Kruger Wants To Play
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 18, 2010 6:00 AM EDT
62 comments
BaltimoreRavens.com had a good story on the one guy that hopes to be the answer to the team's pass rushing woes. Drafted in the second round last year out of Utah, Paul Kruger barely caught a whiff of the playing field last year. Failure to grasp the bigger playbook and inability to play Special Teams led to Kruger being inactive for a majority of the season. However, when he did get his rare chances, he usually looked lost other than the one bright spot he had when he intercepted Pittsburgh Steelers backup QB Dennis Dixon in the Ravens OT win in Baltimore last year.
At the Ravens season ending press conference, Head Coach John Harbaugh said that the team was going to get Kruger to gain weight and beef up so that he can play defensive end. If Kruger can concentrate on putting his hand in the dirt like he did in college, his learning curve should be a lot easier than him having to learn to play linebacker in the NFL.
While in college at Utah, Kruger terrorized opposing QB's and ran down running backs with his athleticism and raw talent. In the NFL however, that alone just won't, and didn't fly for him. Looking lost out there at times, Kruger frustrated the coaches as much as himself, and made some people think his selection in the second round was looking to be a bust, considering not too many people outside of the Ravens' War Room had even heard of him prior to his name being announced when the pick was made.
Obviously, the Ravens saw enough in his play that they believed they could educate him on the transition to the pro game, much less to another position. The team still has faith in him to be the eventual replacement for DE Trevor Pryce. If Kruger can pack that weight on and still retain his speed and athleticism, then he has a great chance to be a pass rushing specialist, or even a three down defensive end. Depending on where the Ravens go with their first round pick in the NFL Draft late next month will go a long way in saying the team either has confidence in Kruger, or that they are looking for someone else to fill that huge pass rushing void.
Check out the story at BaltimoreRavens.com.
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He only played DE for 2 seasons in his entire life before the pro’s, give him time, he’ll at least be decent. He was the best player on the field when Utah played Bama in the Sugar(?) bowl two years ago. Also, he’s got an awesome last name that we can chant in the stadium once he gets good (KRUUUUUUUU-Ger), so he’s got that going for him.
I’m very excited to see what Kruger can do.
If Rice showed us anything last season, he showed that adding a little weight in the off-season can make a huge impact. When I saw Kruger drafted and look at his weight, I knew that he would not be making a major impact in his first season. I didn’t really see him being invisible, but that happened because the team has so much talent in the front seven… Remember that two of our backups from the defensive line last season will now be starting for other teams.
Given some playing time, a little bulk and strength, Kruger could be an excellent player for the Ravens. Either way, he’s going to see the field much more next season. Even if they draft a guy like Odrick, who would start immediately, Kruger will be rotating heavily with Trevor Pryce and probably taking the majority of snaps.
If Kruger can pack on 15-20 pounds I would
Love it if the front three were Odrick, Ngata, and Kruger…. with Gregg and Price + next man up rotating in.
That’s what I’m thinking will happen.
In that article about Kruger, he said that the “buzz word” around Ravens HQ is “pressure.” This makes me think that the Ravens will be targeting defensive lineman and/or pass-rushers in the draft. Furthermore, they could have easily signed Edwards if they had promised him a starting role, and the fact that they didn’t is very telling. It’s clear that they didn’t view Edwards, who is simply a run-stuffer, as a starter on the defense. I think that they want a good, penetrating five-technique guy (like Pryce in his prime). I think that a player like Odrick or Alualu could be that for the Ravens. Either way, it seems clear that the Ravens will be targeting a defensive lineman in the draft.
I expect Pryce's time in purple
to be running out and would be surprised to see him on the field much by the end of the season, if not beforehand.
Rexx
I guess I had signed in under this account
in order to ban some people who are putting up solicitations all over SB Nation. He (Rexx) still has the banning powers and does my dirty work!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 18, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
The Ravens had an offer out to Edwards but withdrew it after he wouldn’t have surgery(neck?). He didn’t get signed by Seattle and Denver because he couldn’t pass their physicals either. The Bills said he didn’t need surgery, so he signed there.
