Rashaan Melvin

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Anyone else notice that esp early in the game the steelers chose to pick on Webb NOT Melvin. Tells me they saw on tape what some of us are seeing.

He's the best corner on the field wearing black and purple at the moment.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I really only see a few stud DL and they're Williams, Jernigan and Ngata. Ngata may not even be here. After them, we have the forever injured KLM, Canty who may be cut just like Ngata, a guy with potential in Urban, Tyson who has looked okay in a limited role, and Guy, who's more of a complement albeit an underrated one.

I don't see a plethora of DL prospects here who wouldn't benefit from adding Redding. Two of our DL are coming off injuries, and two could be off the team. Then you have two more who will be in their second and third years respectively next year.

Ngata isn't going anywhere.

And one of either KLM or Urban Is going to be a stud. Nothing to back that up but the eye test but I stand by it.

[GrimCoconut]

Ngata isn't going anywhere.

And one of either KLM or Urban Is going to be a stud. Nothing to back that up but the eye test but I stand by it.

You can't say that for sure. There's no telling what will happen. I like both KLM and Urban, but I know better than to simply count on them returning from injuries. We're going to add another DT, whether it's popular or not. I think one of Canty or Ngata are gone, with the possibility for both to be gone.

I am confident one won't be here for cap purposes. Then again, who knows. I won't say definitively because there's no definite either way.

Edited January 6, 2015 by GrimCoconut

[ravensfan160]

Cary played more off coverage and he let up a lot of 10 yard completions. Melvin reminds me more of Jimmy Smith. Seriously. He's a big, physical corner with good technique and instincts. He hasn't been tested like Jimmy has against guys like Megatron, but so far so good.

Cary would play some press. It comes down to what the coaches ask him to do. But I was making the comparison over more than just his size. Cary was also a guy we plucked off of someone's practice squad who became a solid player for us.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

You can't say that for sure. There's no telling what will happen. I like both KLM and Urban, but I know better than to simply count on them returning from injuries. We're going to add another DT, whether it's popular or not. I think one of Canty or Ngata are gone, with the possibility for both to be gone.

I am confident one won't be here for cap purposes. Then again, who knows. I won't say definitively because there's no definite either way.

I definitely agree with one being gone but am nearly 100% confident it's Canty. I actually wouldn't be surprised to see him retire after the season.

Ngata will restructure to lower his cap hit.

And like I said, I have nothing to back my notion on KLM and Urban and wouldn't advise anyone to bank on it but I think odds are very good we get a Jernigan-like 1st season from at least one of them

I do also see us either drafting or signing an under the radar vet DT or NT to rotate with Williams as a run stuffer/block eater. We have a ton of undersized, finesse d-lineman who specialize in interior pass rushing so we could use another big body.

I see Ngata, Williams, Jernigan, Urban, KLM, and one of Guy or Tyson as locks to be on the roster next year. I think Cody and Canty are gone for sure. We'll carry 8, probably 9 so I see a mid-round pick and bargain vet signing coming in.

[rmw10]

I definitely agree with one being gone but am nearly 100% confident it's Canty. I actually wouldn't be surprised to see him retire after the season.

Ngata will restructure to lower his cap hit.

And like I said, I have nothing to back my notion on KLM and Urban and wouldn't advise anyone to bank on it but I think odds are very good we get a Jernigan-like 1st season from at least one of them

I do also see us either drafting or signing an under the radar vet DT or NT to rotate with Williams as a run stuffer/block eater. We have a ton of undersized, finesse d-lineman who specialize in interior pass rushing so we could use another big body.

I see Ngata, Williams, Jernigan, Urban, KLM, and one of Guy or Tyson as locks to be on the roster next year. I think Cody and Canty are gone for sure. We'll carry 8, probably 9 so I see a mid-round pick and bargain vet signing coming in.

8 or 9 DL? We carried 5 for a portion this year. Injuries have us at 8 now but it's typically 6 or 7 when we only run a 3 man front.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

I like that Melvin seemed fearless in the game against Pittsburgh, in spite of being relatively new to the system. 

 

He looks to be a real find, and will provide nice depth behind a healthy Webb and Smith moving forward. 

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

8 or 9 DL? We carried 5 for a portion this year. Injuries have us at 8 now but it's typically 6 or 7 when we only run a 3 man front.

We may have gone with 5 for portions of the season but if KLM, Cody and urban all weren't injured I bet all but maybe Cody would have been on the 53 instead of all the safeties.

9 might be high but I don't see any less than 7. With 9 I was including McPhee since he often rotates as a d-lineman but since he a olb I'll admit I overshot.

8's my prediction.

Edited January 7, 2015 by BOLDnPurPnBlacK

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

But back to Melvin, since getting his shot I would honestly say he's been our best cornerback.

I found it very telling that the Steelers chose to attack Webb early and often instead of testing the largely unproven Melvin. Tells me that the tape shows and supports my belief that he's outplayed

every cb this year not named Jimmy Smith - albeit

with limited time.

