If the Ravens can't get Vontaze Burfict...

**PGCountyRaven85** · 01-23-2012, 08:15 AM

...would they go for Dontay Hightower instead?

**LukeDaniel** · 01-23-2012, 08:26 AM

My ideal draft situation would be to see Burflict or Konz drop to the end of the first round. I don't see either as likely though.

I think the Ravens could certainly do a lot worse than to bring back Jameel McClain for a few more years. He's still relatively young, but I think we have essentially seen his ceiling as a MLB. Jameel is certainly a decent player, but I think the Ravens need an impact player at that MLB position, and McClain is not that type of player. Burflict has the potential to be. Hightower does as well, but I think his ceiling is a bit lower, although so is his risk factor.

Dannell Ellerbe has lost my confidence. I'd rather give McClelland a shot heading into the future in the spots where we had previously used Ellerbe. He showed me enough this year to think he can be useful heading into the future.

Ayanbadejo can still play, and I'd like to see him return for another season or two, but he's clearly not the long term answer.

Watching Wilfork destroy Grubbs/Birk/Yanda yesterday makes me pine for a guy like Konz or Brewster all the more. Either of those guys can come in right away and start from day one.

**bmw600** · 01-23-2012, 08:29 AM

I think Kiper's latest mock draft had us taking Burfict.

**ravensinva** · 01-23-2012, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by bmw600

I think Kiper's latest mock draft had us taking Burfict.

Didn't Jimmy Smith dropped becasue people thought he was a "head case"? Let's hope the same happen to Burfict.

**RedSkins Fury** · 01-23-2012, 09:41 AM

God no..

Burfict is a disaster.

**52decleetzu** · 01-23-2012, 09:45 AM

I don't know much about him but I have seen pretty much everyone here or there say this guy is a complete nutcase with a short fuse that can blow at any time.

No thanks.

**zing!** · 01-23-2012, 09:48 AM

He's a ball of energy ready to explode..at all the wrong times. Wouldn't mind if he's drafted but who wants to deal with that head case lol?

**Jeremiah W** · 01-23-2012, 09:50 AM

I like Hightower a lot, he seems like he would fit right in. Burfict I have only seen in highlights, and he looks good there, but I do not like what I have heard about him.

A big strong C looked like our biggest need. I would also like to get a pass rushing DT.

**NC Raven** · 01-23-2012, 09:55 AM

In theory Hightower checks most of the boxes, but I don't know if he's going to have the quickness or be the playmaker we need. He's 6'4" and that may be good for coverage (height and wingspan make shorter passing windows) but don't know how it translates in the run game. Is he a sure tackler? Does he wrap up every time? That's what I'd want to know.

Burfict we'd have to be REALLY sure about. There's a limit on how many "head cases" one team can be expected to "straighten out" before things get toxic. It's all well and good that we go 12-4 and guys keep their craziness in check.

But if we get a key injury -- to Rice, Flacco, etc. -- and the team goes in the tank and we have a 6-10 or something like that, do those guys keep holding their water, or do the cracks appear? What you want is a team of guys who go out every week and work on executing every play, regardless of score or record. "Head case"guys have a way of not doing that once fortunes turn against their teams. It's all well and good when you're winning, but you have to hope that never changes.

**RedSkins Fury** · 01-23-2012, 09:57 AM

I watched 1 Az St. game after I had heard about Burfict. Not 2 minutes after I tuned in he got penalized for Persona Foul (after the play). Then they started talking about his issues. On the very next drive, he did it again. After that the coach benched him. No thanks.

**NCRAVEN** · 01-23-2012, 09:58 AM

I would take Burfict... in the second round. He's got top 10 talent, but he's a 3rd nut case.

**JAB1985** · 01-23-2012, 10:01 AM

Jimmys "problems" were when he was a freshman and they were off the field. Burficts are still happening and are on the field problems. As great as he could be i bet hes taken off or rated extremely low on their board.

I think Hightower and Upshaw are the guys being mentioned most. ILB are rarely taken in the first round and usually OLB are only take when theyre extreme pass rushers. Not sure what that means for these guys but i could easily see us having our choice of ILB at 29.

