Matt Elam leads NFL defensive backs in missed tackles

[dirtybird10]

Never liked us drafting Elam to begin with. Thought he was a SS at best and did not like his measurables in a passing league. That said, this is his second season and first in a SS role. He has made some good plays for us, like last week, he was the reason we had a shot at that game by forcing that ball out on the receiver. That said, had he wrapped up other guys, maybe we get defensive stops too. Give the guy some time before we call him a bust, he has a few years to figure things out, I just wish he would do it soon. To be honest tackling was the last thing I thought he would have problems with. 

[Wildabeast88]

Will Hill and Terrance Brooks look like the Ravens future starting safety tandem. At least for 2014. Elam makes too many mistakes. Period.

 

And it doesn't matter if he's a second year player or not. Look how mature CJ Mosley and Campanaro are playing as ROOKS.

Elam has his moments but he's not consistent enough to keep a starting job as an NFL safety. He's starting to feel like a liability. I can't wait until Brooks and Hill get up to speed.

You said it perfectly. CJ looks awesome like a pro bowl caliber player. He knows the assignments he's all over the field making plays in the run and pass game and causing turnovers. Now it could be the discipline from playing under Saban at Alabama but time can't always be an excuse

[redrum52]

Brooks has been a better tackler than Elam. I'd rather put brooks at SS.

Been hoping for Brooks and Hill and it won't surprise me if they're the starters come week 17.

[stampedehero]

Without doubt, he is    in con sis tent.    He cost us that game.   The first basic technique you are taught in Defense is TACKLING. I learned that crap in high school.  This dude has none of that.  How did he make the team???   IT does NOT matter what position he plays in the secondary, you HAVE to TACKLE.  Lets get another practice squad member  TE position is a carosel, why not start with his postiion and play the same crap shoot.  Without Jimmy Smith,  Roethisberger will eat him like a shark.   BENCH him SAVE our D

[RaineV1]

Brooks has been a better tackler than Elam. I'd rather put brooks at SS.

I'm inclined to agree. While I'm not ready to give up on Elam, I do think sitting him and starting Brooks would be a good call. Give Elam a chance to clear his mind and focus on improving his tackling while on special teams. And who knows, maybe losing his starting position could light a fire under him.

[stampedehero]

You said it perfectly. CJ looks awesome like a pro bowl caliber player. He knows the assignments he's all over the field making plays in the run and pass game and causing turnovers. Now it could be the discipline from playing under Saban at Alabama but time can't always be an excuse

Yeah  CJ is a bonafide NFL line backer.

[stampedehero]

I'm inclined to agree. While I'm not ready to give up on Elam, I do think sitting him and starting Brooks would be a good call. Give Elam a chance to clear his mind and focus on improving his tackling while on special teams. And who knows, maybe losing his starting position could light a fire under him.

You know he may be better off in the waiver tank

[stampedehero]

Will Hill and Terrance Brooks look like the Ravens future starting safety tandem. At least for 2014. Elam makes too many mistakes. Period.

 

And it doesn't matter if he's a second year player or not. Look how mature CJ Mosley and Campanaro are playing as ROOKS.

Elam has his moments but he's not consistent enough to keep a starting job as an NFL safety. He's starting to feel like a liability. I can't wait until Brooks and Hill get up to speed.

Agreed.  Without Smith we need another guy to step up and it is NOT him. He looks lost!

[BSHU_Miami]

Been hoping for Brooks and Hill and it won't surprise me if they're the starters come week 17.

there is no damn reason why Will Hill shouldn't be starting. I don't know who's call it is, pees or Harbs but they need to get it right. It's not like the people in front of them are setting the world on fire. You think the Browns arent going to start Josh Gordon when he comes back? Will Gordon only play 12 snaps on his second game back?! Please! The safety situation angers my soul. It sucks because our front seven is playing well enough.

[Static]

I want Matt to not be a bust just as everyone else but right now he is hurting the team.

[Ravenseconbeast]

I'll bet half of yo in here been predicting Jimmy was a bust..........

 

Yep..its a secondary position.   give the guy 3 years.   Fair deal.

[Wildabeast88]

Yep..its a secondary position.   give the guy 3 years.   Fair deal.

I'm fine with giving him time but do you want us to make the playoffs. I'd rather bench him and win than play him and lose. I hope he turns into the player Ozzie thought he'd be but I would rather roll with Hill Brooks or Stewart

[kassaiscool]

When he was coming out of Florida, I kind of knew he whiffed on tackles a good amount. But what I didn't expect was for him not be a play maker. He made a play this week against the bengals where he stripped the ball out, but he isn't making too many of those type of plays. Give him more time to develop, and lets see where it goes. I remember a lot of people hating on Jimmy Smith his first two years in the league, but he made a complete change. I knew he would be good, all he needed was time to develop.

[GrimCoconut]

 

I couldn't disagree with this statement more. If you want proof for how well he's actually played strong safety, look to his rookie season and look at the Lions and Bears games, both games where he played strong safety from start to finish, not FS or corner. 

 

He excelled in those games where he was asked to play only strong safety. If you want to say he hasn't played well to this point, fine, that's true, but he has played exceptionally well in the two games he was allowed to actually play in his rover type role.