He's been a beast in bump and run, plays the ball in the air and for the most part has tackled well on the few receptions he's given up.

If he continues to play at this level lock him up.

[757RavensFan]

But back to Melvin, since getting his shot I would honestly say he's been our best cornerback.

I found it very telling that the Steelers chose to attack Webb early and often instead of testing the largely unproven Melvin. Tells me that the tape shows and supports my belief that he's outplayed

every cb this year not named Jimmy Smith - albeit

with limited time.

He's been a beast in bump and run, plays the ball in the air and for the most part has tackled well on the few receptions he's given up.

If he continues to play at this level lock him up.

 

While I agree that pre-snap some QBs will notice a 1-on-1 matchup and will throw to a certain WR b/c he recognizes a mismatch.  I rarely think when a QB drop backs and has to go through his progressions/options he says, "oh Webb is playing him let me throw his way".  A QB usually has less than 4 seconds to make a pass, that happens so fast, the QB is looking for the receiver that is open regardless of who's defending him. 

 

I read a comment from Flacco yesterday, he basically said he's gonna throw to whoever is open even if that WR/TE is being defended by Reavis.

Edited January 7, 2015 by 757RavensFan

[JoeyFlex5]

the world doesnt realize our secondary has improved by leaps and bounds, webb has returned to form and succeeded hugely in his toughest test probably of his career last saturday, and rashaan melvin has done his best jimmy smith impression, he is excellent in press ocverage, has great length and athleticism, he may be getting some big spotlight in this postseason run if he keeps it up, the secondary was the one thing holding us back from a possible super bowl run, and now the secondary is looking quite good, none of us were sold on our new secondary, until we saw what they did to the steelers passing attack, but now, we have a legitimate chance here, as long as the secondary holds up the way it has the last 2 games

[JoeyFlex5]

Hopefully Melvin can keep it up. So far he reminds me of Cary Williams.

in terms of size and closing ability and toughness yes i see the similarities, but his play since he has stepped in has been much better than what we saw from cary williams, cary loved to play 10 yards off and give up slants left and right, all that size was wasted by an inability to press, melvin has been excellent in press coverage, now if he could learn to jump routes like cary williams did then he would be aforce to be reckoned with, kinda hard to jump routes though when the qb doesnt wanna throw your way.

[Kinda_Dante]

How good is our secondary coaching that we can constantly take these perennial practice squad corners and make them quality starters? Shouts out to spags and and dean pees!

[rafahash]

How good is our secondary coaching that we can constantly take these perennial practice squad corners and make them quality starters? Shouts out to spags and and dean pees!

 

Unfortunately, we may lose Spags.

 

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  5m5 minutes ago

Would think Giants will cast wide net on coordinator search. Among options: considering Steve Spagnuolo, Ravens secondary coach.

[Kinda_Dante]

Unfortunately, we may lose Spags.

 

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  5m5 minutes ago

Would think Giants will cast wide net on coordinator search. Among options: considering Steve Spagnuolo, Ravens secondary coach.

Well before that we had Teryl Austin who did the same thing with Cary, so I think we'll be find Harbs has never really had problems finding coordinators or assistants. I think we'll be find we always seem to find the right guy for the job.

[HoldingCall]

in terms of size and closing ability and toughness yes i see the similarities, but his play since he has stepped in has been much better than what we saw from cary williams, cary loved to play 10 yards off and give up slants left and right, all that size was wasted by an inability to press, melvin has been excellent in press coverage, now if he could learn to jump routes like cary williams did then he would be aforce to be reckoned with, kinda hard to jump routes though when the qb doesnt wanna throw your way.

If Melvin continue getting better as he gains more playtime experience then I'd say he could become better than Cary Williams, but not yet; not with just over a month of starting. I say that because he's yet to be thoroughly tested in multiple games.

[HoldingCall]

I like that Melvin seemed fearless in the game against Pittsburgh, in spite of being relatively new to the system. 

 

He looks to be a real find, and will provide nice depth behind a healthy Webb and Smith moving forward. 

There should be a good fight next preseason for cb spots when Jackson, Ross etc. recover from injuries. If Melvin continues good showings it may become his job to lose.

[JoeyFlex5]

If Melvin continue getting better as he gains more playtime experience then I'd say he could become better than Cary Williams, but not yet; not with just over a month of starting. I say that because he's yet to be thoroughly tested in multiple games.

and i would certainly agree and im not exactly saying hes better than cary williams, just what hes shown us looks better than what we saw from cary williams, just about any player can step in and play solid and jam up some receivers for a few weeks but consistency after youre on the radar is another story.

[HoldingCall]

How good is our secondary coaching that we can constantly take these perennial practice squad corners and make them quality starters? Shouts out to spags and and dean pees!

I agree to a point. Coaching players up can take credit but it still requires good talent to do the job else C. Brown would still be here and not with the Giants.

[Kinda_Dante]

I agree to a point. Coaching players up can take credit but it still requires good talent to do the job else C. Brown would still be here and not with the Giants.

