Matt Elam not playing like he did with Florida

[Kev0825]

Before I start, you won't find a bigger Elam supporter than me. Having said that, after watching some NFL game rewind, I don't see the same player I saw in Florida. Ya it could be just him being a rookie, and it probably is, but he isn't playing with his usual intensity. There are no big hits or him flying to the ball. Eddie Lacy and Jermichael Finley tore him up. What do you guys think?

[Bltravens]

He's not used in the same capacity as he was in Florida.  Far from it.

[K-Dog]

Big fish - little pond

 

Little fish - big pond.

[Kev0825]

He needs to play SS and play close to the line of scrimmage that is where he belongs.

[berad]

Out of position at FS and the game's still fast for him. That's common with rookies - Arthur Brown's got it, too. It'll slow down and he'll go off instinct and experience rather than hesitate from thinking.

[easternshore97]

Was going to say what Berad said.

 

...and K-Dog...and Bitravens...

[NFLfan123]

Rookie CBs most notably are known for taking a few years to develop but this applies to all DBs really especially one playing out of position like Elam

[Mt. Crushmore]

There is a big difference between college football and the NFL.

[easternshore97]

There is a big difference between college football and the NFL.

Crush...come on man!

[Kev0825]

I was just wondering if you guys were thinking the same thing.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Before I start, you won't find a bigger Elam supporter than me. Having said that, after watching some NFL game rewind, I don't see the same player I saw in Florida. Ya it could be just him being a rookie, and it probably is, but he isn't playing with his usual intensity. There are no big hits or him flying to the ball. Eddie Lacy and Jermichael Finley tore him up. What do you guys think?

 

I think his doing well.  I don't think his playing like a 1st rounder though.   But his been doing good.   His tackling(best feature) seems to be slipping, and his getting in a habit of hitting people.   Lack of discipline maybe.

[dhstandard]

Another thing about FS is he is playing  much deeper than SS.  He is usually the last line of defense and in a huge open field.  It's more important that he makes the tackle rather than get a big hit.

 

Much different when playing near the line of scrimmage.  If we had a FS who could play I believe we would rotate him and Ihedigbo and find much better success.  Unfortunately, we don't have one.

[jazz1988]

It sucks Micheal Huff didn't work out because than we could of had Matt Elam play in a position where he's most comfortable .

[runamuk]

Im lazy what everyone else said . give him time

[CalvinSmoke]

There's been times when we've put him in the box and he shows us why we drafted him. The shorter the field the better, he helps with the goaline offense, and even last week near the end of the game he came up and brought the RB down right at the line of scrimmage. 

 

But as a FS he's reacting because it's new to him, NFL is a hell of a learning curve when playing your natural position, let alone a position that your not built for. 

[RavensFanMvp]

Before I start, you won't find a bigger Elam supporter than me. Having said that, after watching some NFL game rewind, I don't see the same player I saw in Florida. Ya it could be just him being a rookie, and it probably is, but he isn't playing with his usual intensity. There are no big hits or him flying to the ball. Eddie Lacy and Jermichael Finley tore him up. What do you guys think?

 

Want to know why Elam isn't playing like he did in college? I got two words for you... Dean Peas.

You haven't caught on yet? You can ask this question with all our players...

Why isn't Webb playing like he use to?

Why isn't Ngata causing havoc like in years past?

Why did Ray and Ed look a shell of themselves last year under Peas, but the year prior, they looked like pro bowlers?

Why do Cody look like he don't belong in the league now, but under Pagano and even Mattison,he looked like he was progression every year up until last year.

I don't care what anyone says, Peas scheme leaves the players in a vulnerable position and that's why guys who we thought would contribute more aren't. If you play as passive style on D, the players are going to play passive as well.

[The Raven]

Want to know why Elam isn't playing like he did in college? I got two words for you... Dean Peas.

You haven't caught on yet? You can ask this question with all our players...

Why isn't Webb playing like he use to? Coming back from his second ACL

Why isn't Ngata causing havoc like in years past? Wear and tear

Why did Ray and Ed look a shell of themselves last year under Peas, but the year prior, they looked like pro bowlers? Age, injury, wear and tear

Why do Cody look like he don't belong in the league now, but under Pagano and even Mattison,he looked like he was progression every year up until last year. Cody has actually looked solid so far

I don't care what anyone says, Peas scheme leaves the players in a vulnerable position and that's why guys who we thought would contribute more aren't. If you play as passive style on D, the players are going to play passive as well.

 

Debunked.  :th_towel-1:

[RavensFanMvp]

Debunked.  :th_towel-1:

 

Excuses. :th_towel-1:

[The Raven]

Excuses. :th_towel-1:

 

Injuries and age are excuses? Lol!