**PGCountyRaven85** · 01-23-2012, 10:04 AM

Even though he's got some issues, I think he'd fit in well in our locker room Sizzle another AZ State guy there to corral him in and take him under his wing.

**Jeremiah W** · 01-23-2012, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by NC Raven

In theory Hightower checks most of the boxes, but I don't know if he's going to have the quickness or be the playmaker we need. He's 6'4" and that may be good for coverage (height and wingspan make shorter passing windows) but don't know how it translates in the run game. Is he a sure tackler? Does he wrap up every time? That's what I'd want to know.
.

I have seen Bama play plenty of times over the last few years. Hightower is a flat out stud. He has very good speed and agility for his size, is as solid of a tackler as there is, and he looks like a DE when he blitzes. He is not perfect and he does play on an elite defense so all he has to do is his job, but he knows where to be and what to do when he ges there. He is also much more of a hit and wrap tackler than a shoulder launcher.

Upshaw is very likely gone in the top 15, maybe top 10.

**Iscull** · 01-23-2012, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by PGCountyRaven85

Even though he's got some issues, I think he'd fit in well in our locker room Sizzle another AZ State guy there to corral him in and take him under his wing.

Completely agree. He also really looks up to Ray Lewis. I would say if we were the Raiders, Cards, Eagles, Bucs, etc. or team without a strong locker room then you don't take the gamble. With us having such a good track record of hard working, classy guys both on and off the field it's worth the chance. He without a doubt has as much talent as anyone in this draft; however, really needs to stay disciplined. I feel like if he's on the field with guys like Ray, Haloti, Terrell, Ed, etc. he won't want to make them mad.

**srobert96** · 01-23-2012, 10:25 AM

With the way the league is going if we take a lb in the first round the guy has to be a stud in coverage. Not sure how Burfict and Hightower are rated in coverage. If Hightower does not fit the bill and the Ravens are not confident in Burfict mentally I hope they take an offensive lineman.

**The Excellector** · 01-23-2012, 10:26 AM

Hightower should be number one on their list and the only player that would come close would be his teammate Upshaw, who will likely go before him. Hightower has EVERYTHING you would want in an ILB. He can tackle, shed blocks, diagnose plays, has size, blitz from the inside and outside, good character, winning pedigree, hits with authority, etc.

This isn't Ellerbe, who doesn't put in the work during the week to maximize his potential. This isn't McClain who was known for hitting the hole timidly, more of a reactive tackler. This isn't Burfict, who would draw a penalty faster than a Doc Holliday draws his gun.

Thank goodness we have Ozzie as the GM, because you better believe Hightower is at the top of his list.

**Bodhi** · 01-23-2012, 10:30 AM

If we are talking linebackers only, I like Hightower over Burfict. I think if we look at the AFCCG yesterday, we beat those guys in most facets of the game. They won the most important battle, the score, and were better in the kicking game. The other area where I think they outplayed us is on the offensive line. I think we need to make some changes and if we get a shot at a great o lineman in the draft, we should take him.

**Iscull** · 01-23-2012, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

Hightower should be number one on their list and the only player that would come close would be his teammate Upshaw, who will likely go before him. Hightower has EVERYTHING you would want in an ILB. He can tackle, shed blocks, diagnose plays, has size, blitz from the inside and outside, good character, winning pedigree, hits with authority, etc.

This isn't Ellerbe, who doesn't put in the work during the week to maximize his potential. This isn't McClain who was known for hitting the hole timidly, more of a reactive tackler. This isn't Burfict, who would draw a penalty faster than a Doc Holliday draws his gun.

Thank goodness we have Ozzie as the GM, because you better believe Hightower is at the top of his list.

His blitzing ability from the outside is extremely underated. Honestly he has the size to play any LB spot in a 3-4 Defense. No brainer if he is still there when we pick. I just have a feeling Burfict will be taken later, and no chance Hightower gets past both Philly, NY, and Pitt.

**PGCountyRaven85** · 01-23-2012, 10:43 AM

Burfict is fast and good in coverage (has nice height for those huge TEs too) from what I've seen, but I saw him strugfle to get off blocks more than a few times this year.