Tsaikotic Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 I would guess closer to Bart Scott. Rex Ryan himself compared him to Bart Scott in the press conference he and Whaley had Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarleyNY Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Short answer: No, Ray Lewis is not a good comparison for Ragland. Honestly, how many ILBers coming out in a draft get THAT comparison? There's a lot of tape of both making plays when unblocked because Bama's front kept Ragland clean just like Lewis' front kept him clean in Baltimore. I'd love to see a Ragland stack and shed highlight. It's relatively easy for an ILBer to make plays when his front is dominating. They are of similar size and build, but Lewis was faster. Ragland won't have the speed advantage Lewis did even when unblocked. Lewis had great instincts and it looks like Ragland does too, but Lewis' speed helped him evade blockers and beat them to the spot. I like Ragland's downhill ability both against the run and rushing the passer, but he's going to have to show he can play the pass or it's going to be tough for him to stay on the field in those situations. The jury is out on every pick until they have had time to develop on the field. Watching Ragland will be particularly interesting to me since he was a player I liked a lot less than most. In fact, I had convos with my dad and best friend regarding him before before Day 2 and he was the one player we disagreed about. They thought he'd be a great selection for the Browns at 32. I wasn't nearly as high on him for them or the Bills because of his speed, pass coverage issues and Wonderlic. His Wonderlic score and possibility that he'll have to come off the field in passing downs makes me wary of his ability to make defensive calls. It's always a bad idea to change your opinion of a player from the one you had prior to the draft to a new one after a draft. The only additional aspect that can be addressed is schematic fit. Ragland looks to fit well so I have no issues there. I know I am in the minority so I certainly could be wrong. If the Bills got a quality inside linebacker that plays the run very well, pass rushes very well and is adequate in coverage, then they made a great pick. If he turns out to be even a very good 2 down backer, then they didn't. That would not be good value at 41. We shall see....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 If he turns out to be even a very good 2 down backer, then they didn't. That would not be good value at 41. We shall see....... See I could live with the value there if that is what he becomes - but it must be very good. If he is just an above average 2 down player then the value doesn't make sense for me. He must be recognised as one of the premier 1st and 2nd down players in the league. I think based on what I saw on video the value matches the pick. That is how I feel about Ragland and Jones. I didn't want Ragland at #19 but could live with the pick in the 2nd and I didn't want Jones before the 4th but could live with the pick 4th or later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokestradamus Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 I think he'll be the very best Reggie Ragland he can be. 3 years down the line, teams will be thinking "How did this guy make it to 41?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisyphean Bills Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 It's a bit premature to say he's going to be the next Ray Lewis. But Rex's defensive system needs studs at LB, and RR has the talent to be that type of player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 No. No he won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 It's a bit premature to say he's going to be the next Ray Lewis. But Rex's defensive system needs studs at LB, and RR has the talent to be that type of player. Yeah. Basically, we needed to go into the season with the potential to have seriously upgraded our LB corps. Given our salary cap situation, that had to come through the draft. La voila. RR. Is it a sure bet, no way, but at the least it's reason to say we filled our biggest gap between what Rex's D needs and our existing D personnel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 When I think about it a little more it is a safe bet to say Ragland wont be a Ray Lewis It is a little unfair to try to compare a rookie with a HOF player Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. L. Hot-Flamethrower Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 I think if the OP means understanding the D, providing leadership, toughness and grit then he has a chance. He seems to be the kind of guy who can be the hub of a great defense like at Alabama. If he is talking performance there is no way to say that now. The odds are against him performing like Ray...especially on the field! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Think more like David Harris. Still a major improvement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Not as talented as former Alabama ILB and current Cowboy Rolando McClain. So basically no way he will ever hold a candle to Ray Lewis. Rex is hoping for another David Harris. Also doubtful but a better comp. Should have just passed on trading for an $8M RB and paid David Harris the extra $1M per to leave the Jets and follow him to Buffalo. That was the formula that worked in NY with Bart Scott following him from the Ravens. Preston Brown and Bradhams struggles communicating defensive adjustments played a huge part in sinking last season. Coulda. Shoulda. Woulda. Didn't. Get over it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Can he hide a bloody white suit? Can he convince his posse that snitches get stitches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prickly Pete Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Teams pass a lot, and Ragland isn't good in coverage. He will be useless against the Patriots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 I think if the OP means understanding the D, providing leadership, toughness and grit then he has a chance. He seems to be the kind of guy who can be the hub of a great defense like at Alabama. If he is talking performance there is no way to say that now. The odds are against him performing like Ray...especially on the field! Can he hide a bloody white suit? Can he convince his posse that snitches get stitches? It is more important that he not act like Ray Lewis off the field than act like Ray Lewis on the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TakeYouToTasker Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Can he kill a guy and then become one of the greatest linebackers in the history of football? Probably not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 I've heard many on air pundits -including Ross Tucker this morning- who believe RR will give us 10 solid years at LB. I don't know who that would compare to, but I'll take it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iinii Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Teams pass a lot, and Ragland isn't good in coverage. He will be useless against the Patriots. Til he sticks Gronk on a crossing route...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Til he sticks Gronk on a crossing route...... As long as it is not in training camp since we have a Gronk on offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuoteTheRaven83 Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 It's all up to Ragland...If, like Ray Lewis, he really buys into the work behind the scenes to get better he could become a great Pro... Ray Lewis though? Who has been Ray Lewis besides Ray Lewis? I went back and watched Ragland tapes again today...Goodness...I'm still a little worried about the coverage responsibilities...Clemson hit his Achilles heel hard by running crosses in front of him...But man...When he sees it, and he usually does, he's so quick to the ball...And he's looking to bring pain when he arrives...The majority of the tape I saw he was clearly Alabama's best Defender...Now maybe that had a lot to do with Bama's D-line keeping blockers off of him...Regardless...He's instinctive, and he's really smart on the field...I'm more impressed with him now than I was before the Draft...I just did not want the Bills to take a LB in the 1st Round...But man am I happy to have Ragland now, knowing we got Shaq first...Watching those two play in College was joyous...They were both very, very good... Mr. Patrick Willis was pretty dam close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty McFly Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 I know the OP is not saying Ragland will be the next Ray Lewis. Still, it's hard for me to wrap my head around the phrase "Ray Lewis type." What is the Ray Lewis type? A LB who can dominate a game? A defensive player so good that offenses have to scheme around him? I just can't bring myself to make any kind of Ray Lewis comparison. But do I think Ragland will be a good player on Rex's D. (Incidentally, cool highlight video... but I could live without the vulgar soundtrack). a LB who knows how to dominate a game AND beat a case? Ill sign up for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts