"Who Stays and Who Goes?" - Defensive Line Edition

[rmw10]

I won't be home tomorrow, so the defensive line edition comes a day early.  As usual, we will be operating under the standard number, which in this case is 7.  Please, when picking, choose only seven guys that you think will make the team.  If you feel 8 should make it, do not pick that here.  There will be an opportunity during the final vote in the next few weeks.

 

Here are the candidates:

 

1. Haloti Ngata (29) - Ngata had a rough year last year by all accounts.  Regardless, he's still our best defensive lineman.  He showed up to camp in much better shape and has been playing primarily inside at NT.  He said he feels much more comfortable inside.  He'll be a starter for us this year.

 

2. Arthur Jones (27) - Jones was a breakout player in the second half of last season.  This year, he's slimmed down to improve his pass rushing ability.  However, the run stuffing ability is still there to go along with the pass rushing ability.  He's poised for a big year and may be a top priority to re-sign after the season.

 

3.  Chris Canty (30) - Canty is an imposing figure at 6'7" and 317 pounds.  He's been the standout among our defensive lineman.  He's been able to get past blockers and get to the QB, and if he can't, he can swat down the ball with his frame.  With his knee finally at 100%, expect him to start and play a big role on the defense this year.

 

4.  Marcus Spears (30) - Spears is a free agent signing that will be able to rotate in and provide some much needed depth.  He offers absolutely nothing as a pass rusher, but he's very effective in stopping the run.  He won't do anything flashy, but expect him to be a key backup that can play anywhere along the line.

 

5.  Brandon Williams (24) - Williams is a mountain of a man at 335 pounds... of pure muscle.  He's our 3rd round pick and has played very well so far this offseason.  He's pushing for a large role at NT.  He's incredibly strong and has the ability to eat up multiple defenders.  Expect him to play a large role on the defense as well.

 

6.  Terrence Cody (25) - Cody has largely been a disappointment in his time here.  His camp so far hasn't been anything spectacular.  He's coming off of hip surgery so he is a bit limited now.  Rarely would a 2nd round pick be in battle for a spot on the roster, but Cody is.  Helping his case is the fact that he's cheap depth at the NT position that has plenty of experience.

 

7.  DeAngelo Tyson (24) - Tyson was our 7th round pick in 2012 that was a pleasant surprise.  Injuries pushed him into more playing time and he handled it very well.  He's not going to do anything flashy, but he'll come in and provide solid depth.  He's likely going to make the roster, but there's talent behind him that may push him off.

 

8.  Will Pericak (23) - Pericak is a UDFA that has garnered a lot of attention.  He collected the largest signing bonus of any Ravens UDFA this year.  He's a strong, stout lineman that has a real shot to make the team with a really strong preseason performance.  For now, I'd say he's headed to the practice squad, but he's one worth keeping an eye on.

 

9.  Cody Larsen (25) - Larsen is another UDFA that has performed very well thus far.  He is incredibly strong, as shown by his pro day bench of 225 lbs. 40 times.  He's also gotten a lot of attention, but being behind a lot of depth will really hurt him.  He still has a shot at the team, but I wouldn't put expectations too high.

 

10.  Kapron Lewis-Moore (23) - KLM was chosen in the 6th round of this year's draft as a future pick.  He's coming off of a torn ACL and is currently on the PUP.  Expect him to head directly to the IR from there.  Because of his injury, he will not be on the poll as he will not make the original 53.

[NaveSenrag]

I like Pericak, but we just have a ton of talent at D-line. As for Cody, he's one of my least favorite Ravens, but he's the only NT on the roster after Ngata and Williams and he's dirt cheap so I don't think we drop him.

[rmw10]

I like Pericak, but we just have a ton of talent at D-line. As for Cody, he's one of my least favorite Ravens, but he's the only NT on the roster after Ngata and Williams and he's dirt cheap so I don't think we drop him.

 

Yeah that's how I view it.  I really like Pericak, but Cody's price tag and the fact that he plays NT will likely get him a spot.  If Cody played DE or Pericak played NT, I think it would be a completely different story.  Pericak just has a lot of guys in front of him in Ngata, Jones, Canty, Spears, and Tyson that are all able to play DE.

[gabefergy]

I don't see the need to keep Cody around. We only need 2 NTs and we have that with Ngata and Williams. I could also see us carrying 6 instead of 7 DL.

[NaveSenrag]

I don't see the need to keep Cody around. We only need 2 NTs and we have that with Ngata and Williams. I could also see us carrying 6 instead of 7 DL.

