Dannell Ellerbe on his way to Baltimore

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1360969162' post='1358843']
I think that was a big moment in his career and I loved Harbs for it. He was a young player that needed to learn that you have to earn your swagger playing for the Ravens. Don't mind you having flair and swag, but you gonna put in the work first or you are just viewed as a showboating young punk.

[b]The moment I knew Ellerbe was a serious player was the Vikings game in 09'. When I saw him explode and tackle AP on a swing pass 1on1. I was like my man Jacoby Jones....ooh baby. [/b]I must like others wanted Ellerbe to always start over McClain, but I unlike many like the fact that Harbs has a doghouse and makes guys earn playing time. I think it makes these young guys better and it makes them set standards for even younger players coming on the team.

[b]I think LQW might be in that doghouse, but not sure.[/b]
[/quote]

I still remember that tackle as well. Great play. Another nice play was a hit he put on Joseph Addai in the play-off game that season. Knocked him out of the game for several plays.

I don't think LaQuan was in the doghouse; there were just simply better special teams players on the roster.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='ghost1986' timestamp='1360970253' post='1358861']

If you mean LaQuan Williams, I agree. I was disappointed to not see his name on the back of my Super Bowl Champions t-shirt with the rest of the team.
[/quote]

Yea that's who I mean. The last two years you heard reports about him performing well in camp, hell I've seen it with my own eyes last camp. Then you see him in the preseaon, nothing great, but he has his moments. You see him being tough and scrappy on kick coverage, but he always seems to get over looked when time for a young guy to step up at WR. I wonder the cause. I don't think it's talent or work habits because reports have been great for him. Maybe Harbs just sees even more potential in Quan and thinks he needs a little push to get it out.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1360970611' post='1358869']


I still remember that tackle as well. Great play. Another nice play was a hit he put on Joseph Addai in the play-off game that season. Knocked him out of the game for several plays.

I don't think LaQuan was in the doghouse; there were just simply better special teams players on the roster.
[/quote]

I thought the same thing about LaQuan, but even when it was clear that Thompson wasn't returning kicks, he played over Quan and he's a much better coverage guy then DT. Then in the Broncos game when both Torrey and JJ got banged up it was Reed who came in at WR over Quan. In the Last game of the season only DT and Reed was allowed to play WR, I think that would have been the perfect time to let him play. But I guess we'll see. Can't see him sticking around after this season if he doesnt play.

Back on topic, I don't think we can talk about Ellerbe knocking a guy out of the game without bringing up the hit he put on Cribbs in the TNF game. I was at my office watching that game and we all jumped up hollering. Then a silence came over the room as we noticed Cribbs was hurt, but NFL Network showed the replay a few seconds later and it was like we all forgot Cribbs was hurt, because we started hollering again lol.

Now that I think about itm i'm wondering which hit was better. Ellerbe vs the Browns or Pollard vs the Pats. That's a tough one for me.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1360972050' post='1358879']
I thought the same thing about LaQuan, but even when it was clear that Thompson wasn't returning kicks, he played over Quan and he's a much better coverage guy then DT. Then in the Broncos game when both Torrey and JJ got banged up it was Reed who came in at WR over Quan. In the Last game of the season only DT and Reed was allowed to play WR, I think that would have been the perfect time to let him play. But I guess we'll see. Can't see him sticking around after this season if he doesnt play.

Back on topic, I don't think we can talk about Ellerbe knocking a guy out of the game without bringing up the hit he put on Cribbs in the TNF game. I was at my office watching that game and we all jumped up hollering. Then a silence came over the room as we noticed Cribbs was hurt, but NFL Network showed the replay a few seconds later and it was like we all forgot Cribbs was hurt, because we started hollering again lol.

