[News] Ravens Giving Kamalei Correa A Look At Inside Linebacker

[BR News]

The Boise State pass rusher has ‘inside linebacker traits,’ according to Head Coach John Harbaugh. With a starting position open next to C.J. Mosley, Correa could be in the mix.

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[Purple Dawg 96]

On tape Kamalei Correa aka Big KC reminds me of Ray Ray! Just a funny feeling!

[eze17]

Yeah, I had heard some rumors of Correa possibly getting some reps at ILB when the Ravens drafted him. However, his admitted lack of pass coverage would leave him pretty one dimensional, and I wouldn't really see him as an improvement over Orr, Brown or even McClellen. Now if he could develop the requisite pass coverage skills, then he could vie for a starting spot. But right now i'd say this is just a "can't hurt to take a look-see" move, and unless he really shows some ability early on in camp the Ravens will focus on our more natural ILB's to make sure we're where we want to be at the position.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Yeah, I had heard some rumors of Correa possibly getting some reps at ILB when the Ravens drafted him. However, his admitted lack of pass coverage would leave him pretty one dimensional, and I wouldn't really see him as an improvement over Orr, Brown or even McClellen. Now if he could develop the requisite pass coverage skills, then he could vie for a starting spot. But right now i'd say this is just a "can't hurt to take a look-see" move, and unless he really shows some ability early on in camp the Ravens will focus on our more natural ILB's to make sure we're where we want to be at the position.

Yeah I agree that Correa is probably a rotational/situational player at best for ILB. But that gives flexibility when sub'ing personnel trying to catch the offense off guard. His ability to play pass coverage will greatly determine his playing time. Although I fully expect Brown to put on a good showing and Orr is probably lead dog, but not by much due to slightly better coverage ability and pass rush over Brown. Orr needs to get better vs the run to be on the field more as a starter.

[RRRRRavens]

Interesting how consistently you hear rookies talk about the increased speed of the game they experience when they first get on the field with the pros. I can't say as I can see it all that clearly when I'm watching a college game versus watching a pro game. But that's just me. Nothing like being on the field experiencing it first hand like these guys are.

[trevorsteadman]

Kamalei Correa was compared to Clay Matthews throughout the process and I still believe 3 years down the road he will be that nightmare matchup on defense that can line up anywhere. I know I have high hopes for him but for the Ravens fans begging for Jack or Ramsey because they are versatile look no further. I see him having a solid rookie campaign and I think he will eventually get the starting job down the line. His competitiveness and the way he responds to reporters, you can tell he has fire and he will play till the whistle blows. He is the perfect compliment to Mosley and can be a huge threat because if he can develop solid pass rush technique you won't be able to stop him and Mosley.

[The Beak]

Always find a spot on the field for your best 22 players , Correa will start somewhere he can be a game changer..

[ellicottraven]

I think all of us would be very smart to discount big years from any of our rookies. They need a year or two to play in the NFL, both from a speed and strength perspective. If they produce even in a limited manner by just getting a nice percentage of snaps, we should consider this draft class successful.

[eze17]

I think all of us would be very smart to discount big years from any of our rookies. They need a year or two to play in the NFL, both from a speed and strength perspective. If they produce even in a limited manner by just getting a nice percentage of snaps, we should consider this draft class successful.

While I agree with you 100%, i'd also like to throw out there not to get to excited when a rookie exceeds expectation,I.E: Marlon Brown, who I think most of us considered an automatic touchdown machine after his rookie year. Always found it best to label a player boom/bust after a few years in the league. I have a pretty positive attitude about Correa, though. Seems like a high motor type player, which will benefit our defense. I don't really care if he's coming up the middle or from the edge so long as he can put pressure on the QB.

[elemento]

3 hours ago, Purple Dawg 96 said:

On tape Kamalei Correa aka Big KC reminds me of Ray Ray! Just a funny feeling!

The quickness and motor definitely, but as a tackler Ray Ray is still miles ahead and it's not even close. 

[GENE2407]

This guy was supposed to be an edge rusher! All I heard after the draft was how we were desperate for pass rushers. What are you going to do with him at ILB??? You don't rush the passer with those guys.

[52liveforever]

12 hours ago, GENE2407 said:

This guy was supposed to be an edge rusher! All I heard after the draft was how we were desperate for pass rushers. What are you going to do with him at ILB??? You don't rush the passer with those guys.