Just what are you disagreeing with? Lol. That it's a bad comparison of Jimmy Smith and Joe Flacco to Matt Elam? Are you saying Jimmy didn't show more than Elam at their respective stages in their careers? Or are you saying it's not too early to give up on him or that he doesn't need to improve? I'm not sure I know. I'm guessing you are saying you disagree with the notion that he hasn't excelled at SS. 

 

On that subject, I missed those two games, unfortunately. I left right before the Bears game. Really sad I missed that one and was still away for the Lions game. I have no way to watch those, so yeah. I could be wrong. I was really referring to when he played in the box this year, since that's where I have a lot more knowledge, and the early part of last year. More importantly, a two-game sample size of playing SS is hardly a great indicator of success. Granted, I understand your point, but you don't draft a strictly in-the-box SS in the first round or even the high 2nd. You can find those throughout the draft. Elam needs to be a more versatile safety, because that's what he was drafted to do--be versatile. That's the expectation. 

 

Regardless of whether or not he's comfortable or playing out of position, if you're a safety in today's NFL, that's your job. You need to tackle, cover, and have the instincts to make plays on the ball---however they come. Most importantly, a safety needs to know how to tackle. That's arguably their biggest and most important job. There is a blurred line between SS and FS now, or is that something else you "couldn't disagree with" more? That was my main point.  

[ravensdfan]

This is a pathetically stupid excuse for missed tackles. What, do you think the art of tackling changes between FS and SS? No. Tackling is tackling.

 

Yeah tackling is pretty basic for any defensive player. Doesn't really matter what position he's playing. If his real issue was being caught out of position, then that argument might hold some water.

[FlackAttack]

If you have actually played football in high school or even college, it is known most DB's have poor tackling skills. They are speedsters that can cover but have bad hands (hence not being a receiver). A linebacker or D-linemen will wrap up, and drive the runner until he is down. DB's just aimlessly dive head/ shoulder first into the legs. There are few DB's (Seahawks secondary is good example because of their size) that have the same tackling skills as linebackers and D-linemen.

 

On that note, Matt Elam is just not fit for NFL caliber football. Small Frame, poor tackling, missed coverages, and flat out isn't good on the NFL level.

[D_UP]

He did the same thing at Florida. If your "safety" is missing tackles that often, then he isn't truly a safety. He's just some dude running around in your secondary that's a huge liability.

[Dewy101]

Yeah tackling is pretty basic for any defensive player. Doesn't really matter what position he's playing. If his real issue was being caught out of position, then that argument might hold some water.

being caught out of position is also an issue lol

[BBoogieMan]

Doesn't matter what position he plays, tackling is tackling. It's fundamentals. This is a legit concern but interestingly, he's not the only Raven with the issue...vet or young player. So, is that on Matt or coaching or perhaps both. Personally, I wanted Cyprien that draft who's racking up tackles and intimidating in mid-field like we expect and want from Matt on a young & less stocked D compare to ours but I think Matt can imrprove and be something special.

[H8R]

Older review of ELAM. Not sure the guys pedigree but he's spot on with the tackling

http://ontheclocknfldraft.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/matt-elam-ss-florida/

[The Mom Gene]

In the "What you missed thread", you can find the tackle...  and it wasd pointed out in the show "wired";  Spags got on him about a missed tackle, told him to basically get out there and get it done...  Next play????  He takes the RB out, just lifts him right off his feet and slams him down...  He needs to do that stuff more often.

[ravensfan160]

The most disappointing thing is I swear someone (either Ozzie, Harbaugh or DeCosta) lauded his tackling as one of the primary reasons they like him so much.

[1/28/01]

Part of his problem (outside the blatant missed ankle tackle attempts) is he is always trying for the strip. In some instances, its actually worked and almost helped us win a game or two. But I'd rather him learn to open field tackle.

[ravens533]

I question how coachable Elam is. You would think that by now the coaches would have worked hard with him on his tackling skills. He has not shown any improvement in a season and a half. It makes me think that he will not show any in the future. There is also his innate lack of football instinct. He has constantly taken poor angles no matter where he plays. He has some skills and I think he would make a decent backup. But as a NFL starter, he falls short.

[CalvinSmoke]

I think the tackling thing is the only thing holding him back. He could have been a hero on 3rd down a number of times if he finishes his tackles, his angle is good sometimes, he's there early enough, he's just tryna drop people that are far too big for arm tackles.

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

I never was excited about us drafting Elam.We should've traded up three spots for Patterson last year.

[frozen joe flacco fan]

I'll bet half of yo in here been predicting Jimmy was a bust..........

When Jimmy was cutting his teeth in the NFL, there was never any question about his athleticism. I

always thought he would develop into a first rate CB. Matt Elam is a different case. He hasn't looked

good in deep coverage or in open-field one on one tackling. Throw in the fact that he plays way off

receivers to compensate for his lack of speed, confidence or whatever and what do you get --- a bust.

[jazz1988]

I never was excited about us drafting Elam.We should've traded up three spots for Patterson last year.

 

You talking about that wide receiver whoms actually is  doing  nothing much for The Vikings right now?. Atleast that's what i been hearing but he did have a good game against The Buccs but their secondary sucks.

[ravensdan]

I never was excited about us drafting Elam.We should've traded up three spots for Patterson last year.

Lol. Cordarelle the bust?

[52520Andrew]

Elam did have a nice special teams tackle last week so there is that