Welcome to Baltimore, Matt Elam!

[GrimCoconut]

I think something many of us are not acknowledging is the fact that Elam is now reunited with his college coach Austin. I think that's a really big aspect that is being ignored. Having a guy like him here to help refine Elam even more is absolutely huge. It's huge. Elam is a really talented prospect, who brings the leadership qualities we covet as a team.

He is a really talented player. You know who had issues tackling? Ed Reed. At least that's what people say. I don't think Reed is that bad of a tackler & I don't think Elam is, either.

[blitzking33]

Hey guys, don't know if it is said.. Elam is wearing #31

[BallHawker]

I respect Elam so much more after reading this article.

Please read. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=4761284
(shooting article - http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1999-01-27/news/9901270108_1_sister-girl-riviera-beach)

Elam proved everyone wrong. His attitude towards football and professionalism is beyond all prospects who I've gotten the chance to learn. His mentality couldn't be any more than that of the Ravens we all love. Unlike most athletes, he is actually genuine when he says he plays for his family and that he is simply trying to make them proud, "turnings frowns into smiles."

Not only does he play like Ed, Elam has shown me he has the mentality and values to be the only possible successor to my favorite athlete of all time.

[Moderator 3]

There's a real good article on our own site.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Matt-Elam-Tested-By-Family-Tragedy/e37c3665-29cb-4962-bbb3-0ee4bd91fdaf

[black blood purple passion]

QFT.
 
With that said, what's the over/under on flags and/or fines Elam picks up next season?

HAHA well hopefully he can restrain himself somewhat. LOve the way he plays, its unfortunate how soft the NFL is getting its almost pathetic.

[K-Dog]

I REALLY like this guy.

 

Watch the video of him coming into the Castle.

he either says "Coach " or "Sir " to every one, some times both.

 

I dont know about you but this speaks volumes to me.

He is respectful which in most cases means he is teachable.

To make it in the NFL you need to be teachable.

 

The stories of his past help too.  He is humble.  He has seen the lowest points of his life and he is fighting to see the highest.

 

I am excited to have him on the team.

[GrimCoconut]

What really says a lot to me is that John Harbaugh said "You're the guy we wanted. You're the guy we targeted"

 

Do you guys realize that's the player the Ravens thought would fall, meaning that was probably their highest rated player in the Draft compared to other guys? Really interesting. Really. 

[mgridda]

Hey guys, don't know if it is said.. Elam is wearing #31

 

 

That's my number!!! Sweet. I always wanted another SS to come and wear #31 for the Ravens. It looked good on Jamal.

[Gordo52]

Man, Brown & Elam would be a crazy first two rounds. I would probably flip my bed over in excitement.

So did you?

[Purple Nurple]

So did you?

Well done!!!

[GrimCoconut]

So did you?

What's a good furniture store?

[Gordo52]

What's a good furniture store?

:lol: IKEA

[BloodRaven]

It's a shame that this is his "Welcome to Baltimore" thread on the Ravens Talk board.

[display name]

Everywhere, I'm reading this comparison to Bernard Pollard and how Matt Elam is this short little enforcer guy who makes big hits but doesn't do much else. This couldn't be more insulting, and further from the truth. Yes, he hits players hard. That doesn't mean he doesn't do other things well. It doesn't mean he "misses tackles" and "can't cover" I'll just go ahead and take it from the mouths of scouts, starting with the best scout:

 

 

"He can do a lot of different things. He can cover well, he's tackles extremely well. This guy is a physical guy who can tackle. Quite honestly, just about every time he had a chance to get the guy down, he did." -- Eric DeCosta

 

 

"Very good in pass coverage in the deep part of the field."

"Covers a lot of ground in pass defense"

"Can execute strong and free safety responsibilities"

"Athletic enough to cover tight ends and runningbacks in man coverage"

"Solid run defender"

 

 

"-Extremely fast, Active to the ball"

"-Very good in pass coverage and can cover large areas of ground"

"-Versatility, Can play Free or Strong Safety"

 

"uses his hands extremely well in coverage."

