Who steps in for #57

[Sua Sponte]

With Bart Scott leaving for the Ravens North (a.k.a JETS), who will fill the void. Speculated that Tarvess Gooden out of "U" know.

Is he the best fit? There should be a lot of competition this off-season between Gooden, McClain, and Barnes or maybe even maniac Ayanbadejo.

Who will it be? Or do we grab a LB early in the draft as mentioned. Either way Ray is near the end and they need to get or develop a great LB to play next to Ray and suck the knowledge and skill from Ray for the next 2-3 years.

O'yeah and with all the controversy surrounded Ray this offseason about his age and ability to play. I hope that is fuel for the fire and Ray will use that to motivate and train for next year and ignite the field with more smash mouth football.

Gooden: 6'1 235 started 12 games while leading the team with a career-high 100 tackles (60 solo), including 3 TFL. (2007)

McClain 6'1 250 170 tackles (82 solo), 21.5 TFL, 11.5 sacks, 3 FRs, 1 FF and 1 INT in his 4-year career at Syracuse

Barnes 6'1 245


Terminated the contract (vested veteran) of LB Nick Greisen.

[Jeremiah W]

I think it will be 3 guys that replace him, and they will do better collectivly than he did doing it all. He spent a lot of time just blowing up FBs. Maybe if we have Barnes or McClain do that on run downs, and have Gooden cover backs and TEs with fresh legs, less TEs and RBs get open on 3rd down.

Ray is still the only inside linbacker the Ravens have drafted in the 1st. They get too many solid players late in the draft to take just some 1st round guy to replace Bart, who was undrafted.

[jonboy79]

Well, surprisingly, Greisen won't be given a shot. I wonder if that saves us money?
I would think that Gooden has the inside track, but that McLain, Barnes, Ayanbadejo, Burgess, McCune, Edgar Jones and perhaps a rookie will all see snaps on the inside in camp.

[Sua Sponte]

Scott was a good guy I hope he don't turn out like Sharper or Hartwell.

I don't see Oz taking a LB in the 1st but with Ray over the hill he might consider it.

I think Gooden will show up if he doesn't get hurt. I like McClain to, when he got his slim turns on the field he looked decent.

[Sua Sponte]

It's definently going to be competitive now that the slot is open.

[srobert96]

Gooden was 235 coming out of College. I would have to imagine he is at least 10 lbs bigger now. If he stays healthy he can be very very good.

[BArellano]

Well, surprisingly, Greisen won't be given a shot. I wonder if that saves us money?
I would think that Gooden has the inside track, but that McLain, Barnes, Ayanbadejo, Burgess, McCune, Edgar Jones and perhaps a rookie will all see snaps on the inside in camp.

What happened to Greisen? I must have missed that one.

I think that out of the young LBs that you named, I feel like 2 will become very solid starters for us. Hopefully taking the places of Ray and Bart long term. Most likely it will be between Gooden, Barnes and McClain, dismissing any need to draft a LB early this year or next.

[RavenScallywag]

Greisen was, for some unknown reason, released today. Which kind've shocks me, since I figured him a lock to backup Ray.

I think it will be a rotation of guys. Primarily, I would see Tavares, Jameel McClain, and Brendan Ayanbedejo step up. Barnes is more a strictly OLB type player. Prescott Burgess is also in the mix.

[Sua Sponte]

"Gooden was 235 coming out of College. I would have to imagine he is at least 10 lbs bigger now. If he stays healthy he can be very very good."

I beleive that was his rookie weight in from BR.com

[srobert96]

"Gooden was 235 coming out of College. I would have to imagine he is at least 10 lbs bigger now. If he stays healthy he can be very very good."

I beleive that was his rookie weight in from BR.com

I believe they are listing his training camp weight from last year. So it would be about the same as his combine weight. I would have to imagine from the start of training camp last year to the start of training camp this year he would add about 10lbs. 235 is too light to play LB in the NFL.

[RavenScallywag]

Well, surprisingly, Greisen won't be given a shot. I wonder if that saves us money?
I would think that Gooden has the inside track, but that McLain, Barnes, Ayanbadejo, Burgess, McCune, Edgar Jones and perhaps a rookie will all see snaps on the inside in camp.

McCune is out, I don't even think we're signing him to try out in camp this year.

Edgar Jones might be in the mix, but I think we fully convert him to TE.

[bmore4life]

i saw an interview with Mattison on BR.com and he spoke very highly of Gooden and said they fully expect him to be a key factor this year. i think he should be at the top of the list...

[52decleetzu]

The weights you see listed anywhere are completely useless for the most part.When a guy comes out of college,they throw a weight up on the roster pageand it is never changed.Its not like they keep "checking in" with the weight and keep it updated.

Gooden weighed in at 233 lbs a year ago and I guarantee he is around 240 right now just with general growth and working out.Here is a combine report from last year...




Analysis

Has a linear frame with room to carry at least another 10 pounds of bulk without having it impact his timed speed...Has a very well-defined body with a tight abdomen, broad shoulders, thick chest, good arm length, large hands and tapered thighs and calves...Has outstanding closing speed and burst and, while it does take him time to digest the plays (slower than one would like), he attacks with good strength, above-average range and good urgency, keeping his pads low while taking good angles in pursuit...Has the speed to make plays while in downhill pursuit and shows the ability to easily run with tight ends and halfbacks in the short area...Has the burst to close on the quarterback as a pass rusher, but must show better recognition skills, as he does hesitate and look slow trying to locate the ball on rare occasions that he penetrates the backfield...Aggressive player who will compete until the whistle, but must spend less time in the trainer's room (injuries impact his performance and he won't play hurt)...Has a quick first step to attack at the point, once he locates the ball (can be fooled by misdirection)...Plays low and fast, making him a force vs. the outside run, where he recovers quicker off blocks than when working inside...Needs to get more separation with his arm extension, but has enough pop on contact to shed and stack, when he stays low in his pads and uses his hands to protect himself from cut blocks...When he plays physically with his hands, he uses them well to maintain separation and shed...Has good strength to take on tight ends in attempts to reroute and to control the line of scrimmage (must use his hands and arm extension to be successful there, as he sometimes reverts to using his shoulders too much)...Shows explosion on contact to drag down ballcarriers and has the pursuit speed to generate a long chase (still runs through lanes behind the play)...When he takes good angles, he can sift through traffic better and generate a burst to close...Face-up tackler who delivers a blow on contact and hits with leverage and good wrap-up technique (needs to bring his legs with him better)...Shows the timed speed and quickness to run to landmarks in pass coverage and to get good depth in his drops (must work on tracking the ball in flight, as he fails to locate with his back to the QB)...Can flatten down the line as a pass rusher, using his hands well to get separation, but must generate better hip snap to deliver a sudden burst to close on the quarterback (strikes with leverage, but has had minimal chances to attack the backfield).


Gooden will replace Scott inside,thats been the plan all along.

I also think a 3rd or 4th rd ILB is almost a given now with the departure of Greisen.

[Andon]

were not going to draft one

[awalt]

No we are not going to draft an ILB this year unless a great opportunity presents itself, and even then they may trade down a few spots.

Ravens have Ray, Ayanbadejo, McClain and Gooden on the inside. How many guys do you need, and how does this depth compare to other positions? Pretty good.

This was a cap saving move given they have young guys who have shown promise and for whom it is time to step up.