Matt Elam

[Bltravens]

The main thing I like about Elam is he has heart. He may miss some tackles, but is never shy of contact.

 
Absolutely, that's why he's playing and Huff isn't. Add in Elam isn't so shabby in coverage like people make him out to be and you have a quality young player on your hands.

 

I watched a lot of Elam at the stadium today.  He brought a lot of energy, lined up against the TEs very often and did a great job.  The only miscue I really saw from the stands was the missed tackle.

Ya I actually was texting with my brother during the game and we laughed how people think he can't line up with a TE because he's 5'9. Elam's coverage was very good today, seems like people forget jump balls are only thrown in the end zone and you don't target WRs high anywhere else because that's going to get a WR broken ribs.

[The Raven]

 
Absolutely, that's why he's playing and Huff isn't. Add in Elam isn't so shabby in coverage like people make him out to be and you have a quality young player on your hands.

  Ya I actually was texting with my brother during the game and we laughed how people think he can't line up with a TE because he's 5'9. Elma's coverage was very good today, seems like people forget jump balls are only thrown in the end zone and you don't target WRs high anywhere else because that's going to get a WR broken ribs.

 

Elam can jump too. He might not be tall but he can get up there. He could wreck an airborne TE.

[BloodRaven]

James has played better than I expected, he doesn't hit like Pollard but he seems to holds tight coverage.

[gabefergy]

Elam was lucky not to be flagged for a late hit out of bounds, but I thought he played well overall.

[Static]

James has played better than I expected, he doesn't hit like Pollard but he seems to holds tight coverage.

 

In this NFL that might be a good thing. Pollard was penalty prone, and its sad because it wasn't his fault. He got a bad rap so anything he did got a flag plus he played for us and we get BS penalties anyways.

[PuRock]

Elam was lucky not to be flagged for a late hit out of bounds, but I thought he played well overall.

 

Yea he was.  I was surprised they didn't throw the flag.  That could've hurt.  

[sflegend89]

I'll take digs improved coverage game over pollard who forced a fumble a couple times a year but also allowed countless catches in coverage and drew a bunch of flags. Still think eventually Elam will play SS and Huff will get his spot at FS back. That seems like the duo with the best overall potential we could put at safety even though digs and elam is probably more consistent for the time being.

[Static]

Still think eventually Elam will play SS and Huff will get his spot at FS back. That seems like the duo with the best overall potential we could put at safety even though digs and elam is probably more consistent for the time being.

 

It comes down to who you would rather have on the field Huff or digs. At this point I think digs but its pretty much a toss up. 

[H8R]

It's not a toss up at all. Digz is a better SS IMO.

[sflegend89]

Yeah as of right now digs is in better form. I think when Huff is really on his game he should be starting again but until the coaches see him turn in a really productive week of practice we'll be fine with the digs/elam duo. Like people have said the one thing I really like about elam is his heart and fiery disposition.. dude is always jumping around and slapping guys on the helmet after they make a play. That's what "Play Like A Raven" is all about, confidence and high energy. I expect the rookie mistakes but LOVE the energy he brings to our defense. Seems really hungry to keep getting better and he will with every game. I was really critical of the coaching staff when Elam didn't start week 1 but I'm very pleased they came to the same conclusion that our 1st round pick needs to start his development as soon as possible.

[sflegend89]

It's not a toss up at all. Digz is a better SS IMO.

 

I think he meant Huff at FS and Elam at SS or Elam at FS and Digs at SS was a toss up

[rmw10]

I think he meant Huff at FS and Elam at SS or Elam at FS and Digs at SS was a toss up

Either way, the Elam and Ihedigbo combo is the better option.

[503_ravens_fan]

Other then the almost late hit, I think Elam played well. He's still playing to keep everything in front of him but that will go away in time. Diggs was a beast today. Dude was everywhere making plays. Right now I wouldn't change the combo of Elam and Diggs cause they are playing really well.

[Bltravens]

Other then the almost late hit, I think Elam played well. He's still playing to keep everything in front of him but that will go away in time. Diggs was a beast today. Dude was everywhere making plays. Right now I wouldn't change the combo of Elam and Diggs cause they are playing really well.

