T. Gooden Is Ready To Take Over

[baltiMORE RAVENS]

Here is a good article about Gooden. For those of you who question his size, he came into camp at 6'1'' 247 lbs (bart played at 6'2'' 240 lbs) so stop questioning. Coaches wanted him to drop weight until they saw him flying around the field at 247 lbs. If he can stay healthy, and that may be a big if, he is going to be a monster.

[url="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.ravens11may11,0,1135053.story"]http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/footbal...0,1135053.story[/url]

[bce086]

Im glad to hear that Ray is taking the time to mentor and go over game film with Tavaris and Jameel. Not only that, but maybe even more happy that Tavaris and Jameel both WANT to learn more off the field.

[die_hard_raven]

I hope he becomes a beast. We've got such a good record of scouting talent, to have another young potential star player on our D reinforces we've got some of the best scouts in the league. IN OZ WE TRUST!!!

I can't wait until the season starts.. I'm ready for football now

[theFRANCHISE]

I'm anxious to see how Tavares Gooden and Jameel McClain step up this season, but as of right now, we can only speculate on how good they'll really be. Until they take those first snaps in the preseason, it's hard to say whether that void left by the departure of Bart Scott is really filled.

On the same token, it's hard to say whether Bart Scott is just another product of the system like Ed Hartwell or Jamie Sharper, when he had to work his way up the depth chart as an undrafted free agent unlike those two. We won't know for sure how good Scott really is/was until we see how he does with the Jets this season. Remember, even with Rex Ryan there, the defensive coordinator and the head coach are two different positions with two different priorities -- which will also yield two different results in terms of a coach's effectiveness. See: Brian Billick as an OC vs. Billick as a head coach; Tony Dungy as a DC vs. Dungy as a head coach; Marvin Lewis as a DC vs. Lewis as a head coach, etc.

[Raven07]

Ozzie and Staff always seem to find the gems that no one else seems to take that much notice of and if they had, they surely didn't look all that hard enough when it comes down to the basic fundamental thing that all players must have..... talent. A 3rd round steal of last years NFL draft, coming into last year with room to improve upon certain aspects of his game in which he fine tuned in practice and from watching on the sideline over the course of last season.

Fast forward to the current present day and he seems ready to take over and fill the void left by the departure of Bart Scott, in many aspects he has the potential to be a even better athlete than Bart had become while in the Raven System.

The speed that cant be taught, in which he uses to close in on the would be ball carrier and deliver the smack or hard hit that has made this defense... one of the most feared of the last decade. His ball skills and vision are also something to keep note of seeing how he has been able to utilize his vision on the field thus far to see the play developing and "sense" where the ball is going to go and instinctively move in that direction, thus resulting in him making a play, whether it be a very nice tackle, a pass defensed, a interception.. whatever. IF he can remain healthy..... we truly have one of the most up and coming players in the league once more and potentially one of the best in the league (with more time and practice to tune his game).

With nothing but praise for him, for what he has shown the coaches thus far in practice, he clearly has made a case for himself in saying.... "this is my position.. this is me" type thing, add to it.... him playing alongside none other than Ray Lewis himself..... well one can only imagine the type of combination those two players together can become and the type of havoc that can be reaked on the field. i can see this young talent only getting better and more dominant as time wears on and he adjusts with each year.

[theFRANCHISE]

I think the key to Gooden's success (and McClain's, as well) is to worry more about doing his job than trying to be Bart Scott. I liked Gooden's confidence when he said he could be the "new and improved Bart Scott," but I think he's better off trying to be the best Tavares Gooden he can be.

It's the same deal with, say, Joe Flacco; instead of trying to be the next Peyton Manning or Ben Roethlisberger, he's better off trying to be the first Joe Flacco.

[MKdave]

[quote name='Raven07' post='191642' date='May 11 2009, 06:14 PM']we truly have one of the most up and coming players in the league once more and potentially one of the best in the league (with more time and practice to tune his game).[/quote]

And you're basing this on? ... A season on injured reserve?
I'm not saying he can't be good, I'm just saying let's not get ahead of ourselves.

[quote]The speed that cant be taught, in which he uses to close in on the would be ball carrier[/quote]
Why would he be closing in on a would-be ball carrier? That's just running after someone that doesn't have the ball...

