Jameel McClain's production came as no surprise considering he has earned plenty of playing time and his ninth start beside Ray Lewis this season. He had 2.5 sacks his rookie year as a backup outside linebacker with the 2008 Baltimore Ravens team. McClain's increased availability is proportionate to his increased playing time, starting over injury-proned linebackers Tavares Gooden and Dannell Ellerbe in 2010.
Paul Kruger, on the other hand, has yet to earn a considerable amount of snaps from scrimmage because of his unreliable pass rushing. Since his 2009 arrival in Baltimore, Kruger has displayed an inability to adjust his technique to different types of opposing offensive linemen. He is most comfortable with bullrushing the opponent, a common pass rushing move that is usually ineffective against stronger, larger o-linemen.
Before the play of his nine-yard sack, he lined up as a defensive lineman in the 4-3 formation, 58 seconds before halftime. Once the ball was snapped he used his hands to thrust right guard, Geoff Schwartz, off his balance then maneuvered around Schwartz to bulldoze quarterback Brian St. Pierre.
I congratulate Kruger's exceptional play for two reasons:
- Paul Kruger was surprisingly active for this game; also meaning the coaching staff recognized Kruger's talents were useful to either the special teams and/or defensive units.
- This single sack could signify more snaps for him if he demonstrates improvement in practice during the week and makes positive, noticeable plays when on the field. Kruger's career started slowly but if he keeps this up, it could become more fast paced as the team demands more of him.
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