Is Matt Elam a bust?

[sflegend89]

Bust is a harsh label. I was a big fan of Elam coming out of college. You turn on the tape and saw an instinctual player with outstanding tackling ability for his position. I knew he wasn't great in coverage but the biggest shock to me since we drafted him is his tackling ability went from being considered very above average to being below average. I mean just look at the TD he allowed against the Pats, there's absolutely no excuse for him not wrapping up and making that play and it's become typical from him thus far in his NFL career. We see him miss tackles often.

 

Elam has flashes of brilliance where he looks like the player we envisioned him being but his negative plays have far out weighed his positive plays. We don't expect him to be Earl Thomas in coverage but we do expect him to be a sure tackler and take good angles and that's something he's really struggled with to my surprise. Personally I feel like he just hasn't pushed himself hard enough. He's just enjoying living the lifestyle of an NFL player but he's not getting out of his comfort zone and really pushing himself mentally. I believe he's a hard worker in the weight room but he's not putting in the time to study other great SS's and evolve his game and hone his craft.

 

I think he needs to drop about 15 lbs this offseason and focus on his agility. He needs to be more nimble in space and be lighter on his feet. The word that comes to mind when I watch him play is "clunky". What happened to the great open field tackler we saw at UF is beyond me but if he doesn't really push himself to improve in those areas I mentioned this offseason then his career as a Raven is going to be in serious jeopardy going forward. 

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

I dont know if I would call him a bust just yet but if he does not learn to tackle or cover guys fast then he wont be in the NFL much longer for sure....I dont care how hard a guy works during practice it's during game day that it matters and Elam has not played like a first round pick and at times he has played at a lot lower level.

[Raving_Heathen]

Elam has flashes of brilliance where he looks like the player we envisioned him being but his negative plays have far out weighed his positive plays.

 

I think that's being very generous. The whole, even a blind squirrel finds a nut analogy comes to mind. I can't remember if he's ever made a positive game-changing play on this team. Regardless of whether he's a bust or not, it's looking unlikely he'll ever come close to living up to expectations.

Edited January 18, 2015 by Raving_Heathen

[Guest Omerta]

I think that's being very generous. The whole, even a blind squirrel finds a nut analogy comes to mind. I can't remember if he's ever made a positive game-changing play on this team. Regardless of whether he's a bust or not, it's looking unlikely he'll ever come close to living up to expectations.

Good interception in Detroit a couple of years ago was needed.

[BenMir]

Good interception in Detroit a couple of years ago was needed.

If I recall correctly, the interception came on a bad throw from Stafford, and not because of good coverage.

[1/28/01]

Rumor is Elam was manned up against Kubiak. Elway tossed one to the flats and Elam whiffed. Kubiak ran it all the way to Denver.

[Gordo52]

Rumor is Elam was manned up against Kubiak. Elway tossed one to the flats and Elam whiffed. Kubiak ran it all the way to Denver.

LOL

[52520Andrew]

Rumor is Elam was manned up against Kubiak. Elway tossed one to the flats and Elam whiffed. Kubiak ran it all the way to Denver.

I might be able to laugh at this in a year or so, right now it just hurts

[Puddinhead]

This year he showed no improvement (I thought he got worse) even when he was in his natural position. Should the ravens give up  him and target a ball hawking safety like gerod holliman while moving will hill to SS?

Should have instead drafted Honey Badger but latter's maturity was questionable which is ironic as Elam plays with apparent impulsism and is easily 'had' by vet receivers.   

[Guest Omerta]

If I recall correctly, the interception came on a bad throw from Stafford, and not because of good coverage.

 

Well it was game changing, he was where he was supposed to be, and he made the play. Most interceptions are a result of a poor throw so you really cant hold that against him, also, it was not like it was the worst pass ever or a What the heck? ? kind of throw, he just overthrew a receiver.

[Kid87]

One good year, one really bad year..we'll see next year. Sophomore Slump

[PerpetuallyBored74]

An old Ed Reed with a bad shoulder, ramming and diving at guys with his one good arm was a better tackler than Elam has been.

