courtney upshaw making the leap

[JoeyFlex5]

has anyone else been very impressed by upshaw throughout the offseason and first 2 weeks? he has done a good job against the run, and he seems to have gained some serious burst that wasnt there in years 1 and 2, it is obvious that the game has slowed down for him a lot, that sack that was taken away on the opening drive was a brilliant play by him, he saw ben was going to roll out to his right, he dropped his coverage because ben was looking downfield, and showed some great burst just SHOOTING into the backfield and pummeling ben square in his chest, reminiscent of bart scotts 06 sack against ben and upshaw was robbed of it. 

 

i wasnt a fan of the upshaw pick, havent been his biggest supporter since he came to baltimore, but im willing to hop on any players bandwagon as long as they show me the right stuff, and upshaw certainly has, im comfortable with saying he is now an upgrade over jarrett johnson, and still has room to grow. 

 

also, the dude is just violent, freakishly strong for a LB, and i like how he can step in at DT as well.

[GrimCoconut]

I like his versatility. I like his ability to set the edge. I think he's country strong for sure. He is an anomaly, however. He plays like an ILB, built like a 4-3 DE, with coverage up there with OLB with the pass rush skills of an ILB and a DT. I wouldn't say he uses his hands well but he's good at just using his strength. He's not a bad player. It's just confusing because he plays so many different ways. He's a jack of all trades kind of player.

[JoeyFlex5]

I like his versatility. I like his ability to set the edge. I think he's country strong for sure. He is an anomaly, however. He plays like an ILB, built like a 4-3 DE, with coverage up there with OLB with the pass rush skills of an ILB and a DT. I wouldn't say he uses his hands well but he's good at just using his strength. He's not a bad player. It's just confusing because he plays so many different ways. He's a jack of all trades kind of player.

exactly how i feel, he gets in there and just shoves people around and gets in the way, whether hes playing at DE, DT, ILB, or OLB, because ive seen him at all of those spots more than just a few times, he went from being a questionable pick to being a bit of an asset for this team, we honestly would struggle on defense without him, he is going to be underappreciated but his versatility and brute strength combined with his solid athleticism(solid, not great lol) are important for what we do, dumervil is only rotational for a good reason, because courtney really does the dirty work as well as anybody in the league. 

 

if he finds a way to continue to improve his burst, then i see some real flashes of james harrison in him.

[52520Andrew]

Yeah Upshaw has a lot of versatility, should be interesting to see how Pees can use him this season

[The Raven]

I'm just hoping he finally shows up leaner and quicker next year. His gut is the only thing holding him back from double digit sacks and a pro bowl nod.

[redrum52]

I'm just hoping he finally shows up leaner and quicker next year. His gut is the only thing holding him back from double digit sacks and a pro bowl nod.

Wouldn't mind him trying to show up in peak physical condition but wonder if it would affect his versatility while improving him at probably all LB positions. It's crazy to me though he can play anywhere on in our front seven. Liked the pick from the start and never doubted his ability. He's aN old school type player. Doesn't seem to talk much, just goes and and plays tough.

[The Raven]

Wouldn't mind him trying to show up in peak physical condition but wonder if it would affect his versatility while improving him at probably all LB positions. It's crazy to me though he can play anywhere on in our front seven. Liked the pick from the start and never doubted his ability. He's aN old school type player. Doesn't seem to talk much, just goes and and plays tough.

 

We wouldn't be able to use him much on the line if he got leaner but at least he'd be a better OLB, and we'll need someone to eventually take over for Suggs and Doom. Upshaw could be that guy for a few years, at least as a stop gap. If he does that, he'll definitely need to drop weight.

[Static]

McPhee mention too. I've seen consistent pressure and presence from him.

[ravensnick]

I'm just hoping he finally shows up leaner and quicker next year. His gut is the only thing holding him back from double digit sacks and a pro bowl nod.

He's also not a natural pass rusher in the sense he doesn't have a great move he can use. Great player, I think our system of starting him and getting Dumervil as our PRS was a great idea.

[redlobster]

Upshaw hits hard but I saw him miss a couple tackles but he without a doubt a great asset. Mcphee just gets pressure whenever he is out there, I'd imagine another team will scoop him up next year (I believe he is a FA next year) and pay more than Baltimore is willing to.