Gravedigger has the best nickname/dance combination possibly of all time, I crack up everytime i see it lol

[ravens533]

Elam gave us another good performance today. Loved how he was taking charge of the secondary. It was easy to see that he is really leading. You can see that he seems to be talking to the other guys every play.

[ghost1986]

Gravedigger has the best nickname/dance combination possibly of all time, I crack up everytime i see it lol

Same. When everyone was saying Diggs, I thought they were talking about the Terps WR. Then I realized it was shortened for Gravedigger. I say keep it at Gravedigger. But his dance is hilarious. But as for Elam, I thought he played quite well and I did see him pointing things out to the other DB's today. I was pretty impressed.

[blitzking33]

Same. When everyone was saying Diggs, I thought they were talking about the Terps WR. Then I realized it was shortened for Gravedigger. I say keep it at Gravedigger. But his dance is hilarious. But as for Elam, I thought he played quite well and I did see him pointing things out to the other DB's today. I was pretty impressed.

It's short for IheDIGbo..

 

Plus, it's his own nickname for a while now.

DIGGZ32 Verified account @JamesIhedigbo

[jdynamite]

Yes he has . so in the end it worked out well for the ravens . I still wouldn't write any player Cyprien, Elam etc off after two games .

I agree I wouldn't write anyone off after a few games either, and when it comes to rookies sometimes a rookie may stand out even on a bad team but sometimes a bad team can make everyone look bad, while a good team can hide deficiencies.

Cyprien has played hard and fast, I've seen him bite on a few play fakes, but overall the jaguar defense hasn't gotten much pressure on QBs, leaving the secondary exposed for long periods time, then add in the fact that the offense does nothing for 90% of the game defense is really hung out to dry.

[Cville-Raven]

We aren't giving up much YAC which is great. 

[Hey Diddle]

Matt Elam looked like a rookie today, there were two big missed tackles.

[blitzking33]

Matt Elam looked like a rookie today, there were two big missed tackles.

He is a rookie! *sigh*

Yes he was the last line of defense but only because the DL and LBs got swallowed up by Buffalo's O-line. Give me a break.

 

Stop trolling

[Cville-Raven]

Matt Elam looked like a rookie today, there were two big missed tackles.

He also saved us from an 80 yard TD run.

[Hey Diddle]

Sorry, I just have such high expectations after watching Ed Reed hold it down for half my life. 

[TSizzle00]

Sorry, I just have such high expectations after watching Ed Reed hold it down for half my life. 

 

Expectations are humongous considering Ed Reed was a probowl Strong AND Free Safety.

[izvoodoo]

Sorry, I just have such high expectations after watching Ed Reed hold it down for half my life. 

I mean... if Ed is your standard...

 

Every safety will disappoint you.  But Elam has played like a 1st round talent.  He's also playing out of position.  He's more of a down hill guy rather than a single high.  But since we have no deep defense we have to put him there, not really his strength.

[Cville-Raven]

Expectations are humongous considering Ed Reed was a probowl Strong AND Free Safety.

Not to mention hes in the top 3 to ever play the position.

[Cville-Raven]

I mean... if Ed is your standard...

Every safety will disappoint you. But Elam has played like a 1st round talent. He's also playing out of position. He's more of a down hill guy rather than a single high. But since we have no deep defense we have to put him there, not really his strength.

The reason he's at FS is because of his speed and he's much better at tackling than Huff.

[izvoodoo]

The reason he's at FS is because of his speed and he's much better at tackling than Huff.

Well we have no one to do it otherwise.  Ideally, they'd like him to be blitzing and making plays closer to the line with someone else covering the deep middle of the field.  But no one is playing well deep over the middle.

 

In my opinion at least.  Right now he's pinned to playing the deep middle.

[GrimCoconut]

I'm very pleased with Elam so far.

[SecretAgentMan]

I'm very pleased with Elam so far.

Same, he's played well..

Doesn't look like a superstar, but looks like he'll be a contributor in the NFL for years to come