The BR.com Explanation for Correa

[bmorecareful]

I see no reason whatsoever to play Bowser at either ILB spot. He's an OLB. Play him at the LOS, probably mostly in a 2 point stance, hand in the dirt on 3rd and long. He's going to be a great player for us on the edge.

I wouldn't make too much of guys lining up in different spots in minicamp, that's the time to play around with things and let guys get different perspectives. If he lines up at WILL once training camp opens, I'll go ballistic.

The Ravens have had a terrible "square peg in round hole" problem with player positions for many years. I hope it doesn't happen again and I don't think it will.

As an aside, there does seem to be a bit of a logjam at LOLB/SAM. I believe Bowser will win the job, but Tim Williams could be in the mix for his pass rushing ability, the sky is the limit for Matt Judon, and Z Smith wasn't good last year but impressed as a rookie. How do you deal with that?

My guess is that Bowser wins the "starting" SAM spot for early downs, but Tim Williams might rotate in for pass rushing--a la Upshaw and Dumervil in 2014. I personally see Matt Judon as Suggs' heir apparent at RUSH, only question is will he get on the field for meaningful snaps this year? If he comes on in relief of Suggs at times, we might be able to move on from Sizzle in 2018.

Not something I'm excited to see happen, but Father Time is undefeated.

[bmorecareful]

I think Courtney Upshaw was around 270 pounds and Jarrett Johnson was listed at 260 pounds when he was playing for The Ravens. A guy like Judon who's 270 pounds but may be lighter this year can definitely play at the sam linebacker position especially if they athletic enough.

I don't see it, not as an ideal fit at least. There is a reason Upshaw was never more than a part-time player, he could waddle over to his zone but no more than that. Jarrett Johnson does not get anywhere near enough credit for his athletic ability and football IQ as a pass defender, but even he mostly just played short zones.

SAM backers are getting lighter and more athletic. I like Bowser at the position, he has the power to win at the point of attack and the athleticism to cover. He is an absolutely natural SAM, that is where he should play.

I see Judon much more as a RUSH. It's not just about height/weight, he has speed and power, but not that flexibility you need to open up and drop into coverage. I definitely see him as a good edge setter from the weak side, I just don't want him dropping into coverage, something I think Bowser (and even Williams) can do better.

What does the future hold for Z Smith? He looked like a possible Suggs successor 2 years ago, but he did nothing last year, Judon looked much better.

[AmishlandRavenFan]

The last thing I want to see this year is McClellan rushing the QB or dropping into coverage. I also do not want to see Judon and Za in coverage exception on very rare occasions.

I hope Smooth isn't reading this. He's the leader of the MWO. He loves watching "The Specialist" run into the line of scrimmage.

[BlackBeak]

I'm starting to think when they get crazy over a players "versatility" they are going to fuck it up.

I just think they take the long view and we fans take the short view as in a rookie should be ready to be a starter week one and if not the coaches fucked up.

Correa looks versatile. It's amazing how many people on this board go "why have this versatility, Pees will never use it. Fucking false and provably false. Pees is no different than any other defensive coordinator. He'd love to have a who shit ton of guys that can show whatever at the snap and then do something else. It would create chaos for the offense and incredible defensive victories, and the d-coordinator would look much smarter than he is. Shit, have a cornerback come in and hold an edge (done that) have an OLB play NT (Upshaw did it frequently) Have a WILL and MIKE stunt while the EDGE drops in coverage (a basic tactic, really) your 3/5 technique bend an edge (one reason I'm high on Kaufusi cause he can do it and do it well). Have your FS play MIKE (not uncommon at all) But all of this depends on the player having the versatility to do it, and that means being trustworthy to handle not only their position but the switch position. In other words, they don't just run a simple set of instructions, they have to react the right way based on what the offense is doing, so if they switch into an MLB spot he has to know the MLB reads and react properly and win at the point of attack if the scheme fails (which happens sometime because of nothing other than bad luck)

Versatility is extremely important but versatile rookies are virtually non-existent because for the most part they are not going to learn two positions in the two-week training camp and few three day mini-camp sessions - not at NFL game speed level.