[stampedehero]

I witnessed the worst tackling in this player.  It was evident through the year. He may have been decent against the Browns but not on the season.  It would not upset me if he moved on. There are 35 FA's for secondary and safety positions. The college draft holds more.  The NE game revealed how vulnerable our unit is no matter what natural position or injury status is evident. In my opinion, all secondary members should be looking behind their shoulder (no pun intended)  and placed on the hot seat except for Jimmy Smith. 

[PurpleCity5]

If Front office decides to find a FS, I don't see where Elam would end up. He's shown flashes but he's just hasn't been there. 

 

Wish him the best of luck 

[paulhs94]

Ideally, what should happen this coming season is Will Hill moves to FS, and Elam moves to SS, his natural position. We should get our CB situation settled, which means that Elam won't have to move around and play different positions. Elam has had bad luck since he got here, though. His first season here he couldn't play SS because Ihedigbo was already the starter. This season we were hit hard with injuries at the CB position and as a result Elam had to play the nickel corner role which he failed miserably at. You can't blame all of it on bad luck, however, because he does have his share of tackling and coverage issues. Those issues can and will be corrected this offseason, imo. During 2015 season, Elam should be the full-time starting SS, barring any injuries. Because of this, I think we will see Elam improve his game this coming season.

Edited January 21, 2015 by paulhs94

[Sami84]

Ideally, what should happen this coming season is Will Hill moves to FS, and Elam moves to SS, his natural position. We should get our CB situation settled, which means that Elam won't have to move around and play different positions. Elam has had bad luck since he got here, though. His first season here he couldn't play SS because Ihedigbo was already the starter. This season we were hit hard with injuries at the CB position and as a result Elam had to play the nickel corner role which he failed miserably at. You can't blame all of it on bad luck, however, because he does have his share of tackling and coverage issues. Those issues can and will be corrected this offseason, imo. During 2015 season, Elam should be the full-time starting SS, barring any injuries. Because of this, I think we will see Elam improve his game this coming season.

 

No

 

he isn't a football player with awareness. I'd rather we got Rahim moore at FS and Put Will HIll at SS where he is possibly the best in the league ( thats his natural psotion)

[ludy51]

No

he isn't a football player with awareness. I'd rather we got Rahim moore at FS and Put Will HIll at SS where he is possibly the best in the league ( thats his natural psotion)

Lol raheem Moore.

I want moore jokes please

[GrimCoconut]

No

 

he isn't a football player with awareness. I'd rather we got Rahim moore at FS and Put Will HIll at SS where he is possibly the best in the league ( thats his natural psotion)

 

 

Lol raheem Moore.

I want moore jokes please

Rahim Moore is a good FS. I think it would be a coup to acquire his talents. He would certainly be a good player. He's no Earl Thomas but I don't see many of them. I'd be happy with Moore. 

[PurpleCity5]

Rahim Moore is a good FS. I think it would be a coup to acquire his talents. He would certainly be a good player. He's no Earl Thomas but I don't see many of them. I'd be happy with Moore. 

I'd love to have Rahim Moore. We have a serious hole at free safety and Moore is a rising guy. It would also be ideal to move Will Hill back to Strong Safety where he naturally belongs in. That would gives us a solid safety group, along with a CB group with Jimmy back and Webb full health, and a pass rush, our defense could be back. 

 

I also think it's ideal to grab one more CB. 

Edited January 22, 2015 by PurpleCity5

[jimjim5]

The FS position is Terrence Brook's position to lose. If he doesn't lose it, then Will Hill will be our starting SS.

 

 

Edit: I forgot that Brook's injury was late in the season. So, I say we run with the core group we have. The priority position will be CB regardless.

Edited January 22, 2015 by jimjim5

[Purple Nurple]

Yes

[Guest Omerta]

I want a FA safety but I dont. A FA safety is a sure bet and someone like Rahim Moore would be such a big upgrade over elam I am not sure it is quantifiable. I dont because I really like Kurtis Drummond and want him in purple and black badly.

[Corvus]

Unfortunately I have to start leaning that way as much as I liked the pick when the team made it. It doesn't help that he has hardly been allowed to play his natural strong safety position in two seasons but that doesn't excuse all of the very poor tackling we saw this year from him. I agree that we should give him the next season before declaring him as a "bust" though. He's not the first player to take some time to really hit his stride, especially at a defensive back position.

