Ravens DT's in 2008 (1 Viewer)

[J-Rock]

Sack: 3 points (1.5 per half-sack)

Tackle: 1 point

Assisted Tackle: .5 points

Interceptions: 3 points

Forced Fumble: 3 points

Fumble Recoveries: 3 points

Safety: 2 points

Pass Defense: 1 point

Kelly Gregg was the 20th ranked D lineman in my league last season He had 80 tackles in 07, up from an average of about 60 over the previous 3 seasons. With Ngata going into his 3rd season I'm a little concerned about him stealing stats from Gregg.

Any insight on how the Ravens use these 2 DTs? I know they use multiple fronts but who tends to be on the field more and in what situations?

Is Gregg worth keeping on my roster for 2008 as a 2-3 DL?

Thoughts?

 

[Drop]

Gregg plays mainly 0 technique and lines up directly over the center. He's responsible for 2 gaps. He's a former wrestler and has a good motor.

I would expect Gregg's numbers to return to around what they were prior to last season mainly because the Ravens will be a better team and that defense will spend less time on the field. If the defense can take away the run and make teams 1 dimensional Gregg really won't have the fantasy impact that he would when teams get a lead and run the clock and play field position. When that defense is healthy they get off the field, so if the offense is able to sustain some balanced drives it will probably mean less overall snaps coupled with more passing situations where Gregg won't show up in the box score as much.

 

[J-Rock]

Thanks for the feedback.

I agree that their defense will probably be better this year and that they will be able to get off the field more quickly. Having said that, I'm concerned that their offense will struggle to make first downs (no QB) and will put the D back on the field quickly.

It sounds like you believe Gregg's inflated numbers last season had more to do with situation than scheme. I'm not convinced that the Ravens Defense will spend any less time onthe field this season than they did last season.

 

[Drop]

I think it had a lot to do with situation. Gregg controls the A gaps. So if teams are running there they must be having some success or they are using clock. If they are using clock it's because they know the Ravens can't score and will glady play it safe and punt and play the field postion game. If they are having success eating up yards with inside runs there is no need to shy away from that. If that's the case the Ravens really want to stop that and the front 7 can be much more aggressive with a healthy McAllister and Rolle behind them, instead of Corey Ivy.

Gregg puts up good numbers because he plays with a good motor, but realistically there are too many other really good players with great range on that defense who are going to beat him to the ball the vast majority of the time it's run away from his gap assignments. The situation of the team last year really put the defensive out on the field a lot and they didn't have all their weapons to dictate the play calling the offense had to use. The scheme is not designed for Gregg to get 80 tackles, it's designed to discourage the run and get 3rd down passing situations where they can aggressively rush by brining in guys like Antwan Barnes and moving Suggs around a bit and let Ed Reed read the QB and make plays. Rolle and McAllister afford them a lot of security in those situations as well because they can cover.

I know they have offensive issues as well, but they got Gaither and Yanda some experience last season that should pay off as they continue to develop on the OL. I don't know if they are ready to face the fronts they will see from the NFC East this season, not to mention Pitt's zone blitz and Cleveland's Big Baby. I feel that offensive line is their big question, because if it's not cohesive no QB will be successful for them. It's tough to predict how their line will shape up at this point.

After the draft things will be a little more clear. I don't think they should take a QB first, because they still have enough talent in place to make a playoff run if they get players in the draft who can help right now.