And With the 25th Pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens Select...
by Zachary Beard on Mar 20, 2010 4:01 PM EDT
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PrintThe Ravens have certainly fulfilled the biggest need coming out of 2009 by trading for 3rd and 4th pick for Anquan Boldin, but that does not mean Ozzie's work is done with. We still have to fill our needs for a CB,DE, or LB. And we all know that the best way to improve a team, is to build it through the draft. Here a few prospects I think we should take a good long look at.
DE Carlos Dunlap:
We need some help at DE, and seeing as Trevor Pryce will probably be playing his last season in the NFL next year, we need some contingency. My answer, Carlos Dunlap. As a Junior in 2009, Dunlap played in 13 games, made 29 solo tackles with nine assists for 38 total tackles (10.5 for losses) and 9 sacks. He also deflected six passes and had 2 quarterback hits. For his performance he was a consensus First-team All-SEC selection. Dunlap ended his collegiate career with 81 tackles (25 for losses) 19.5 sacks, 8 passes deflected and three blocked kicks.
Other options at DE: Jared Odrick, Everson Griffen, Derrick Morgan, or Jerry Hughes.
CB Kyle Wilson:
Look at the picture, it tells you everything you need to know; he gets the ball in his hands. Webb is our starter obviously, but I am not completely sold on Domingue Foxworth, all I saw from him last year was burn, burn, and more burn. He was always giving a 5 yard cushion to the WR and we were getting punished because of it. Kyle Wilson is my favorite CB option in the draft and we can develop him into a shut-down corner is a couple of years. In his junior season, Wilson led Boise State with 5 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and 15 passes defended. He recorded 35 tackles, 26 of which were unassisted, and returned 33 punts for 470 yards and three touchdowns. Wilson started each game of the season, so injuries shouldn't really be a problem seeing as he started 33 games in his 3 year college career.
Other options at CB: Devin McCourty, Earl Thomas, or Patrick Robinson
LB Sean Weatherspoon:
Ray Lewis isn't getting any younger, and we need a future LB to take over that gaping hole that will be left in our defense when he calls it quits. Sean Weatherspoon is my favorite LB prospect in the 2010 NFL draft. He played OLB in college, but I don't think it will really matter for him to take a couple steps over. He combined for 103 tackles in his senior year, 4 sacks and an interception. He finished his career with 388 tackles, 12 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 interceptions.
Other options at LB: Brandon Spikes, Sergio Kindle, Eric Norwood, Darryl Sharpton, or Pat Angerer
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I like Odrick alot, but I think Dunlap will be a more destrucive force in the NFL
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 20, 2010 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I would love to have Odrick
I do have a concern about the on/off motor of Dunlap. He has a higher ceiling than other players but also a higher bust factor. The Wilson kid is rated lower on everyone’s draft board but I think he could be a better NFL player than Joe Haden and therefor a better value.
I like Dunlap as well and think he will be a good NFL pass rusher
I don’t really believe in the on and off motor stuff on the field, but I do believe that he has a poor work ethic. Look at Suggs, incredible on the field but bad work ethic. Love Suggs, but I do not want have to worry about another guy like that. Odrick wants to work.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Mar 20, 2010 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm with you
We are sharing a brain just saying it differently. Nice summation.
agree, especially for the 3-4
Scientific research has proven that you lose exactly 5.37 billion brain cells every time you listen to Todd McShay.
by TheRealSlimShady on Mar 20, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Odrick is more prepared right now
and a better “citizen” while Dunlap is raw but freakish.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 20, 2010 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s the point here.
The Ravens do not need guys like Dunlap or even Graham. Most scouts aren’t even sure if those guys can play a 3-4 defensive end… Most would even say no. They will probably play a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 hybrid outside linebacker. In a 3-4, the defensive end needs to be much stronger than a 4-3 defensive end. It’s a complete and total difference in scheme. Most of the flashy, sack-productive defensive ends (Allen, Freeney, Peppers…) that everyone drools over play in a 4-3. That’s simply by design. In a 4-3, the defensive ends are the pass rushers.