Why not?

[RayRocks]

I think people are really underrating his abilities in pass coverage.  He's definitely raw in that aspect, but athletically he would have been one of the better pass coverage linebackers in the draft had he played there more in college.  I don't think there would be any plans to keep him there permanently, but I can see him lining up as an ILB to cover TE's at times - giving the defense flexibility and 1 more versatile player that offenses have to acconut for at all times.

[52liveforever]

If he plays well inside then that puts more pass rushers on the field.

[ellicottraven]

6 hours ago, eze17 said:

While I agree with you 100%, i'd also like to throw out there not to get to excited when a rookie exceeds expectation,I.E: Marlon Brown, who I think most of us considered an automatic touchdown machine after his rookie year. Always found it best to label a player boom/bust after a few years in the league. I have a pretty positive attitude about Correa, though. Seems like a high motor type player, which will benefit our defense. I don't really care if he's coming up the middle or from the edge so long as he can put pressure on the QB.

Like they say, you can't teach effort. You either give it all or you don't. Some players just do enough of what is asked. Others like Correa and actually some other players in this draft are known to go the extra mile every day. Now with Weddle on the defense, he'll infect them with his work ethic and attention to detail as well. That's why leadership in the locker room is so essential in team sports.

[whobilly]

  15 hours ago, ellicottraven said:

I think all of us would be very smart to discount big years from any of our rookies. They need a year or two to play in the NFL, both from a speed and strength perspective. If they produce even in a limited manner by just getting a nice percentage of snaps, we should consider this draft class successful.

While I agree with you 100%, i'd also like to throw out there not to get to excited when a rookie exceeds expectation,I.E: Marlon Brown, who I think most of us considered an automatic touchdown machine after his rookie year. Always found it best to label a player boom/bust after a few years in the league. I have a pretty positive attitude about Correa, though. Seems like a high motor type player, which will benefit our defense. I don't really care if he's coming up the middle or from the edge so long as he can put pressure on the QB.

High motor, great in pass coverage, tremendous athletic ability. That was how they described Arthur Brown when they drafted him. I've learned to never get excited about guys making plays, etc., wearing a jersey and shorts. Time will tell.

[trevorsteadman]

I think Correa has the best chance of being DROY on our team. He will be next to Mosley and surrounded by Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Brandon Williams, and Eric Weddle. I think whoever wins the starting ILB job will have a solid season. 

[LifeofaRaven]

The more pass rushers we have on the field,the more havoc we can create as a defense,and if Correa has a chance to be on the field then so be it.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

This guy was supposed to be an edge rusher! All I heard after the draft was how we were desperate for pass rushers. What are you going to do with him at ILB??? You don't rush the passer with those guys.

Ray Lewis would do it from time to time. You do it as part of a zone blitz to confuse the defense. You can drop an edge guy out into the flat or short zone and blitz a MLB or both. Or heck, you can do a jailbreak blitz and send everyone. Of course it is very risky so you can't do it all the time. I think that is what they have in mind for him. They move Correa all around from ROLB, MLB, LOLB and send him on some plays and not send him on others. Confusion on offense causes mistakes, mistakes can lead to turnovers. That's the theory anyway.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

Interesting how consistently you hear rookies talk about the increased speed of the game they experience when they first get on the field with the pros. I can't say as I can see it all that clearly when I'm watching a college game versus watching a pro game. But that's just me. Nothing like being on the field experiencing it first hand like these guys are.

I think it is just the caliber of players on the field. In the NFL, you have the best of the best from every college team in the game on the field all the time.

You might have been big man on campus at your college with a 4.40 40 and think you are the fastest thing on two legs because nobody in your division was as fast. Then you get to the NFL where guys are running 4.2's and 4.3's. You have some 280lbs guys fast enough to chase you down from behind.

I was the fastest guy on my high school team when I was trying out. Then some college track guys just happened to show up while we were practicing and nobody would line up against those guys. I had to get my runs in anyway so I went ahead and did it. I got off the line quicker than the 6'4'' with ostrich legs guy next to me. I even had him beat about 3/4 of the way down the track, but the guy caught me and whizzed by me before I could get to the line. I was only 5'8'' at the time. It happened that same way each time we ran for 3 tries.