[Raven07]

which is something that Ray has taken upon himself in trying to steer him away from.... "be your own player.. not someone else".... Ray said either yesterday or the day before that he needs to teach Gooden to "slow down at times" because he's pretty much been all over the place. That is one aspect in which I'm sure Gooden has made sure in trying "not to do" (being someone else)... thus is one of the reasons why you see him being as "Fluid" like on the football field as of late... because he made a mental note to himself to "not be like Bart or be better than Bart" and is (i think) a big reason as to why he's been able to do the type of things he has so far and shown the coaches and fellow teammates... he's put no added pressure on himself to perform like anyone, just himself.

and thus.... we see the results and the praise for the young talent.

and "closing in on the would be ball carrier" If you read the article about the practices and the performances he's displayed to everyone.... he seems to know where the play and ball is going before the play even happens (as said in the articles).... using his instincts to his advantage and thus ending up making a play on defense.

[20ravens52]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='191646' date='May 11 2009, 01:17 PM']I think the key to Gooden's success (and McClain's, as well) is to worry more about doing his job than trying to be Bart Scott. I liked Gooden's confidence when he said he could be the "new and improved Bart Scott," but I think he's better off trying to be the best Tavares Gooden he can be.

It's the same deal with, say, Joe Flacco; instead of trying to be the next Peyton Manning or Ben Roethlisberger, he's better off trying to be the first Joe Flacco.[/quote]


Exactly, just do all that you can do. I see him having more of an upside than scott, with his athelicism.

[Alexir]

I think that its good that McClain and T Good are fighting for the spot. What that shows to me is that when Ray does retire we have two LBs to secure the middle.

[lowrider]

Sounds like Gooden is going to get the position. McClain is still learning the position. Gooden ran a 4.49 40 in the combine. Thats sick for a linebacker. Thats not a bad time for a wide reciever. I dont think we are going to miss Bart Scott. I think Gooden is going to be better in coverage than Scott was. And we can just send McClain after the quarterback. Make that his full time job. He did a good job with that last year.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Alexir' post='191667' date='May 11 2009, 01:50 PM']I think that its good that McClain and T Good are fighting for the spot. What that shows to me is that when Ray does retire we have two LBs to secure the middle.[/quote]
Even though it's only wishful thinking as of RIGHT NOW, it'd still be great to have a future dynamic duo in the middle, already on the team. For two guys to come up the depth chart [i]together[/i] and be the core of that unit for years to come -- that's every defensive football fan's dream.
[quote name='lowrider' post='191671' date='May 11 2009, 02:04 PM']Sounds like Gooden is going to get the position. McClain is still learning the position.[/quote]
On the same token, McClain could be a quick study for all we know. For a rookie to have been in the backfield as many times as he was last year (in situational downs, no less), and to have recorded two safeties in a season...that tells me that his drive might fuel the speed at which he learns. We'll have to wait and see, though.

[lowrider]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='191687' date='May 11 2009, 02:42 PM']On the same token, McClain could be a quick study for all we know. For a rookie to have been in the backfield as many times as he was last year (in situational downs, no less), and to have recorded two safeties in a season...that tells me that his drive might fuel the speed at which he learns. We'll have to wait and see, though.[/quote]
I dont know if pass rush abilities mean that he is learning the position quickly. He could just have a natural pass rush ability. I could be wrong though.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='lowrider' post='191688' date='May 11 2009, 02:49 PM']I dont know if pass rush abilities mean that he is learning the position quickly. He could just have a natural pass rush ability. I could be wrong though.[/quote]
It's a 50/50 proposition, because pass-rushing is still a skill learned and refined, regardless of "natural" ability. On the other hand, playing inside doesn't necessarily require pass-rushing ability, as it depends on his role within the scheme. But, there's still a bit of promise there, regardless.

Worst-case scenario, if the experiment at ILB fails, McClain can always be moved back outside and someone else like Prescott Burgess or maybe Antwan Barnes could be moved inside instead. Either way, there's plenty of depth and plenty of time to figure out how to fill the void at ILB, IF Gooden doesn't perform to expectations.

[lowrider]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='191693' date='May 11 2009, 03:09 PM']It's a 50/50 proposition, because pass-rushing is still a skill learned and refined, regardless of "natural" ability. On the other hand, playing inside doesn't necessarily require pass-rushing ability, as it depends on his role within the scheme. But, there's still a bit of promise there, regardless.

Worst-case scenario, if the experiment at ILB fails, McClain can always be moved back outside and someone else like Prescott Burgess or maybe Antwan Barnes could be moved inside instead. Either way, there's plenty of depth and plenty of time to figure out how to fill the void at ILB, IF Gooden doesn't perform to expectations.[/quote]
Agreed, theres always a place on a team for a pass rusher. Shawn Merriman earned his living that way. It would be sweet if McClain developed into a linebacker that can bring a lot of pressure to the pocket.

