Paul Kruger - LB

FootballDad

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Very interesting thread here on a Raven's fansite. It has to do with a local (black) commentator's remark about Paul Kruger only being popular because he's white. In reading through some of the followup posts, it's obvious that the Ravens have some of the dumbest DWF fans possible.
 

backrow

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Kruger needs to get more playing time and i am sure that he will prove to be just as good as Suggs and Johnson.

i read the first page of the comments and a lot of people are asking for his head while recognizing that he won't be fired because he's black and there's a clear double standard. as far as i could see there was only one stupid comment on the front page, someone saying that people like Kruger because he plays BEYOND his possibilities... i mean wtf? how is it even possible to always overachieve?
 

FootballDad

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Most of the commentary just ventures off into the political realm, Limbaugh, McNabb and all of that, missing the forest for the trees. Although those comments are legitimate considering the perceived similarities, no one is willing to breach the caste system topic.
 

TwentyTwo

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I'm not gonna read the crap...it would probably just make me mad!

Iftrue football people with any sense in their cranium knew anything at all...they would know Paul "Freddie" Kruger is a legit stud!!! He destroyed people in the SUGAR BOWLlast year...just ASKAlabama!!
 
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All that is needed is a once sentence rejoinder stating that the writer's perceptions are nothing but the Caste System in force, then move on. YOu cannot argue with a DWF they will only retreat deeper into their consensus trance, but you can destroy them with a talking point that goes straight for the jugular.
 

Don Wassall

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It'll be another example of NFL silliness if Paul Kruger's racial apprenticeship is continued through 2010. Kruger's added weight, per the team's request, but has kept his speed and quickness. He's clearly better than Trevor Pryce, Cory Redding and any other DE the Ravens have other than Terrell Suggs, who plays both end and outside linebacker.


<H3 =entry-er>Preston: Kruger making strides</H3>
<DIV =entry->
<DIV =entry->


I just got in from the morning session of training camp, and second-year defensive end/outside linebacker Paul Kruger had his best practice as a <U style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid">Raven[/u].


In the one-on-one pass rush period against the Ravens' offensive line, Kruger beat left tackle Michael Oher, guard Ben Grubbs and center Chris Chester on successive plays.


Kruger seems to have that swim move down as far as rushing the passer. He appeared quick off the ball, and there was no hesitation in completing his moves.


Kruger has been working on staying low instead of working too high off the snap of the ball. He played a good game Thursday night, and has put together a string of good practices. This is exactly what the Ravens have been looking for in Kruger. It's called consistency.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2010/08/paul_kruger.html
 

Don Wassall

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Paul Kruger has had one of the more ridiculous racial apprenticeships in recent years, especially considering he was a second round draft pick. He's been given very little playing time in his first two seasons even though the Ravens have a strong need for a good pash rusher opposite Terrell Suggs. When he did play he's looked good, intercepting a pass that sealed a win over the Steelers his rookie season. Even for a White player his "non-stop motor" stands out. Hopefully Kruger will actually get an opportunity this season.

Ravens Must Look Everywhere For A Pass Rusher

The Baltimore Ravens were expected to do big things last year on the defensive side of the ball with a heavy pass rush providing a foundation for the defense as a whole. Sergio Kindle's injury proved to set the team back as the guy opposite of Terrell Suggs was nowhere to be found. Luckily, it's a new year and the Ravens can re-organize and regroup.






As far as pass rushers go, this year's free agent market is lacking. In order for the Ravens to provide a solid pass rush, a player within the organization must step up and take the reigns. Paul Kruger could be a possible canidate to do so. He's shown initiative and drive this offseason and expects to play much more this season. He's taken massive leaps since he's been in the game and looks much more comfortable.


Another option would be the Ravens 5th round draft pick, Pernell Mcphee. He shows great strength and pass rushing abilities but lacks the quick jump off of the one. If he can master this skill, Pernell will become a complete player who can stick it to some of the league seasoned tackles in the league.
Lastly we have Sergio Kindle. Coming off of his head injury, he looks to prove the doubters wrong and become the player people wanted him to. Though many say he's a lost cause, we will find out for sure once the season starts.

http://ebonybird.com/2011/06/24/ravens-must-look-everywhere-for-a-passrusher/
 

Deadlift

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Kruger had 4.5 sacks from Week 7 to 10, and, then... I honestly thought he got injured (since I don't watch every Ravens' game). Turns out, he added one sack very late in the season against Cleveland, but was he essentially "demoted?"

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1245656/paul-kruger

I saw some of his sacks this year.. he was looking quick and showed a burst to get to the QB.
 

Don Wassall

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Jarret Johnson's Loss is Paul Kruger's Gain

The loss of veteran outside linebacker Jarret Johnson, who signed with the San Diego Chargers means, as this morning's story, 'Next Man Up,' says, the time is now for current Baltimore Ravens LB Paul Kruger to do just that. Johnson's loss needs to be Kruger's gain. The 4th year player ut of Utah was drafted mainly for his ability to terrorize opposing quarterbacks and while the Ravens will want him to play with his hand out of the dirt now, he must be ready to produce or slip way back on the depth chart to remain a part-time situation-only pass rusher.

Kruger could easily become the next great Ravens linebacker, following a long list of guys who have made their mark on this team and then sought greener pastures yet mediocrity once they left. However, if Kruger wants those greener pastures, be it from the Ravens or another team, he'll have to prove his worth and his opportunity is right now in front of him.

star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg


At 6'4" and 265 pounds, he is the perfect size for this position. Paul has already shown flashes of his ability to pay off the line as he made the key play a couple of years ago when he picked off backup QB Dennis Dixon in overtime to set up the game winning field goal when the Ravens defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kruger may have competition for Johnson's spot from third year OLB Sergio Kindle, who like Kruger, is a recent 2nd round draft pick that has not lived up to the pre-draft potential. Kruger has a year's more experience on Kindle so he should be much more familiar with the Ravens scheme and has received a lot more playing time as that situational pass rusher.

The Ravens may still opt to draft a pure outside linebacker who is more experienced form his college career and perhaps can step right in and start. However, as it appears a day after losing Double-J to free agency, the job will be Kruger's to lose.

http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2012/3/16/2877317/jarret-johnsons-loss-is-paul-krugers-gain
 

Don Wassall

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Brian Robison of the Vikings was forced to serve a four year racial apprenticeship before being "allowed" to start in his fifth season after the over-rated Ray Edwards signed with Atlanta, and "surprised" the media and DWFs with well he played. Paul Kruger, a second round draft choice of the Ravens in 2009, has been forced to serve a three-year racial apprenticeship, and he too is likely to "surprise" DWF Nation with how well he does this season when finally getting his chance to start.

From Weenieworld: Ravens LB Paul Kruger has been a "standout performer" in the early stages of training camp. Kruger is replacing Terrell Suggs as the first-team "rush" linebacker, and is a popular breakout candidate after spending his first three years as a reserve. This will be the first season of Kruger's career as an every-down player. He averaged about 20 snaps a game in 2011, recording 15 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
 

Don Wassall

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Kruger is about to cash in big time. But the first three years of his NFL career were wasted serving a racial apprenticeship. And even this past season the Ravens would not grant him the status of "starter" even though he was their best defensive player and was on the field most of the time, that designation instead going to the black rookie Upshaw.

From Weenieworld:

The Baltimore Sun reports the Colts and Browns will soon engage in a "bidding war" for free agent OLB Paul Kruger.The Browns have been "particularly aggressive" on both Kruger and Cliff Avril since Saturday morning's negotiating window opened. One source predicted Kruger will command $10 million to $12 million per year. Both Cleveland and Indianapolis are flush with cap space and need pass-rush help. It's conceivable that the Kruger will go to the Colts and Avril to the Browns, or vice versa.
 

whiteathlete33

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It's about time Kruger is paid what he's due and he'll finally be a full time starter for some team. Most websites I checked have very positive things to say about his talent.
 

Don Wassall

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Dan Patrick has a short interview column in each issue of Sports Illustrated. In the most recent one, an interview of the Ravens' fruit bat Terrell Suggs, Patrick asks him: "Why do White defensive linemen always have a high motor?" Answer from Suggs: "(Laughs) A teammate said that a few years ago. Paul Kruger was like, when a black guy is good, he's just a phenomenal athlete; when a White guy is good, he's got a high motor."
 

Liverlips

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Didn't Suggs used to say something along the lines of "you can't beat a white TE." He said it in a way that was half-joking, half-serious. Maybe he is one of the few blacks that notices the obvious.
 

Extra Point

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Kruger had 11 sacks this year. He had a very good season. He's shown he's an excellent NFL player.

Kruger was not allowed a lot of playing time early in his career because he was white. In other words he served a racial apprenticeship. A black player would have been given playing time early in his career.
 

celticdb15

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Kruger had 11 sacks this year. He had a very good season. He's shown he's an excellent NFL player.

Kruger was not allowed a lot of playing time early in his career because he was white. In other words he served a racial apprenticeship. A black player would have been given playing time early in his career.

+1

He's a beast. Entering the prime of his career,smart move by Cleveland.
 
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