Just saying...

[vmax]

 

Ravens may play Upshaw inside...especially if Ray goes down...just saying....possible heir....

 

Read and react: Essentially asked to pin his ears back and rush the passer as a weak-side defensive end in the Tide's scheme, though he shows enough play recognition to project as a linebacker. Feels screens coming and locates the running back. Run defense: More stout at the point of attack when run at than you'd expect, given his lack of ideal size as a hybrid defensive end in Bama's scheme. Plays with excellent pad level and has very good upper- and lower-body strength to anchor. Uses his impressive swim move and quick, heavy hands to slap away the blocker's attempts at getting into his chest, showing the ability to disengage quickly. Good lateral agility to slip past the blocker and

set the edge. Unselfish player. Good effort laterally and downfield in pursuit. Pass defense: Didn't drop in coverage often. Has surprising fluidity when he does and keeps his head on a swivel. Reads eyes and breaks on the ball quickly, showing good agility for his height/weight. Might not be able to do this fulltime, meaning his future is at inside linebacker. Tackling: This is the area in which scouts from 4-3 teams will want to see more from Upshaw -- little film of him tackling in the open field. Has the lateral agility and balance when breaking down in tight quarters to tackle elusive ballcarriers. Good upper-body strength. Capable of slowing the momentum of the ball carrier with one arm while simultaneously engaged with a blocker. Good effort and speed in pursuit. Physical, explosive tackler who can make the intimidating hit. Pass rush: One of his best traits. Possesses a good burst off the snap and has an effective a swim move as you'll see in college football. Adept at whipping either arm over the head of the blocker and twisting his body around his opponent to gain clearance with remarkable efficiency. Heavy, active hands which he uses to bat away the tackle's initial punch. Good lateral agility to elude and possesses good straight-line speed for the position. Has a legitimate burst to close on the quarterback and arrives with explosion. Intangibles: Established "The 41 Fund" during the spring of 2011 to raise money for tornado victims. Was arrested for domestic assault for an August 2009 altercation on campus with his girlfriend, which police happened to be on hand to witness. The charges were ultimately dropped by both parties. --Rob Rang

 

Play like your hairs on fire!

Edited April 28, 2012 by vmax

[thundercleetz]

Max, scouts said the same thing about Lamar Woodley when the Steelers drafted him. Shorter, stocky, DE/OLB tweener who ran a bad 40 time at the combine.

 

EDIT:

 

From the Baltimore Ravens twitter feed:

Upshaw compares himself most to Steelers' Woodley: "Him being a "shorter" player, I kind of see some similarities in how we play the game."

[papasmurfbell]

Interesting. He seems big to cover ground in the middle.