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Courtney Upshaw to Fill Pass Rush Void Left by Pernell McPhee’s Departure?

By Brett Foote

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Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (91) and Ravens outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens fans are rightfully wondering out loud what the team’s plans are for filling the void left by the departure of pass rush specialist Pernell McPhee in free agency.  With McPhee set to become a full time player in Chicago next season and a complete lack of pass rushers coming on board via free agency, it’s obvious the Ravens will need to do something in the upcoming draft.

Or maybe not.  The same team that continues to tell us they are content with their current crop of wide receivers (after losing perennial #1 Torrey Smith to the 49ers), the Ravens are now trying to sell us another bag of goods.  This time, trying to push the notion that edge setter Courtney Upshaw will compensate for the loss of McPhee and see an uptick in snaps on third downs, in obvious passing situations.

John Harbaugh sounds confident that the career run stopper can become a pass rushing force in his fourth NFL season.

"“He did a good job rushing the passer, especially toward the end of the year,” Harbaugh said. “He doesn’t have as many sacks – maybe he’s a split second late or the quarterback gets rid of it – but he’s had plenty of quarterback hits.  We like Courtney as a pass rusher.”"

The same thing has often been said of McPhee, who had a lot of “almost” sacks and pressures last season.  He was credited with a total of 40 hurries and 24 QB hits (but only 7.5 sacks) across 616 snaps last season. Upshaw had a grand total of 8 hurries and 3 hits with zero sacks across 620 snaps.

Granted, McPhee was used as a package pass rusher and Upshaw was utilized as an edge setter and run stopper, which has been his strength to date.  But can a guy who has 1.5 career sacks suddenly transform into an adept pass rusher?  If he had truly flashed in that role in practice or training camp, wouldn’t the team have already given him more snaps in different packages?

Courtney Upshaw did show a little pass rushing prowess in college, posting 16.5 sacks across his junior and senior seasons at Alabama.  I just find Harbaugh’s comments to be nothing more than a pre-draft smoke screen, and a pretty humorous one at that.  After all, Upshaw has had a grand total of 13 QB hits across his three seasons in Baltimore – despite Harbaugh’s comment that “he’s had plenty of quarterback hits.”

Regardless of what the Ravens say, this is lying season and they have nothing to gain by declaring their desire to draft a pass rusher in April, especially if they are targeting one early.  And if you truly believe that Courtney Upshaw will step in and suddenly blossom into the pass rushing force that Pernell McPhee was last season, I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

Next: Could a Top Pass Rusher Fall to the Ravens?

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