Picturing the Ravens D with 2nd Round additions Kindle and Cody

After trading out of the 1st round of the 2010 NFL Draft last night, the Baltimore Ravens made a pair of 2nd-round additions to their defense tonight.

With the 43rd overall-pick, Baltimore added Outside LB Sergio Kindle from Texas. With their 2nd pick in the 2nd-round (and 57th overall) the Ravens were able to add Alabama DT Terrence Cody. Considering some prognosticators had Baltimore selecting Cody with their original 1st-round pick, this had to considered a victory for the Front Office.

First some reviews on Kindle, and Cody, and then a look at the Defense as a whole.

Kindle:

Gil Brandt of NFL.com listed Kindle as his 2nd best player still on the board entering today.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d817b78c8&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

“Outstanding athlete who was named high school player of the year for both offense (as a running back) and defense, something that had never been done in modern history. He can rush the passer or drop into space. Was outstanding vs. Alabama in the BCS title game.”

National Football Post had Kindle as the 8th best OLB in the draft:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/front-office-total-access-stats.html&position=olb

“An explosive athlete off the edge who displays the initial burst to get on top of tackles quickly and consistently threaten the corner, Kindle showcases good closing speed toward the ball and breaks down surprisingly well for his size. He does a nice job keeping pad level down when shooting gaps inside and has the lower body strength to drive his way into the backfield. He exhibits a good initial pop on contact and has the power to create a push as a bull-rusher. But he doesn’t display great change-of-direction skills or lateral mobility off his outside rush and struggles to disengage on contact. Kindle doesn’t use his hands well enough when an opposing tackle gets into his body, and he struggles to shed. He has a tendency to get too upright at the point of attack and isn’t much of a factor when his initial move is stalled. He looks more like a 3-4 OLB than a nickel rusher, but is more of a one trick pony at this stage.”

Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly stated:

http://www.profootballweekly.com/2010/04/23/pick-by-pick-analysis-round-two

“GM Ozzie Newsome is one of the best in the NFL at recognizing value, especially as it relates to trusting his doctors, and if Kindle stays healthy, he could be a double-digit sack producer in the mold of Peter Boulware. Kindle is a first-round talent who slid out of the first round largely because of concerns about his knee, intelligence and character — three red flags. But the Ravens know how to keep the game simple and have a track record of hitting on pass rushers. Kindle could be the next if he stays healthy. He is tough, physical and explosive and is well suited for the rush LB position.”

Cody:

Brandt on Cody:

“Wide-bodied player, most likely a two-down player. Has worked hard to lose weight — going from 370 at the end of the ’09 season to 346. Will be a very good run stopper.”

National Football Post ranked Cody as the 5th best DT:

“Cody showcases impressive bend for his size and has the ability to get under the pad level of opposing linemen. However, he doesn’t get off the ball well and lacks much of a first step. He possesses elite anchor strength on contact and is nearly impossible to move inside. Cody eats up blocks inside and does a great job keeping his linebackers clean. Obviously, he lacks ideal range when asked to reach the perimeter, but he moves well for his size and works hard in pursuit.

He’s a real two-gap player who possesses the body control and balance to work his way toward the block when engaged and close running lanes on either side. Cody lacks the ability to shed blocks inside, but he knows how to close gaps and work his way toward the ball, even against the double team.”

Defensive Line: Gregg, Ngata, Pryce, Cody, Talavou, Redding, McKinney, Divens

Snap-judgement:
Even if Cody’s conditioning does not allow him to be an every-down Tackle, he is litterally a huge addition. Gregg also can not play every down either, but he can help. When Ngata and Cody line-up together, they will dominate the point of attack. Everyone says Cody has zero pass-rushing ability, but if you double-team either Cody, or Ngata that is going to allow the other to collapse the pocker.

Linebacker: Johnson, Lewis, Gooden, Suggs, Kindle, Barnes, McClain, Ellerbe, Kruger, Ayanbadejo, Phillips,

Snap-judgement:
Clearly the Ravens believed Kindle represented too much talent to pass-up. Also, an improved pass-rush will always benefit the Secondary. Still, the selection of Kindle has to be some repudiation of Kruger (and to a lesser extent Barnes).

As good as Ayanbadejo has been on Special Teams in his career, I have a hard time seeing him make the roster.

I know the Ravens liked Phillips, will be interesting to see him after his injury.

If Ngata, and Cody are collapsing the pocket from the interior, the Ravens pass rush could be scary again. Picture passing downs with Suggs with his hand in the dirt, Kruger or Kindle lined up behind him, with the the other coming from the opposite edge.

Secondary: Foxworth, Webb, Washington, Carr, Gerard, Williams,Reed, Landry, Zbikowski, Nakamura,

Snap-judgement:
As Baltimore did not use one of their first three 2010 picks on a CB, that shows they have confidence in the return of both Webb, and Washington. With those two, and Foxworth you have 3 solid CB’s. Webb showed potential shut-down ability prior to his injury. Carr certainly looked better later in the year, when forced to action.

I am assuming that Landry will be back, but have not heard his recent status (was a Restricted Free Agent). If the Ravens do not feel good about Nakamura’s rehab, perhaps they actively target another Safety for depth with Zbikowski.

My opinions on Reed have not changed. He is obviously the key to the Secondary and maybe the Defense, and Team as a whole. Signed for the next several seasons, there is no issue there. The only question is his health, and if he has the desire to return.

The fact that he sought out a second-opinion on his hip, shows that a) He was concerned, and b) Still wants to play. If you were ready to shut it down and retire, he would not have been seeking additional opinions. I think he clearly received good news with the second-opinion, and I think he will return.