Mike friggin' Smith

**FadeToBlack** · 08-26-2006, 10:37 AM

Who ever would have thought this guy would be so effective? Once again he blasts in unblocked and crushes somebody in the backfield. Is he just getting lucky or is this guy just a stud?

On a side note, I hated the Ngata pick on draft day, and I'm hating it even miore now.

**Ravenatic20** · 08-26-2006, 10:45 AM

Ngata will be fine.

It's good to know we have someone to step up at MLB, if Ray were to go down.

**StingerNLG** · 08-26-2006, 10:48 AM

Mike Smith is a beast. He's playing like he's going to be the starting MLB this year! Are we looking at the future of our linebacker position with Scott, Smith, Cody?

**Mobtown** · 08-26-2006, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by FadeToBlack

On a side note, I hated the Ngata pick on draft day, and I'm hating it even miore now.

I actually was watching Ngata pretty close last night and he was pumeling his counter parts. He was in on several tackles and over all I thought he had decent explosiveness off the line. Maybe even too much explosiveness. It almost appeared as though he was over-compensating for the critisims he received this week and was forgetting about the rest of the play. Also, I think it's a little silly to expect that the guy is going to be making sacks after less than 3 quarters of football. He was effective last night and he will continue to grow.

As my own side note...does anyone else think that Smith is looking better than Ray in the middle?

**FadeToBlack** · 08-26-2006, 11:22 AM

Better than Ray? I'll wait on that one. Yes, I like the fact he's younger and busting through the line and crushing dudes in the backfield, but what would Ray do in the same situation? Also, while it is impressive Smith can time the QB's cadence, can he shed and tackle and can he cover like Ray? I hate to compare Smith to Nate Bolling but remember this is preseason.

As for Ngata, I don't expect sacks, I just expect him to go forward and control his man. It wasn't happening.

**Mobtown** · 08-26-2006, 11:27 AM

Better than Ray? I'll wait on that one. Yes, I like the fact he's younger and busting through the line and crushing dudes in the backfield, but what would Ray do in the same situation? Also, while it is impressive Smith can time the QB's cadence, can he shed and tackle and can he cover like Ray? I hate to compare Smith to Nate Bolling but remember this is preseason.

Oh, I am not saying that Mike should get Ray's job, but he certainly has been a bigger factor in the D than Ray so far. As for Ray's coverage ability...well, lets just say that I will reserve judgement until the games count, but so far Ray has been getting beaten BADLY so far.

As for Ngata, I don't expect sacks, I just expect him to go forward and control his man. It wasn't happening.

I am not sure who you were watching, but Ngata was detroying his guy most of the night. Our run D was solid and CT was getting pounded at the line. On the other hand Brad Johnson was lighting our secondary up and I am very concerned by our DB play the last few weeks.

**RavensDomination** · 08-26-2006, 12:12 PM

Mike plays with Rays intensity without a doubt. And to think this guy almost didn't make the team last year.

**Art-Florida** · 08-26-2006, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by FadeToBlack

Who ever would have thought this guy would be so effective? Once again he blasts in unblocked and crushes somebody in the backfield. Is he just getting lucky or is this guy just a stud?

On a side note, I hated the Ngata pick on draft day, and I'm hating it even miore now.

Uh oh, watch out for the heresy commitee. You have cast aspersion on one of the gods.

Smith is a terror, no question about it, but it is premature to start comparing him to one of the top ten linebackers (in ability) of all time.

I'll agree though that he (Mike Smith) has had as much, or more, impact so far as any defensive player we have. Now...let's see if Mike has durability.

Ngata will look better and better as time goes by, watch and see.

**RavenTD** · 08-26-2006, 01:04 PM

Even though it was just preseason its nice to see Mike Smith has the right mindset to go all out and make a mark on this team for the future.

**Mobtown** · 08-26-2006, 01:22 PM

Smith is a terror, no question about it, but it is premature to start comparing him to one of the top ten linebackers (in ability) of all time.

I am sorry if I gave anyone the wrong impression. I am not suggesting that we bench Ray.

**Brandon** · 08-26-2006, 04:37 PM

I am not surprised by Mike Smith's play this preseason at all. I remember seeing him last season playing in the preseason and he was all over the place as well.

It's looking like he will be our starting MLB later on down the road.

**Derrick1** · 08-27-2006, 11:09 AM

I almost forgot about the starting defense. How many great runs did Chester get on that team??? 10 rushes for 27 yds! I like those stats. If you can't run on us, thats a start.

**Derrick1** · 08-27-2006, 11:09 AM

you just have to forget the score. there were positives to take from that blowout.

**Sports Steve** · 08-27-2006, 12:37 PM

This guy is one great player. I only wish we could find a place for him in the starting line up. What a player.

**Tspot-D-Ravenator** · 08-27-2006, 02:34 PM

The defense bent but it didn't break against the Vikings! You all have to remember that this was just a preseason game and the Viking have a very HUGE O-line. They were in front of their home crowd and lost to the Raiders the week prior to playing us.

..We stuffed the run and forced them to pass.

...A little like Superbowl XXXV

....I am not putting this defense in the same category, but it has a strange and peculiar feeling

**PurpleRulz** · 08-27-2006, 05:05 PM

I really like this kid.

The Lewises are a great part of our present and our history, but the SMITHS are our future.

I would give him another year, but Mike Smith has the potential to be a very good starter in this league. We could draft a MLB and pair him with Smith and have Bart on the outside. We just have a great eye for LB talent.

What could we have in a Ryan Lacasse, who may not make the team, but will be on STs.

**lance1086** · 08-27-2006, 05:31 PM

I am not sure who you were watching, but Ngata was detroying his guy most of the night. Our run D was solid and CT was getting pounded at the line.

I gotta agree with this. I don't know what plays gave you the idea that Haloti was very mediocre, but Ngata was definitely much improved over the Philly game last week. And I didn't see one play where he was moved out of a play. He was getting very solid penetration as well. On the play that Samari missed the tackle (and ripped the WR's helmet off), Ngata was double-teamed; and he bulldozed & battered his way through them, toward the QB. And as mob said, CT had nothing at all going for him up the middle, or basically anywhere for that matter.

Ngata definitely still has lots of room for improvement, but the jump from the Eagles game to the Minn game, was rather substantial IMO.

Sorta unrelated, but I've been real impressed with Trevor Pryce on the DLine. He's been a monster on passing downs, causing havoc & having his way with Olinemen. The numbers haven't reflected at all, how well he's played so far.

**PurpleRulz** · 08-27-2006, 06:48 PM

Ngata played very well on Friday. He rebounded from his debut performance.

I can remember that Ken Williams was not that effective at DT during his rookie season, and now he is very good.

Expectations for Ngata should be just to take on the double-team and keep Ray Lewis free. If he does that, he should the Ravens rookie of the year. In two to three years, Ngata will become that passrush DT that we need.

Bottomline, while Kemo is looking good in Carolina, it took him four years to get there while Ngata is already there.

**ravensfan86** · 08-27-2006, 10:50 PM

I set the bar pretty high on Ngata and since I have re-grouped. Mainly from TC. He was camped in the backfield on virtually every snap. The Redskins scrimmage, he did the same. But after getting hurt, abd then going up against a stoud oline in the iggles was a humbling back to earth journey for him. I still think we have a potential stud at DT and it also allows Gregg to play his natural nose positin where he is very disruptive.