Matthew D. Elam

[darklight1216]

He stops playing before the whistle blows.  He's soft at times, does not "play like a Raven," not really a hard hitter.  I won't go into his coverage ability right now.

 

Several times today another defender started to tackle a SD player and Elam just stood right next to the play and did nothing.  He didn't help wrap up.  In one play the offensive player broke free from the defender when Elam was just watching, and gianed another 5+ yards.  If he helped wrap up in the place...

Let's not forget how he neglected to touch the Bengals receiver when he fell down right near Elam.

[beefjerky]

The Elam/Brown draft will hurt this franchise for years to come.

[ravensnick]

He reminds me of the CJ2K(1K) version of a Safety...he always wants to make the big play and never just plays within his role or just smartly. For example he loves going for the strip and in doing so gets carried for several yards to just misses.

 

Physically he has everything you could ask for...and somehow he still has swagger..even today he was shaking his finger after a pass deflection he made after several holding calls on him...This is my only silver lining. He still has confidence in himself and his abilities so time will tell in this regard--I remember Jimmy not having anywhere near this confidence when he was in his first couple of years and struggling

He is also 5'10", that doesn't help.

[ravensnick]

I think Elam could be like Jimmy and massively improve this offseason with a huge competition between him and terrence brooks. It;s gonna make one of them better.

[GrimCoconut]

There's a lot that pisses me off about Matt Elam, if I'm being frank. He was super-hyped by the team when we selected him it created this sense of possible confidence in him and expectations that we seemingly saw things in him that would lead to long-term success. This is all and good, and I liked Elam, but the problem he had in college have still not been fixed. This is a problem. 

 

His instincts, which were lauded, has been absolutely terrible at times and very spotty and inconsistent. Sometimes he makes great reads and blows up behind the LOS and makes a great play. Then at other times, he bites on the wrong route and just totally screws up and leads to a major gain. Then, you  have other times when he does guess right and he ends up getting dragged a couple of yards, or he makes a leaping tackle (which NEVER works) and misses his target.

 

Elam's biggest problem is, as another poster said, he goes for the big play WAY too much and that just opens him up to letting stupid things happen. Then, that absolutely idiotic play where he allowed the guy to lay on the ground and EYE tackled him! I'm like, WTH, man?!?!?! That absolutely infuriated me watching that and if I met him in person, I'd ask him what he was thinking on that boneheaded play. 

 

Still, he has potential so there's some salvaging there to be had. It's just that he needs to clean his act up a lot and really tighten up his game. FWIW, I think he actually could be a good nickel CB. I know some might be like "WTH are you thinking?" but I do like him there. He's had some good coverage at times, and I think it could be a great fit for him. I don't think he's smart enough to be an NFL safety. I think if he's only concerned about  playing his guy and mainly has to think about that one WR, then he'll do better. I could be wrong. It's just my opinion. I don't see a lot of football IQ in him, and I don't think he multitasks well. I think he can still have an impact. He just needs a more limited role, and I see nickel CB as a better fit. 

[ravensnick]

There's a lot that pisses me off about Matt Elam, if I'm being frank. He was super-hyped by the team when we selected him it created this sense of possible confidence in him and expectations that we seemingly saw things in him that would lead to long-term success. This is all and good, and I liked Elam, but the problem he had in college have still not been fixed. This is a problem. 

 

His instincts, which were lauded, has been absolutely terrible at times and very spotty and inconsistent. Sometimes he makes great reads and blows up behind the LOS and makes a great play. Then at other times, he bites on the wrong route and just totally screws up and leads to a major gain. Then, you  have other times when he does guess right and he ends up getting dragged a couple of yards, or he makes a leaping tackle (which NEVER works) and misses his target.

 

Elam's biggest problem is, as another poster said, he goes for the big play WAY too much and that just opens him up to letting stupid things happen. Then, that absolutely idiotic play where he allowed the guy to lay on the ground and EYE tackled him! I'm like, WTH, man?!?!?! That absolutely infuriated me watching that and if I met him in person, I'd ask him what he was thinking on that boneheaded play. 

 

Still, he has potential so there's some salvaging there to be had. It's just that he needs to clean his act up a lot and really tighten up his game. FWIW, I think he actually could be a good nickel CB. I know some might be like "WTH are you thinking?" but I do like him there. He's had some good coverage at times, and I think it could be a great fit for him. I don't think he's smart enough to be an NFL safety. I think if he's only concerned about  playing his guy and mainly has to think about that one WR, then he'll do better. I could be wrong. It's just my opinion. I don't see a lot of football IQ in him, and I don't think he multitasks well. I think he can still have an impact. He just needs a more limited role, and I see nickel CB as a better fit. 