 Oh definitely but we seem to take guys that have talent but have failed else where and make them good, solid players.

[izvoodoo]

Unfortunately, we may lose Spags.

 

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  5m5 minutes ago

Would think Giants will cast wide net on coordinator search. Among options: considering Steve Spagnuolo, Ravens secondary coach.

I wouldn't blame Spags for leaving.  Clearly a 4-3 coordinator who wouldn't really fit as DC here.

[The Raven]

I wouldn't blame Spags for leaving.  Clearly a 4-3 coordinator who wouldn't really fit as DC here.

 

Well, recent draft choices could make our roster flexible enough to transition tot a 4-3. I wouldn't be surprised if Pees went back to college (like Mattison) and we promoted Spags. Then, Spags implements his own system. I'd have no complaints if that happened.

[rmcjacket23]

Well, recent draft choices could make our roster flexible enough to transition tot a 4-3. I wouldn't be surprised if Pees went back to college (like Mattison) and we promoted Spags. Then, Spags implements his own system. I'd have no complaints if that happened.

Why would Pees go back to college? He's been in the Pro's for over a decade now, with no signs or intentions of going anywhere. I can't even imagine he would take a DC job in college unless he was fired and nobody wanted him in the NFL (not going to happen), and he's certainly not going to be interested in taking a HC gig in college at age 65 and go spend months recruiting. 

 

Mattison spent a grand total of 3 years in the Pro's and came here straight from college. He left to go coach with Hoke, who was a very close friend of his.

 

Two very different scenarios.

[Inqui]

Well, recent draft choices could make our roster flexible enough to transition tot a 4-3. I wouldn't be surprised if Pees went back to college (like Mattison) and we promoted Spags. Then, Spags implements his own system. I'd have no complaints if that happened.

Doesn't he specialise in getting pressure from the front four? He'd have a field day with our DL.

[The Raven]

Doesn't he specialise in getting pressure from the front four? He'd have a field day with our DL.

 

Exactly. He's a master of coordinating the front four. Where I think he's underrated, though, is as a DB coach. See the development of Rashaan Melvin, Anthony Levine, Jimmy Smith, etc...

 

What I love about Spags is that he has a feel for each position group, too. He's coached linebackers and defensive backs in the NFL, and he coached defensive line in college. At this point in his career, he might be done trying to find head coaching jobs. He's 55 and completely failed as a head coach. He could turn into a Dick Lebeau.

[GrimCoconut]

Exactly. He's a master of coordinating the front four. Where I think he's underrated, though, is as a DB coach. See the development of Rashaan Melvin, Anthony Levine, Jimmy Smith, etc...

What I love about Spags is that he has a feel for each position group, too. He's coached linebackers and defensive backs in the NFL, and he coached defensive line in college. At this point in his career, he might be done trying to find head coaching jobs. He's 55 and completely failed as a head coach. He could turn into a Dick Lebeau.

Yeah I'd certainly like to keep him here. I have to also confirm that he's done a great job with our secondary. At first I was shaky on him as a DB coach early in the year. I note think he's doing great things here, allowing our patchwork secondary to actually compete. I think the progression of Elam as a nickel is very much reflective of his coaching, same goes for Levine.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

While I agree that pre-snap some QBs will notice a 1-on-1 matchup and will throw to a certain WR b/c he recognizes a mismatch.  I rarely think when a QB drop backs and has to go through his progressions/options he says, "oh Webb is playing him let me throw his way".  A QB usually has less than 4 seconds to make a pass, that happens so fast, the QB is looking for the receiver that is open regardless of who's defending him. 

 

I read a comment from Flacco yesterday, he basically said he's gonna throw to whoever is open even if that WR/TE is being defended by Reavis.

 

Yea but this was the 1st drive which appeared scripted, and ben got the ball out extremely fast to his 1st read which just happened to be the man Webb was on like 5 pass plays in a row. 

 

Our corners play on a side and dont typically follow receivers around. The Steelers know that, so yes they could dial up plays where the 1st read, or the play is designed to open the receiver webb is going to be on.

[DomMcRaven]

Yeah I'd certainly like to keep him here. I have to also confirm that he's done a great job with our secondary. At first I was shaky on him as a DB coach early in the year. I note think he's doing great things here, allowing our patchwork secondary to actually compete. I think the progression of Elam as a nickel is very much reflective of his coaching, same goes for Levine.

Agreed! Could you imagine if Pees had not one, but TWO lockdown corners to work with? He'd be grinning from ear to ear. 

 

I must admit, I've become a bigger Pees fan than ever before. I actually hope he stays too.

[Kinda_Dante]

Yeah I really can't see Pees going anywhere, I don't think he wants to be a HC i think he's one of these guys that's happy just being coordinators and unless our defense finishes at the bottom of the NFL I don't see him getting let go any time soon. Spags however could be in line for a DC promotion soon.

[pep_meister]

i remember all the things we could find negative about chykie. jackson. jimmy smith of the past. webb. every person in the secondary has been complained about recently... melvin i have zero complaints. i've seen only good things.