Starting middle LB next to CJ. Mosley...

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

I know it's kind of early but I was just wondering Who you guys / gals think is going to be the starting Middle LB next to CJ Mosley?

[rmw10]

I'm guessing it's Orr or someone not on the team yet.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

1 minute ago, rmw10 said:

I'm guessing it's Orr or someone not on the team yet.

I know its kind of early but I am just curious what the middle of our defense is going to look like. I would not mind seeing what Orr can do or Brown but as far as Brown goes he has not made it on the field much since he came to the Raven family and I honestly don't know what that's all about.

[Perfekt]

I feel like someone will step up and take this place or someone will transition into the spot from a spot thats crowded.

[GrimCoconut]

I think it'll be open season between Orr, Brown, and McClellan. Not sure why people are writing off McClellan after we just re-signed him. I don't recall us ever cutting a guy we just re-signed in the same season to a multi-year deal. We re-signed McClellan for a 3-year deal. I think he is here to stay, fellas. 

I wouldn't rule out a safety converting to WLB, or even Arthur Brown or Zach Orr stepping up. I have to say that this does seem like a position where we get caught with our pants down and end up taking two ILB next year in the Draft, lol.

[AnthonyGames]

In a perfect world, Arthur Brown will play to his potential. And his potential as a great slightly undersized athletic cover ILB to complement Mosley is high. If you watch his college film, one can argue he's similar to Myles Jack (not quite though). Orr came in to play on passing downs last year because Daryl Smith couldn't cover anybody. Seeing Arthur Brown and Mosley together finally would be awesome. 

I'll never forget when I saw Brown run to the sideline crazy fast, catch Adrian Peterson and twist his ankle. The dude needs to stay healthy and hopefully can pick up the defense finally. 

[Deflated Football]

I really hope Arthur Brown steps up and takes it. He has so much potential. 

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

2 hours ago, Deflated Football said:

I really hope Arthur Brown steps up and takes it. He has so much potential. 

I would like to see that too. But not so sure because he has not moved up the depth chart in the seasons he has been a Raven I don't know why if its his skill level or some thing else.

[Purple_City39]

McClellan or Orr win this job unless they try and convert Elam/Lewis from safety to ILB.  Personally I hope they don't as I can't think of one defender that converted and was successful for the Ravens

[VeiledPsychosis]

As of right now I think it's Orr's job to lose. There will be a battle though between him, Brown, and McClellan but unless Brown has magically improved drastically I don't see how he could unseat Orr considering how well he played last year, he wasn't a superstar but he showed that he is more than capable of holding down that second spot and even flashed some coverage ability.

[52liveforever]

On May 4, 2016 at 1:16 PM, Purple_City39 said:

McClellan or Orr win this job unless they try and convert Elam/Lewis from safety to ILB.  Personally I hope they don't as I can't think of one defender that converted and was successful for the Ravens

Jarrett Johnson

[Filmstudy]

Brown may not make the team, because he's in the last year of his rookie deal.  If he does, I'd take it as a good sign that he'll be getting some playing time other than ST.

That said, I expect Orr to be the starter at ILB for most games.

[GrimCoconut]

On Wednesday, May 04, 2016 at 4:16 PM, Purple_City39 said:

McClellan or Orr win this job unless they try and convert Elam/Lewis from safety to ILB.  Personally I hope they don't as I can't think of one defender that converted and was successful for the Ravens

 

18 minutes ago, 52liveforever said:

Jarrett Johnson

And don't forget McPhee, who we drafted as a DL and played at 3-4 DL until converting him to OLB in his 3rd year. 

[Filmstudy]

On 5/4/2016 at 4:16 PM, Purple_City39 said:

McClellan or Orr win this job unless they try and convert Elam/Lewis from safety to ILB.  Personally I hope they don't as I can't think of one defender that converted and was successful for the Ravens

Lewis isn't the physical player you'd want in the box.  Elam has missed a number tackles, but he could handle some of the man coverage responsibilities of a dime.  I don't think either Orr or Brown has proved they should be on the field for 3rd down.

[edthehead]

On 5/4/2016 at 1:14 AM, AnthonyGames said:

In a perfect world, Arthur Brown will play to his potential. And his potential as a great slightly undersized athletic cover ILB to complement Mosley is high. If you watch his college film, one can argue he's similar to Myles Jack (not quite though). Orr came in to play on passing downs last year because Daryl Smith couldn't cover anybody. Seeing Arthur Brown and Mosley together finally would be awesome. 

I'll never forget when I saw Brown run to the sideline crazy fast, catch Adrian Peterson and twist his ankle. The dude needs to stay healthy and hopefully can pick up the defense finally. 

I was here to say Arthur Brown, 

and I was about to reference jack,

they do carry the same skill set. 

so if we let D.Smith walk

I really think it is his time, after we let a player go to houston to start 

maybe our evaluation becomes a little more detailed.

[baltimorefan328]

On 5/4/2016 at 4:16 PM, Purple_City39 said:

McClellan or Orr win this job unless they try and convert Elam/Lewis from safety to ILB.  Personally I hope they don't as I can't think of one defender that converted and was successful for the Ravens

Terrell Suggs

[GrimCoconut]

4 minutes ago, baltimorefan328 said:

Terrell Suggs

Suggs wasn't converted. He's always played the edge, whether 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB.

[Winchester]

Do not rule out Correa playing ilb. Or even olb in a 4-3. The ravens are going to run a lot of 4-3.Orr is solid,unspectacular 

[harfordravenfan]

On 5/3/2016 at 7:44 PM, rmw10 said:

I'm guessing it's Orr or someone not on the team yet.

Just what I'm thinking. Hoping A Brown steps up but hoping ain't got it done yet

[Static]

Maybe this is the year we see Arthur Brown actually on the field. He was an exciting prospect. 