[RavensFanMvp]

Injuries and age are excuses? Lol!

 

Not at all. They are valid points...

But seeing as though our other D coordinators had to deal with those things too, that doesn't give Peas a pass.

I'm just saying under all our other D coordinators in the past, their coaching skills could overcome these things.

Guys like Graham, Huff, and Spears, would join the Ravens and perform adequately.

Remember F.Washington, J.Leonard, K.Greg, C.Redding? Those guys wasn't anything special either but Rex, and Pagano could get the best out of those guys, because the scheme dictate for them to be aggressive and attack, instead of playing on their heels and being passive.
 

But there's no need to go back and forth about the D. That's the least of our worries right now. Our offensive line situation is a mess and something has to be done fast if we want to make another run at a title. If we lose to the Bengals this week, our season is over.

[GrimCoconut]

There's a simple answer as to why Elam isn't playing like he played at Florida: He isn't being used in the same way. I know. It's too obvious. 

[CalvinSmoke]

There's a simple answer as to why Elam isn't playing like he played at Florida: He isn't being used in the same way. I know. It's too obvious. 

How dare you bring common sense into this. How dare you!

[RavensFanMvp]

There's a simple answer as to why Elam isn't playing like he played at Florida: He isn't being used in the same way. I know. It's too obvious. 

 

But who job is it to make sure that Elam is used the right way? I'm pretty sure it's Peas job.

I didn't watch a lot of Flordia games, so I don't know how he was used but from what I've heard and correct me if I'm wrong, he's pretty much an all around player.

He can cover good, has good speed, he can play the run and he's a good tackler and a hard hitter. His only knock was his size.
 

[SecretAgentMan]

How dare you bring common sense into this. How dare you!

And logic. That's not allowed either.

LOGIC BE DAMNED! *starts flying*

[The Raven]

You guys are saying this like he's playing badly. Elam has been good, regardless of how we used him. Yeah he's playing FS. So what? He's played great there. Prove me wrong. 

[CalvinSmoke]

But who job is it to make sure that Elam is used the right way? I'm pretty sure it's Peas job.

I didn't watch a lot of Flordia games, so I don't know how he was used but from what I've heard and correct me if I'm wrong, he's pretty much an all around player.

He can cover good, has good speed, he can play the run and he's a good tackler and a hard hitter. His only knock was his size.
 

ehh, Elam isn't that all around kind of athlete, he doesn't have a lot of quickness compared to other skill players in the NFL. But he has solid straight line speed and explosiveness, if he was taller he'd be an amazing linebacker lol. 

[CalvinSmoke]

NFL Draft Scouts pretty much nailed it:

 

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/matt-elam?id=2540153

 

Strengths:

" Plays close to the line of scrimmage or in the box very often. At his best when asked to make a play, either blitzing or one-on-one on the edge."

 

Weakness:

" For how many hard-hitting splash plays he makes, he could be much more aggressive every down. Little urgency to his game. Seen standing around far too often."

 

All-in-All:

"The junior thrives when his number is called, and Elam was very visible since he frequently lined up in the box at strong safety. However, when looking beyond the splash plays, Elam lacks urgency and can be seen standing around while others make the play."

[Sami84]

Hes the best case of occasional college flash over true all round consistant substance. I for one was not fooled by the glitter.all his interceptions were due to the qb making bad throws and they fell on a plate for him. Not one was the result of him actualy making the move for the interception.

Hes an idiot. With some players you can just tell.

[GrimCoconut]

But who job is it to make sure that Elam is used the right way? I'm pretty sure it's Peas job.

I didn't watch a lot of Flordia games, so I don't know how he was used but from what I've heard and correct me if I'm wrong, he's pretty much an all around player.

He can cover good, has good speed, he can play the run and he's a good tackler and a hard hitter. His only knock was his size.

I never said he's not being used right. Don't infer your own meaning. I said he's not being used the same. Entirely different definitions.

[AlaskanRavensFan]

I hate to say it, but our defense just doesn't have the intensity and physicality of years previous. I really think that Pees may be gone after this year. I think the big plays are wearing on Harbaugh. I just don't think the type of players we have want to sit back and react to things the offense does. Instead we should be dictating to the offense what they can do by being aggressive and forcing them into bad plays. 

 

Right now our defense adheres to a bend but don't break philosophy. I'll admit that last year our redone defense was pretty good, so this worked well enough to get a Lombardi. I'm just not convinced that that is a good long-term solution for our personnel or our team in general. I wouldn't be surprised to see Spagnuolo take over at some point either this year or next.