it. kruger wants to get paid, reed declining production is hurting him to get $$.

[bauer77]

Ellerbe first, and then Reed. Kruger wants $8 million a year. No thanks. Probably going to the Colts (and Pagano) or somewhere that has money to spare.

[NaveSenrag]

Without Kruger, who goes opposite Suggs? We haven't seen anything from McAdoo, and Upshaw is great against the run, but has no passrush. That means hiring yet another aging player and hoping he holds out long enough for us to draft a better pass rusher.

Without Reed, we have several players who can step up and play free safety. They certainly won't have Reed's experience, but they won't be a detriment to the position.

[raybaby]

[quote name='NaveSenrag' timestamp='1359844078' post='1338720']
Without Reed, we have several players who can step up and play free safety. They certainly won't have Reed's experience, but they won't be a detriment to the position.
[/quote]

Uh who exactly are these players? Don't say Webb. We have safeties on this roster but there is nothing to base on that they could do well or wouldn't be a liability as a full time starter.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1359833403' post='1338610']
[b]Kruger only had 1 good season. I think he can come pretty cheap tbh. [/b]

Ellerbe & Kruger & Flacco back on Ravens jersey imo
[/quote]

You'd be surprised at the premium pass rushers demand. We might not value him at such a high price, but some team desperate for a pass rush will. Kruger will not be coming cheap.

[ravefan52]

Reed. Behind Kruger we have Sizzle and Upshaw. Behind Ed is Thompson and Brown. I like both of them but they are really unproven. And because of Ed's leadership and what he means to this team and city

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1359844820' post='1338725']


You'd be surprised at the premium pass rushers demand. We might not value him at such a high price, but some team desperate for a pass rush will. Kruger will not be coming cheap.
[/quote]
He's also wrong. Kruger has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career except for that one year we tried him at 3-4 DE. He made a critical INT against Pittsburgh, also he was a good situational pass rusher last year. He had more time this year, but his promise was evident after last season.

[NaveSenrag]

[quote name='raybaby' timestamp='1359844628' post='1338723']
Uh who exactly are these players? Don't say Webb. We have safeties on this roster but there is nothing to base on that they could do well or wouldn't be a liability as a full time starter.
[/quote]
Considine started games for Philly and put up decent numbers. Emmanuel Cook did well as a backup for Reed. Brown looked good in the preseason, even if he hasn't shown a whole lot in the regular and postseasons. Ihedigbo isn't technically a free safety, but I believe he played a bit of it in NE, and he has the skills for it.

But at OLB, we have a great player in Kruger, a pure speed rusher who can't cover and can't tackle in Hamilton, McAdoo who has been injured every season he has been with the Ravens and most recently tore his Achilles, and Upshaw who can stop the run but isn't a good pass rusher.

I'd rather sign the young guy who we can count on for at least 6-8 more years and is getting better and make do at safety, than sign the veteran who has one or two more years in him and is declining and go back to the level of pass rush we had at the start of the season.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

[size=4][background=transparent]Via Rotoworld:[/background]

[background=transparent][background=transparent]J. Michael of CSN Baltimore says impending free agent OLB Paul Kruger "definitely" won't be re-signed by the Ravens.[/background][/background]
[color=#0000FF][background=transparent]Kruger posted regular season career-highs in tackles (42) and sacks (nine), and is reportedly seeking a contract in the $40 million range. His stock is on the rise after emerging on the national stage with a postseason flurry. Kruger graded out as a top-seven 3-4 outside linebacker in 2012 by Pro Football Focus. The Baltimore Sun suggests he could be a candidate for the franchise tag if the Ravens agree to a long-term extension with Joe Flacco before free agency.[/background][/color][/size]

[flynismo]

Kruger

[raybaby]

[quote name='NaveSenrag' timestamp='1359851383' post='1338904']
Considine started games for Philly and put up decent numbers. Emmanuel Cook did well as a backup for Reed. Brown looked good in the preseason, even if he hasn't shown a whole lot in the regular and postseasons. Ihedigbo isn't technically a free safety, but I believe he played a bit of it in NE, and he has the skills for it.

But at OLB, we have a great player in Kruger, a pure speed rusher who can't cover and can't tackle in Hamilton, McAdoo who has been injured every season he has been with the Ravens and most recently tore his Achilles, and Upshaw who can stop the run but isn't a good pass rusher.

I'd rather sign the young guy who we can count on for at least 6-8 more years and is getting better and make do at safety, than sign the veteran who has one or two more years in him and is declining and go back to the level of pass rush we had at the start of the season.
[/quote]

Considine is terrible. He's a special teamer. That's it. There might be potential in Cook or Brown but there isn't any real evidence that they are capable starters. Not saying it doesn't make sense to keep a guy that's younger and can impact our team longer but our safety position is much more of a question mark.. obviously our FO would have a better idea on if we have a capable guy to step in for Ed but based on what we've seen saying there are several guys that can doesn't make sense.

[The Raven]

I know that everyone is completely in love with Ed Reed and rightfully so, but you have to go with the young blood at a pass rushing position. Be realistic guys.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='BALTIMOREFLACCO' timestamp='1359852936' post='1338952']
[background=transparent]Via Rotoworld:[/background]

[background=transparent][background=transparent]J. Michael of CSN Baltimore says impending free agent OLB Paul Kruger "definitely" won't be re-signed by the Ravens.[/background][/background]
[color=#0000FF][background=transparent]Kruger posted regular season career-highs in tackles (42) and sacks (nine), and is reportedly seeking a contract in the $40 million range. His stock is on the rise after emerging on the national stage with a postseason flurry. Kruger graded out as a top-seven 3-4 outside linebacker in 2012 by Pro Football Focus. The Baltimore Sun suggests he could be a candidate for the franchise tag if the Ravens agree to a long-term extension with Joe Flacco before free agency.[/background][/color]
[/quote]
Yep. There he goes! Maybe he'll get us a 3rd round compensatory pick!

Hey, a guy can hope.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1359861784' post='1339103']
I know that everyone is completely in love with Ed Reed and rightfully so, but you have to go with the young blood at a pass rushing position. Be realistic guys.
[/quote]
Not when the guy is a 2 down rush LB who wants upwards of 8mil a year. How are we supposed to field a team under the cap with demands like that for a guy who doesn't play on 1st downs.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1359865502' post='1339200']
Not when the guy is a 2 down rush LB who wants upwards of 8mil a year. How are we supposed to field a team under the cap with demands like that for a guy who doesn't play on 1st downs.
[/quote]

A strong point, no doubt. But, would you rather give a long term contract to a 27 year old pass rusher with a little upside or a 35 year old safety who is declining?

Kruger is a better business decision. 9 sacks? Yes please!