Welcome to Baltimore, Kamalei Correa Round 2 Pick 42

[rmw10]

2 minutes ago, 52liveforever said:

So now that we have kafusi... Is there a possibility KC is going to be a MLB and kafusi will be the 4th OLB.

Kaufusi is a 3-4 DE mostly. You might see him on occasion standing up, but he's a hand in the dirt guy. 

[52liveforever]

1 minute ago, rmw10 said:

Kaufusi is a 3-4 DE mostly. You might see him on occasion standing up, but he's a hand in the dirt guy. 

I think he's more of a OLB personally. I think he's better standing up than with his hand in the dirt. He reminds me somewhat of Ted Hendricks 

[52liveforever]

4 minutes ago, flynismo said:

No. KC would get eaten alive at ILB

What makes you say that?

[GrimCoconut]

No, we won't be playing Correa at ILB unless it's a specific scheme. I think he could work there a little bit, but he would only be there to blitz through the A. I expect Correa to play edge and rotate with Suggs early in his career with Smith playing the Sam rotating with Dumervil. 

[rmw10]

4 minutes ago, 52liveforever said:

I think he's more of a OLB personally. I think he's better standing up than with his hand in the dirt. He reminds me somewhat of Ted Hendricks 

BYU tried that with him and it didn't go well. 

[GrimCoconut]

2 minutes ago, rmw10 said:

BYU tried that with him and it didn't go well. 

Yeah, I see Bronson playing the 5T or possible as an edge defender in the 4-3 at the DE position, but I don't think he'll play OLB. 

[rmw10]

Y'all seen Correa though? Dude is absolutely ripped. 

[flynismo]

11 minutes ago, 52liveforever said:

What makes you say that?

Quite a few things make me believe that...

First, I dont think he has the instincts for it. Secondly, I just don't think he's a good matchup for NFL guards against the run; I can see him get washed away often in that kind of role. He needs to play in space to play to his potential. Third, the thing I love most about him (aside from his pure effort and hustle) is his aggressiveness; but his aggressiveness leads to him overpursuing at times.

[52liveforever]

Good points made around the board. Thought it was a question worth asking with kafusi having played OLB and KC playing inside at times. Can't say I completely disagree with anyone.

[Ravensfan23]

3 hours ago, flynismo said:

Funny thing...I absolutely HATED the Gillmore pick...now, I dont want to imagine our team without him. Love having him, rather than having to face him. People wil come around and see the light with Correa

Not sure many around here would admit that. But you've always been a different cat, so it makes sense. 

[Ravensfan23]

56 minutes ago, GrimCoconut said:

I did some thinking on this pick and I think I was a bit harsh. The truth is Correa is a good prospect but I don't think he is as fast off the edge as Spence, but then again, he's got some skill and upside. He needs a bit of work on his technique but he came from Boise State, which is notorious for just not using their players to their fullest. 

Where my disappointment comes from is that I just think that Spence is a top-20 prospect with a problem and I like his attitude a lot lately and I think he can turn it around in a big way. In that way, I see him as a 1st round pick. As a result, I feel bummed because I thought we would get another 1st round pick at 36, but I think I realize now that this draft class isn't that good. Rather, it's just got a lot of even talent after a few guys. I knew this going in, but I forgot it somewhere. I think Correa is a bit boom-or-bust, but I am hoping we did our due diligence and got ourselves a boom because we need it, and frankly I don't think someone keeps their job is Correa turns out to be a bust and Suggs & Dumervil don't rebound.

Good post

[sflegend89]

This would be a good 2nd round pick for us most years. But you know what? We were drafting in the top 5 of the 2nd round. We were supposed to get another 1st round talent according to Eric. Correa has some upside but a 1st round talent he is not. We were promised "instant coffee" and we come away with out a single instant playmaker on the defense. For that reason alone this draft has been a failure. I like the Stanley pick but since we didn't go defense there it was was IMPERATIVE that we get a defensive playmaker in the 2nd or by trading back into the 1st.

I don't hate our class thus far but it doesn't live up to the expectations or what it could've been if we were more liberal with trading our picks. To have this high of draft position and only come away with this haul is unsettling and extremely disappointing.

[JoeyFlex5]

6 hours ago, sflegend89 said:

This would be a good 2nd round pick for us most years. But you know what? We were drafting in the top 5 of the 2nd round. We were supposed to get another 1st round talent according to Eric. Correa has some upside but a 1st round talent he is not. We were promised "instant coffee" and we come away with out a single instant playmaker on the defense. For that reason alone this draft has been a failure. I like the Stanley pick but since we didn't go defense there it was was IMPERATIVE that we get a defensive playmaker in the 2nd or by trading back into the 1st.

