What to expect from Courtney Upshaw in 2013

[Purple_ICE 81]

I'm hoping for a bit of a breakout year for our first draft selection in the 2012 draft. He was out of shape and pretty raw last season but showed some flashes of talent here or there. With the need for a good pass rushing OLB with the loss of Paul Kruger, hopefully Upshaw can become the player we drafted him to be. I think Upshaw can fit the void if he continues to work hard.

[Latch]

I've been a big fan of him since day 1. At Bama, he was primarily a pass rusher, but he's shown than he has some serious run-stopping chops over here. if we can turn him into the sack-machine he was in college, he'd be a huge player on defense. very high hopes for him. can see him breaking out.

[AsianRice]

[quote name='Purple_ICE 81' timestamp='1362534468' post='1378785']
I'm hoping for a bit of a breakout year for our first draft selection in the 2012 draft. He was out of shape and pretty raw last season but showed some flashes of talent here or there. With the need for a good pass rushing OLB with the loss of Paul Kruger, hopefully Upshaw can become the player we drafted him to be. I think Upshaw can fit the void[b] if he continues to work hard[/b].
[/quote]
If he works 10x harder than anyone in the league behind closed door, he will become the best in the world with all the tools he got. I definitely have high hopes of him cuz if he steps up big, he and Suggs will cause nightmare for any QB out there.

Webb comes back with much improved Jimmy; I sense big year coming....

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Purple_ICE 81' timestamp='1362534468' post='1378785']
I'm hoping for a bit of a breakout year for our first draft selection in the 2012 draft. He was out of shape and pretty raw last season but showed some flashes of talent here or there. With the need for a good pass rushing OLB with the loss of Paul Kruger, hopefully Upshaw can become the player we drafted him to be. I think Upshaw can fit the void if he continues to work hard.
[/quote]
I think we drafted him to play exactly how he played this year as a base. We needed a SAM backer who was tough as nails, with good football IQ and could set the edge, he's exactly that. Pass rush department is all he's lacking, which I'm sure he'll work on because unlike JJ, Upshaw actually has a pretty explosive first step when he uses it, he just seemed hesitant in reading his keys correctly before he rushed the passer.

Im a proponent of Upshaw, I like the way he played. I like smart, tough LBs who love contact. Upshaw proved his worth this year, and played more snaps than Kruger in the Super Bowl; the most important game of the year. That speaks volumes to me in terms of Upshaw's worth.

[ClintLB8]

I seriously believe he will be the best edge setting OLB in the league for years to come. Guy is absolute monster at that already and is only getting better. I think he was limited in what the Ravens allowed him to do last year in the pass rush department. I seriously think he continues to develop and becomes a force. I have said it from day 1, I see Lamarr Woodley all over the guy (but with an outstanding personality and character).

[Ravenseconbeast]

He had a good foundation to start his 1st year. He just needs to build from here on out. Good run defense, and good knack for the ball vs. runners. I want to see him expand his roll as a pass rusher also, have him be unpredictable. His on the right path, can't wait to see what he got next year.

[flaccopoe]

I definitely expect him to improve. He still has so much to learn. Give him time to grow and he should thrive.

[flaccopoe]

Keep in mind he'll have a bigger role next year with the cap-gutted defense.

[lowrider]

Upshaw's forced fumble in the Super Bowl was an elite play. I truly believe that the Ravens have no intention of keeping Kruger because Upshaw's emergence and play last year. I see a younger Suggs in Upshaw.

[Dubs]

Ya I gotta agree with everyone as a run stuffer/edge setter he will be one of the best.

As a pass rush I think he can be amazing as he has some of the strongest hands I have ever seen. I saw him do the "hump" move (Reggie Whites club style) and just dominated a couple OL this year. If he continues to set that up I think he can be a terror and should develop similar to Suggs (as lowrider stated) as an all around 34 OLB. However, Suggs came in refined as a pass rusher and got better and better at setting the edge, Upshaws development will be the opposite

[display name]

I expect a lot out of that kid. He had a great year, and I'm looking for him to take that next step. Seems like a good guy off-the field too.

[Latch]

[quote name='Dubs' timestamp='1362582073' post='1379535']
Ya I gotta agree with everyone as a run stuffer/edge setter he will be one of the best.

As a pass rush I think he can be amazing as he has some of the strongest hands I have ever seen. I saw him do the "hump" move (Reggie Whites club style) and just dominated a couple OL this year. If he continues to set that up I think he can be a terror and should develop similar to Suggs (as lowrider stated) as an all around 34 OLB. However, Suggs came in refined as a pass rusher and got better and better at setting the edge, Upshaws development will be the opposite
[/quote]

i have no clue what happened when he came over here. in his senior season he had 9.5 sacks, and considering the fact that he was sharing pass rushing duties with donta hightower, that's kind of huge. then he comes over here and he has 1.5 on the year. if we can get the pass rushing juices flowing again, he will be a total freak. he's already established himself as a massive run stopper, so i totally agree that e could become like suggs 2.0.

[CalvinSmoke]

Upshaw is one of my favorite guys on the team. Does anyone notice how strong this guy is. He mauls guys that have 60 pounds on him, it's a wonder to watch. He plays assignment football and pass rushing wasn't what he was on the field for last year, Kruger was there for that. Upshaw was there to collapse the pocket and keep his discipline. It's why he stuffed every reverse that came his way.

[Tiz]

Great things man, great things

[Bazooka Joe]

I see 8-10 sacks from Upshaw. He wasn't in NFL football shape but he will be this season.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' timestamp='1362587013' post='1379601']
I see 8-10 sacks from Upshaw. He wasn't in NFL football shape but he will be this season.
[/quote]

Yea that was the biggest thing. In college Upshaw could just overpower guys to get after the QB, the NFL is more about technique. Much like I saw from Kruger two seasons ago, Upshaw was really close to a lot of sacks las year but he just missed. He definitely has the pass rush ability.

