Welcome to Baltimore, Matt Elam!

[Ravenseconbeast]

i pay for college pass, have access to everything I could ever need. i have an archive so I can watch his career in the months leading up to the draft, rather than relying on my memory of how he done last year. High school performance won't influence Nfl teams on picking this guy or that. You shouldn't make assumptions....

'College pass' ftw

Arnie is our special e-scout. Better listen to this guy folks....

[arnie_uk]

I think we liked Elam over Cyprien for three reasons, as DeCosta stated explicitly:1. He's faster.2. He's a vocal leader and a cerebral player3. Level of competitionI think familiarity with his family was gravy on top of those three things. Combine that with the coaching/environmental element and you've got a winner. As many have said, they'll both be good safeties but Elam will bring home much more hardware.

i was actually reading through the draft section and many people, in fact the majority liked Cyprien over Elam, Miami was one who preferred Elam, and maybe one or two more, but the majority preferred cyp. now no one has a bad word to say about Elam because we drafted him. I can't stand that. We can still criticise ravens, I think people get caught up in the hype and magically think every player we draft will be a future hall of famer.

[arnie_uk]

'College pass' ftw
Arnie is our special e-scout. Better listen to this guy folks....

insightful. How's me watching the same games and footage yous watch in Saturdays through college pass any different from anyone else here?

[berad]

i seen a different quote than that now, where he mentioned the familiarity with the coaches as the deciding factor. It was de costa said it as well

 

I've seen that, too, and it was a contributing factor but I'm just posting what I read. Eric DeCosta thinks Matt Elam is significantly faster than Cyprien.

[GrimCoconut]

i was actually reading through the draft section and many people, in fact the majority liked Cyprien over Elam, Miami was one who preferred Elam, and maybe one or two more, but the majority preferred cyp. now no one has a bad word to say about Elam because we drafted him. I can't stand that. We can still criticise ravens, I think people get caught up in the hype and magically think every player we draft will be a future hall of famer.

This is true. I do remember that. I'm a big fan of Cyprien as you well know. I just greatly dislike the coaching situation in which he finds himself. I think they need to bring in s veteran back there with him. Personally, I think Houston would have been perfect. I understand why they didn't but for him to have learned behind Reed would've been huge in my book.

[arnie_uk]

I've seen that, too, and it was a contributing factor but I'm just posting what I read. Eric DeCosta thinks Matt Elam is significantly faster than Cyprien.

i hadn't seen that quote until now, but for what it's worth I think Cyprien is plenty fast but they obviously took a stance on drafting speed players this year on d to get faster. They must have had them pretty even if it comes down to speed, especially when there isn't much difference between the two. I love them both but I would have went Cyprien based on what I think is a higher upside in coverage

[arnie_uk]

This is true. I do remember that. I'm a big fan of Cyprien as you well know. I just greatly dislike the coaching situating in which he finds himself. I think they need to bring in s veteran back there with him. Personally, I think Houston would have been perfect. I understand why they didn't but for him to have learned behind Reed would've been huge in my book.

the coaching at the jags will still be a massive upgrade over FIU so you should notice a greater incline in his game quicker than you will elams because he's more polished. Cyp will learn little thinks Elam already knows, and his game will motive quicker in that regard.

[Cville-Raven]

plenty of 5 star recruits from high school don't even make it in college, high school tape at this point is pretty null and void for evaluating prospects.

You do realize he comes from Florida which is the cream of the crop for talent. Just look at the US army all american bowl and tell me how many of those five star recruits don't make it to the NFL. 

[GrimCoconut]

the coaching at the jags will still be a massive upgrade over FIU so you should notice a greater incline in his game quicker than you will elams because he's more polished. Cyp will learn little thinks Elam already knows, and his game will motive quicker in that regard.

Fair enough. Needless to say we are in accord regarding these two prospects. I'm really fond of both. We will always end up comparing these two guys. I hope we made the right choice.