I don't hate our class thus far but it doesn't live up to the expectations or what it could've been if we were more liberal with trading our picks. To have this high of draft position and only come away with this haul is unsettling and extremely disappointing.

If we made this pick a year ago, it would be applauded and called brilliant. This year, we got 2 more picks in the rounds where this class shines quite a bit, and made this pick, and it's bashed because we didn't take Noah Spence?  i like the guy too but I think he is being vastly overhyped by these boards. 

 

Lack of Name recognition is sending the boards into a downward spiral

[RaineV1]

1 hour ago, 52liveforever said:

So now that we have kafusi... Is there a possibility KC is going to be a MLB and kafusi will be the 4th OLB.

Nah. I think Kafusi will probably play at DE. He's already 285 and most guys add weight when they get into an NFL training program.

[jdynamite]

I'm cool with Correa, just before the pick I said I hoped it was either Kendall fuller or Correa?  

i really liked Spence as well, but I think Correa will be a pleasant surprise for many.  

He's not coming in to be a day 1 starter, so there's a chance he could make an impact in the rotation. 

[Mad Puppy]

Welcome Kamalei Correa.

Don't mind the rest of us, we have stars in our eyes, are told incessantly by some how some of the more well known players (all for the wrong reasons by the way) are to be the selection.

You are the right player for the Ravens.

Have a great career.

[JoeyFlex5]

3 minutes ago, Mad Puppy said:

Welcome Kamalei Correa.

Don't mind the rest of us, we have stars in our eyes, are told incessantly by some how some of the more well known players (all for the wrong reasons by the way) are to be the selection.

You are the right player for the Ravens.

Have a great career.

We need more of this.

[TurkishRaven]

Welcome to Baltimore Correa!

[Ravensfan23]

So I'm starting to understand the dislike for Correa, he's not a popular name. So let's get the hype train going. Because clearly having a big name means you'll be a stud

Mayock had the "project" possibly going 32 to the Browns or even late first round

Mike Mayock

Mel Kiper had him going 27th to the Packers.

"A high-energy speedster coming off the edge looks great on this defense, and the more you watch Correa, the more you see the potential for him to help a pass-rush right away. He can take some pressure off Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers."

Clay Mathews comparison

"Team executives have been comparing Correa to All-Pro Clay Matthews in style and substance. Both measure 6-3 and 240 pounds. Both have lined up at various defensive front seven spots in college and both play with a vicious attitude. In addition to a very good Combine workout, Correa is receiving high grades for his interviews. There’s now a belief the Boise State junior will land in the bottom half of the first round." Tony Pauline- Eagles

That's just some of what I've been seeing on him. Charles Davis said he was given a tip on Correa to watch the tape and really enjoyed it. This plus the late buzz on him leads me to believe that the real evaluation on him probably didn't start until the combine. Him being a Junior and nobody really paying attention to Boise might have landed the Ravens a top talent at #42. They've clearly done their homework.

[plesiosaur]

I like the guy's attitude.  He looks good on the one highlight film I've seen, but of course it is college ball. not the NFL.  I really like his quote, "I'm a see ball, get ball guy."  As was noted above, he could get manhandled by NFL guards, but he's quick and should probably focus on this ability.  And probably hit the weight room.  I think he's a good fit for the team.

[Static]

A more athletic OLB Hau’oli Kikaha

[balfan23]

Welcome to the club, Kamalei Correa - you've got to be pretty excited to come onto a team where you will be mentored by the likes of Sizzle and Doom. Be the heir apparent to their dominance. The proud tradition of Ravens Defense has faltered a bit over the last couple years and we need young talent like you to help restore that tradition. 

Learn from them and when you do, perhaps the most important lesson will be learning to "Play Like a Raven".

[balfan23]

13 hours ago, RavensPunkXVX said:

There are a few instances when it's hard for me to be around these forums. Draft weekend and when the Ravens lose a game. A lot of people just come from out of nowhere to bash the entire organization. They have their jobs for a reason and I like the pick. Seems like a good fit for the scheme.

 

And how can you deem someone terrible before they even hit the field. Never understood it. 

I totally understand fans having honed in on some guy they love and then be disappointed when we take someone that was under the radar. This will happen with players, particularly when they don't come out of the traditional pro player factory schools. 

