Kamalei Correa: Starting ILB In 2017?

the lone star · Joined: 18 Apr 2005 Posts: 31433

1.) Do you think he will win the starting ILB job next to Moseley?
2.) If so, do you think he'll put up numbers similar to what Orr had last year and what Daryl Smith put up in the past?
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coordinator0 · Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 11256

Yes, Correa will be the starter unless a current or former undrafted free agent like Onwuasor is a huge surprise.

As for the numbers he will put up, who knows. It's really tough to get a feel for conversion projects like him. The Ravens actually started the process of him moving to ILB last summer in training camp so that helps but he's still a big unknown.

Kamalei had plus athleticism as a prospect coming out and should still be a good blitzer even from the inside so that's nice. Quite a bit different than guys like Orr and Smith too. Pees should have no excuses for not scheming a really good pass-rush this year because he has all the linebackers he could want with that ability and the defensive line is at least stout enough to keep the guys behind them clean.

the lone star · Joined: 18 Apr 2005 Posts: 31433

Just watched his college tape. Super Meh.
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coordinator0 · Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 11256

wackywabbit · Joined: 20 Dec 2009 Posts: 11979

I didn't really love his college tape as an edge, either, but he's playing a different position now. The plan all along was for him to be an ILB. He was compared to Clay Matthews and I think he is a similar player to Clay, but without the elite explosiveness Clay had early in his career. Similar to how Clay is better suited to play ILB now, that spot makes sense for KC. He's better off in space with the D-line in front of him, than going head on against a tackle every snap.

Based on he last few years, whoever wins that spot will see a ton of snaps. Both starting ILB basically never come off the field (outside injury), and there has been no rotation at that spot. Whether it's a 4-2-5 (where we see most our snaps) or the base 3-4, the two inside linebackers are always there in the middle, seeking the RB or dropping back. Stupidly, they barely blitzed last year, but that was weird and should change. It was an important part of our defense in years past.

The biggest potential block to Correa getting that 95% defensive snap count this year, is IMO, Tyus Bowser. He could actually be seen as a more athletic Correa, with the same hybrid potential, and I have some of the same doubt about whether he should face off with an OT every snap. His pass coverage is really advanced, far more so than Correa's was, and that's going to be a priority given how much our WILL LB will drop back. Of course we need someone on the outside too, but opposite Suggs, if Judon, Tim Williams, and/or Za'Darius Smith step up, and Bowser looks too good to take off the field, I could see him sliding inside for those 4-2-5 sets.

coordinator0 · Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 11256

I'm praying the lack of a "true" inside linebacker aside from Mosley forces Pees to change things up. Otherwise yeah, Correa will be getting a ton of snaps.

Bowser moving inside for the nickel sets makes sense too if he's better dropping back in coverage. Those skills are also needed at SAM with the way Dean uses that position though so I wouldn't project Tyus to slide inside for anything other than certain situations.

But just wait. McClellan will end up winning the starting spot next to Mosley just so Pees can have his scapegoat. Laughing