[beasy2487]

i was actually reading through the draft section and many people, in fact the majority liked Cyprien over Elam, Miami was one who preferred Elam, and maybe one or two more, but the majority preferred cyp. now no one has a bad word to say about Elam because we drafted him. I can't stand that. We can still criticise ravens, I think people get caught up in the hype and magically think every player we draft will be a future hall of famer.

I dig. When I said "We" I meant the Ravens. My thing is, I can have as many opinions about guys as I want but when it comes to personnel decisions I have to trust that our guys are doing their due diligence and making the right call. It's not often that you get to see clearly that our FO liked one guy over another guy, but here they had the chance to take either and they chose Elam. So I have to believe that Elam is going to be the better player.

To be fair, the crux of your argument seems to be that Cyprien is bigger. You say "he's better in coverage" and "has better ball skills" but really he's just 2-3 inches taller... which isn't a "skill" per se. The only instance I've really seen of "superior ball skills" is in the Louisville game example... and on that play Bridgewater telegraphs the pass. Cyprien makes an athletic play getting across the field but if it's just about a foot race Elam can make that play all day. That just wouldn't have been his assignment in Florida's defense, it would have been Evans'. On the flip side, the play Elam makes to save the touchdown in the A&M game is the same type of opportunity on a back shoulder pass that Cyprien had in the Louisville game. Cyprien gets beat badly, despite his size, and Elam makes a crazy play on the ball.

[Cville-Raven]

Fair enough. Needless to say we are in accord regarding these two prospects. I'm really fond of both. We will always end up comparing these two guys. I hope we made the right choice.

I think we did. Elam will be playing in the playoffs and Cyprien will be wanting a trade after his rookie season. 

[arnie_uk]

I think we did. Elam will be playing in the playoffs and Cyprien will be wanting a trade after his rookie season.

he could be wanting a trade now lol. Though he's close to home so I'd say he's happy enough

[Bltravens]

i didn't hear him say that, I heard familiarity

It was in one of the pressers about Elam shortly after the draft.  Maybe one of those "behind the scenes" articles on why the team took Elam in the first and why he was the top guy they wanted.

[SteelersProphet]

when I was watching the draft I had a list of players I wanted the Steelers to pick, the first three the ravens picked were all on my list......Its going to be tough to watch players that I spent months looking at highlight films of, wishing they would play for the Steelers, play for the ravens

 

its funny when the ravens drafted him I involuntarily thought "well he's not that good" even though I spent months picturing him in black and gold lol

 

My heart was broken.........

[GrimCoconut]

when I was watching the draft I had a list of players I wanted the Steelers to pick, the first three the ravens picked were all on my list......Its going to be tough to watch players that I spent months looking at highlight films of, wishing they would play for the Steelers, play for the ravens

its funny when the ravens drafted him I involuntarily thought "well he's not that good" even though I spent months picturing him in black and gold lol

My heart was broken.........

Congratulations. You have moved on from the denial phase to acceptance. No easy task.

[Sizzlebshu]

when I was watching the draft I had a list of players I wanted the Steelers to pick, the first three the ravens picked were all on my list......Its going to be tough to watch players that I spent months looking at highlight films of, wishing they would play for the Steelers, play for the ravens

 

its funny when the ravens drafted him I involuntarily thought "well he's not that good" even though I spent months picturing him in black and gold lol

 

My heart was broken.........

To be fair, the Steelers got my #1 prospect on my big board (outside of the tackles of course) in Jarvis Jones. Imo I was just like really? Really? Steelers lose Harrison and 16 stupid teams allow Jones to slide to them. In addition, Harrison goes to the Bengals so we still get to see him 2x a year. 

 

Steelers made some questionable moves so maybe you can enlighten me on them? 

 

For example

Why did they take a backup QB but not offensive line help?

 

Why did they take a runningback but again no o line help?

 

Is there a next man up at T or one of the guard spots that we don't know about? 

 

Also why Leveon Bell? He does remind me of Mendenhall, but he definitely wasnt best available nor do I think the type of back Mendenhall is would fit into the offense you run.