Now that I think about itm i'm wondering which hit was better. Ellerbe vs the Browns or Pollard vs the Pats. That's a tough one for me.
[/quote]

Once Deonte lost his return duties in Week 5, he wasn't active again till Week 17. LaQuan wasn't active the first four weeks of the regular season but he played every game after that. I was surprised he wasn't active at all during the play-offs but save for the Broncos game, the coverage teams were solid in the post-season.

Ellerbe's hit on Cribbs was sweet but it was somewhat glancing blow. Pollard ran up and drilled Ridley. The way he spun from the collision and crumpled... Brutal.

[jtizzle710]

I can see Paul Kruger going to Indy with Dwight Freeney being released!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1360973413' post='1358891']


Once Deonte lost his return duties in Week 5, he wasn't active again till Week 17. LaQuan wasn't active the first four weeks of the regular season but he played every game after that. I was surprised he wasn't active at all during the play-offs but save for the Broncos game, the coverage teams were solid in the post-season.

Ellerbe's hit on Cribbs was sweet but it was somewhat glancing blow. Pollard ran up and drilled Ridley. The way he spun from the collision and crumpled... Brutal.
[/quote]

Yea that's what i'm saying, LQW, was active a lot at the end of the season, but i'm wondering why DT was allowed to play WR in that Bengals game. I would think that LQW playing well and earning his strips on ST would get the nod over Thompson. I just know Harbs has certain guys that he pushes a little harder for whatever reason. Either he doesn't see them working hard enough to reach their potential or whatever. Not sure what the answer is for LaQuan, but in situations where young guys are playing, I'd like to see him get a shot. Maybe he had a injury that made it tough to play WR, but didn't effect his ST play much.

Yea BP's hit was sick and it came at a crucial moment in the game. Plus I think BP had some built up frustrations about all the fines and bad call, and just found his opportunity to just explode on someone. Lol

I also loved Harbs and the sidelines reaction to BP's hit. He is truly the enforcer.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='jtizzle710' timestamp='1360974413' post='1358901']
I can see Paul Kruger going to Indy with Dwight Freeney being released!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[/quote]
They'll be getting a poor man's version of how Freeney played. All pass rush, rarely good against the run. Except Kruger is no Freeney pass rushing.

[GrimCoconut]

Paul Kruger will be a better OLB than Freeney. Freeney was a great DE but very average OLB. I think Kruger's above-average as an OLB, and I believe he's a pretty damn good DE. I think, if he's used right, he will do great in Indy. I think he fits a 4-3 best, though.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1360986854' post='1359058']
Paul Kruger will be a better OLB than Freeney. Freeney was a great DE but very average OLB. I think Kruger's above-average as an OLB, and I believe he's a pretty damn good DE. I think, if he's used right, he will do great in Indy. I think he fits a 4-3 best, though.
[/quote]
He's just not good against the run. He's obviously a better OLB than Freeney is because Freeney had 1 year standing up compared to Kruger's 3 already. But Kruger get's washed out by below average run blocking lineman, he struggles to maintain the edge.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1360992350' post='1359107']

He's just not good against the run. He's obviously a better OLB than Freeney is because Freeney had 1 year standing up compared to Kruger's 3 already. But Kruger get's washed out by below average run blocking lineman, he struggles to maintain the edge.
[/quote]
Yeah, I agree with that. This is how I rank Kruger on a 0-5 scale, 5 being best.

Pass-Rush: 5
Coverage: 4
Edge-setting: 2

He's not the worst at setting the edge, but clearly not the best. His coverage is above-average. His pass rush is great. But the run he can be gashed. If he has some elite DTs next to him, he can really be something special. I think he would be a good fit in Chicago if they work a deal out with Melton. He'll have Peppers on the other side and I can see him doing exceptionally well there.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1360992959' post='1359110']
Yeah, I agree with that. This is how I rank Kruger on a 0-5 scale, 5 being best.