[#1 D]

[quote name='lowrider' post='191671' date='May 11 2009, 02:04 PM']Sounds like Gooden is going to get the position. McClain is still learning the position. Gooden ran a 4.49 40 in the combine. Thats sick for a linebacker. Thats not a bad time for a wide reciever. I dont think we are going to miss Bart Scott. I think Gooden is going to be better in coverage than Scott was. And we can just send McClain after the quarterback. Make that his full time job. He did a good job with that last year.[/quote]
4.49? wow. Im liking what i see, and with the rage that ray says gooden has, hopefully he'll turn out as the LB we all want him to turn out to be.

[52Kia Kaha92]

i was so pumped when i read he was 247 and still fast, becasue when i read that he was flying around i thought he still must weigh 230 but to way 247 and still be fast excites me

He should be a monster for years to come, i am just looking forward to TC to see him in pads

[Bltravens]

Gooden ran a 4.6 flat at the combine which is still really fast, and SI has him at 4.55. A 4.49 is just ridiculously fast for a linebacker.

[Canes21]

its all about this U baby!

[Marcus]

Gooden, McClain, and Barnes are all ready.

[52Kia Kaha92]

i hope so ^ because then we can trade that greedy suggs for picks

[slugz1]

i read aon a website he ran a 4.45 but he plays faster than that cause barnes ran a faster 40 but ppl on the ravens say tavares is the fastest LB on the team

[52Kia Kaha92]

4.45 i bloody fast
Thats what Jeremy maclin ran and he is way faster than Godden altough id love it if he could run a 4.45

[smashmouth]

[quote name='Marcus' post='191756' date='May 11 2009, 05:58 PM']Gooden, McClain, and Barnes are all ready.[/quote]
Ready for the ILB postion?, or just ready to step up and play? I doubt Barnes would be good inside. McClain I have no idea niether, I think He;s more fitted to be on the outside, the same with Barnes.

[BloodRaven]

Barnes doesnt really look like he runs a 4.4, but he does (workout warrior?). He also threw up a combine high 31 reps for a LB.

[20ravens52]

Barnes can play both inside and outside LB. He played a lot on the inside in college. We just haven't seen him play ILB really yet as a Raven.

It's really amazing to see the versatility of our LB corps. I think thats what they are trying to do with this team get each player familiar with all of the LB postions.

Mostly, Mcclain and Barnes since they feel they can play both OLB and Inside.

[smashmouth]

[quote name='20ravens52' post='191944' date='May 12 2009, 10:07 AM']Barnes can play both inside and outside LB. He played a lot on the inside in college. We just haven't seen him play ILB really yet as a Raven.

It's really amazing to see the versatility of our LB corps. I think thats what they are trying to do with this team get each player familiar with all of the LB postions.

Mostly, Mcclain and Barnes since they feel they can play both OLB and Inside.[/quote]
NFL is way diffrent then college. how does everyone assume because someone did something in college, they can do it in the pro's.. Just because they <could> play ILB dont mean there best suited to be there. McClain is making a case that he can because there having him compete with Gooden who is a Natural ILB.

[slugz1]

[quote name='BloodRaven' post='191919' date='May 12 2009, 04:01 AM']Barnes doesnt really look like he runs a 4.4, but he does (workout warrior?). He also threw up a combine high 31 reps for a LB.[/quote]
i see his speed and power when he play i think teams now he can hurt them so when he come blitzing they get it out quick to avoid the sack i seen a couple tapes with him getting to the qb but not finishing.if u watch that patriots game barnes was beating light and koppen bad. Oh yeah if u watch the vikings preaseason game u see that gooden has a mean spin move to get off blocks.

[wayne]

[quote name='slugz1' post='191996' date='May 12 2009, 12:59 PM']i see his speed and power when he play i think teams now he can hurt them so when he come blitzing they get it out quick to avoid the sack i seen a couple tapes with him getting to the qb but not finishing.if u watch that patriots game barnes was beating light and koppen bad. Oh yeah if u watch the vikings preaseason game u see that gooden has a mean spin move to get off blocks.[/quote]

Anyone has any links to the few snaps that these two guys has played while in a Ravens uniform!

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='wayne' post='192051' date='May 12 2009, 06:34 PM']Anyone has any links to the few snaps that these two guys has played while in a Ravens uniform![/quote]

[url="http://www.nfl.com/players/jameelmcclain/profile?id=MCC325971"]Jameel McClain unblocked, sacks Romo (last play of week 16 video)[/url]

In terms of gamespeed they look similar on tape. The fact McClain is competing with Gooden for the starting inside spot says it all. McClain has the ability to play MLB. Barnes doesnt.

From what Ive seen in limited action McClain has a better nose for the ball, Barnes might be a better pure athlete but seems limited to being a situational pass rusher.