 

Im curious to hear what you guys think or if possible what your FO has said about these questionable moves. 

[SteelersProphet]

Congratulations. You have moved on from the denial phase to acceptance. No easy task.

 

I wouldn't say I was at acceptance...its more like......Terror.....is there a terror phase?

[GrimCoconut]

I wouldn't say I was at acceptance...its more like......Terror.....is there a terror phase?

lol. Perhaps anger? Haha.

[SteelersProphet]

To be fair, the Steelers got my #1 prospect on my big board (outside of the tackles of course) in Jarvis Jones. Imo I was just like really? Really? Steelers lose Harrison and 16 stupid teams allow Jones to slide to them. In addition, Harrison goes to the Bengals so we still get to see him 2x a year. 

 

Steelers made some questionable moves so maybe you can enlighten me on them? 

 

For example

Why did they take a backup QB but not offensive line help?

 

Why did they take a runningback but again no o line help?

 

Is there a next man up at T or one of the guard spots that we don't know about? 

 

Also why Leveon Bell? He does remind me of Mendenhall, but he definitely wasnt best available nor do I think the type of back Mendenhall is would fit into the offense you run.

 

Im curious to hear what you guys think or if possible what your FO has said about these questionable moves. 

 

our offensive line has been the focus of the past two drafts but due to injuries it has never played together

 

our starting line(hopefully)

 

Adams-2nd round

DD-1st round

Pouncey-1st round

Foster-proven backup(earned the spot)

Gilbert-2nd  round

 

now they have never played all together and the hope is they will become the players they were drafted to be

[Sizzlebshu]

In regard to Cyprien vs Elam, I personally liked what I saw out Cyprien more. I do see a bit of Tyvon Branch to his game. 

 

Elam wasn't a bad choice, but not of the safeties in this draft with the exception of Vaccaro excelled in coverage. Now our need was a SS, but the line between FS and SS are becoming blurred and more often than not both have to perform the responsibilities of both positions. I felt Branches superior size and range would be a better fit. 

 

Still though, I wish we would have been able to trade up and nab Patterson or Hopkins. I would have preferred either one to the safety position at that point, and while Im sure we inquired, that didnt happen. Given the players remaining though, I would have liked Hunter, or Carradine. I assume we ruled out Carradine due to the knee issue and the Ozzie explained why we didnt go WR. 

[Sizzlebshu]

our offensive line has been the focus of the past two drafts but due to injuries it has never played together

 

our starting line(hopefully)

 

Adams-2nd round

DD-1st round

Pouncey-1st round

Foster-proven backup(earned the spot)

Gilbert-2nd  round

 

now they have never played all together and the hope is they will become the players they were drafted to be

Fair enough, I forgot about Ramon Foster. Still though you do have a ??? at LT depending on who you choose to put there. Your interior should be solid though. Altho some depth may help you as the only depth you had was Legursky if I am right. I guess you got that in udfas but still given how ravaged you saw your o line get last year, they may have wanted to consider depth at least. 

[SteelersProphet]

Fair enough, I forgot about Ramon Foster. Still though you do have a ??? at LT depending on who you choose to put there. Your interior should be solid though. Altho some depth may help you as the only depth you had was Legursky if I am right. I guess you got that in udfas but still given how ravaged you saw your o line get last year, they may have wanted to consider depth at least. 

 

its a concern for sure.......our depth is our 7th rounder last year Kevin Beachem and we signed a couple FA'S we like one being Mike Golic Jr....but we did that just to dominate the coverage on mike and mike lol

[Gordo52]

when I was watching the draft I had a list of players I wanted the Steelers to pick, the first three the ravens picked were all on my list......Its going to be tough to watch players that I spent months looking at highlight films of, wishing they would play for the Steelers, play for the ravens

its funny when the ravens drafted him I involuntarily thought "well he's not that good" even though I spent months picturing him in black and gold lol

My heart was broken.........

Lmao! On draft day somebody on here linked that thread (which must of been you) in the draft section.