 

 

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

On 5/4/2016 at 1:14 AM, AnthonyGames said:

In a perfect world, Arthur Brown will play to his potential. And his potential as a great slightly undersized athletic cover ILB to complement Mosley is high. If you watch his college film, one can argue he's similar to Myles Jack (not quite though). Orr came in to play on passing downs last year because Daryl Smith couldn't cover anybody. Seeing Arthur Brown and Mosley together finally would be awesome. 

I'll never forget when I saw Brown run to the sideline crazy fast, catch Adrian Peterson and twist his ankle. The dude needs to stay healthy and hopefully can pick up the defense finally. 

There has been a new Hybrid Safety/Linebacker position emerging in the Nfl as of late. Deone Buchannon, even recent puck S'ua Cravens is talked about in this regard. I remember we used AD as a hybrid backer, and with a pass happy league these days, why not try and use the Speed of Brown to its fullest potential. If Brown is cut, andRex picks him up and does exactly that with Brown and he excels, we are gonna look like idiots like getting rid of Arietta. Lets try and figure this out. Where or how can we maximize the #2 pick with potential? Benchwarmer?

[jdynamite]

I feel the more likely scenario is we "luck up" and pick some one after cuts similar to how we got D.Smith ( but I really haven't looked at possible post June 1st cuts yet ). 

 

Or it could go the normal way where a guy is benched or not receiving much action as fans would like or expect then he plays out his contract year and earns a contract else where : see Ellerbe, Kruger, McPhee, A.Jones lol. The candidate in this instance would be Arthur Brown, we have no game footage to know what he's capable of. The guy has got to be hungry for playing time.  

I mean would anyone have predicted Ellerbe would rise up like he did. After battling with McClain and T.Gooden for rotation minutes, then seemingly in the doghouse. To solid defensive contributor earning a big FA contract.  

McPhee teased us by starting off with a bang his rookie year then constant injuries, before breaking out his final year.   

While Kruger was juggled between DE and Olb not making an impact at all then as a situational rusher found some success during a contract year. 

[trevorsteadman]

Just now, jdynamite said:

I feel the more likely scenario is we "luck up" and pick some one after cuts similar to how we got D.Smith ( but I really haven't looked at possible post June 1st cuts yet ). 

 

Or it could go the normal way where a guy is benched or not receiving much action as fans would like or expect then he plays out his contract year and earns a contract else where : see Ellerbe, Kruger, McPhee, A.Jones lol. The candidate in this instance would be Arthur Brown, we have no game footage to know what he's capable of. The guy has got to be hungry for playing time.  

I mean would anyone have predicted Ellerbe would rise up like he did. After battling with McClain and T.Gooden for rotation minutes, then seemingly in the doghouse. To solid defensive contributor earning a big FA contract.  

McPhee teased us by starting off with a bang his rookie year then constant injuries, before breaking out his final year.   

While Kruger was juggled between DE and Olb not making an impact at all then as a situational rusher found some success during a contract year. 

I am also not worried about the inside linebacker position because it seems like we can still compete with whoever is plugged in there. We had Ellerbe and Bynes as our starters in 2012 and now they are struggling elsewhere. Great to have Mosley and he has been a great player but Orr played fine last season and Arthur Brown may play fine too. This position is the one I worry about the least.

[ellicottraven]

He probably isn't on the roster yet. But, I do see Orr and Correa taking snaps at ILB this season, especially in passing down situations when Correa can be used very effectively as a blitzer down the middle.

[rmcjacket23]

25 minutes ago, ellicottraven said:

He probably isn't on the roster yet. But, I do see Orr and Correa taking snaps at ILB this season, especially in passing down situations when Correa can be used very effectively as a blitzer down the middle.

Was actually thinking this, but more for Zadarius Smith than Correa. I think Correa is a prototype 3-4 OLB with combination of run and pass rushing skills, but not particularly great at either.

I actually think Zadarius could be a decent middle-of-the-field type player who can play the run OK and rush from the middle (like a McPhee-type role).

[rmw10]

12 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

Was actually thinking this, but more for Zadarius Smith than Correa. I think Correa is a prototype 3-4 OLB with combination of run and pass rushing skills, but not particularly great at either.

I actually think Zadarius could be a decent middle-of-the-field type player who can play the run OK and rush from the middle (like a McPhee-type role).

Za'Darius is carrying around 275 lbs. and isn't all that great at coverage.  I think that's what we're missing the most.  I don't view Za'Darius as a fit for the middle in any situation.

[rmcjacket23]

3 minutes ago, rmw10 said:

Za'Darius is carrying around 275 lbs. and isn't all that great at coverage.  I think that's what we're missing the most.  I don't view Za'Darius as a fit for the middle in any situation.

O I think he's just a run stopper and pass rusher. No way I want him dropping back in coverage.

Ultimately I doubt he ever ends up there.

[JoeyFlex5]

I wish we made a strong push for Jeremy cash. I think he's gonna be a solid coverage ILB for a 34 With a strong run defending front. I think it's orrs job to lose and I've honestly lost hope for brown, and mclellan seems best suited as a special teams ace and a rotating OLB.  

 

In short, I'm not sold on any of them but I think orr is the guy.

[Winchester]

The ravens could run a lot of 4-3. In that case I would guess Correa plays olb and Brown or somebody cut will play weak side olb. Mosley and Correa will be a fine tandem at mlb and strong side lb. Fast to drop in coverage and great blitzers. Weak side olb could be the position up for grabs

[WpgRaven]

Obviously he doesnt have the ideal weight or height but if Terrance Brooks added 15 pounds he would make an intriguing hybrid linebacker. Speed, coverage , decent tackling.... i suspect he might not last the season though.

Edited May 13, 2016 by WpgRaven