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YOU GOTTA HAVE HEART

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There has only been one Baltimore Raven defender to start in 62 of 64 games over the last four seasons.  If you said Chris McAlister, think again? Ray Lewis? Ed Reed? Don’t think so…
 
Give up?
 
The defender in question is that lone holdover on the front line during this time span and his name is Kelly Gregg, otherwise known as Buddy Lee. It is hard to imagine that a player of Gregg’s stature would end up being the most reliable defensive starter for the Ravens over the past four seasons in terms of staying healthy and performing at a consistent level. After all, Gregg a sixth round draft pick of Cincinnati in 1999 was quickly discarded by the Ravens’ AFC North rivals and then bounced around between Philadelphia and Baltimore practice squads before finally getting a chance to make the Ravens’ final cut in 2001.
 
During the 2001 season, when Gregg got his first crack to start against Minnesota in the season finale, he made his mark by penetrating into the backfield and crashing in the line against the run. From that point on, the Ravens and specifically Rex Ryan saw something in Gregg to make them believe that he was worth taking a chance on as a starter in 2002.
 
When Mike Nolan took over as the defensive coordinator in that season, he strategically placed Gregg in the pivotal nose guard role. At 5’11, 310 pounds, Gregg lacked the ideal bulk needed to play the position, but he had the technique and understanding of how to get underneath an opponent’s pads to win leverage battles at the point-of-attack.
 
Although it took him a few games to adjust to his new position, Gregg became entrenched at the nose position. Obviously, given his lack of size, Gregg was pushed backwards a number of times, especially against bigger offensive lineman. But at the same time, Gregg’s persistence and constantly running motor allowed him to make stops on the backside or up the field when it appeared that he was out of the play. He finished the season with 56 tackles and 2 sacks. More importantly, he was able to make his mark as starter in the NFL.
 
"Kelly played nose a couple of years ago, and, in my opinion, he was the best in the league," Rex Ryan once said. "I’m not worried about Kelly Gregg one bit as far as size. He’s a big man, but he’s just short. He’s going to whip any of those big guys that you’re talking about."
 
The season that Ryan references is 2003 — the year that Gregg took his status from fringe starter to being among the best lineman in the league as Ryan adamantly suggests. Gregg recorded 80 tackles, a rare amount of tackles for an interior tackle to register. At the same time, Gregg continued developing his ability to take on defenders and hold his ground so that linebackers Ray Lewis and Ed Hartwell could make stops near or at the line-of-scrimmage. The former Sooner’s outstanding play at nose tackle helped Ray Lewis put together a defensive MVP season.
  
Perhaps Ray Lewis has a selective memory.
 
Over the last two seasons, Gregg has still played at a high level, and the statistics bear that out. Gregg has recorded 120 combined tackles in 2004 and 2005, which is a terrific feat considering that he is usually doing the dirty work inside of the trenches. Even with the help of Maake Kemoeatu to occupy lineman, Gregg has still been the catalyst against the run, especially in goal line situations, when Buddy Lee’s ability to stay close to the ground comes in handy.
 
While the biggest knock on No.97 over the years has been that he does not provide much of a pass rush, there is a decent chance that Gregg could improve that aspect of his game as well. With the arrival of Haloti Ngata, Gregg will have more one-on-one battles to win against a guard. In addition, he may have better angles to slide through a gap or push the pocket if ends Terrell Suggs and Trevor Pryce are able to extend the edges. With Ngata given more responsibility against the run, Gregg will be given more opportunities to rush up the field and split a gap to stop plays in the backfield. In addition, the Ravens can extend Gregg’s role by placing him on the outside at times or even dropping him into coverage when they run a zone blitz.
 
Even though Gregg can amply play the nose guard role, he does not have to anymore. He can be more of a playmaker. That said, even if Gregg ends up making more flashy plays on Sundays than he has before, he will still be known as Buddy Lee, the grunt who does all of the dirty work in an area of the field that few players want to operate in.
 
So the next time some bit fat tackle is released by some team in the NFL, don’t get your Jones on for some reincarnation of Adams and Siragusa.  Professionals who coach and study this game throughout the year, 24×7 and place their careers on the line with their personnel decisions have consistently echoed the praises of Kelly Gregg.  From Mike Nolan to Rex Ryan to defensive line coach Clarence Brooks they all love the play of Kelly Gregg.
 
Occupying blockers isn’t just about size.  It’s about productivity and forcing an opponent to commit resources to stop a player.  Technique, preparation and desire factor in as well in a big way.
 
Sometimes it’s not the size of the man that counts as much as the size of the man’s heart.
 
Tony Lombardi contributed to this article. 
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