This is why patience is important. WILL and SAM are two positions that have as many touch points as anywhere on defense.

[srobert96]

I think Courtney Upshaw was around 270 pounds and Jarrett Johnson was listed at 260 pounds when he was playing for The Ravens. A guy like Judon who's 270 pounds but may be lighter this year can definitely play at the sam linebacker position especially if they athletic enough.

I know that the Ravens have used McPHee and Upshaw in the role. That is not ideal in the NFL. The SAM role needs to be athletic. and have the ability to effective when they drop into coverage. Upshaw was not effective. Judon needs to be groomed as heir apparent to Suggs. Suggs also needs to play fewer snaps this year. If Bowser was not on the roster I think they should look at Judon and Za smith. Bowser was drafted to be SAM and has everything you would want physically. Team needs to not over think this and I don't think they will. May be you have him a rotation with McClellan and Tim Williams if he needs some time to adjust. Don't stall Bowser and Judon's by putting Judon at SAM. Judon needs to focus on being the next rush LB.

[JimZipCode]

Jarrett Johnson does not get anywhere near enough credit for his athletic ability and football IQ

Jarrett Johnson was a great football player. Didn't have quite the athletic talent to ever be a Pro Bowler; but he was very capable and reliable. Extremely solid.

I used to watch all those sideline videos that Ravens.com would post of gameday. On the defensive ones, I noticed that Ray Lewis was ALWAYS talking, either motivating himself or yelling at someone else, or something. He always had something to say. If a defender tried to answer him, even Suggs and definitely the other defenders, Ray would just talk right over them.

EXCEPT. There were two Ravens defenders who, if they spoke, Ray would shut up and listen. He would let them speak, not talk over them. One was Ed Reed. The other was Jarrett Johnson. Very interesting.

[Ravenswintitle]

I don't see it, not as an ideal fit at least. There is a reason Upshaw was never more than a part-time player, he could waddle over to his zone but no more than that. Jarrett Johnson does not get anywhere near enough credit for his athletic ability and football IQ as a pass defender, but even he mostly just played short zones.

SAM backers are getting lighter and more athletic. I like Bowser at the position, he has the power to win at the point of attack and the athleticism to cover. He is an absolutely natural SAM, that is where he should play.

I see Judon much more as a RUSH. It's not just about height/weight, he has speed and power, but not that flexibility you need to open up and drop into coverage. I definitely see him as a good edge setter from the weak side, I just don't want him dropping into coverage, something I think Bowser (and even Williams) can do better.

What does the future hold for Z Smith? He looked like a possible Suggs successor 2 years ago, but he did nothing last year, Judon looked much better.

Good analysis and I agree, the SAM is not only getting lighter, it's somewhat of a dying position as nickle is the base and dime is more prevalent. The SAM in many cases is a safety

[Rygar64]

I just think they take the long view and we fans take the short view as in a rookie should be ready to be a starter week one and if not the coaches fucked up.

Correa looks versatile. It's amazing how many people on this board go "why have this versatility, Pees will never use it. Fucking false and provably false. Pees is no different than any other defensive coordinator. He'd love to have a who shit ton of guys that can show whatever at the snap and then do something else. It would create chaos for the offense and incredible defensive victories, and the d-coordinator would look much smarter than he is. Shit, have a cornerback come in and hold an edge (done that) have an OLB play NT (Upshaw did it frequently) Have a WILL and MIKE stunt while the EDGE drops in coverage (a basic tactic, really) your 3/5 technique bend an edge (one reason I'm high on Kaufusi cause he can do it and do it well). Have your FS play MIKE (not uncommon at all) But all of this depends on the player having the versatility to do it, and that means being trustworthy to handle not only their position but the switch position. In other words, they don't just run a simple set of instructions, they have to react the right way based on what the offense is doing, so if they switch into an MLB spot he has to know the MLB reads and react properly and win at the point of attack if the scheme fails (which happens sometime because of nothing other than bad luck)

Versatility is extremely important but versatile rookies are virtually non-existent because for the most part they are not going to learn two positions in the two-week training camp and few three day mini-camp sessions - not at NFL game speed level.

