Anyone worried about DT Haloti Ngata?

[rmw10]

His contract might cost us the ability to retain Art Jones, who is emerging as the real blue chipper on the dline.

That's what really scares me. I really want Art to stay, but man, it's looking more and more difficult.

[izvoodoo]

That's what really scares me. I really want Art to stay, but man, it's looking more and more difficult.

I was pretty sure we wouldn't be able to sign Art at the beginning of the year.  It happens.  He'll probably be the one player the contract costs us though that's on the roster.

[johnmike72]

Ngata is too worried about making commercials for Royal Farms.

[H8R]

Ngata is too worried about making commercials for Royal Farms.

and Thompson Creek.. lol.
I wonder if there's a point where he says to himself to dedicate to the game... training/conditioning etc... reinvent himself , kind of like Suggs. I don't think Ngata has it in him.

[GrimCoconut]

and Thompson Creek.. lol.
I wonder if there's a point where he says to himself to dedicate to the game... training/conditioning etc... reinvent himself , kind of like Suggs. I don't think Ngata has it in him.

Neither do I. I think he's become complacent in his abilities and sees no need to improve them. At least, that's how I see it at the moment. I'd rather trade him next off-season to unload his contract, eat the 15M cap hit, save 1M and then use the money freed up to extend Arthur Jones (since we'll save money in 2014 & 2015). 

[rmw10]

Neither do I. I think he's become complacent in his abilities and sees no need to improve them. At least, that's how I see it at the moment. I'd rather trade him next off-season to unload his contract, eat the 15M cap hit, save 1M and then use the money freed up to extend Arthur Jones (since we'll save money in 2014 & 2015).

I'm about done with Ngata, as much as it pains me to say it. Even if we cut him with the post June 1st designation, I'd be okay with the $7.5M hit per year. Use the saved money to sign Arthur Jones, and oddly enough, I'd even throw a cheap offer at Cody.

[GrimCoconut]

I'm about done with Ngata, as much as it pains me to say it. Even if we cut him with the post June 1st designation, I'd be okay with the $7.5M hit per year. Use the saved money to sign Arthur Jones, and oddly enough, I'd even throw a cheap offer at Cody.

Same. I essentially echo everything you just said/wrote. That's exactly how I feel. We either trade Ngata and only save 1M in 2014 but save his entire salary in 2015, or just cut him and take the 7.5 hit both years. Either way, I'm fine with it. Hell, if we can trade him now I'd love to do it. Maybe someone would want him thinking he's their missing piece. Probably unlikely but you get the idea. I'd rather keep players who show me they want to play, like Arthur Jones, Cody, and others. 

[Sami84]

I'm about done with Ngata, as much as it pains me to say it. Even if we cut him with the post June 1st designation, I'd be okay with the $7.5M hit per year. Use the saved money to sign Arthur Jones, and oddly enough, I'd even throw a cheap offer at Cody.

yup. ngata and rice should no longer be part of ourmplans. like i said we may suck for a couple of years byt by 2015 we will be better.

[rmw10]

yup. ngata and rice should no longer be part of ourmplans. like i said we may suck for a couple of years byt by 2015 we will be better.

I'm not ready to give up on Rice yet. He's looked bad, both pre and post injury, but it's only been 7 games. If it happens consistently into next year, I'll be very concerned.

Ngata has consistently been bad for a year and a half now, though. It's weird to say I don't want Ngata any more, but it's true, I don't.

[Sami84]

we have so many gaps to fil. an ageing front 7 on D. the worst secondary we have had forever. a pathetic o line. 

 

all this an no capspace. things are not looking good.

[JO_75]

I'm starting to think Ngata critics are right about him. He's just not playing good football. The Steelers ran up the middle all day and Ngata got pushed back every play.

 

I repeat He's not a good nose tackle but a dominate 3-4 end.

 

This. Once again, Harbs decides to mess with what's working by moving a player out of his natural position. Ngata was dominant at DE but now at NT, he isn't the same player. 

 

Regarding Ngata's status, he is due $8.5M over the next two years and I can see him being a cap causality in 2014.  Art Jones is due a new contract, and I can see us paying him and putting him at DE to have a defensive line of Canty-Williams-Jones in 2014. I think this will be Ngata's last year with us. He turns 30 in January and being 30 with injuries, it won't mix well. 

[GrimCoconut]

This. Once again, Harbs decides to mess with what's working by moving a player out of his natural position. Ngata was dominant at DE but now at NT, he isn't the same player. 

 

Regarding Ngata's status, he is due $8.5M over the next two years and I can see him being a cap causality in 2014.  Art Jones is due a new contract, and I can see us paying him and putting him at DE to have a defensive line of Canty-Williams-Jones in 2014. I think this will be Ngata's last year with us. He turns 30 in January and being 30 with injuries, it won't mix well. 

The thing about Ngata is that he played poorly last year as well. I chalked it up to injury and Cody. I don't think that's the case anymore. Ngata just isn't the same player anymore. It doesn't matter his position because he's playing ineffective. That's the bottom-line. Ngata said he was excited to play NT. He claimed it was his natural position. Whatever that's supposed to mean.

[rmw10]

This. Once again, Harbs decides to mess with what's working by moving a player out of his natural position. Ngata was dominant at DE but now at NT, he isn't the same player.