No offensive to elam, but his play on the field and his social media don't paint him as exactly the smartest individual.

[GrimCoconut]

No offensive to elam, but his play on the field and his social media don't paint him as exactly the smartest individual.

No, he really doesn't seem too bright. I'd put him as a permanent nickel CB and I'd see if he improves there. I'd take away his ability to make the calls for the secondary as well, IF he still has those privileges. I don't think the secondary is doing well with communication and he could be a big part of that if he still has that control. 

[ravensnick]

No, he really doesn't seem too bright. I'd put him as a permanent nickel CB and I'd see if he improves there. I'd take away his ability to make the calls for the secondary as well, IF he still has those privileges. I don't think the secondary is doing well with communication and he could be a big part of that if he still has that control. 

Yeah, many don't realize these, but good d communication (and good o-line communication) is what wins you games.

[H8R]

No, he really doesn't seem too bright. I'd put him as a permanent nickel CB and I'd see if he improves there. I'd take away his ability to make the calls for the secondary as well, IF he still has those privileges. I don't think the secondary is doing well with communication and he could be a big part of that if he still has that control.

Agree'd he seems like a real fool in real life. I can't get behind this guy

[pep_meister]

No offensive to elam, but his play on the field and his social media don't paint him as exactly the smartest individual.

super weird you said that. i litreally 1 second ago just got done looking at his IG and was about to say that... for a guy who has a lot of followers who are young teens that look at him as a role model ... kinda paints a bad picture.

[redlobster]

I'm with what has been echoed above, hr seems to mentally be slow, or not capable of grasping things

[rmw10]

super weird you said that. i litreally 1 second ago just got done looking at his IG and was about to say that... for a guy who has a lot of followers who are young teens that look at him as a role model ... kinda paints a bad picture.

 

It was awhile back but I kept it quiet at the time although I know some people around here saw it as well, but on IG or Twitter, he gave a shootout to his weed dealer.  Yes, you read that correctly.

[H8R]

Reid and Vaccaro have been terrible? Top Pro Bowl Level Player (and one has already been to one).

Ehh... Watching them play, Reid is decent... Vaccaro isn't special . Reid has a whole lot of talent around him and superior coaching.

[pep_meister]

It was awhile back but I kept it quiet at the time although I know some people around here saw it as well, but on IG or Twitter, he gave a shootout to his weed dealer.  Yes, you read that correctly.

no way.... WOW!.... wounder who told him to take it down lol... man i wanted to get behind him and root for him but he makes it hard. I don't know why but i pictured him as a forsett, levine kind of guy who looks at playing in the nfl has an absolute blessing.... smh. 

[H8R]

It was awhile back but I kept it quiet at the time although I know some people around here saw it as well, but on IG or Twitter, he gave a shootout to his weed dealer. Yes, you read that correctly.

are you serious about the "weed dealer"? If so, this guy needs to be tossed of the squad. Not that Mary j is the worst thing that he could do... But it just speaks to his immaturity and lack of tact to be a valuable member of this team. Someone should sent that to the Ravens PR.

[rmw10]

no way.... WOW!.... wounder who told him to take it down lol... man i wanted to get behind him and root for him but he makes it hard. I don't know why but i pictured him as a forsett, levine kind of guy who looks at playing in the nfl has an absolute blessing.... smh. 

 

are you serious about the "weed dealer"? If so, this guy needs to be tossed of the squad. Not that Mary j is the worst thing that he could do... But it just speaks to his immaturity and lack of tact to be a valuable member of this team. Someone should sent that to the Ravens PR.

 

Many other references as well.  I remember that specific tweet was taken down pretty quickly so someone must have told him.  I know he used some "urban dictionary" terms though so it went unnoticed by some.  I'm sure tons of players smoke weed.  It's really not even a question being that they're tested once a year (so long as they haven't been caught in the past) and know it's coming, so they can prepare.  Advertising it is asinine though.

[Gordo52]

Doesn't surprise me if true.... I actually have a friend who has some friends who have told some pretty interesting stories on a couple Raven players, including Elam in those rumors.... but I digress....

#EatHungry ...

How about #PlayBetter !!

[pep_meister]

Doesn't surprise me if true.... I actually have a friend who has some friends who have told some pretty interesting stories on a couple Raven players, including Elam in those rumors.... but I digress....

#EatHungry ...

How about #PlayBetter !!

i'm sure Torrey Smith, Flacco, and Ngata were all part of these interesting stories.... lol . not serious. 