This is why patience is important. WILL and SAM are two positions that have as many touch points as anywhere on defense.

The bolded part above is what I believe as well. The Ravens have taken a long view at building and stocking the defense going forward and they can see where they are trying to go, even if the fans can't. The truth is we have no idea if it's going to work in the long run, but I am optimistic that it will. It's also true that without immediate results, fans will pound the table that they are right and the team is clueless and it's very difficult to argue a counter-point. I'm sure if this year and next year Correa and other young players that have been moved around start to contribute, a large contingent of fans will say it's just dumb luck.

[Jsmoove]

I just think they take the long view and we fans take the short view as in a rookie should be ready to be a starter week one and if not the coaches fucked up.

Correa looks versatile. It's amazing how many people on this board go "why have this versatility, Pees will never use it. Fucking false and provably false. Pees is no different than any other defensive coordinator. He'd love to have a who shit ton of guys that can show whatever at the snap and then do something else. It would create chaos for the offense and incredible defensive victories, and the d-coordinator would look much smarter than he is. Shit, have a cornerback come in and hold an edge (done that) have an OLB play NT (Upshaw did it frequently) Have a WILL and MIKE stunt while the EDGE drops in coverage (a basic tactic, really) your 3/5 technique bend an edge (one reason I'm high on Kaufusi cause he can do it and do it well). Have your FS play MIKE (not uncommon at all) But all of this depends on the player having the versatility to do it, and that means being trustworthy to handle not only their position but the switch position. In other words, they don't just run a simple set of instructions, they have to react the right way based on what the offense is doing, so if they switch into an MLB spot he has to know the MLB reads and react properly and win at the point of attack if the scheme fails (which happens sometime because of nothing other than bad luck)

Versatility is extremely important but versatile rookies are virtually non-existent because for the most part they are not going to learn two positions in the two-week training camp and few three day mini-camp sessions - not at NFL game speed level.

This is why patience is important. WILL and SAM are two positions that have as many touch points as anywhere on defense.

you have more faith in this coaching staff than I do when it comes players development, they have done some decent work with some players and others they have gotten too cute with the player, then again some of those players were just not that good either, because we've seen them go to other teams and not do a thing.

[Corey]

Reminds me of Arthur Brown. Great physical talent, a stat machine in college, just not enough between the ears to succeed as a pro. I think Correa will turn out better, though.

I also think that the fact that there is a chunk of the offseason where players and coaches are really not supposed to have contact hurts those guys even more. Some guys need that extra time to work with their coaches. As an educator of 12 years, I can tell you that everyone learns at a different pace. Having more offseason time may help some "smaller" school prospects like Art and Correa. Art was a superb athlete, he should have been better and if the playbook was the only thing standing in way.... that is a damn shame.

[WrongBaldy]

you have more faith in this coaching staff than I do when it comes players development, they have done some decent work with some players and others they have gotten too cute with the player, then again some of those players were just not that good either, because we've seen them go to other teams and not do a thing.

[Rygar64]

you have more faith in this coaching staff than I do when it comes players development, they have done some decent work with some players and others they have gotten too cute with the player, then again some of those players were just not that good either, because we've seen them go to other teams and not do a thing.

I probably have more faith in the coaching staff than a lot of folks on the board too. The fact that we can agree that they've done a good job with some players and "gotten too cute" with others tells me it's the law of averaged playing out. IMO, they have simply been on a stretch of drafting players that were not that good the last few years. They've always drafted some every year, but the percentage has been higher for a while now. If the staff can churn out the likes of Brandon Williams, KO, Ricky Wagner and Zach Orr - it's hard for me to get behind the notion that they don't know what they are doing. Sometimes they get it wrong and I'm sure they have failed at some points to give guys the right coaching...but sometimes, players just suck at the NFL level. It really is that simple, college prowess be damned.