 

"Elam is very vocal before the snap"

 

 

 

Please stop the early misconceptions about Matt Elam's game. I put a target on Elam's back as someone I wanted to be a Raven since I started scouting players right after the Superbowl. I looked at everybody and there isn't a guy on offense or defense in this draft that plays like a Raven more than Matt Elam. He has a hunger for the football. That's what being Ravenous is all about. Like Ray Lewis, he's always around the football. Troy Polamalu is like that too. Elam flies all over the field and he makes some great athletic plays. He's one of the fastest safeties in the draft, and he can make plays on the ball when it's up in the air and he has to turn around to swat it down. He can play man-to-man, he can play zone, he can cover the slot and on the outside and is a vocal leader

 

 

This is a complete play-making safety who will be the next great defensive star on the Ravens. Not some younger version of Bernard Pollard. Do your homework, please.

Seems like he plays football the traditional Raven way.

I'm excited for our defense now.

[ravensdfan]

That's my number!!! Sweet. I always wanted another SS to come and wear #31 for the Ravens. It looked good on Jamal.

 

?

 

Pollard wore #31.

 

I like Ozzie telling him he shouldn't pick #20 lol

[Raven552]

Great choice!  The video clips were amazing to watch!  Glad to have you "Play Like A Raven" Matt!  :)

[Cville-Raven]

[BloodRaven]

I hope he becomes better than Ed.

[Cville-Raven]

Am I the only one that thinks we could move him to FS after a year or two. His speed and playmaking skills could be great for a center fielder.

[GrimCoconut]

Am I the only one that thinks we could move him to FS after a year or two. His speed and playmaking skills could be great for a center fielder.

I think he might be able to make the move as well.

[edreedfromtheu]

The only misconception is that Pollard couldn't cover, or that Reed couldn't tackle.  Thought I'd hear the end of this now that they're both gone, but I guess not.

Yes, Elam will be good.  I don't feel the same about Huff.  But both will probably have the luxury of one of the best pass-rushes the Ravens defense has ever had with a healthy Suggs and Dumervil.  And an offense that can consistently stay on the field and score points.

[Ed_Reed20]

The only misconception is that Pollard couldn't cover, or that Reed couldn't tackle.  Thought I'd hear the end of this now that they're both gone, but I guess not.

Yes, Elam will be good.  I don't feel the same about Huff.  But both will probably have the luxury of one of the best pass-rushes the Ravens defense has ever had with a healthy Suggs and Dumervil.  And an offense that can consistently stay on the field and score points.

 

Stop. Pollard couldn't cover (the Super Bowl was just one example of that) and Ed missed a boatload of tackles over the previous three seasons. 

[GrimCoconut]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pan8DCAnAZA

 

I loved this. Not sure if it's been posted yet, but it was great.

[Militant X 1]

i'm on the late show with this thread but i've been peeping as much material on Elam as possible!  i really like this cat's style!  welcome aboard and just bring the noise brah!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rREjDTpTedE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYGfkStYhHA

 

~Mili

[RavenzAllDay]

Elam will be a beast here! Only negatives about him are he sometimes wouldnt wrap up and just dive his shoulder into players looking for the big hit(Wont fly in the NFL) and his size. Imagine him matching up with Eifert or Gresham... He makes up for it though with everything else, straight Raven qualities!

[Gordo52]

It's gonna be interesting seeing him matchup with bigger TE's. ...Not sure how I feel about it.

[Cville-Raven]

He may be short but definitely isnt small. He is built like a linebacker.

[arnie_uk]

Really hope I'm wrong but I still firmly believe Cyprien will be the best safety in the class. I think we may have missed out there, we normally love small school guys as well

[T-ray]

Really hope I'm wrong but I still firmly believe Cyprien will be the best safety in the class. I think we may have missed out there, we normally love small school guys as well

Cyprien?? Not even close man. Elam is the best safety in this class, and will be for a long long time. Cyprien is way too raw to play in our division. Sure, he may look good in the division he is in, but in ours?? Not a chance. Nah, just nah.

[izvoodoo]

Really hope I'm wrong but I still firmly believe Cyprien will be the best safety in the class. I think we may have missed out there, we normally love small school guys as well

Cyprien is too slow to really make a play.

 

EDIT:  I take that back, I just don't think he has the speed Elam does and I think that's the difference of the two.