2nd Year Impact Players To Watch In 2011

by Bruce Raffel on Jul 5, 2011 7:00 AM EDT

Greg Gabriel of the National Football Post did a story on the second year players that could make an impact after being relatively quiet after being picked in the 2010 NFL Draft. The story drew so much attention that Gabriel did a second story, then a third and now has completed his fourth installment in what has basically become a series.

In three of Gabriel's stories, he mentioned players on the Baltimore Ravens who had little or no impact, much less touched the playing field in a regular season game in 2010. His first mention of the Ravens was LB Sergio Kindle By now, most Ravens fans have heard that he has been cleared for football contact and is waiting to prove that he is the same guy the team drafted in the second round last April before injuring him head in a fall prior to training camp beginning and missing the entire 2010 season.

In the second installment, Gabriel lists offensive lineman Ramon Harewood, who also missed the entire 2010 campaign with a knee injury and although his skills are raw, he has the size, athletic ability and smarts to perhaps find a spot on the offensive line and make a significant contribution this year. In Gabriel's fourth and final installment, he singles out defensive tackle Terrence Cody, whom he noted was overweight and out of shape in 2010, but has slimmed down and is quoted as saying that "When the Ravens pair Cody with Haloti Ngata, they will be almost impossible to run against."

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I really think it will be Cody to shine. He has shown he is dedicated to keeping his weight down and he already possesses a lot of natural ability for a NT. I think he will take over the starting spot this year. He has potential to be one of the top NT"s in the league. I feel sorry for teams if Cody steps it up because that means a lot of one on ones for either Suggs or Ngata. Then can you imagine if we get a pass rusher on the other side? If this happens it will be a very bad day for the opposing team’s QB.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jul 5, 2011 7:26 AM EDT reply actions

yes

He really has the potential to put us over the top defensively if he pans out the way we hope he can. Him and jimmy smith, although he’s obviously not a second year player

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jul 5, 2011 9:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

at this point

Kindle remains a complete unknown and nobody should be getting their hopes up about him.

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jul 5, 2011 9:49 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yeah that’s why I try to leave him out as our fix to the pass rush because even though it’s exciting he’s cleared we just don’t know what Kindle we are getting. He may not really be ready and if he is there’s a good chance he’s not the same Kindle we drafted. I really hope he comes back strong, but it’s hard to have complete faith when dealing with a severe head injury.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jul 5, 2011 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

not just that

But a guy converting to 34 OLB with a shortened training camp.

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jul 5, 2011 10:01 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

True. The odds are definitely against him. I think if he does come back though that he will pretty much just come in as a pass rusher and JJ will play the rest of the snaps, so that will make the transition a little easier. He played more of OLB role towards the end at Texas, so he does have some experience standing up.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jul 5, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Yea he’s definitely a situational rusher at best, but regardless of prior experience, the lack of a full offseason really hurts players like him who missed the opportunity to develop at all in 2010

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jul 5, 2011 10:10 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

not a 2nd year player

But I think Kruger will make an impact finally. If not, then things start looking bleak for him developmentally.

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jul 5, 2011 11:01 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I’m hoping Kruger will too. He finally got a full off-season without having to change positions and weight, so now hopefully he is more prepared. He doesn’t even need to become a starter he just needs to show he can be a situational pass rusher and I will be thrilled. He sounds pretty confident because in an interview with him he said he is expecting to play at least half the snaps, so hopefully he’s ready to play.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jul 5, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Kruger is ready. Harbaugh and company need to start trusting younger players earliar.

The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.

by El.Dude on Jul 5, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

couldnt agree more

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jul 5, 2011 12:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Eron Riley is going to rip it up this year.

Flacco's first 3 years vs. Brady's, Manning's and Brees' first 3 years

Flacco threw for just 21 fewer passing yards than Brady and tossed four fewer interceptions. Flacco threw for 1,655 more yards than Brees, two more touchdowns and four fewer picks. Manning, who averaged 88 more passes per season, threw for way more yards and touchdowns than Flacco, but also tossed 24 more interceptions.

by Mr MaLoR on Jul 5, 2011 2:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

its all about tyrod taylor

We need someone to challenge flacco for that starting job

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jul 5, 2011 3:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

If Tyrod was in their against Indy in the 2010 playoffs we would have won.

Flacco's first 3 years vs. Brady's, Manning's and Brees' first 3 years

by Mr MaLoR on Jul 5, 2011 3:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

definitely

We are smart people. Obviously.

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jul 5, 2011 3:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Justin Harper going to rip it up this year

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?-langton Hughes

by jazz20 on Jul 5, 2011 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

That would be great!

we NEED a young WR to somehow develop in our system… I’ve been waiting 15 years

Travis Taylor hurt the most..

by Evan Skev on Jul 6, 2011 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

yes i agree

But it won’t be harper or riley. Actually I think jazz was kidding

"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."

by jackmca on Jul 7, 2011 6:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I really like Harewood’s potential. He played both right and left tackle during last year’s preseason, so he obviously has the football I.Q. I think he will get a real shot to compete.

by JoshuaStein on Jul 5, 2011 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

I like him too. When the lockout was lifted temporarily he was one of four players to show up at the facility that day. I think that shows he is really determined to try and get some playing time or at least a roster spot.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jul 5, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions