Did we miss the boat on Ed Hartwell?

[Wimbo]

I was watching Playbook last night, and they did a spot on Ed joining the Falcons. I admit that I don't watch a lot of Ravens games, so I don't have a lot of first hand knowledge of the guy... but his highlight reel looked pretty awesome. He looked fast, instinctive, and he made some nasty hits. They talked about how he is a master of preperation, and brings a ton of knowledge and attitude to the Falcons LB corps. Solomon also pointed out that he has been coached by the best throughout his career.

I like Dat as much as anyone... but another ILB is needed if Parcells wants to consider the 3-4. Ed is young & on top of his game... seems like it would have been a good fit. Thoughts?

[Jarv]

The only game I saw him in was against us last year...And yes, he was impressive.

[Nors]

Bell and Hartwell commanded $8M AND $10M S/B


Pass - we can draft the next stud ILB if we want.

[Displaced Cowboy]

I thought we were missing out on him as we got deeper into free agency and he was still out there.

Didn't think the money was going to be there for him.

But it was, and a lot of it.

[Doomsday101]

Originally Posted by Wimbo

I was watching Playbook last night, and they did a spot on Ed joining the Falcons. I admit that I don't watch a lot of Ravens games, so I don't have a lot of first hand knowledge of the guy... but his highlight reel looked pretty awesome. He looked fast, instinctive, and he made some nasty hits. They talked about how he is a master of preperation, and brings a ton of knowledge and attitude to the Falcons LB corps. Solomon also pointed out that he has been coached by the best throughout his career.

I like Dat as much as anyone... but another ILB is needed if Parcells wants to consider the 3-4. Ed is young & on top of his game... seems like it would have been a good fit. Thoughts?

Just remember there are 31 other teams out there. I would have liked the pickup of Hartwell but it is not like we are the only team looking to add players. Dallas got out of the gates quickly this off-season and made some good addition but you can have it all.

[Hollywood Henderson]

He would have made a big impact here, but ILB is a spot where we should be able to develop a player or 2 at a lower cost...

One thing is sure, for us to become Doomsday again, zimmy WUSS will have to GO and we will need a real NFL sized "Mike" to replace tiny Dat/gnat the human speedbump!

[ghst187]

Yes, we missed the boat. He'd been an upgrade over Dat or would've provided more options, like giving us better ability to throw 3-4 sets out there. He was the best LB available IMO.

[Doomsday101]

Originally Posted by ghst187

Yes, we missed the boat. He'd been an upgrade over Dat or would've provided more options, like giving us better ability to throw 3-4 sets out there. He was the best LB available IMO.

His numbers are no better than Dat. Dat seems to take a lot of about his size but he still gets the job done and that is what they are paid for not how big you are.

[ghettogandhi]

Originally Posted by ghst187

Yes, we missed the boat. He'd been an upgrade over Dat or would've provided more options, like giving us better ability to throw 3-4 sets out there. He was the best LB available IMO.

if we intend to go 3-4 -yes we have completely missed the boat -

Hartwell has impressed me for 2 years now - he is a playmaker on a defense full of playmakers- how will he do without that great d around him- we ll find out- I would say at worst he will be good and at best he will be very good

Sidenote- Dat is not the player Ed is at this point in their careers

[LA=Pancakemaker]

Not only that ---the guy reminds me of a "Singleton" maybe not that bad, but way to much $$$$ for his ***!

[Portland Fanatic]

I think this year's stud ILB is Barrett Ruud...

[LA=Pancakemaker]

I think this year's stud ILB is Barrett Ruud...

Hes got the name.....hes sounds like a lb!

[Portland Fanatic]

Originally Posted by LA=Pancakemaker

Hes got the name.....hes sounds like a lb!

1006008 Prospect Profile Published by DefenseWinsGMEN Barrett Ruud

Position:
MLB

College:
Nebraska

Projected Selection:
Round3


MEASUREMENTS HEIGHT
WEIGHT
40 TIME
6'2"
240
4.65
ATTRIBUTE SCORE SIZE
SPEED
STRENGTH
ATHLETICISM
XFACTOR
8
7
8
8
7
out of 10
out of 10
out of 10
out of 10
out of 10
EXCHANGE VALUE
61.5 Pros: Has the size and speed you look for, and a fiery demeanor and great knowledge of the game to go with it. Has the ability to step in and start on opening day.
Cons: Doesn't have the raw talent of Crowder, but will be very good. Draft Exchange Analysis:
2004 Preseason First-Team All-American (Blue Ribbon) 2004 Preseason Honorable-Mention All-American (Street & Smith's) 2004 Preseason First-Team All-Big 12 (Athlon Sports, Lindy's, Street & Smith's) 2004 Preseason No. 1 ILB in Big 12 (Sporting News) 2004 Preseason No. 10 ILB in Nation (Lindy's) 2004 Preseason No. 12 ILB in Nation (Sporting News) 2003 Second-Team All-Big 12 (Associated Press, FW Star-Telegram, Dallas Morning News) 2003 Third-Team All-Big 12 (Coaches) Two-Time First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2002, 2003) 2003 Butkus Award Watch List 2003 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (Texas A&M) Nebraska Season Record for Tackles (149 in 2003) 2002 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches) 2001 Second-Team Freshman All-American (Sporting News) Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2002, 2003, 2004) 2002 Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Honor Roll

[InmanRoshi]

He's solid, but not the huge impact player some make him out to be. A bit overrated. The Ravens had plenty of cap space to resign him if they felt he was an impact player.

[CanadaBoys]

If we are going 3-4 than maybe we did a little.

I think were we really missed out was on the 2nd tier guys that were out there.

RFA's David Thornton, Akin Ayodele, and Will Witherspoon are still out there (though i don't know what the compensation would be).... We could have taken a chance on Warrick Holdman (though he neverwas the same after that leg injury)

and at MLB.. Rob Morris and Ronald McKinnon would be adequate to give us some experinced players to compete.