Position: OLB/DE
College: Texas
Height/Weight: 6’3″ 250 lbs.
With the 43rd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft the Baltimore Ravens selected DE Sergio Kindle from the University of Texas. Having traded their 1st round pick (25th overall) to the Denver Broncos during the draft’s opening night, the Ravens did not expect kindle to be available when there turn to pick came. According to Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome, the front office had no doubt about drafting Kindle, who was the top player on their board after round 1. In Kindle the Ravens believe they have solved some of their pass rushing woes of a year ago and they also believe they grabbed a versatile and relentless player that fits the mold of Ravens defenders.
Strengths: Kindle is a non-stop competitor who can get after opposing QB’s. Kindle also possesses a passion for the game and the confidence and aggressiveness needed to succeed in the NFL. Kindle is very explosive off the line of scrimmage and is an instinctive pass rusher. Kindle is also mobile enough to play as a rush end in a 4-3 or as an OLB in a 3-4. He displays good speed and quickness in pursuing the football.
Weaknesses:Kindle is a bit of a tweener size wise. Scouts believe he has the ability to add 20 lbs. to his frame without losing a step. This could make him better as an end in defending the run and stronger off the edge in rushing the passer. Kindle also needs to improve his pass rushing technique and use of his hands to shed blockers. Perhaps the greatest concern regarding Kindle are his knees. Kindle has already had 4 knee procedures in college and there were rumors that he needs to have micro-fracture surgery. According to Newsome and the Ravens medical staff Kindle’s knees are fine.
Grade: B+ O like this pick because the Ravens were so high on Kindle. He comes from a great college program and he was very effective as a college player. I also feel like this is another undervalued defensive player that fell to the Ravens like Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata, Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. Kindle will fit in well with the attitude of this defense and could be a leader on it some day. I would grade this pick higher did I not have lingering concerns about the future health of his knees. I have little to no concern about some of the off the field issues that troubled Kindle in college.
Just as Earl Weaver and the Orioles revolutionized the SS position by putting a 6'4" power hitter there, the Ravens have done the same with the DE/LB position. Kindle appears to fit all of the profiles they look for in a pass rusher…quickness, power, and undersized for a DE. Michael McCrarry had similar issues, but it was in the tail end of his career. Face it, this is one of those high-risk/high reward type picks. If it works, Ozzie adds another notch to his Draft belt, if it doesn't he'll get a pass as he usually does when he misses.
Here we go with the Weaver thing again…Special, I ask you, how many 6'4" power hitters are playing shortstop today? I dunno that Earl revolutionized much more than how to blow 3 – 1 game leads in the World Series. Okay, okay, I'm kidding. Mostly. One and four in the Series and and 0 – 1 in final game of the season winner-take-all games against the Brewers is what it is, I guess.
Ol' Bruz – I was thinking more the taller, power hitting SS instead of the little flashy glove guys. I was thinking Jeter, Tejada, A-Rod, Garciapara…
Seems to have been a passing fad more so than a revolution was my point., weak though it may be…