Courtney Upshaw reportedly out of shape

[easternshore97]

Hope it's not accurate. Weren't they fining him every day he wasn't down to weight? Perhaps they weren't fining him enough?

[RavenManiac#7]

If this true I have to wonder about this guy's commitment. He had the same problem last year, his rookie year. What's up, Courtney? Do you want to play or not?

[izvoodoo]

All in all, still think we could have drafted him where we drafted KO and his skill set and size he'd be better suited at 34 end

No, he doesn't have the length for all that contact.

[Pathogen-]

I absolutely love it when linemen or fat lb's get the ball....my house or friends' houses explode with cheers, including "Where's the ham!"  "He got the ham!"  "Get that ham, fatboy!!!"

 

and then to see them run with it??  Love it

[Ravenslifer]

It's June - if he's still like this at the end of August, then I'll worry.

[Dudeman]

Wow sounds circumstantial at best.  I don't think this is a big deal at all, and sometimes looks are extremely deceiving.  Now if he was injured that would be newsworthy but this is simply gossip.  

 

I'll give you all an example.  Last year with Suggs on the sideline I thought he looked fat, plain and simple.  I knew his weight gain was an issue from 3 years ago, and he seems to be on a strong year following a down year kind of cycle.  Anyways, when Suggs first started practicing again I still thought he looked fat, but once we actually played against Houston I realized that he really didn't look any bigger.  Fact of the matter is that Suggs is a big, big guy and always has been.  He's got legs like tree trunks and it looks like he has two ham steaks in his back pocket.  

 

Conditioning wasn't the issue for him, and I don't think we need to be concerned about conditioning in general as it is still the beginning of June.  

[Guest nflfan123]

better hope he's not just another one of those overrated crimson tide players.

[Yatagarasu]

picture please...

 

If we see a gut and they say he's over 290, then we have a problem.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

My first thought was he's been hanging around Cody. Lol.

Little surprised by Berry. He was already in great shape from last year I thought. I remember reports saying he was so big he looked like a full back.

I'm glad to hear McKinnie is taking this seriously.

Been saying for a while now as well as others that Jimmy Smith will breakout this year. It's going to happen. I feel it.

I'm very excited to see Carr. I think he's a sleeper.

Berry is a workout warrior. He used to workout at the gym I go to and he was always in there working his a** off. So I'm not a bit surprised by the report that Berry was looking even better.

[Ravensfan23]

I don't wanna seem like i'm making an excuse for Upshaw, but I think most are overreacting right now. You have to consider the fact that it's only OTAs it's not training camp yet. This guy has basically came off winning at National Championship in January of 2012, immediately started getting ready for the combine in Feburary, had to start focusing on his rookie season in May, went through a full NFL season which was extended into Feburary of 2013 becuse of the Super Bowl. That's a lot. Maybe Upshaw just allowed himself to rest, but doesn't know how to take care of his body like a professional.

 

I'm sure if his weight is an issue, Harbs will have him busting his hump to get right before camp.

[gabefergy]

I don't wanna seem like i'm making an excuse for Upshaw, but I think most are overreacting right now. You have to consider the fact that it's only OTAs it's not training camp yet. This guy has basically came off winning at National Championship in January of 2012, immediately started getting ready for the combine in Feburary, had to start focusing on his rookie season in May, went through a full NFL season which was extended into Feburary of 2013 becuse of the Super Bowl. That's a lot. Maybe Upshaw just allowed himself to rest, but doesn't know how to take care of his body like a professional.

I'm sure if his weight is an issue, Harbs will have him busting his hump to get right before camp.

It's his job to stay in shape. I'm not saying he is or isn't, but nothing in this league is guaranteed. If he is overweight, he will have to work extra hard and compete for his spot. Hopefully you are right, and he is looking good since TC rolls around.