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

He is developing into an excellent player. As noted in other posts, his versatility is an awesome asset for our defense. If Dean puts him in the position to succeed, he will! (Him and Dean!)

[NickRadz23]

Upshaw hits hard but I saw him miss a couple tackles but he without a doubt a great asset. Mcphee just gets pressure whenever he is out there, I'd imagine another team will scoop him up next year (I believe he is a FA next year) and pay more than Baltimore is willing to.

 

Yup it's a shame he starts to really pan out during his contract year, oh well.

 

Let's hope his market isn't that large come offseason. 

[CalvinSmoke]

Most teams couldn't use him to his full advantage. Mabye us the Jets and the Colts, we should be able to keep him

[JoeyFlex5]

Most teams couldn't use him to his full advantage. Mabye us the Jets and the Colts, we should be able to keep him

care to elaborate? im just wondering why other 3-4 teams couldnt use a versatile and consistent(injuries aside) to his full advantage.

[1/28/01]

care to elaborate? im just wondering why other 3-4 teams couldnt use a versatile and consistent(injuries aside) to his full advantage.

Yeah, thought the same thing. Seems like a pretty stupid thing to say.

[CalvinSmoke]

I said that because in my eyes Upshaw isn't a typical 3-4 kind of player. Hence why so many teams passed on him in the 1st round. He is a hybrid player, if a defence wants two edge rushers they wouldn't be too happy with Upshaw.

[rmw10]

Upshaw is one of those unsung heroes that never gets enough credit.  For a 2nd rounder, ideally, you want more pass rush and more of an overall difference maker, but in no way is he a bad player as many have said around here multiple times.  His contributions don't really match his draft status, but I still love having him here.  He definitely contributes and I'd hate to see what our run defense would be if he wasn't here.  His ability to set the edge is very underrated.  I love the many different ways we've been using him as well.

[JoeyFlex5]

I said that because in my eyes Upshaw isn't a typical 3-4 kind of player. Hence why so many teams passed on him in the 1st round. He is a hybrid player, if a defence wants two edge rushers they wouldn't be too happy with Upshaw.

i thought you were talking about mcphee because the post immediately before yours was referring to him being another underrated player and it said he might end up on another team next year, i thought you were commenting on that post lol. 

 

but still versatility is something most coaches appreciate, maybe no coach appreciates versatility as much as harbs as he is known to prep players to play 2-3 different positions at any given moment, but since upshaw has developed so much, coaches would probably love his versatility, especially if a defense is looking to add some toughness, atlanta, green bay, indy, NO, philly, SD, titans, all 3-4 teams that are lacking some toughness and could benefit hugely from what upshaw has to offer.

[Rav'n Maniac]

We'll find out after the 2015 season what his value to other teams and the Ravens is then. At present, he brings quality play for extreme value. That could all change as we have seen many times once his rookie contract is up.

[Ngata Chance]

Jarret Johnson 2.0. Unsung hero.  Never has the gaudy stats, but plays a much needed role on the team and is invaluable with his versitility.

[arnie_uk]

Still not convinced we get enough return for an early 2nd. But his versatility definitely helps our defense

[JoeyFlex5]

i would agree with that, with a early 2nd rounder you would definitely want more impact plays, i think if we didnt trade back, took a first round impact player, and picked upshaw with our original 2nd rounder, then he is widely regarded as a steal, the biggest problem is we essentially passed up on other quality players for a run stuffer

[GrimCoconut]

Still not convinced we get enough return for an early 2nd. But his versatility definitely helps our defense

Especially when we had chances at selecting Dwayne Allen, Cordy Glenn, Alshon Jeffrey. That's my biggest gripe about Upshaw. Not enough return from a high second, but he's a talented player who excels at what he does well. It's just a shame his pass rush never improved. I just don't think we have high hopes for him there anyway.

[Fries]

He was an upgrade and has become a solid starter. He has made big plays in big moments. What more do you want? The hit on ben should have been a sack. His head was up and he was right in the bread basket. So maybe his pash rush has improved. Fans are so nitpicky...

[The Raven]

Especially when we had chances at selecting Dwayne Allen, Cordy Glenn, Alshon Jeffrey. That's my biggest gripe about Upshaw. Not enough return from a high second, but he's a talented player who excels at what he does well. It's just a shame his pass rush never improved. I just don't think we have high hopes for him there anyway.

