Ravens’ Kruger sets the record straight by Lloyd Vance

Ravens rookie Paul Kruger set the record straight regarding his willingness to play special teams

After Baltimore Ravens rookie DE/OLB Paul Kruger allegedly caused a minor stir  after an appearance on the Sports Journey Radio Network with Lake Lewis earlier this week, the former Utah standout  wanted to set the record straight.  Kruger talking via the Baltimore Sun  wanted  to end any speculation by saying, he is eager to play special teams for the Ravens and that he never refused to do it.

Kruger, who has been inactive for the Ravens first three games, said “I’ve been practicing with special teams since Day One”.  The 2009 2nd round pick added, “The biggest thing I want people to understand is, I’m 100 percent willing and excited to be on any special teams, at any position on the field that I can”.

Kruger finished his comments by saying, “The notion that I have refused to play is just ridiculous. The coaches wouldn’t allow that in the first place.”  To me the “rumor” that Kruger was trying to dictate how he was going to be played is preposterous.  To show just how eager this rookie is to get on the field, Kruger even volunteered to play as a tight end in the wake of Ravens’ free agent signee LJ Smith slowly coming back from injury.

Unfortunately nothing came of Kruger volunteering to play tight end, but I think it is only a matter of time before the Ravens get the high-motor defensive end on the field.  Ravens energetic head coach John Harbaugh said of his eager rookie, “At some point in time, he’s going to be really important to us”.

In 2008 while playing for Utah, Kruger earned All-American honorable mention and first-team All-Mountain West Conference accolades. He overcame a preseason off the field incident to start all year at right defensive end while posting 61 tackles and leading the team with 7.5 sacks and 16.5 stops for losses.