[News] Late For Work 4/4: Where Does Matt Elam Fit Into Ravens' Plans?

[BR News]

Weddle gets jersey number. Lewis urges Chicago to end violence. Whitner not happy about release.

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[MadStorkSociety]

Why would there be a question if "moneyball" would translate from MLB to NFL? MLB teams can spend all day; NFL has caps. Seems like it work even better in the NFL. (maybe not with Cleveland, though).

[757RavensFan]

Quote

“This is a make-or-break year for Elam with the Ravens,” 

Definitely the biggest understatement of this off-season.  Anything short of an impact player on defense equals a 1st round bust for Elam and Ozzie.  

[rmcjacket23]

Why would there be a question if "moneyball" would translate from MLB to NFL? MLB teams can spend all day; NFL has caps. Seems like it work even better in the NFL. (maybe not with Cleveland, though).

Well, I mean there's a question as to whether it works at all in any sport. So certainly still up in the air for the NFL.

[ellicottraven]

That Ray Lewis video blew me away! Imagine being in the same room as that guy speaking like that. Small wonder he was the pied piper of the NFL and the Baltimore Ravens.

[ellicottraven]

As for Mr. Moneyball in Cleveland, didn't the Ravens hire a great analytics guy a few years ago? What's to say we haven't already been using the 'moneyball' technique in our own roster building already?

[trevorsteadman]

How would Elam translate to inside linebacker? Just a thought... I mean his coverage skills were quesitonable when he was the starter. He is good in run defense so maybe inside linebacker/safety role like Bucannon has done in Arizona might do okay for Elam. He had promise last preseason and I think he will get past the hump but he has a lot of competition at safety.

[rmcjacket23]

2 minutes ago, trevorsteadman said:

How would Elam translate to inside linebacker? Just a thought... I mean his coverage skills were quesitonable when he was the starter. He is good in run defense so maybe inside linebacker/safety role like Bucannon has done in Arizona might do okay for Elam. He had promise last preseason and I think he will get past the hump but he has a lot of competition at safety.

His biggest weakness in the NFL has been his inconsistency and sometimes just down right awfulness at tackling.

Frankly the most important aspect of any defender, and especially inside linebacker, is tackling.

At this point... probably one of the worst ideas I've ever heard. If he improves his tackling, sure, I can see it. But certainly not now.

[TorryGundy]

Elam and Art Brown need to do a lot of stepping up. Both seem to be hampered by the same things, confidence and decision making. When you hesitate you miss tackles , plain and simple. What are the odds of both them making the 53 man team this season?

[bioLarzen]

49 minutes ago, ellicottraven said:

As for Mr. Moneyball in Cleveland, didn't the Ravens hire a great analytics guy a few years ago? What's to say we haven't already been using the 'moneyball' technique in our own roster building already?

They did, but it was only a minor role in the hierarchy - probably mainly to test if it's a beneficial position to employ. I've just checked the Ravens - rather detailed - personnel page, but cannot see a position that would be definitely this analytics/maths position - there are some suspicious ones - like acertain Mr. David McDonald as "Football Systems Developer", or one Jeremy Parks as a Senior Database Architect (I vaguely recall this name, so my guess would be this guy), but cannot check them as th search feature at this website is, sadly, next to useless, and cannot search beyond the past year.

Edited April 4, 2016 by bioLarzen

[billiejean]

  50 minutes ago, trevorsteadman said:

How would Elam translate to inside linebacker? Just a thought... I mean his coverage skills were quesitonable when he was the starter. He is good in run defense so maybe inside linebacker/safety role like Bucannon has done in Arizona might do okay for Elam. He had promise last preseason and I think he will get past the hump but he has a lot of competition at safety.

His biggest weakness in the NFL has been his inconsistency and sometimes just down right awfulness at tackling.

Frankly the most important aspect of any defender, and especially inside linebacker, is tackling.

At this point... probably one of the worst ideas I've ever heard. If he improves his tackling, sure, I can see it. But certainly not now.

tackling inside the box at ILB is easier than tackling in the open fiield as a SS. That being said I don't see Elam as a viable option at ILB. He would have a lot of difficulty diagnosing plays at his height. He would also have to gain a few pounds.

[trevorsteadman]

1 hour ago, rmcjacket23 said:

His biggest weakness in the NFL has been his inconsistency and sometimes just down right awfulness at tackling.

Frankly the most important aspect of any defender, and especially inside linebacker, is tackling.

At this point... probably one of the worst ideas I've ever heard. If he improves his tackling, sure, I can see it. But certainly not now.

It was just an idea... It seems like we are trying everybody out of position this year. It sounded like in preseason last season he didn't have an issue in coverage and tackling. It sounded like he progressed. Of course nobody can really prove he would've made an impact at all last season because of his injury. Just an idea to get the best 11 starters on defense out there. I still see a big hole where Daryl Smith used to be.

[cursona pirate]

lol Troy Smith

[dirtybird66]

HARBAUGH'S idea of bringing a SAFETY up to the LINEBACKER'S corp's is a great idea,like having MYLES JACK up there,great!

[The Greek]

i personally believe elam will have a bounce back year and will see plenty of action

[stixfix69]

On the fence with Elam, i just think bringing in Weddle, then moving Webb might damage his confidence, or what confidence he has left.....Obviously i hope he can get into the mix and have a legit shot, but he missed a year, and has a lot of making up to do as far as his tackling, and coverage is concerned, and that's no easy task for any DB in this league....JMO......

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

As far as safetys go it should be open competition to see who deserves to start along side Weddle. WHO WANTS IT MORE...

[JetLife94]

If he can show that he can be the SS we drafted him to be, i would much rather have him back there then Webb playing SS.

[steelcityraven]

lol Troy Smith

Why LOL???? SMH- He put himself and other people in danger and he still is a role model to many young kids across this country! Every time one of these guys make a bad decision it is advertised and promoted by the media and over social media. I am glad that the majority of us are not living under a microscope and having all of our mistakes broadcasted. I hope Troy learns from this and makes the necessary changes in his life. I hope that our media focuses as much on when celebrities do good as the do when they do bad and I hope that we recognize that all people are human beings and capable of mistakes. Not excusing them but being thankful that are Sad if we are finding joy or amusement in others misery and mistaking the negative impact that it has on the community.

[mearzunkies]

Why would there be a question if "moneyball" would translate from MLB to NFL? MLB teams can spend all day; NFL has caps. Seems like it work even better in the NFL. (maybe not with Cleveland, though).

WORD about the Cleveland part.;)

[mearzunkies]

Elam and Art Brown need to do a lot of stepping up. Both seem to be hampered by the same things, confidence and decision making. When you hesitate you miss tackles , plain and simple. What are the odds of both them making the 53 man team this season?

WOW Haven't heard that name in a while.

[Maryland]

I expect Elam to be a cheap backup at this point, since he will not be supplanting Weddle or Webb as a starting safety. I'm sure he will receive glowing reviews in training camp yet again nonetheless (although maybe less-so with Schaub not around to pick-off repeatedly lol).