As I said before, a 3-4 defensive end needs to be bigger and stronger than a 4-3 defensive end… especially versus the run. Many teams that implement a 3-4 (including the Ravens) use nothing more than a converted, athletic defensive tackle at defensive end. Justin Bannan often played the end for the Ravens and he is strictly a run stuffer. The 3-4 uses the linebackers as the pass-rushers, and in a hybrid defense, one of the outside linebackers is usually a hybrid LB/DE (Suggs), adding flexibility to the defense.
The point is that the Ravens need defensive linemen, especially a 3-4 defensive end, more than they need guys that are probably hybrid 3-4 outside linebackers. The Ravens already have two of the best hybrid outside linebackers in the league in Jarret Johnson and Terrell Suggs. Sure, guys like Graham and Dunlap, who are excellent examples of 3-4 outside linebackers, would probably excel on the Ravens defense, and in all honesty, Ozzie would draft them if they were the best players available. However… If we are strictly taking about need, which I’m assuming is the premise of this post, a pure 3-4 defensive end, like Odrick or Alualu, is a much greater need than another hybrid outside linebacker.
by BAL_Hawk on Mar 20, 2010 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Graham has never been talked about as a 3-4 end.
Scientific research has proven that you lose exactly 5.37 billion brain cells every time you listen to Todd McShay.
by TheRealSlimShady on Mar 20, 2010 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea
Graham could play in the 3-4 defense as an outside pass rusher, but is probably better suited for the 4-3 as a defensive end, where he could play both the right and left defensive end position.
The switch to a 3-4 hybrid scheme is likely to lead a decrease of statistical production for Graham, who had 10 sacks and 20 tackles for a loss (second in the nation) during his junior campaign.
Would definitely be an OLB in our system. But that is starting to become the new trend in the NFL. Most of the sack leaders are OLB.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
but I am not completely sold on Domingue Foxworth, all I saw from him last year was burn, burn, and more burn.
That is not all you saw from him. Foxwroth came on real strong the 2nd half of the season and was great against Randy Moss. We are not paying him $24 million to be our #3. He is going to be #1.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
I say we trade him for a 3rd and a 4th if he doesn't want to be #3
we need those picks back, and we have a better chance at a rookie that can develop, over a CB that has been #3 all of his career.
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 20, 2010 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry, but
Foxworth is our #1 CB whether or nt we draft one or if Webb comes back healthy. If we are lucky enough to have Webb back, then he will start longside Foxworth, with Fabian in the nickel and the draft pick in the nickel, for now at least.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 20, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Injuries happen
and we still could use the depth. I do like the physical-ness of Patrick Robinson despite what many of you say. He’s no Kyle Wilson and perhaps not a first round pick, but if Wilson is gone by the time we pick at 25, then Robinson in the second round combined with a Gresham or Odrick would be a great first two picks by me.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 20, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Gresham > Dunlap > Wilson > Robinson
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 20, 2010 5:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Wrong
Gresham is a 2nd round pick, at best
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 20, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
2nd round at best? Are you kidding? We’ll be lucky if he’s even still around at #25.
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 20, 2010 5:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No way, did you see his combine stats
he is slow, and can’t jump high. Thats a bad combination for a TE
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 20, 2010 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
You can’t read too much into the Combine. Chances are the Bungholes draft him anyways.
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 20, 2010 5:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I like Foxworth
this is only his 5th year. He is fast and instinctive. He plays with intensity, and he did a good job against really good competition. You can’t expect a corner like him to shut down everyone. There is no way we will get rid of him.
by PurpleNorangeNbeer on Mar 20, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
2 things
- Foxworth really turned it on over the 2nd half of the season, and showed he is worth the money. He also brought the secondary together as a unit, and got them together to study film and stuff like that. The first half can be attributed to a new system, plus the fact that the whole team was adjusting to Mattisons system.