[GrimCoconut]

I don't wanna seem like i'm making an excuse for Upshaw, but I think most are overreacting right now. You have to consider the fact that it's only OTAs it's not training camp yet. This guy has basically came off winning at National Championship in January of 2012, immediately started getting ready for the combine in Feburary, had to start focusing on his rookie season in May, went through a full NFL season which was extended into Feburary of 2013 becuse of the Super Bowl. That's a lot. Maybe Upshaw just allowed himself to rest, but doesn't know how to take care of his body like a professional.

I'm sure if his weight is an issue, Harbs will have him busting his hump to get right before camp.

Before I agree or disagree in what way do you feel people are overreacting? I'm curious to hear.

[RobFuseRaven]

Any other news? Specifically Nigel Carr? If McClain doesn't man the ILB, i hope it's Brown and Carr.

 

Well, the Ravens tweeted this yesterday:

 

Baltimore Ravens ‏@Ravens 31 May

LB Nigel Carr had a nice day with an interception off a deflection and a sack on Flacco.

[arnie_uk]

No, he doesn't have the length for all that contact.

he doesn't have the speed and explosion to be much more than a run stopper with occasional sacks at olb

[izvoodoo]

he doesn't have the speed and explosion to be much more than a run stopper with occasional sacks at olb

It's not that, he's just doesn't have the long frame to keep make plays against a double team.  He'd never see the field, since he wouldn't be as good as McPhee and Jone and others.

[H8R]

I disagree with Upshaw not being able to become a pass rusher...
Hes more athletic then JJ was, he has a stronger base and he faster... even for his size. There's no reason that if is weight is in check that he can't notch 4-6 sacks in a season which is basically what JJ did. Not to mention, he's automatically behind Doom and Sizzle..

[izvoodoo]

I disagree with Upshaw not being able to become a pass rusher...
Hes more athletic then JJ was, he has a stronger base and he faster... even for his size. There's no reason that if is weight is in check that he can't notch 4-6 sacks in a season which is basically what JJ did. Not to mention, he's automatically behind Doom and Sizzle..

I see upshaw as an ahmad brooks type player.  Clearly he can be on the field.

[Yatagarasu]

I think Courtney Upshaw is a SAM LB. If he did come to training camp out of shape, then he and John Simon should be training buddies. Simon lives in the gym and could challenge Upshaw for his spot.

 

Good thing, we got two good OLBs in Suggs and Dumervil.

[Crabcakes&Football]

better hope he's not just another one of those overrated crimson tide players.

 

He graded out as one of the best run stopping 3-4 OLBs last season as a rookie. He can play.

[Guest nflfan123]

He graded out as one of the best run stopping 3-4 OLBs last season as a rookie. He can play.

We all know he can play. But it's all about work ethic and motivation

[Passepartout]

He needs motivation and also others around him. To be helping him to stay in shape. Not just in the game and in the season, but the off season to keep being in shape.

[codizzle]

Gotta love the down time in the offseason

[sflegend89]

I love how everyone turns on a player from something a beat writer wrote.

 

Shows how thin your loyalty is.

 

No one had a problem with his work ethic when he was playing last year. Some players weight fluctuates. He isn't obese, he put on a few pounds (if this story is even valid, this is from a fansite, not from the baltimore ravens, nfl or baltimore sun.)

 

I 100% agree. A lot of beat writers fabricate and exaggerate stories to generate traffic to their site (Which he was succesful with because it got posted on here). Not saying the report can't have some truth to it but I would take this with a grain of salt. We're not a team like the Raiders where the players run rough shot and do whatever they want, weigh whatever they want, only push themselves as hard as what's convenient for them. The Ravens have very high standards, we saw it with McKinnie going in the dog house last year for being at an unacceptable playing weight and not putting in the work in practice.

 

Nobody was talking bad about Upshaw when he made a strip/recovery in SB on a play where he initially missed a tackle, popped back up to his feet and recovered to cause the fumble. It really was a great hustle play because there's plenty of players who would quit on the play after they missed the tackle and were laying on the turf in the back field. I believe in Upshaw and I really think this will end up being a  non story by the time camp rolls around. He's still on his rookie contract, he can't afford to fall behind and miss reps this year because of his weight and I highly doubt he would let that happen. If he wants to get his contract re-upped when the time comes it starts with carving out a role for himself on this new Ravens defense this year. I think he'll be just fine and will be a very solid rotational player for us this season. The guy was like swiss army knife for when the injury bug hit last year,  He was probably the most versatile guy we had on D as far as different positions we lined him up at.

