Defensive Speeeeeeeeeed

[MDCop]

After watching SB 51 last night I came to appreciate Atlanta's speed especially at LB, namely Dion Jones. I know their D is a mirror of the Seahawks a couple years ago.....but man like it......up until Brady beat them up lol. I know DB and Edge is of the utmost importace but we will need to addess (IMO) inside backer. Is there anyone on ya'll's radar that has the dynamics to change/help our D. Maybe in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th round  Here is a couple on my my list:

- Anthony Walker Northwestern 6-1 245- Walker has speed. I saw on film him covering McCaffrey stride of stride. In a pass happy league thats a must. He is a consistant 100+ tackler and huge with tackes for loss. Boards have him going between he 2nd and 4th rounds.

-  Jalen Reeves-Maybin Tennessee 6-0 225- He is a bit undersized but can add some weight to his frame. He very well may end up the fastest ILB in the draft. The stat from him that sticks out is his tackles for loss. He gets to the ball carrier fast and should do well in coverage. His workouts could jump him up a bit but is currently projected as a Round 4 to 6th guy. We like our Day 3 picks.

 

I know Rueben Foster is #1 but he will not be there at 16 and we have other needs.

 

What do you think and who do you got.

[Jacquouille]

I think Reeves-Maybin is staying to school. Duke Riley looks like that type of player.

[jboy19]

Haason Reddick looks like lightning in a lot of his game film. 

[Gruntled Ravens Fan]

Two fast Linebackers that I think would make a great addition to our team are Kendell Beckwith from LSU and also Jarrad Davis from Florida.

[rossihunter2]

On 08/02/2017 at 0:05 AM, Gruntled Ravens Fan said:

Two fast Linebackers that I think would make a great addition to our team are Kendell Beckwith from LSU and also Jarrad Davis from Florida.

jarrad davis is intriguing as a prospect - i think if he falls to our third pick then he might be ours but im not sure he'll be the best guy available when we pick in the first 2 rounds

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Hassan Reddick if hes there in the 2nd. Love the kid.

[ellicottraven]

one thing I've decided on linebackers after our last 2 draft picks in the second round is this: While speed is great, it is more important that they love football a whole lot and their football IQ is off the charts. For linebackers to be successful, they need to react quickly meaning diagnose plays fast and move fast. Now, if we find these guys and they happen to be really fast, even better. But, I would emphasize football IQ over speed.

[Gruntled Ravens Fan]

1 hour ago, ellicottraven said:

one thing I've decided on linebackers after our last 2 draft picks in the second round is this: While speed is great, it is more important that they love football a whole lot and their football IQ is off the charts. For linebackers to be successful, they need to react quickly meaning diagnose plays fast and move fast. Now, if we find these guys and they happen to be really fast, even better. But, I would emphasize football IQ over speed.

I agree, I seem to remember a story about BB being torn between Dont’a and Upshaw as the better prospect and Saban basically said Upshaw was more gifted physically but Dont’a was light years ahead in IQ. But there has to be a line between getting high IQ players and getting a player like Burfict. Burfict may not be the brightest player, he always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

[ellicottraven]

1 hour ago, Gruntled Ravens Fan said:

I agree, I seem to remember a story about BB being torn between Dont’a and Upshaw as the better prospect and Saban basically said Upshaw was more gifted physically but Dont’a was light years ahead in IQ. But there has to be a line between getting high IQ players and getting a player like Burfict. Burfict may not be the brightest player, he always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

Burfict may have very little emotional IQ, but he does possess a very high football IQ. He recognizes plays in a hurry and is there to make the play. He went undrafted due to character concerns but is a baller by any measure.

[ravensnick]

On 2/7/2017 at 9:10 AM, jboy19 said:

Haason Reddick looks like lightning in a lot of his game film. 

If we trade back at all, 100% want Reddick. 

[ravensnick]

2 hours ago, ellicottraven said:

Burfict may have very little emotional IQ, but he does possess a very high football IQ. He recognizes plays in a hurry and is there to make the play. He went undrafted due to character concerns but is a baller by any measure.

And one of the worst combines of all time.

[PurpleCity5]

I think we were a good tackling team this season. Weddle, Webb, Mosley, Orr(Sadly he's gone), Suggs, and Brandon Williams were exceptional there. 

