Plus, they traded this year’s third-round pick (No. 84), this year’s
sixth-round pick (No. 195) and next year’s third-round draft pick to the New England Patriots to draft Syracuse offensive tackle Adam Terry with the 64th
overall pick.
In particular, Cody seemed to fit the Ravens’ defensive temperament with his
hustling style and fast-twitch quickness.
He registered 25 career sacks, including 10 sacks last season for the Sooners,
to go along with 117 career tackles, 49 tackles for losses and 42 quarterback
pressures.
Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who used to coach at Oklahoma, noted that Cody
was even faster than Suggs.
The Ravens considered drafting Cody as a fall-back option in the first round if
they had traded back from No. 22, where they wound up drafting Oklahoma receiver
Mark Clayton.
“Dan Cody is a tenacious guy,” director of college scouting Eric DeCosta said.
“When you’re playing our defense, you have to be able to run to the ball with
effort and intensity and Dan Cody does that.
“The best thing he does is rush the passer whether he’s rushing from the
two-point stance or a three-point stance. He’s got good speed. He’s tough to
compete with. With Suggs on one side and him on the other, it gives us some
intriguing options.”
Cody missed all but one game in the 2001 season when he left the team and was
diagnosed with clinical depression. Cody has said he’s certain he has a handle
on this personal issue that he believes was triggered by his grandmother’s
death.
“We were very close,” Cody told reporters at the scouting combine. “I think I’ve
conquered it.”
General manager Ozzie Newsome said the team’s medical staff cleared Cody when he
visited the Ravens’ training complex.
“Our people have a good comfort level with Dan,” Newsome said. “Our medical
people gave him what we consider a passing grade.”
Cody was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award given to the nation’s premier
defensive end last season. He was a unanimous All-Big Twelve Conference pick,
recording 17 tackles for losses and a dozen quarterback pressures.
“He’s a pretty relentless guy,” DeCosta said. “When I was at Oklahoma, he stood
out. Among all those other good players that they have this was a guy that in
practice went all-out, all the time. He chases, he’s a great pursuit player and
he’s going to fit in very well with our guys.”
Four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Peter Boulware missed the entire 2004
season with knee and toe injuries and is on the trading block or a potential
salary-cap casualty ($6 million base salary), according to reports.
When asked how Cody’s acquisition affected Boulware’s already-shaky status,
Newsome replied: “Peter is still on this football team. You can’t have too much
depth.”
Adalius Thomas is the likely starter at strongside linebacker with Tommy Polley
playing weakside.
At 6-foot-8, 330 pounds, Terry is regarded as a good athlete who can pull well
and reach the second level. An All-Big East Conference selection at left tackle
who allowed only two sacks last season, he needs to gain bulk and strength to
make more of an impact in the running game.
Offensive line coach Chris Foerster said that Terry will be given the
opportunity to challenge Brown for a starting job, but won't be handed anything.
The Ravens gave up a lot for a player that conceivably might not start.
“Adam Terry is a guy that can bend his knees and slide and pass protect,”
DeCosta said. “He’s a developmental guy that can eventually start for the Ravens
one day.
"He’s just a blue-collar kid that’s going to come to work every day and give us
good effort. He was really too good to pass up.”
As well as a being a long time contributor to RavensInsider, Aaron Wilson writes for the Carroll County Times in Westminster Maryland.
If you are reading this article via a news portal, you can find the
original on RavensInsider.Com
URL:http://www.ravensinsider.com