Is Matt Elam a bust?

[52liveforever]

i don't think you can give up on a defensive back after two seasons in the league. defensive back are the hardest positions to transition to in the NFL for many reasons. the receivers are just so much faster and experienced in their routes. you have veterans that really know how to play football. most receivers are pretty raw and mostly just freak athletes playing in college so defending them isn't as big of a task. elam shows me enough flashes as did jimmy smith that he will catch up to the game. he was never known for his outstanding coverage so that's something that will definitely take time.

[edgarallensuggs]

To play safety requires instincts and inelegance. To see the play before the snap....Elam I think isn't as bad as ppl make him out to be, just needs to become more of a film room kind of player. Although I'm a little disappointed how he's played, it could be worse, over valued maybe.... But the bust title comes after a players career.

[ravensnick]

Still convinced in my mind that Hopkins is the guy we wanted.

I think your right. 

[frozen joe flacco fan]

I've never felt the same way about Matt Elam as I felt about Jimmy Smith when he was struggling in his 1st two years. Elam has not shown the same type of athleticism and speed. That being said, he may have earned a reprieve in Sunday's game against the Browns but it's only a right to compete for a roster

spot in 2015. When all is said and done, I'm not sure he deserves a spot on next year's roster based on what we've seen to date. I wouldn't place a lot of stock in his performance against an undrafted

rookie Cleveland QB.

[ellicottraven]

The fascinating thing about the English language is you can go from a question to a statement without adding any additional words but by simply repositioning them!

 

"Is Matt Elam a bust"?

 

             to

 

"Matt Elam is a bust"!

Edited December 31, 2014 by ellicottraven

[RavensFan34950]

Is everyone still ready to give up on this kid yet?  Not gonna lie, Matt's play of late is starting to remind me of Jimmy in the 2012 playoff run. Hope he's able to keep it up.

[ravensnick]

Is everyone still ready to give up on this kid yet?  Not gonna lie, Matt's play of late is starting to remind me of Jimmy in the 2012 playoff run. Hope he's able to keep it up.

Agreed. He actually did well last night. Instead of cussing him out, I was complimenting him the whole game from my couch. Ngatas return helped a lot too. 

[GrimCoconut]

Is everyone still ready to give up on this kid yet? Not gonna lie, Matt's play of late is starting to remind me of Jimmy in the 2012 playoff run. Hope he's able to keep it up.

I had an emotional year on him and I've questioned his mental capacity but he has really played well. As I said when I came to my senses, I think it's too early either way until next year.

[ludy51]

Even if you don't like him, you have to admit that at least he played the 2pt conversion VERY well.

[RavensFan34950]

Agreed. He actually did well last night. Instead of cussing him out, I was complimenting him the whole game from my couch. Ngatas return helped a lot too. 

That INT on the 2 pt conversion was HUGE to me.

[BmoreBird22]

Still convinced in my mind that Hopkins is the guy we wanted.

I truly believe they wanted Eifert or Hopkins

[ravensnick]

That INT on the 2 pt conversion was HUGE to me.

Yup. that was a very, very good play. 

[Tru11]

his pursuit to the ball seems to be better then before.

 

I saw him actually move through traffic to get a good angle instead of running around players.

[RavensFan34950]

I had an emotional year on him and I've questioned his mental capacity but he has really played well. As I said when I came to my senses, I think it's too early either way until next year.

Definitely too early to call him a bust. Have to remember, when we drafted him fans wanted to automatically be as good as Ed Reed. That not fair to him at all. It takes time to grow safety's. 

[BmoreBird22]

I think what impressed me the most was the tackling that I saw. Elam actually wrapped up to tackle instead of launching himself. I thought he forced some runs inside that the Steelers wanted inside and he read that 2 pt conversion perfectly.

I always said he's usually in a good position, just needs to tackle

[BmoreBird22]

his pursuit to the ball seems to be better then before.

 

I saw him actually move through traffic to get a good angle instead of running around players.

Moving around players was definitely an issue in college. He didn't really use his arms to try to keep players off him and try to fight inside to the ball. I'm glad he's working on that

[ravensnick]

I think what impressed me the most was the tackling that I saw. Elam actually wrapped up to tackle instead of launching himself. I thought he forced some runs inside that the Steelers wanted inside and he read that 2 pt conversion perfectly.

I always said he's usually in a good position, just needs to tackle

He's has definitely been improving. Next year will be the true test. Any DB in the league gets a free two year pass. If you aren't performing by the third, you are a bust.

[BmoreBird22]

He's has definitely been improving. Next year will be the true test. Any DB in the league gets a free two year pass. If you aren't performing by the third, you are a bust.

He's strung two really strong games together in a row. Let's see three

[ravensnick]

He's strung two really strong games together in a row. Let's see three

Exactly.

[RavensFan34950]

I think slot corner should be his permanent home. He's performed the best at that position if you ask me.

[baltimorefan328]

I also think it has a lot to do with the safety rotation finally being settled. We have Hill and Stewart in there mainly then Miles and now Elam has certain distinct packages. It's like when Pees said he wished Brooks could have focused on one position and gotten really good at one rather than continually being moved around, now that Elam doesn't have as many roles he seems to be able to hone in better and as mentioned above that's two really strong games in a row. 

[BmoreBird22]

Exactly.

If he can make it three against the Pats, I'm going to say he's turning the corner completely

[BmoreBird22]

I think slot corner should be his permanent home. He's performed the best at that position if you ask me.

I think continuity has been his best friend. I said that playing three to four positions was going to be very difficult for a young player and that Elam would only pick up his play if he could focus in one

[RavensFan34950]

I think continuity has been his best friend. I said that playing three to four positions was going to be very difficult for a young player and that Elam would only pick up his play if he could focus in one

As true is it gets. 

[redrum52]

Elam steps his game up in the post season...

[The Raven]

I don't know if his confidence is improving or if it just started clicking but he's playing good football lately.

[Purple Punishment]

Last night he made two very heads up plays. That INT on the 2PC was awesome. He also had what should've been a fumble recovery for a TD

[Ravens1991]

Do you guys feel we will keep him at nickel back or slide him back to SS?

[The Raven]

Do you guys feel we will keep him at nickel back or slide him back to SS?

 

I think SS. He's playing nickel out of necessity, not because he's good at it.

[GrimCoconut]

He's strung two really strong games together in a row. Let's see three

I actually really like him as a nickel back. I think it could be his ideal position. I think it helps him think less and play more to his strengths. His tackling has improved, but I think so has his coverage.

I really think he'd be a good nickel back with time.