 

I mention this a lot, but I think he could become a Tamba Hali or Lamarr Woodley type  pass rusher if he would just lose some weight. He's listed at 272 but I wouldn't be surprised if he was pushing 280. If he got down to the 265 range I think he could get a pass rush. Losing weight would also make him a better open field tackler. 

[GrimCoconut]

He was an upgrade and has become a solid starter. He has made big plays in big moments. What more do you want? The hit on ben should have been a sack. His head was up and he was right in the bread basket. So maybe his pash rush has improved. Fans are so nitpicky...

No it hasn't. He still doesn't use his hands very well. He got that sack because he was clean. He isn't a bad player and nobody said he is. And no, it wasn't a sack because he led with his helmet. It would've been a sack had he not lowered his helmet. If you want to complain, complain about his technique but don't complain on the referee on that flag.

I think Upshaw does well when he's an interior rusher because he seems to do better against guards and centers than tackles. That's just playing him to his strength. He's a stronger rusher who uses his strength.

[GrimCoconut]

I mention this a lot, but I think he could become a Tamba Hali or Lamarr Woodley type pass rusher if he would just lose some weight. He's listed at 272 but I wouldn't be surprised if he was pushing 280. If he got down to the 265 range I think he could get a pass rush. Losing weight would also make him a better open field tackler.

Maybe but I'm not sure. When you start to experiment like that it can mess up a player. I wouldn't be against it. It could truly be for his benefit. But Upshaw doesn't seem to be a naturally small guy. The question is if he doesn't mind putting down the bad foods. You'd also lose his versatility as well for sure. I think we value that.

But if he lost weight he might gain some explosiveness and that would seriously improve his pass rush.

[arnie_uk]

i would agree with that, with a early 2nd rounder you would definitely want more impact plays, i think if we didnt trade back, took a first round impact player, and picked upshaw with our original 2nd rounder, then he is widely regarded as a steal, the biggest problem is we essentially passed up on other quality players for a run stuffer

i was adamant during that draft if we skipped him a second time he def would have fell considerably further because people would worry with ozzies connection to bama. I was disappointed we took him over jeffrey

[JoeyFlex5]

I mention this a lot, but I think he could become a Tamba Hali or Lamarr Woodley type  pass rusher if he would just lose some weight. He's listed at 272 but I wouldn't be surprised if he was pushing 280. If he got down to the 265 range I think he could get a pass rush. Losing weight would also make him a better open field tackler. 

i think he is fine where hes at for the simple reason that he isnt naturally a pass rusher, we have solid pass rushers on this team already and what courtney does for us is very valuable, losing 15 pounds would take away what he does best, and that is bully opposing players with his brute strength, im not so sure losing weight always adds to more burst anyway. having to keep upshaw strictly at OLB would stunt his value a lot, what makes him special is being as big and powerful as he is, and still having solid enough athleticism to stand him up at OLB or ILB, or put his hand in the dirt at DE or DT and still be effective, regardless of the task, short zone coverage, jamming TE's at the line, setting the edge, pushing his side of the pocket, occupying a tackle while mcphee or dumervil(depending if hes at OLB or DE) get an easier rush, its all a big part of what can make this defense successful, losing all that weight to try to make him strictly an OLB for pass rushing purposes would be a huge blow to our defense in my opinion

[The Raven]

i think he is fine where hes at for the simple reason that he isnt naturally a pass rusher, we have solid pass rushers on this team already and what courtney does for us is very valuable, losing 15 pounds would take away what he does best, and that is bully opposing players with his brute strength, im not so sure losing weight always adds to more burst anyway. having to keep upshaw strictly at OLB would stunt his value a lot, what makes him special is being as big and powerful as he is, and still having solid enough athleticism to stand him up at OLB or ILB, or put his hand in the dirt at DE or DT and still be effective, regardless of the task, short zone coverage, jamming TE's at the line, setting the edge, pushing his side of the pocket, occupying a tackle while mcphee or dumervil(depending if hes at OLB or DE) get an easier rush, its all a big part of what can make this defense successful, losing all that weight to try to make him strictly an OLB for pass rushing purposes would be a huge blow to our defense in my opinion

 

What I'm saying, is just to lose fat, mainly in his gut. I don't want him to lose that strength, but if he could cut fat he could be a great player.

 

We do have to start thinking about the future of this defense. Suggs and Doom are aging. Upshaw could still be here in five years. Does he replace them?