What I don't understand is venting on the new player's "Welcome" thread. There are plenty of other threads to conduct that debate. These threads are supposed to be (obviously) a place to write something that will "welcome" the player to the team.

Welcome our new Ravens people ... and wish them all the best. Remember - it is more important that our guys succeed, than to have your guy perform better on another team just so you tell everyone later how smart you are. 

[bcavanagh]

Welcome..hoping for a good career..

[ravensdan]

1 hour ago, Ravensfan23 said:

So I'm starting to understand the dislike for Correa, he's not a popular name. So let's get the hype train going. Because clearly having a big name means you'll be a stud

Mayock had the "project" possibly going 32 to the Browns or even late first round

Mike Mayock

Mel Kiper had him going 27th to the Packers.

"A high-energy speedster coming off the edge looks great on this defense, and the more you watch Correa, the more you see the potential for him to help a pass-rush right away. He can take some pressure off Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers."

Clay Mathews comparison

"Team executives have been comparing Correa to All-Pro Clay Matthews in style and substance. Both measure 6-3 and 240 pounds. Both have lined up at various defensive front seven spots in college and both play with a vicious attitude. In addition to a very good Combine workout, Correa is receiving high grades for his interviews. There’s now a belief the Boise State junior will land in the bottom half of the first round." Tony Pauline- Eagles

That's just some of what I've been seeing on him. Charles Davis said he was given a tip on Correa to watch the tape and really enjoyed it. This plus the late buzz on him leads me to believe that the real evaluation on him probably didn't start until the combine. Him being a Junior and nobody really paying attention to Boise might have landed the Ravens a top talent at #42. They've clearly done their homework.

DJ has been on Correa band wagon for months. He has him 35 on the big board. I always wanted him as a second edge in the draft after Bosa because their strengths are complementary. 

Edited April 30, 2016 by ravensdan

[The Raven]

I see the Clay comparisons for sure.

My worry is that he's got a slight frame, he's not that strong, his technique (specifically hand use) is mediocre, and he doesn't seem to have the best on field awareness. I'm concerned that he's not quite explosive enough to offset his apparent lack of strength. It also concerns me that his production dropped from 12 sacks in 2014 to 6 in 2015. That's not a good look.

Love his versatility and athleticism, though. I am glad we finally got with the program and drafted an athletic OLB/DE - Correa is the mold of what we need in our OLB/DEs, not Upshaw types.

Edited April 30, 2016 by The Raven

[GrimCoconut]

2 minutes ago, The Raven said:

I see the Clay comparisons for sure.

My worry is that he's got a slight frame, he's not that strong, his technique (specifically hand use) is mediocre, and he doesn't seem to have the best on field awareness. I'm concerned that he's not quite explosive enough to offset his apparent lack of strength. It also concerns me that his production dropped from 12 sacks in 2014 to 6 in 2015. That's not a good look.

Love his versatility and athleticism, though. I am glad we finally got with the program and drafted an athletic OLB/DE - Correa is the mold of what we need in our OLB/DEs, not Upshaw types.

His production dropped because the Boise State Broncos don't know how to use their defenders and had him playing CB and MLB at times. I don't know why they do it but that's why I hate to scout Boise State players. His hand usage technique and his strength are my biggest concerns, followed by his instincts. He is plenty explosive and fast, though. 

[The Raven]

2 hours ago, GrimCoconut said:

His production dropped because the Boise State Broncos don't know how to use their defenders and had him playing CB and MLB at times. I don't know why they do it but that's why I hate to scout Boise State players. His hand usage technique and his strength are my biggest concerns, followed by his instincts. He is plenty explosive and fast, though. 

I mentioned this in another thread, but I'll bring it up here. There's a lot of big talk about a real change to a 4-3 this year. What do you think of Correa filling the Von Miller role as base linebacker and nickel pass rusher? I don't think he's big enough to set the edge as an OLB in a 3-4. He's too small and not strong. He seems fast enough to play 4-3 backer. Could you see him as a Sam backer, playing end on third down?

[izvoodoo]

15 hours ago, GrimCoconut said:

Yeah, I see Bronson playing the 5T or possible as an edge defender in the 4-3 at the DE position, but I don't think he'll play OLB. 

Hand in the dirt everytime for sure

 

[Ravensfan23]

5 hours ago, ravensdan said:

DJ has been on Correa band wagon for months. He has him 35 on the big board. I always wanted him as a second edge in the draft after Bosa because their strengths are complementary. 

Yea he's been spoken of as a really good player with great potential. I think he's flown below the radar a bit because nobody watching Boise lol.