[balfan23]

Unfortunately I have to start leaning that way as much as I liked the pick when the team made it. It doesn't help that he has hardly been allowed to play his natural strong safety position in two seasons but that doesn't excuse all of the very poor tackling we saw this year from him. I agree that we should give him the next season before declaring him as a "bust" though. He's not the first player to take some time to really hit his stride, especially at a defensive back position.

We pretty much have no choice but to keep him on the squad this coming year, as he costs us money to be rid of. Either way, I do think he deserves a last chance and it would be nice to see that last chance be given playing at the SS position, instead of all over the place. I think the team bears some responsibility for the relatively miserable start to his career. 

[rmw10]

I'm past the point where him not playing his "natural" position is a factor for me.  He struggles way too much on the fundamental aspects of football, and that's going to show up no matter what position he's playing.  If you can't tackle at CB or FS, you aren't going to be able to tackle at SS either.

[GrimCoconut]

I want a FA safety but I dont. A FA safety is a sure bet and someone like Rahim Moore would be such a big upgrade over elam I am not sure it is quantifiable. I dont because I really like Kurtis Drummond and want him in purple and black badly.

I feel like I'm reading my own comments here.

[jazz1988]

I think Matt Elam has the potentials to be a solid strong safety. I think his tackling issues stem from him always trying to go for the big play/big hit. He had his problems in coverage but were moments where his coverage skills were  good .  He definitely was better in his rookie year and maybe just maybe losing Teryl Austin was a factor towards second year slump. Pees definitely had the guy doing alot last season from playing free safety, strong safety,nickle corner, and etc.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I wouldn't declare him a bust. He could never cover wide outs, but excels in run defense. Like Pollard, I personally like Pollard better though. Why we use him in one on one matchups makes my head itch. Very frustrating player right now.

Because our defensive scheme requires safeties that can be interchangeable.

Elam is undersized, can't cover, and is really only effective as an in the box safety. He can be a playmaker with big hits and knocking the ball out but he's too boom or bust. Goes for the big hit too often instead of wrapping up and form tackling.

But I blame the FO mostly for this failure. This is what he was always going to be, and he can only be successful with a pure free safety that can cover the entire back end by himself. Elam needs an Ed Reed or earl Thomas like player to have success. And since we don't, and have made no attempt to even find a guy like that they've essentially wasted that pick.

We've picked up several safeties all of which are similar, tweener type guys. Not really pure fs or ss. Which if we can settle in with 2 that play well together we'll be fine back there, but Elam doesn't have the coverage ability to play this way.

Elam could probably have success somewhere like Seattle playing a role similar to Chancellor. Outside of that he just doesn't fit and won't even have a chance to succeed.

[ravensdan]

Because our defensive scheme requires safeties that can be interchangeable.

Elam is undersized, can't cover, and is really only effective as an in the box safety. He can be a playmaker with big hits and knocking the ball out but he's too boom or bust. Goes for the big hit too often instead of wrapping up and form tackling.

But I blame the FO mostly for this failure. This is what he was always going to be, and he can only be successful with a pure free safety that can cover the entire back end by himself. Elam needs an Ed Reed or earl Thomas like player to have success. And since we don't, and have made no attempt to even find a guy like that they've essentially wasted that pick.

We've picked up several safeties all of which are similar, tweener type guys. Not really pure fs or ss. Which if we can settle in with 2 that play well together we'll be fine back there, but Elam doesn't have the coverage ability to play this way.

Elam could probably have success somewhere like Seattle playing a role similar to Chancellor. Outside of that he just doesn't fit and won't even have a chance to succeed.

It's not just Elam. Great safety play is down all over the league. There aren't guys like that coming out. Now if Denver is foolish enough to let Moore go the position could be solidified. Similar to how Arizona plays a lot, a combination of Moore, Hill and Brooks would be fantastic. I personally don't want to see Elam on the field except as an emergency back up.

[ellicottraven]

Why is this still an open topic?? Just change the heading to "Matt Elam is a bust"! And close it moderators, please.