Regarding Ngata's status, he is due $8.5M over the next two years and I can see him being a cap causality in 2014. Art Jones is due a new contract, and I can see us paying him and putting him at DE to have a defensive line of Canty-Williams-Jones in 2014. I think this will be Ngata's last year with us. He turns 30 in January and being 30 with injuries, it won't mix well.

I'm very impressed with Brandon Williams in his limited action so far. He's incredibly strong, and it seems like he can still find a way to make plays with a blocker draped all over him.

[reediddy]

I'm very impressed with Brandon Williams in his limited action so far. He's incredibly strong, and it seems like he can still find a way to make plays with a blocker draped all over him.

 

I agree he is stout enough against the run and is tenacious against the pass. Something is clearly wrong with Ngata, especially since he's been pushed off the LOS consistently, whether it be against premier OL or Steelers OL

[GrimCoconut]

I agree he is stout enough against the run and is tenacious against the pass. Something is clearly wrong with Ngata, especially since he's been pushed off the LOS consistently, whether it be against premier OL or Steelers OL

Since you mentioned it, I'm still mad we didn't sign Fernando Velasco. 

 

Williams looks promising. I really like what we've seen from him so far. He's giving more effort than Haloti. That's for sure.

[H8R]

The thing about Ngata is that he played poorly last year as well. I chalked it up to injury and Cody. I don't think that's the case anymore. Ngata just isn't the same player anymore. It doesn't matter his position because he's playing ineffective. That's the bottom-line. Ngata said he was excited to play NT. He claimed it was his natural position. Whatever that's supposed to mean.

He was excited because it generally means being a slug. Not having to bounce around, work hard, be athletic... etc... Basically , just going hat on hat in a phone booth, a matchup he THOUGHT he could handle. He can not.

[redrum52]

Can someone with access to PFF tell us where he's being rated?  I notice on LFW they usually name the best players, but don't usually see his name.

[SuRihtanil]

Ngata imo will be a salary cap casualty in the off season.  He hasn't played at a high level in years... and correct me if I am wrong, he is making the most money this year.

[Jitamon]

I'm very impressed with Brandon Williams in his limited action so far. He's incredibly strong, and it seems like he can still find a way to make plays with a blocker draped all over him.

My favorite new player, I just love this guy... I hope he has a long productive career here with the ravens.

[T3hRaven]

Since you mentioned it, I'm still mad we didn't sign Fernando Velasco.

Williams looks promising. I really like what we've seen from him so far. He's giving more effort than Haloti. That's for sure.

Agreed on both points, with emphasis on Velasco. That would have hurt Pittsburgh while helping us.

[T3hRaven]

Can someone with access to PFF tell us where he's being rated? I notice on LFW they usually name the best players, but don't usually see his name.

I'll look into it tomorrow (later today really) and see what's what. I know they've been negative the past few weeks, but some exact stats and where he is in relation to some other players I don't recall.

[H8R]

You guys rely on PFF too much... The eyes will tell you all you need to see (or don't see)...

[redrum52]

You guys rely on PFF too much... The eyes will tell you all you need to see (or don't see)...

there is no I test because I don't see him on the field doing anything. I forgot he was on the team until the middle of the 3rd or 4th quarter when I saw him next to a tackle being made. I was just wondering he graded out.

[izvoodoo]

Since you mentioned it, I'm still mad we didn't sign Fernando Velasco. 

 

Williams looks promising. I really like what we've seen from him so far. He's giving more effort than Haloti. That's for sure.

His arm tackles are ridiculous.  When he gets one of those around you that's the play man.

[GrimCoconut]

I just heard on The Fan that the Steelers purposely ran right at Ngata and Spears. Lol

[The Raven]

I just heard on The Fan that the Steelers purposely ran right at Ngata and Spears. Lol

 

Although The Fan has little credibility, I wouldn't be surprised. I noticed that the majority of their runs were away from Art Jones and Suggs, and toward Ngata, Spears, Dumervil, and yes, Arthur Brown.

 

Ngata did nothing yesterday.

[GrimCoconut]

Although The Fan has little credibility, I wouldn't be surprised. I noticed that the majority of their runs were away from Art Jones and Suggs, and toward Ngata, Spears, Dumervil, and yes, Arthur Brown.

Ngata did nothing yesterday.

Yeah. What was said was this: David DeCastro was interviewed after the game and he said that the plan was to run between the tackles to avoid Suggs and Dumervil because they're so fast. They wanted to run up the middle right at Ngata and Spears and because they're ineffective and allowed the guards to get past them to the LB and they gobbled up Arthur Brown who's small. Brown needs to get more weight.

[izvoodoo]

I just heard on The Fan that the Steelers purposely ran right at Ngata and Spears. Lol

Generally they doubled ngata and abused Spears.  I can't justify having Spears on the field at this point.

[GrimCoconut]

Generally they doubled ngata and abused Spears. I can't justify having Spears on the field at this point.

They did double Ngata but it wasn't the whole game and even when it was one on one Ngata still struggled. Spears hasn't really been very good.

[izvoodoo]

They did double Ngata but it wasn't the whole game and even when it was one on one Ngata still struggled. Spears hasn't really been very good.

Spears has been straight up a liability.  NGata had some splash plays.  He had the sack that got taken away because of Dumerville's facemask.  

But Spears has been a big liability when on the field.  He's old, and his body is just failing him.  I think Deangelo Tyson is going to get more snaps.  He's shown flashes of being a player.