Pass-Rush: 5
Coverage: 4
Edge-setting: 2

He's not the worst at setting the edge, but clearly not the best. His coverage is above-average. His pass rush is great. But the run he can be gashed. [b]If he has some elite DTs next to him[/b], he can really be something special. I think he would be a good fit in Chicago if they work a deal out with Melton. He'll have Peppers on the other side and I can see him doing exceptionally well there.
[/quote]
I said the same thing in a thread about a week ago lol. If he has inside help that gets off blocks for him it will negate how much pressure is put on him to make the play on a power or sweep. Chicago is actually a pretty good fit I didn't think of them. With Urlacher likely being off the books and word is they're going to revamp their LB corps as well so they should have some coin.

[Jitamon]

Dannell Ellerbe ranked #6 most underrated free agents. [url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000139138/article/dwight-freeney-drew-stanton-top-list-of-underrated-free-agents"]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000139138/article/dwight-freeney-drew-stanton-top-list-of-underrated-free-agents[/url]

[flaccopoe]

Ellerbe is the future of the LB corps post-Lewis. BAL can't afford to let him walk.

[ellicottraven]

I hope he signs a deal that is friendly to both the team and Dannelle!

[GrimCoconut]

I would rather keep Ellerbe than McClain. Draft two ILBs in this draft since it's a nice one for it and Ellerbe has had his share of injuries. You get one ILB early in rounds 1-3 and then get one later in rounds 4-6.

[Ravenseconbeast]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1361203747' post='1360971']
I would rather keep Ellerbe than McClain. Draft two ILBs in this draft since it's a nice one for it and Ellerbe has had his share of injuries. You get one ILB early in rounds 1-3 and then get one later in rounds 4-6.
[/quote]

That is one area where it concerns me the most. Ellerbe has a history with injuries. Might be a good idea to put him on a incentive-laden contract.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1361203747' post='1360971']
I would rather keep Ellerbe than McClain. Draft two ILBs in this draft since it's a nice one for it and Ellerbe has had his share of injuries. You get one ILB early in rounds 1-3 and then get one later in rounds 4-6.
[/quote]

I like that idea, draft 2 ILBs to go along with Ellerbe. I'm leaning towards the thinking of not drafting a 1st round guy because the pressure to "replace Ray" would be the highest for him. However you get a 2-3 round guy and another late guy, it'll be more of a ILB unit that replaces Ray, then the media seeking out one guy.

I also really like Bynes and Carr. It's gonna be funny to see the Ravens go against conventional wisdom and replace the great Ray Lewis with a group of undrafted guys.

I was really disappointed in McClean this year and actually think McCellean might be a better option. That's probably me just being disappointed with McClain, because he was strong in 2011. But I really think Ellerbe, Bynes, McClain, Carr and McClellan can get the job done.

I'd rather see the Ravens aggressively attack the NT position. Get me 2 big hogs up front and i'm not worried about the ILB corp.

To be honest, i'm looking at this young defense and I like what i'm seeing. I see DT as our only glaring weakness. I like what Pees wants to do with this defense. Get guys like Ngata, Suggs, Webb, Mcphee and Jimmy 100%, see guys like Upshaw, Jones and Brown continue to develop and see what sub roles guys like Omar, Cook, and Hamilton can play, I really like it, especially knowing Ozzie will continue to add talent throe the draft.

[omar586]

Ozzie will trade down to pick up extra picks for depth.

[Ravensuperfan1]

Ravens need to extend one or two players. And sign Ellerbe, Flacco and Reed. Once we have those 3 locked up I'll be happy

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1361242055' post='1361729']


I like that idea, draft 2 ILBs to go along with Ellerbe. I'm leaning towards the thinking of not drafting a 1st round guy because the pressure to "replace Ray" would be the highest for him. However you get a 2-3 round guy and another late guy, it'll be more of a ILB unit that replaces Ray, then the media seeking out one guy.

I also really like Bynes and Carr. It's gonna be funny to see the Ravens go against conventional wisdom and replace the great Ray Lewis with a group of undrafted guys.