On the speed end, we do have Correa on the team and we'll have to put him in a position to ball out. I do agree with adding more speed at the CBs at OLB but I would like to see us expand on Correa's role. 

6 hours ago, ellicottraven said:

one thing I've decided on linebackers after our last 2 draft picks in the second round is this: While speed is great, it is more important that they love football a whole lot and their football IQ is off the charts. For linebackers to be successful, they need to react quickly meaning diagnose plays fast and move fast. Now, if we find these guys and they happen to be really fast, even better. But, I would emphasize football IQ over speed.

Same here, Arthur Brown was an athlete but he couldn't get the playbook done what so ever and his play recognition was not good at all. 

[ellicottraven]

2 hours ago, ravensnick said:

And one of the worst combines of all time.

And this too!

[JoeyFlex5]

6 hours ago, ravensnick said:

And one of the worst combines of all time.

yeah burfict absolutely bombed every single aspect and completely confirmed all concerns teams had with him. it was a seriously epic meltdown 

[PurpleHorseman]

On 2/7/2017 at 10:10 AM, jboy19 said:

Haason Reddick looks like lightning in a lot of his game film. 

 

14 hours ago, ravensnick said:

If we trade back at all, 100% want Reddick. 

Would take Razor Reddick at 16 in a blink. If Foster isn't available. He and Mosley could form the best ilb tandem ever to play. Only thing that rattles QBs as much as a dominant rush is physical LB's that can cover as well as a safety. And guard spaces LB's are not supposed to be playing at. Anybody like this idea?

[ravensnick]

5 hours ago, PurpleHorseman said:

 

Would take Razor Reddick at 16 in a blink. If Foster isn't available. He and Mosley could form the best ilb tandem ever to play. Only thing that rattles QBs as much as a dominant rush is physical LB's that can cover as well as a safety. And guard spaces LB's are not supposed to be playing at. Anybody like this idea?

I'm with you depending on who is left on the board

[PurpleHorseman]

  Speaking of defensive speed. I know this is draft talk. And I'm for drafting an elite ilb that can control the field and help safety's and CB's while laying the wood when necessary.

 

  However a name in free agency I like when talking speed is Dominique Easley.  I watched a rams game on Sunday ticket. And this DT kept jumping into the backfield right off the snap and getting literally parallel to the ground. I naturally assumed it was Aaron Donald. However I then noticed Donald and was thinking who is that guy then. It was Easley. I then watched Donald and as impressive as he is, The Easley guy jumped out more than Donald as the impressive explosive player.

I was very very surprised this Easley looked more explosive and athletic than Donald. He was clearly the most explosive and disruptive player in that game. Reddick and Easley could inject some serious speed and Explosion into our interior defense. As Reddick can cover like a safety while blitzing like von miller from the inside. Brady will not know what is hitting him. Those guys could be in his face in a blink and a half after the snap. Interesting idea?

[PurpleHorseman]

Actually since we are talking team speed. A more complete plan would be Draft Hassan Razor Reddick round one. Then draft Tim Williams in the second if he checks out with a clean character and aces all the drug and interview tests. The alternative is trade back into    the first round for Harris or whichever speed rusher is there late round one. This is a rich rush class and we could take advantage with 2 explosive defenders. Reddick next to Mosley and Williams or Harris on the outside.

 

In free agency Dominique Easley could be the steal of his free agent class. He looks to be extremely quick off the snap. I thought I was watching Aaron Donald the way he was jumping into the backfield and bull rushing the guard. While parallel to the ground he got so low. 

That is injecting 3 explosive new ravens into our defense. The front 7 could look something like.

                   Jernigan Williams Easley

  (Williams/Harris).  Mosley Reddick   Judon

 

Reddick and Mosley could be awesome blitzers from the inside(especially Reddick). While getting depth in coverage like safety's. Very big intimidating hitters as well. Easley and Jernigan are very disruptive up front. A good amount of inside pressure in the QBs face. And we haven't even got to factoring in Tim Williams and Judon rushing off the edge. Interesting idea

[Jacquouille]

I wasn't getting on board with the Reddick hype train at first, but after watching his game vsMemphis, waw. This dude is a baller. Him and Correa could be something special. 

[Tru11]

in real life : football IQ > proper NFL technique > speed 
madden: speed