What happens if Ngata or Williams gets injured? Then we have one player at one of the most tiring positions in the game.

[rmw10]

What happens if Ngata or Williams gets injured? Then we have one player at one of the most tiring positions in the game.

 

Same goes for any injury really.  If Canty or Jones get hurt, the best course of action is most likely to slide Ngata back outside and Williams to the first team.

 

Ngata also has an injury history that I'm not 100% comfortable with.

[5aiah]

What happens if Ngata or Williams gets injured? Then we have one player at one of the most tiring positions in the game.

Yeah I think Cody gets one more year just so we have more depth here. Thing is we have other guys who can and have played DT so if there was a year to only carry 6 on the line this would be it. Have to remember McPhee is being counted as a linebacker, if we want he could get back on the line.

[rmw10]

Yeah I think Cody gets one more year just so we have more depth here. Thing is we have other guys who can and have played DT so if there was a year to only carry 6 on the line this would be it. Have to remember McPhee is being counted as a linebacker, if we want he could get back on the line.

 

It's possible, but only in the 4-3 now.  McPhee is down to the 260 pound range, much too small for the 3-4.

[5aiah]

It's possible, but only in the 4-3 now.  McPhee is down to the 260 pound range, much too small for the 3-4.

Sure but our 3-4 is basically a 4-3 a lot of the time. He might not be able to bounce inside in between the 2 techniques as much if he is going to be there by himself(in 3-4 mode) but he can push our other ends(like canty) inside when he is on the field.

[rmw10]

Sure but our 3-4 is basically a 4-3 a lot of the time. He might not be able to bounce inside in between the 2 techniques as much if he is going to be there by himself(in 3-4 mode) but he can push our other ends(like canty) inside when he is on the field.

 

Yeah it's definitely possible.  I think his weight plus coaches word says they want him to be permanently at OLB, though.

[rmw10]

Oh hey what a surprise!  It only took 8 votes for someone to vote an extra player.  Please read!  An opportunity for an extra player comes later!

[gabefergy]

What happens if Ngata or Williams gets injured? Then we have one player at one of the most tiring positions in the game.

Spears or maybe Jones could play NT in a pinch. When have we ever carried 3 NT? I guess you could say Ngata and Williams aren't strictly NT, but Cody offers no versatility. In actuality we will probably keep Cody, but Id rather see him out the door.

[rmw10]

Spears or maybe Jones could play NT in a pinch. When have we ever carried 3 NT? I guess you could say Ngata and Williams aren't strictly NT, but Cody offers no versatility. In actuality we will probably keep Cody, but Id rather see him out the door.

 

That's the issue.  They could play in a pinch, but they aren't full time options there.  They're emergency only, really.  NT's aren't easy to find, and I doubt you'd be able to do much better than Cody midseason if you had to pick one up.

[beanfigger]

Oh hey what a surprise!  It only took 8 votes for someone to vote an extra player.  Please read!  An opportunity for an extra player comes later!

 

I was gonna even it out and only pick 6, but instructions were clear.  I think 6 is realistic, especially with McPhee making the team as a "linebacker."

[rmw10]

I was gonna even it out and only pick 6, but instructions were clear.  I think 6 is realistic, especially with McPhee making the team as a "linebacker."

 

Haha thanks!  I also think 6 is realistic, but since the Ravens typically carry 7, that's how many I picked.  I'd let it go free reign but if that was the case, we'd have a 75 man roster.  I've been drilling that there will be an opportunity to lose or gain a player at a position later on but no one seems to actually read around here.

[gabefergy]

That's the issue.  They could play in a pinch, but they aren't full time options there.  They're emergency only, really.  NT's aren't easy to find, and I doubt you'd be able to do much better than Cody midseason if you had to pick one up.

It's not really an issue if we are talking about 3rd string, which is basically how I see Cody. Like I said, Cody probably wont be cut, but I doubt he has much of a role if he does remain on the roster. He will likely be a healthy scratch some weeks if Williams proves capable of playing NT. Of course that is dependent on Williams being the player we all think he can be. It could take him some time, which is the main reason I doubt Cody is cut.

[omar586]

cut the loses, cut cody, he's injured and i dont think he's gonna perform any better than last year.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

i picked Pericak and not Cody because of the upside he brings; feel like Cody has already reached his ceiling, unfortunately; but we're unlikely to let a 2nd rounder go before giving him a prove or fail third year, so i'm hoping we somehow stash Pericak, if we try to put him on the practice squad, he'll be likely gone...