Edwards contract was whacked!
Did you hear? Four years for $18 million! Can you believe it? Edwards played pretty good when he got a few chances and was a great guy, but $18 million? Are you kidding me? No, thanks, I’ll pass and good luck and congrats on the huge payday, Dwan. See what having “Defense-Baltimore Ravens” does for your resume?
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 18, 2010 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Kruger will be great
I am really, really glad that the coaches are focusing on him playing DE rather than OLB. We have enough OLB and need all the depth we can get at DE. Plus, I think his pass rush is actually really, really good, he just does not have enough weight yet. If he can get up to 285-290, he should be a beast.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
probably take him another offseason
to get to 285-290 the right way… he is already a muscular dude, so you don’t want him to get to that weight at the expense of explosiveness and flexibility.
I packed on 20 lbs of muscle when I first moved to TX
Because I couldn’t find a job so I was only PT at Home Depot for 9 months and did nothing but lift bags of dirt and mulch and go to the gym. Then I tore my Labrum because I was no longer flexible.
Yea, working at McDonalds will put on 20 lbs for ya.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
It's all those fries....
…but Kruger only needs to get to around 270 to be an effective pass rusher and gain more upper body strength.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 18, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
FYI
I hope everyone got a chance to see South Park last night and see Ben Rothelisburger in it. The episode was about sex addiction and Ben was a great South Park character.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
It is great. He is not the only celebrity in there.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Completely lied.
That’s my lunch break… hulu will have to wait until tonight after the second job.
The sign near me at the Rental Place
says:
The “Win a Date w/ Ben Roethlisberger” contest has been postponed."
Hilarious!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 18, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Now thats f'n funny!
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 18, 2010 5:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Benn from Illi.
ran a 4.36 at his pro day. (He did score a 11 on the wonderlic test though. Thomas scored somewhere around a 34. Benn had the worst score, Thomas had the best)
Seriously though, of all the positions, I think a WR and RB can afford to be the least intellegent.
They have the least schemes to worry about. The most complicated thing they have to do it read zone defences and know where to exploit the weaknesses.
I’d be fine with a RB/WR that couldn’t read as long as he knew the letters “X” and “O”
Saw that
I say to those wideouts: “Go deep and catch the damn ball!”
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 18, 2010 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
4.36 is amazing. Everyone was talking about Benn not having elite speed. Only thing is, with Bannan and Edwards gone, I really cannot see us going any other position than DE/DL. We are lucky is it such a deep draft for D-Lineman this year.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Lots of sites have been saying the same thing, we’re going DL. Every year it seems we go the complete opposite of what everyone thinks we’re going to do. Like us getting Oher last year. Flacco the year before. They got Grubbs right, and Ngata the year before that. Ok so not every year. 50 – 50. Damn and they did get last year wrong ,so this year…. MF’ er, we’re going DL.
I don't care if he can count up to 9
only that he can recognize the symbols as the number route to run.
If he doesn’t know that 9 comes after 8 but knows 9 means get your ass deep, I’m probably fine with that too.
by ATXRaven on Mar 18, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
As a U of U fan, I’m really hoping that Kruger becomes the solution to our pass rush problem. I don’t know how familiar everyone is with his story, but the guy has overcome a lot, which shows history determination and dedication to the game.
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 18, 2010 11:33 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Yea, I heard about all that crap. He was in a jeep out on the mountains or something and it flipped over and he had to get his spleen taken out. Then a few years later he got jumped by a bunch of people and got stabbed all over his upper body which required staples. I hope he just imagines the Tackles as those people who jumped him.
If Kruger can give us 6-8 sacks this year, I would be very happy with that progression.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
"imagines the Tackles as those people who jumped him."
pretend??… ok, we should call it… his tackling fuel.
