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I like that Washington continues to add players who have a certain mindset, guys who can do a few things and seem to have a passion for the game. When you make the NFL as an undersized linebacker -- or as a tweener between linebacker and safety -- then it's probably because you have some good skills and just love to play. But you need to do more than that and Cravens has the ability to do so. He said the Redskins told him he'll play immediately as their dime linebacker, someone who can cover but also defend the run -- their version of Deone Bucannon, the Arizona safety who plays like a linebacker. In this era, it's important to have players such as this. And it's hard to imagine them seeing him strictly as a dime linebacker after this season. If he develops, he'd provide the Redskins good versatility in multiple packages.
Countertrey wrote:Highlights... pretty long... always around the ball, EXCELLENT tackler. Outstanding when blitzing from the edge. V good in coverage.
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riggofan wrote:I keep thinking Polamalu when I watch too.
He's kind of a cocky guy on the radio today. I like the swagger, just noticeably different from Docston. Fuller seems less fazed by it all - probably helped by having that family of NFL guys already.
I have no problem with swagger in a DB. I think we loaded up on potential playmakers. We got help in the middle of the D-line (he's not real big, so I worry about run d help at the NFL level... we shall see). A developmental quarterback...cowboykillerzRGiii wrote:Already listed as a safety, and has changed his number to #36... sent out a message on social media about honoring the number and the legacy of the great Sean Taylor. My D O G!!!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... _tn__=%2As
HEROHAMO wrote:I think he could come in at Ss or LB.
DEHog wrote:The thing I love about him is that he can tackle! Sounds simple but tackling in the NFL has become a lost art.
DEHog wrote:The thing I love about him is that he can tackle! Sounds simple but tackling in the NFL has become a lost art.
Irn-Bru wrote:DEHog wrote:The thing I love about him is that he can tackle! Sounds simple but tackling in the NFL has become a lost art.
Yeah. Lots of shoulder drives and wrapping up in those highlights. I hope he keeps that approach in the pros.
Second-round pick Su'a Cravens played inside linebacker at rookie minicamp.
Probably because it's rookie camp. OTOH, gotta know EVERYTHING to play ILB.Cravens should get most of his snaps as a dime linebacker, but will also see time at safety and in nickel packages.
The Redskins want to use him as their version of Deone Bucannon. Cravens dropped down to 215 pounds before the draft.
Source: Washington Post May 14 - 6:25 PM
Redskins LB/S Su'a Cravens: Sean Taylor 'changed the culture of football'
7:21 AM ET
John Keim
ESPN Staff Writer
ASHBURN, Virginia -- Washington Redskins rookie linebacker/safety Su'a Cravens picked his new number -- and one of Sean Taylor's old ones -- shortly after the draft, getting an assist from the fans. And, when he did so, Cravens briefly explained why he wanted that number and how much Taylor meant to him.
Redskins defender Su'a Cravens on wearing No. 36, the number Sean Taylor wore as a rookie: "Sean Taylor is one of my all-time favorite players," Cravens said. "The fact that I get to wear the number means so much to me." AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
During the rookie minicamp last weekend, Cravens explained a little more about why he wanted to wear No. 36, the same number Taylor wore during his rookie season in Washington before switching to 21.
The No. 36 had been worn by fullback Darrel Young the past six years, but he’s no longer with the team. Cravens is the first defensive player to wear it since Taylor was murdered in 2007.
"Sean Taylor is one of my all-time favorite players," Cravens said. "The fact that I get to wear the number means so much to me. I’m so grateful and thankful, and I’ll do my best to respect the number and to show out with it."
Cravens wore No. 21 at USC, and even though he’s listed as a safety, he will likely end up playing more linebacker. The Redskins said he will be a linebacker in their nickel and dime packages. That would give them someone aligned as a linebacker who covers better than most linebackers but is bigger than most safeties and able to play the run. Considering the Redskins use one of these packages 70-75 percent of the time, it's important to handle both roles.
Taylor was a safety all the way, but he was big and hit like a linebacker. He was a fan favorite because of those hits and, especially in his last season, how well he was playing overall.
Cravens could become a fan favorite, but that will be determined by his performance (his personality will then take over). And that’s something that can take a little time. But honoring Taylor will go a long way toward him gaining popularity. He seems genuinely excited to not just play in the NFL, but to be in Washington. He’s already visited monuments in D.C. -- bragging about how he passed his mission at the Spy Museum (while his brother and aunt did not).
But it’s the chance to honor Taylor that matters to him as well.
"It was just how he carried himself and played on the field, like every snap was his last," Cravens said. "The things he did, the amazing plays -- even when he didn’t make plays you still looked at him like, 'Wow, I don’t think I could have done that.' He stood out and he really changed the culture of football with the way defensive backs came up and hit. It made me want to play football even more."
Cravens wore No. 21 at USC, and even though he’s listed as a safety, he will likely end up playing more linebacker.
The Redskins said he will be a linebacker in their nickel and dime packages.