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Someone didn't vote for Haloti lol

[SecretAgentMan]

Someone didn't vote for Haloti lol

Ok, who did this? He's one of the 5 best in the game. He's a guarantee

[rmw10]

It's not really an issue if we are talking about 3rd string, which is basically how I see Cody. Like I said, Cody probably wont be cut, but I doubt he has much of a role if he does remain on the roster. He will likely be a healthy scratch some weeks if Williams proves capable of playing NT. Of course that is dependent on Williams being the player we all think he can be. It could take him some time, which is the main reason I doubt Cody is cut.

 

But he can quickly move up to 2nd string.  If someone were to get hurt, Ngata would most likely slide back to the outside and Williams would move up to starter.  In his first year, Williams isn't likely to be a 3 down player.  Whoever the backup is would likely have quite a bit of playing time.  I wouldn't trust Jones, Spears, etc. there for more than a few plays.

[gabefergy]

But he can quickly move up to 2nd string.  If someone were to get hurt, Ngata would most likely slide back to the outside and Williams would move up to starter.  In his first year, Williams isn't likely to be a 3 down player.  Whoever the backup is would likely have quite a bit of playing time.  I wouldn't trust Jones, Spears, etc. there for more than a few plays.

I wouldnt trust Cody there for any plays.

[rmw10]

I wouldnt trust Cody there for any plays.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of Cody at all.  I think he's a key option for the team, though.  He offers experience at NT, something that is usually not found on the open market.  I don't like the idea of keeping guys for "if" purposes, but if there's one position where I would, it's NT.  I just can't overlook the fact that his price tag and experience make him one of the best options for the team.

[easternshore97]

Tyson got some snaps in the Super Bowl. I think he still has enough of that taste in his mouth to motivate him to do the right things to get even more snaps

[rmw10]

Cody lost some weight...

 

http://pic.twitter.com/Up10gpISTh

 

 

 

Okay, okay.  Not really.

[RavensDE]

It looks like the rooks are out.

Talent vs Versatilty
Cody is taking a lot of heat but he was hurt last year. It's true that both he and Williams don't appear to have versatility but both have huge upside at an important position.

Productivity vs Injury
Cody had some big moments his first year and played well as a run stuffer starting every game his second year. Last year he got hurt and played through it. He struggled and was outplayed by Kemo but I'm not ready to cut ties so quickly. I remember when Kruger had a bad year... McPhee had the same problem with injury and production last year...

So what?
Now I'm not saying the guy is going to be great but he has the talent to be great and he only had one bad year. He's cheap, has a good track record being a professional, comes in on weight (even when asked drop as he did last year), and has been in our system for 3 years. Unless he craps the bed in camp he's a lock. If he plays great he gets a big paycheck somewhere else next year. If he plays poorly he's a reserve and doesn't get resigned next year. Except for last year he has a knack for making big plays in big games (Chiefs as rookie, title game at Alabama etc). I think Ozzie and John have respect for the guy and he'll get another year to make good and earn a contract somewhere.

[Blackbirds Rule]

It looks like the rooks are out.

Talent vs Versatilty
Cody is taking a lot of heat but he was hurt last year. It's true that both he and Williams don't appear to have versatility but both have huge upside at an important position.

Productivity vs Injury
Cody had some big moments his first year and played well as a run stuffer starting every game his second year. Last year he got hurt and played through it. He struggled and was outplayed by Kemo but I'm not ready to cut ties so quickly. I remember when Kruger had a bad year... McPhee had the same problem with injury and production last year...

So what?
Now I'm not saying the guy is going to be great but he has the talent to be great and he only had one bad year. He's cheap, has a good track record being a professional, comes in on weight (even when asked drop as he did last year), and has been in our system for 3 years. Unless he craps the bed in camp he's a lock. If he plays great he gets a big paycheck somewhere else next year. If he plays poorly he's a reserve and doesn't get resigned next year. Except for last year he has a knack for making big plays in big games (Chiefs as rookie, title game at Alabama etc). I think Ozzie and John have respect for the guy and he'll get another year to make good and earn a contract somewhere.

I completely agree. I think he makes it another year. If he's still slumping during the year and a cheaper alternative becomes available he can be released. Until then having another big body who knows your system is important.

[GrimCoconut]

I went with the following on the DL

Ngata, Tyson, Cody, Jones, Spears, Canty, Williams. I can't see the other two making the squad unless someone gets hurt and I don't see us carrying 8.