I was really disappointed in McClean this year and actually think McCellean might be a better option. That's probably me just being disappointed with McClain, because he was strong in 2011. But I really think Ellerbe, Bynes, McClain, Carr and McClellan can get the job done.

I'd rather see the Ravens aggressively attack the NT position. Get me 2 big hogs up front and i'm not worried about the ILB corp.

To be honest, i'm looking at this young defense and I like what i'm seeing. I see DT as our only glaring weakness. I like what Pees wants to do with this defense. Get guys like Ngata, Suggs, Webb, Mcphee and Jimmy 100%, see guys like Upshaw, Jones and Brown continue to develop and see what sub roles guys like Omar, Cook, and Hamilton can play, I really like it, especially knowing Ozzie will continue to add talent throe the draft.
[/quote]
I really agree with everything you said. I like a strategy of getting a cut vet DT from a 4-3 defense who may be a bit older but who can possibly play the NT spot. I really like FA DT Roy Miller from TB. The guy is very good against the run and I think he has the size & technique to play the NT spot.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1361388605' post='1363251']

I really agree with everything you said. I like a strategy of getting a cut vet DT from a 4-3 defense who may be a bit older but who can possibly play the NT spot. I really like FA DT Roy Miller from TB. The guy is very good against the run and I think he has the size & technique to play the NT spot.
[/quote]

I like it. Older guy who only has a couple years left, but has that, I Want A Ring drive. From a young guy standpoint, how do you feel about Pat Sims? He didn't put up huge stats, but he was a strong rotational guy for Cincy

[poescrows]

[quote name='Ravensuperfan1' timestamp='1361335941' post='1362846']
Ravens need to extend one or two players. And sign Ellerbe, Flacco and Reed. Once we have those 3 locked up I'll be happy
[/quote]Gotta put Boldin in there with the "must signs" too.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1361394372' post='1363352']


I like it. Older guy who only has a couple years left, but has that, I Want A Ring drive. From a young guy standpoint, how do you feel about Pat Sims? He didn't put up huge stats, but he was a strong rotational guy for Cincy
[/quote]
Yeah, Sims has some nice upside. I have to look at more NTs out there. I just think we go the route of getting one of those unheralded players. Maybe even Franklin.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

[quote name='poescrows' timestamp='1361394667' post='1363355']
Gotta put Boldin in there with the "must signs" too.
[/quote]Boldin is already signed though....

[poescrows]

[quote name='Miami Hurricane' timestamp='1361399771' post='1363389']
Boldin is already signed though....
[/quote]............. signed to another contract. They may have to let him go for salary space unless he's willing to renegotiate.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1361395823' post='1363371']

Yeah, Sims has some nice upside. I have to look at more NTs out there. I just think we go the route of getting one of those unheralded players. Maybe even Franklin.
[/quote]

I actually thought about Franklin, he was a good rotational guy when he was here and much like Kemo, he's very familiar with what CB expects.

Justin Bannan was always a scraper when he was here, I think he's like 34 now. I like the vet approach and see the Ravens going that route, but they gotta get a young NT they can have compete with Cody, if not push him off the roster.

[CalvinSmoke]

I wanna see how Ellerbe plays when he actually has thumbs

[H8R]

Id like to see a healthy Ell for a WHOLE season! Him and McPhee are gonna go wild next year!

[Ravensuperfan1]

[quote name='poescrows' timestamp='1361394667' post='1363355']
Gotta put Boldin in there with the "must signs" too.
[/quote]

Boldin is not going anywhere. His contract isn't up and given how he performed this ear he will be a Raven for life. He doesn't want to go anywhere else Anquan won't be an issue

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1361412463' post='1363606']
Id like to see a healthy Ell for a WHOLE season! Him and McPhee are gonna go wild next year!
[/quote]
Me too. He's been injured throughout his career it seems, or in a doghouse.

BTW, I thought you said "ELI" for a minute. I was thinking "Did we acquire Eli Manning? And is he suddenly playing on defense?"

Lol.