I think you guys had a solid draft as well. Jarvis should be a stud if he stays healthy. I like the Wheaton, Thomas, Jones and Hawthorne picks as well. I really liked Hawthorne and was hoping to get him late. -_-

[ravensdan]

both could be penalty machines in the Nfl. I bet Elam is flagged of a personal foul between 1 and 3 times this year, cyp aswell

I think this applies to swearinger more than these 2

[ravensdan]

All this talk about cyp and Elam, and I haven't mentioned Eric Reid, in fact no one has. I'm assuming most agree when I say Reid doesn't come close to either of these two? I think he was a huge reach

I agree with this. The first of several poor picks by the new most overrated team in football.

[Yatagarasu]

Top Safeties in the 2013 Draft:

 

Kenny Vaccano

Eric Reid

Matt Elam

Johnathan Cyprien

DJ Swearinger

 

Notable 2007 Safeties:

6. LaRon Landry

19. Michael Griffin

24. Brandon Meriweather

37. Eric Weddle

 

Notable 2008 Safeties:

31. Kenny Phillips 

98. Thomas DeCoud

 

Notable 2009 Safeties:

33. Louis Delmas

34. Patrick Chung

42. Jarius Byrd

55. Wiliam Moore

 

Notable 2010 Safeties:

5. Eric Berry

14. Earl Thomas

38. T.J Ward

75. Major Wright

133. Kam Chancellor

 

Notable 2011 Safeties:

45. Rahim Moore

93. Chris Conte

 

Notable 2012 Safeties:

29. Harrison Smith

48. Tavon Wilson

[Yatagarasu]

Hope Matt Elam turns great because it's been a while to have a strong safety class since 2010.

[sflegend89]

In regard to Cyprien vs Elam, I personally liked what I saw out Cyprien more. I do see a bit of Tyvon Branch to his game. 

 

Elam wasn't a bad choice, but not of the safeties in this draft with the exception of Vaccaro excelled in coverage. Now our need was a SS, but the line between FS and SS are becoming blurred and more often than not both have to perform the responsibilities of both positions. I felt Branches superior size and range would be a better fit. 

 

Still though, I wish we would have been able to trade up and nab Patterson or Hopkins. I would have preferred either one to the safety position at that point, and while Im sure we inquired, that didnt happen. Given the players remaining though, I would have liked Hunter, or Carradine. I assume we ruled out Carradine due to the knee issue and the Ozzie explained why we didnt go WR. 

 

Tyvon Branch is quick and agile, Cyprien has good straight line speed but his quickness/agility leave a lot to be desired. Cyprien  also has clunky hips, lacks the fluidity in the hips that Elam, Vacarro, Reid, and even Bacari Rambo showed. So I'm not digging the Tyvon Branch comparison at all. Vacarro, Elam, Reid all deserved to go ahead of Cyprien who's been playing in what? The Sun Belt conference? I was more impressed by the SEC guys Elam and Reid then I was with Cyprien against a lower level of competition.

 

I'm not saying Cyprien's not a good player or can't be effective but I think we definitely made the right decision with Elam, he fits the identity of this football team better and as we've already seen the guy will come into his own as a vocal leader on defense for us. I honestly think Ozzie and Eric will be praised for this draft class a few years from now for the selections of Brown and Elam in the same year (In addition to Brandon Williams, Juice, John Simon). To me it's the defensive equivalent to getting Flacco and Rice in the same year.

[arnie_uk]

Lmao! On draft day somebody on here linked that thread (which must of been you) in the draft section.

I think you guys had a solid draft as well. Jarvis should be a stud if he stays healthy. I like the Wheaton, Thomas, Jones and Hawthorne picks as well. I really liked Hawthorne and was hoping to get him late. -_-

was myself

[flaccopoe]

While we're on the subject of TEs, I think Vance McDonald could also really shine.  With Elam, Escobar, Eifert, Ertz and the aforementioned TE in this this year's batch, we can look forward to a lot of good TE play in the years to come!