Future Focus- Josh Brent

[Future]

He needs to develop more pass-rush moves instead of just trying to push the pocket.

No no no no no. Push the pocket is EXACTLY what he needs to do. Let Ware and Spencer rush the edges and Ratliff do his thing. We need somebody to push the pocket so that there is nowhere for a QB to step up.

 

[perrykemp]

No no no no no. Push the pocket is EXACTLY what he needs to do. Let Ware and Spencer rush the edges and Ratliff do his thing. We need somebody to push the pocket so that there is nowhere for a QB to step up.

This. A 3-4 NT's main job is the push the pocket and occupy 2-3 OL. When I see Woolfork and Raji out there I often the center and BOTH guards blocking those two monsters.

It creates one-on-one blocking for all your pass rushers.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

And, don't forget that he was asked by Wade and crew to LOSE weight to get to the 315 he is now (to play the 1-Gap scheme). This kid had 325+ written all over him.

Oh yeah you're right! I think he'll play around 325-330.

 

[JeffInDC]

This. A 3-4 NT's main job is the push the pocket and occupy 2-3 OL. When I see Woolfork and Raji out there I often the center and BOTH guards blocking those two monsters.

It creates one-on-one blocking for all your pass rushers.

This +1.

 

[burmafrd]

unless you shift to a four man line for pass rush, a 3-4 DE lines up between the tackle and guard. So you can get rush from inside; a top NT will push the center right back and prevent the QB from stepping up in the pocket, making him much more vulnerable to the outside rush. As long as pressure of some kind is preventing the pocket from forming, the qb is very vulnerable to any kind of rush.

 

[TheCount]

Because their might be 4-5 of them on the entire planet.

I disagree, I think there are actually quite a few that fit the bill and new ones crop up as more teams switch. No one would have brought up a guy like Ahtyba Rubin a year before.

Brent has a chance to be our NT of the future if you ask me, He used to weigh more than the 315 we see listed now, he weighed in at 320 at his pro day and I bet he lost weight for that. I think he could get to 330 pretty easily, but it's not just about what he weighs.

 

[Big Country]

I would still love to see Haloti Ngata or hell even Casey Hampton wearing the star next year

 

[JeffInDC]

I would still love to see Haloti Ngata or hell even Casey Hampton wearing the star next year

We can all dream...............................

 

[CowboysPhan]

We picked him in the Supplemental draft using a 7th round pick from this years draft, we got that pick back for Patrick Crayton

Thanks! I remember now. Darned Alzheimers.

 

[burmafrd]

We can all dream...............................

The ravens will do whatever it takes to keep Ngata

 

[The Realist]

I disagree, I think there are actually quite a few that fit the bill and new ones crop up as more teams switch. No one would have brought up a guy like Ahtyba Rubin a year before.

Brent has a chance to be our NT of the future if you ask me, He used to weigh more than the 315 we see listed now, he weighed in at 320 at his pro day and I bet he lost weight for that. I think he could get to 330 pretty easily, but it's not just about what he weighs.

There are 4-5 elite 3-4 NT's on the planet. Period, end of story.

 

[aikemirv]

The ravens will do whatever it takes to keep Ngata

And I think he would want to stay there. Who wouldn't want to be a Defensive player on that team. I see us going big at NT also and I think Ryan will convince Ratliff to move to DE and enjoy it. Ratliff, one on one wreaks havoc - why he would not want to be a DE - I don't understand. Put him on Ware's side and that would be tuff to stop!

Resign Spears on the other side and Bowen and let Igor go and draft another big NT to back up Brent.

Some people say Ratliff is not going to DE but Ellis did not want to play OLB either.

 

[TheCount]

There are 4-5 elite 3-4 NT's on the planet. Period, end of story.

Whatever that means.

He didn't say elite, he said run stuffing.

 

[The Realist]

Whatever that means.

He didn't say elite, he said run stuffing.

Oh yeah. Every team has 6 or 7 of those.

 

[cowboyschmps3]

Either We Get Shaun Rogers Or Brent Is Our Nose And Rat Moves To End....

 

[TheCount]

Oh yeah. Every team has 6 or 7 of those.

You must be a lot of fun to talk to at a party.

 

[CoCo]

I love how people forget the season once its over.

Ratliff got pushed around this year at nose tackle. We couldn't stop the run to save our lives because the defensive line couldn't contain anything.

4.3 yards per attempt allowed... 18th in the nfl...

32 teams means middle of the road is probably 11th to 21st. So I wouldn't quite call that "can't save our lives" territory. Its also overly simplistic to suggest that is/was all because of Rat. It also throws out completely the quality defense we had during 2009 when Rat once again was our NT.

So yes I think its a bit oversimplistic to insist our run-stopping ability will be hoorible until Rat moves to DE.

On a related note, I love the potential of Josh Brent. What position and just how good he'll end up remains to be seen.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I think its wishful thinking expecting for this organization to move a player to another a position right after he just made the Pro Bowl at a different position. Whether its the right move or not I don't expect Ratliff to change position. If it happens than their truly is a new sheriff in town. But I don't see Jerry letting this happen. And personally i'm not sure if it should.

 

[21Savage]

I think its wishful thinking expecting for this organization to move a player to another a position right after he just made the Pro Bowl at a different position. Whether its the right move or not I don't expect Ratliff to change position. If it happens than their truly is a new sheriff in town. But I don't see Jerry letting this happen. And personally i'm not sure if it should.

It's a 3-4 DL position. The Pats and Ravens have done and continue to do the same thing with Ngata and Wilfork after they played in probowls at NT. They play multiple positions during a single game as well. I believe Rat possesses that kind of versatility as well