[PurpleCity5]

Let's set this record straight, Matt Elam has been going through a bad season, yeah bad, but call me crazy, I think we should give him one more chance, at Strong Safety, I know it sounds insane but hear me out. Anyone that says Matt Elam hasn't shown promise clearly have not been watching Ravens games. This guy is clutch and has the ability to make big plays in times where it matters most. The problem is that our offense is totally inconsistent that we can't score off of those plays, I bet yah If Baltimore had beaten Cincinnati and Indianapolis, everyone would be talking about how Matt Elam has shown flashes. That forced fumble on Ahmad Bradshaw was a key moment in the game and we couldn't cash out on it, also include the play where he stripped the ball from Jermaine Gresham that led to a FG, had we scored a TD, Baltimore would've had the game sealed but they didn't, also that big play to Sanu was more on Terrence Brooks and Dominique Franks that Elam. 

 

Gosh, but he has been frustrating I'll admit that. I still can't forget about the play when Hoyer threw it deep to Justin Gabriel and when he fell down on the catch, Matt just stood there like a statue and did nothing and then Gabriel just ran for an extra 20 yards.....MY reaction was:"askdjg;aklhjaw;ighawfjh aljk;sdhfgajkhgaglhijwjiejtkhndihgjeoifeasdfgakewljeg MAN WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU!!!! HOW CAN YOU ALLOW THAT!!!" I was so shocked because I thought Cleveland had a bunch of scrub WR's yet they were torching Baltimore....smh! 

 

But yeah, Elam has shown flashes and promises no doubt, but next season is due or die time! This season is dead and honestly, I can't even get mad at Elam only, there is more blame to be passed around this secondary, I want a combo of Matt Elam(SS), Will Hill(FS), Jimmy Smith(#1CB), Webby(#2), & Asa(NC)...That's a secondary with a lot of promise. 

[redlobster]

∆ did he say Matt Elam is clutch? Lmao

[PurpleCity5]

Reid and Vaccaro have been terrible? Top Pro Bowl Level Player (and one has already been to one).

Reid had a phenomenal rookie season, he was on the top of my board in the 2013 draft, I really thought we could've gotten him until San Fran traded up for him, why is it that whenever we have our eyes on one player some team trades up for him? Vaccaro also had a strong rookie season in New Orleans, I think his dip in play has to do with a couple of combinations: sophomore slump, terrible D-Line which gives QB's extra time, and bad formations. But I think next season we'll see why he was a top 20 pick.

 

smh! I'm tired of that B.S If someone snatches DeVante Parker through trade I'll be upset.  

[Gordo52]

i'm sure Torrey Smith, Flacco, and Ngata were all part of these interesting stories.... lol . not serious.

Haha, no.

Take it with salt, but the things I've heard would confirm Elam was a regular snoop dog.

[kassaiscool]

Matt Elam doesn't know how to break down and tackle. He is either diving with his head down at peoples feet or getting a penalty thrown at him. I don't think he understands he is the last line of defense when playing safety. He also gets routinely burned in coverage.

[cobrajet]

Very disappointing. Leaning toward bust.

[The Raven]

He couldn't recognize a route concept if you labeled it on the chalkboard. This guy is clueless. 

[thisme007]

He might have problems reading the Ravens defense playbook..

[Bruce_Almty]

Sophomore slump is hitting last years draft class hard: 1st rnd) Elam playing terrible, 2nd rnd) Brown not playing at all, 4th rnd) Simon playing for Houston. B.Williams, Juszczyk & Wagner doing well, KLM w/acl, Jensen on PS. Also, FA Aaron Ross going down at the beginning of TC didn't help and Darian Stewart being pretty useless has not helped our back end. Would be nice to see Ozzie draft 2CBs and 2WRs in the first 4 rounds next spring.

[Maryland]

He was tackling Eddie Royal before he could even turn into his route... c'mon man. 

[Sami84]

I told everyone when we drafted him he was an idiot.

I made fun of his eatgreedy crap to a chorus of criticism here,

He has no hope. I never cracked up with pain as much as i did when pees said in the presser when referring to elams size "" how tall is troy p?"

[pitchblack_20]

Part of the problem is they're not even using him properly still. They're using him in the nickel for the majority of his snaps for some unknown reason. Playing straight up man coverage. That's not what he's good at. Its like using Polamalu in man coverage. Elam needs to be attacking down hill and playing shell zones. Its not really a coincidence that really the only game we've been impressed was the Detroit game last year when Pees used him as an actual SS.

my opinion resembles this