Also another thing is Pees moved Upshaw around a lot. So he got experience rushing from the inside as well as the outside. Imo he's a better version of Lamar Woodley. Once he gets the technique down he can get back to using that brute strength of his to over power people consistently.

8-10 Sacks is not unlikely. In fact he make be expected. Especially if Suggs and Ngata return to form 100%. Also Art and Mcphee wwill be big for Upshaw as well. The same way Ngata pull interior lineman away from Suggs, Art could do the same for Upshaw. Then you can put him inside at times and take full advantage of his versatility. I'm excited to see him this year.

[black blood purple passion]

I'd like to see him playing around 260 to give him a little more burst, he moved well for 270 something, they even had him played D tackle for god's sake, imagine what he could do with that strength and additional speed

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='black blood purple passion' timestamp='1362598743' post='1379776']
I'd like to see him playing around 260 to give him a little more burst, he moved well for 270 something, they even had him played D tackle for god's sake, imagine what he could do with that strength and additional speed
[/quote]

Its tough to say what weight these guys play at because once they get that final weigh in before the season, their weight change isn't listed. But I agree Upshaw can only get better.

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1362599653' post='1379787']
Its tough to say what weight these guys play at because once they get that final weigh in before the season, their weight change isn't listed. But I agree Upshaw can only get better.
[/quote]

I don't think he ever got under 267-268. I agree he is a tad heavy and should work to shed about 7-10 pounds. I feel that would only help him.

[Corvus]

Upshaw had a great year for us in stopping the run and setting the edge, but he definitely needs a lot of work in the pass rushing department. If he is gonna be our guy opposite Suggs this year, we really need him to step up in getting after the QB to round out his game. I think this offseason and the OTAs will help him a lot with plenty of time to work on his craft.

[H8R]

Upshaw is 3 times the player of Kruger. He can play the run, he has great feel for where the ball is gonna go. Mark my words... He'll have 8-10 sacks next year!

He is a monster! Look at the guys shoulders! He's also gonna know how to train in the offseason. He was dealing with the shoulder most of the year.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Corvus' timestamp='1362603098' post='1379824']
Upshaw had a great year for us in stopping the run and setting the edge, but he definitely needs a lot of work in the pass rushing department. If he is gonna be our guy opposite Suggs this year, we really need him to step up in getting after the QB to round out his game. I think this offseason and the OTAs will help him a lot with plenty of time to work on his craft.
[/quote]

He was a much better pass rusher then given credit for. He applied a lot of pressure on the QBs that didn't necessarily result in sacks. Just like the rest of the defense he go better when Suggs returned. Also he was moved around a lot to try and create mismatches for others.

I think it'll be interesting to see just how Upshaw is used this year. Do you allow him to just rush from the outside on 3rd downs or do you continue to move him around to create matchups for guy like Mcphee. I really like his potential and think he'll be one of the stud defenders for years to come.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1362603202' post='1379827']
Upshaw is 3 times the player of Kruger. He can play the run, he has great feel for where the ball is gonna go. Mark my words... He'll have 8-10 sacks next year!

He is a monster! Look at the guys shoulders! He's also gonna know how to train in the offseason. He was dealing with the shoulder most of the year.
[/quote]

I like that word Monster. Everyone uses the term beast but Upshaw does appear to have the potential to be a different type of animal.

[H8R]

I just think Upshaw is Sooo much further along then Paul was in his rookie year. Paul still can't stop the run, CU can do that right now! He's gonna be better then JJ, in no time at all.

[akacrow]

I expect Upshaw to produce lights out in rush defense, and somewhere between J.J. and Kruger as a pass rusher.

[ravensfan2430]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1362603202' post='1379827']
Upshaw is 3 times the player of Kruger. He can play the run, he has great feel for where the ball is gonna go. Mark my words... He'll have 8-10 sacks next year!

He is a monster! Look at the guys shoulders! He's also gonna know how to train in the offseason. He was dealing with the shoulder most of the year.
[/quote]

I think Upshaw will be very good, but I think he will be around the 3-5 sack range. My opinion may change if he plays at a lighter weight.

[Bltravens]

I dont really see Upshaw being a prime pass rushing threat in the range of 8-10 sacks. Woodley benefits greatly from having Harrison across from him and Woodley constantly being allowed to rush the passer. Upshaw plays a different role, our scheme forces him to do more than Woodley does.

I personally see Upshaw in the 5-8 range yearly.

[baltravens]

I don't know, but Upshaw better seal the edge in 2013. Just like a young rookie he took an inside route of the snap of the ball, and the ball carrier and team went easily around him and around the corner.
I don't know whether he has to be taught about his foot work when playing from the outside, but it has to be gotten right or he will not remain a starter if he continues to constantly let running backs seamlessly get around him.

[Cville-Raven]

Hopefully Beastly Upshaw can have a great season next year.

[Cville-Raven]

[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1362616090' post='1380098']
I don't know, but Upshaw better seal the edge in 2013. Just like a young rookie he took an inside route of the snap of the ball, and the ball carrier and team went easily around him and around the corner.
I don't know whether he has to be taught about his foot work when playing from the outside, but it has to be gotten right or he will not remain a starter if he continues to constantly let running backs seamlessly get around him.
[/quote]you act like it happens every time, cause it doesn't. Does he take a bad angle every now and then? Yes, but it's not nearly as bad as you make it out to be. Lets not forget the play he made against Julian Edleman week 3.