Rookie Camp Observations

**Justlovemybirds** · 05-11-2012, 06:13 PM

http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/201...f-the-rookies/

Upshaw did a very nice job in coverage on a couple instances. He recognized a swing pass on one play, and would have had a tackle for loss, drawing praise from Linebackers Coach Ted Monachino. He also had a tipped pass that was picked off.

Guard/tackle Kelechi Osemele is massive. He looks like a bigger version of Michael Oher. He’s got active feet and looks very athletic for his 6-foot-5, 333-pound frame. He looks like he can maul people at guard.

It’s easy to see why Eric DeCosta called Courtney Upshaw a “junkyard dog.” He’s built like defensive end Pernell McPhee, but Upshaw is up moving around at different positions. It makes sense considering Upshaw is just an inch shorter and eight pounds lighter than McPhee.

Cornerback Asa Jackson has moxie. He plays with confidence and combines it with major speed and quickness out of his breaks. He broke on a couple balls that could have been interceptions.

Video

Upshaw

Osemele

Pierce

Streeter

**arnie_uk** · 05-11-2012, 06:21 PM

couple notable ones i think are worth quoting

"Wide receiver Tommy Streeter is more physically defined than expected. Maybe he’s been hitting the weight room this spring.
Streeter can pluck the ball away from his frame. He had a few impressive catches both behind his body, low and high. He hasn’t grabbed any deep bombs yet."

"Rookie free agent kicker Justin Tucker hit a 55-yard field goal to end practice. The other rookies applauded him."

**ActualSpamBot** · 05-11-2012, 07:33 PM

Wow... Streeter looks ripped in his arms but still pretty bean pole-y in his torso and legs. He's not exactly quick looking, but not a lot of long striders like him are. I imagine he'll be able to generate most of his separation at the top of the route rather than in the breaks. If I were to compare him to another NFL player (based off what I saw at Miaimi) I would say that his ceiling is Plaxico Burress. They've got similar frames, and a similar running style. How this kid fell to the 6th with his measurables is still beyond me.

Pierce is hard to get a read on, not through any fault of his own, it's just this practice has little to nothing to do with running backs. Physcially he looks lighter than 225, but that might be the 6'2 talking. I'm hopeful he can produce for us this year because if he puts up 450 rushing and 150 receiving on 125 or so touches, then Ray Rice will have to think LONG and HARD about turning down our offer.

Osemele looks like we shaved a grizzly bear and threw pads on it. I like that he's already working on pulling because if he can get it down then we could have a BRUTAL run game on traps where Leech leads Ray Rice behind KO, Yanda, and Oher on the right side. I like how he naturally throws his ass into his blocks. I think he might be considered the best draft pick in our class when this is all said and done. Dude has the potential to absolutely dominate at LG.

Not much to see in the Upshaw clip. Dude looks country fed and country strong. Looks like they're doing some first step drills, probably to improve his initial quickness and get him the advantage in the eventual hand fighting. To me, watching him at Bama I don't see a Terrell Suggs type of guy, but I do see a potentially dominate pass rusher because of his strength and ability to win hand fights. It's hard to keep two hands on this kid and that means he usually can rip inside or swim outside. I'm just glad Pitt didn't get him because I think he might be a future pro bowl regular.

**leachisabeast** · 05-11-2012, 07:46 PM

Pretty much agree with Spambot here.

Courtney Upshaw is big man, he seriously has a frame of a small 5 tech DE, he isn't going to be a speed rusher, but he is going to bull rush smaller left tackles back into the QB. Of course his main strength will be against the run, I wonder if he could be a 4-3 LB when we go into the nickle. I doubt it right now.

Kelechi Osmele is a giant, and having him start opposite Yanda is going to make our line very physical and dominant in the run game, almost makes you wonder if we should go back to a full power blocking scheme.

Bernard Pierce looks big and lean, has similar sort of frame to Arian Foster/Matt Forte. Can't really judge on his actual drills here.

Gino Gradkowski needs to bulk up.

Didn't see Christian Thompson in this.

Asa Jackson looked good in the few drills I seen in the videos.

Tommy Streeter looks a lot more muscular than I originally thought, he has been working out with with Ray Lewis.

**Irish Raven** · 05-11-2012, 07:54 PM

KO is huuuuuuuuuge
I pity the defensive lineman who has to face him.

He is built like a truck

Can't wait to see him in pre-season

I understand there is a lot of pressure on Upshaw with Suggs out and it's not entirely fair on him. This wasn't expected

But for now I'm picking KO as the rookie with the biggest impact next season

**NOLARavenFAN** · 05-11-2012, 10:32 PM

Streeter looked very sharp coming out of the cuts.....but I agree about the Osmele. Upshaw looks like a scrapper....

**CRZA938** · 05-11-2012, 10:33 PM

KO looks powerful. Streeter's routes didn't look as bad as I've heard they are..

**TheJoeFlaccoShow** · 05-11-2012, 11:10 PM

I have to say when I saw "KO" (as I guess we are calling him) for the first time I was like holy shit. Was watching NFLN and they showed tape of him running the 40 and I was shocked to see how put together he was at 335lbs. There wasn't an ounce of fat shaking on him as he ran, he was solid as a rock.

Grizzly bear with pads is a very good description!! Dude is a fcking house.

**Paintballguy** · 05-12-2012, 12:48 AM

KO will be starting at left guard. Rack it

**AirFlacco** · 05-12-2012, 12:51 AM

That's great news about Upshaw. Dropping back in coverage was supposed to be his
main weakness, same with Hightower but both are maulers when knocking down
RBs and QBs.

This is gonna be another steal for Ozzie along with Streeter and maybe even Pierce.

**AirFlacco** · 05-12-2012, 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by CRZA938

KO looks powerful. Streeter's routes didn't look as bad as I've heard they are..

I keep reading that Streeter's probs was the Miami's QB. He had trouble picking up
defenses and all kinds of shit. It wasn't Streeter who is raw. He would have been
a 3rd or 2d round pick next year had he gone back. I think he only played 1 full
year.

His hi light films show him running past the entire Ds vs NC and W VA and a few
others. Nobody was within 30 yds. He looked tough in the red zone too.

He has 4.4 or 5 speed too. Once teamed up with Torrey and with experience this
will be the most dynamic duo in the league but it will take some time because
Streeter is so raw.

I'm not sure if he sees action this year ala Doss last year.