[arnie_uk]

Sure the same thing happened last year, why is it such a stretch to think its happened again. He's obviously got the body type were if he isn't running around training, gyming pretty much daily he will get heavy, but after OTAs and sweating it out on the practice field the weight will come off.

Don't see how any story was fabricated heree

[arnie_uk]

I 100% agree. A lot of beat writers fabricate and exaggerate stories to generate traffic to their site (Which he was succesful with because it got posted on here). Not saying the report can't have some truth to it but I would take this with a grain of salt. We're not a team like the Raiders where the players run rough shot and do whatever they want, weigh whatever they want, only push themselves as hard as what's convenient for them. The Ravens have very high standards, we saw it with McKinnie going in the dog house last year for being at an unacceptable playing weight and not putting in the work in practice.
 
Nobody was talking bad about Upshaw when he made a strip/recovery in SB on a play where he initially missed a tackle, popped back up to his feet and recovered to cause the fumble. It really was a great hustle play because there's plenty of players who would quit on the play after they missed the tackle and were laying on the turf in the back field. I believe in Upshaw and I really think this will end up being a  non story by the time camp rolls around. He's still on his rookie contract, he can't afford to fall behind and miss reps this year because of his weight and I highly doubt he would let that happen. If he wants to get his contract re-upped when the time comes it starts with carving out a role for himself on this new Ravens defense this year. I think he'll be just fine and will be a very solid rotational player for us this season. The guy was like swiss army knife for when the injury bug hit last year,  He was probably the most versatile guy we had on D as far as different positions we lined him up at.

was it a case of versatility or not knowing where to play him? There's a difference, I'm not sure what one it was yet, we will get the answer the year

[Tiz]

Sure the same thing happened last year, why is it such a stretch to think its happened again. He's obviously got the body type were if he isn't running around training, gyming pretty much daily he will get heavy, but after OTAs and sweating it out on the practice field the weight will come off.
Don't see how any story was fabricated heree

Going with what you said it would show it isn't a big deal
But again if a story is written based on the appearance of a person
Then the one requirement that justifies your story is a simple picture.


I'm reminded of the Martellus bennet stuff last year where he was interviewed talking about how muscular he is.
Not a single picture was used to verify this and even worse production didnt even match up to his preseason
Self hype...

So in short. Pictures easily back up what is claimed and at the end of the day production is all that matters

[H8R]

Going with what you said it would show it isn't a big deal
But again if a story is written based on the appearance of a person
Then the one requirement that justifies your story is a simple picture.


I'm reminded of the Martellus bennet stuff last year where he was interviewed talking about how muscular he is.
Not a single picture was used to verify this and even worse production didnt even match up to his preseason
Self hype...

So in short. Pictures easily back up what is claimed and at the end of the day production is all that matters

Martellus had a solid year if you ask me. 626 yds, 5 tds 55 rec... In fact ... it was the best season of his career..

[arnie_uk]

Going with what you said it would show it isn't a big deal
But again if a story is written based on the appearance of a person
Then the one requirement that justifies your story is a simple picture.
I'm reminded of the Martellus bennet stuff last year where he was interviewed talking about how muscular he is.
Not a single picture was used to verify this and even worse production didnt even match up to his preseason
Self hype...
So in short. Pictures easily back up what is claimed and at the end of the day production is all that matters

id say this site is the only one allowed to publish pictures. I bet you wanted pictures last year as well even after it was announced he was being fined for being out of shape.

[H8R]

id say this site is the only one allowed to publish pictures. I bet you wanted pictures last year as well even after it was announced he was being fined for being out of shape.

Yet when Ngata was reported to be way overweight... people closed their eyes and mouths...

[arnie_uk]

Yet when Ngata was reported to be way overweight... people closed their eyes and mouths...

because it was documented it was planned. There's a difference