I would love to come out of this draft with Odrick and Alualu.
Be perfectly fine if we took those two with our first two picks. These are the two best character guys in the draft and DeCosta described both of them as “relentless.”
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/?p=4513
Jared Odrick, Penn State
6-5, 304; Senior
2009 Stats: 43 tackles, 7 sacks, 11 tackles for loss
The Buzz: Odrick consistently got better during his four years in Happy Valley and was eventually named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. He sheds blockers well and gets penetration into the backfield using his great strength. He’s also known for his relentless style of play.
DeCosta’s Take: "Big 3-4 type body. Good motor, he’s tough, stout versus the run. Should be a five-technique on run downs and an inside rusher on pass downs."
Tyson Alualu, California
6-3, 295; Senior
2009 Stats: 58 tackles, 7 sacks
The Buzz: Alualu’s draft stock is on the rise. He ran a sub 5.0 40-yard dash time at the Combine, which showed he has much more than great intangibles. Alualu is a mature, high-intensity player with a good attitude. He played defensive end in a 3-4 scheme and started 38 consecutive games.
DeCosta’s Take: "He’s a good player from Cal. A relentless guy."
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Also read today that Odrick has a criminal charge against him. Forget where I read it though. I’ll try to find it.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
After seeing that description of Alualu, I find it hard to believe that the Ravens do not have him as one of their redstar players. Rice and Kruger have been ones in the past. Him just being a beast on the field, a family man and also starting 38 consecutive games definitely is what Ozzie and DeCosta are looking for. He has to be a redstar player.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Saw a story on Odrick
If the Ravens take him, he’ll end up the next Michael Oher type of story.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 19, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Where's the story
I’d like to read it Bruce.
I am going to say it right now.
The. Perfect. Raven.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Fine then
if we draft him, you win!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 20, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
You brought him up
Ive known about him for a little while ever since I saw him dominate Maryland for 2 straight years. But I have recently fallen in love with Alualu.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Its not rocket science
I’d pickup CB Kyle Wilson as a sure thing. This guy is a beast all over the field. I like the idea of him and (if healthy)Webb at CB. hopefully Kruger can transition to DE. This is my fantasy so dont judge me. But as a plan B i like DE Jared Odrick as good pick up, Screw everyone else. Just remeber though Dittsburgh has to mach us pick for pick just to stay relevant in AFC N.
On Sirius NFL Radio
one of the guys was saying how he actually thought that other than Haden, the kid from Alabama was the best CB out there. I don’t really even know him or much about him. Anyone?
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 18, 2010 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Just talked to Frank Walker's cousin
Text message he sent me.
i will not be a Ravens fan next year, sorry Its business not personal
Hasn’t told me the team yet, but it looks like Frank is gone.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
OH COME ON!
What has this guy ever done in the league? It’s not like he picked off a crucial pass in an overtime win over a bitter divisional rival or anything! Oh… wait…
"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe
by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 19, 2010 12:27 PM EDT reply actions
(I know it was in the post, I just thought I’d supply a little comic relief to all you Ravens fans)
"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preperation."
-Arthur Ashe
by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 19, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Lol
That was the play that has started his rise to stardom. He will be a 12 sack DE in no time. You don’t want to mess with Kruger. He will be slammin Ben in the ground harder then he slammed that 20 year old in the bathroom stall.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Nice Profile pic MaLoR!
Blastoise and Maryland mixed together. (I watched Pokemon when I was little)
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Baltimore Warrior on Mar 19, 2010 10:38 PM EDT reply actions
turn him loose..
He’s as big as some other premere pass rushers,Jared Allen,Dwight Freeney and Dummerville but he was NO linebacker.Put his hand in the dirt and tell him to hunt,same goes for Suggs,then the defensive backs will be better because of a rush….Also I have said before now we have AQ on ofeense,with the running game,our D won’t be on the field nearly as long!
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