- Gresham had 2 great years, but has had a bad injury and didnt perform well at the combine. I just don’t think it is worth the risk when the drop off between him and the 2nd round guys isnt that great. The difference between Wilson and the other guys in the late 1st early second category isnt that great either. I think the biggest difference is in the guys who will be left is at the DE position. I think we can afford to trade down 5-10 spots and get a 3rd rounder back in this deep draft, but I think that we should grab the best pass rush guy left at that lower spot. If Dunlap, Odrick etc are gone, then go CB. Either way I will be happy, as long as we dont reach and grab a guy like Golden Tate. The only Offensive player I would be happy to see us take with our 1st pick is Thomas from GT. He has great height and great speed. He would stretch the field, and he could also be our go-to guy in the endzone in the near future, ala V. Jax.
by Rayisyourdaddy on Mar 20, 2010 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
Foxworth really turned it on over the 2nd half of the season, and showed he is worth the money. He also brought the secondary together as a unit, and got them together to study film and stuff like that. The first half can be attributed to a new system, plus the fact that the whole team was adjusting to Mattisons system.
I'm sort of undecided
If Kruger pans out and we end up with him, Ngata, Gregg and Prryce and/or Suggs with their hands in the dirt, then perhaps I’m okay with that. Also, with Foxworth and Webb, we have two quality CBs and if Fabian returns then that is pretty much three depending on the quality of our pass rush. That leaves TE as a need, but certainly not a starter, as Heap will still get the majority of snaps and looks.
Therefore, we’re looking at BPA once more. If we get someone like Kyle Wilson or Odrick or Gresham in the first round and by some chance someone like Spikes is still there in the second round, I wouldn’t be surprised if Ozzie goes after him as he is first round talent regardless of the stupid 40 yard dash time that might make him fall to the second round.
aka 'Rexx'
+1
I would love to see Kruger and/or suggs with their hands in the dirt, it’s there natural position.
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 20, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
And, Wilson has dreads, so he is already guarunteed to be good.
The night is darkest right before the dawn
4 year starter
Played in 49 out of 50 games as 4 year starter…..talk about durability and playmaking!
"The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night."
+1
Suck it Wilson haters…
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 20, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I like Gresham
He may be slow, but he can block really well. His hands are great and he runs good routes. He isn’t Vernon Davis. I wouldn’t be upset if we got him in the first round. I really like Kyle Wilson, Jared Odrick, and those two LBs from TCU, but what do I know.
by PurpleNorangeNbeer on Mar 20, 2010 5:35 PM EDT reply actions
40 yard dash times
are the stuoidest things that they used to rate players. I’ll take very player that starred on the field all season but had poor 40 times and make an All-Pro team out of them.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 20, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
There’s a couple of pro bowlers who play tight end for both Dallas and Indy who can’t run for shit.
by PurpleNorangeNbeer on Mar 21, 2010 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions
We know the feeling about slow TEs
Looking at you Heap..
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by Zachary Beard on Mar 21, 2010 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Oderik, Wilson, or Gresham in the 1st. BPA in 2nd.
by Georgia Raven on Mar 20, 2010 6:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Baltimore should go with Jermaine Gresham if........
He falls to us at 25. The man is hands down the best Tight end in this years draft. IDK what he ran at the combine or how well the other TE’s perofrmed. Gresham is a top 10-15 talent, and if we get him at 25, that is a steal. Other guys we should consider is Odrick and Wilson.
FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before the draft last year how many people would have predicted Michael Oher would be the pick?
It’s impossible to tell how the draft is going to look at pick 25. Hopefully last year was the start of a trend and a player falls to us like Michael Oher did. I’m not sure who that would be this year, maybe a pass rusher like Derrick Morgan or JPP.
It’s also hard to believe in Ozzie’s BPA system and still say positionally what you want from the early rounds of the draft. Personally I’m more excited about second round guys like Kareem Jackson, Dexter McCluster and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah. I
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