*For the latest edition of Inside Answers, where we've taken questions from fans and brought them to a top performer in the Ravens' most-recent game. *
Here's rookie linebacker/defensive end Paul Kruger with his answers to your questions, starting with one from across the pond.
[Ed. note: Questions may have been edited for clarity.]
Niall Fagan, Dublin, Ireland: Hey Paul, welcome to the Ravens. What has been the most helpful thing you have learned from the Raven's vets since your arrival?
Kruger:"Well, they set a great example. You can see how they have developed over the years and how they've learned to play well. This defense has a history of being great, so I just want to be a part of that. I can definitely learn a lot from all these guys."
Lala T, Independence, MO: You are a great player. I want to know have you adjusted to the east coast and being that you live in the west coast and served a mission in the Midwest how do you adjust?
Kruger:"You know, Owings Mills is pretty quiet, which is kind of what it was like for me back in Utah. When I go to downtown Baltimore, New York or DC, it's a little faster paced. That's when it gets different than what I'm used to. Being from Utah, life is a lot more laid back. I've adjusted well, though. I like it out here and have been having fun. The fans are great and the city's great."
Matt Nowicki: Dunellen, NJ: Hey Paul, you're my favorite player! And just wanted to say good luck the rest of the season. My question is have you used the same pass rushing techniques since college, or have you developed new ones since you've gotten to Baltimore?
Kruger:"Yeah, in college, I basically just bull-rushed and ran as fast as I could up the field. At this level, there are a lot of new things you can learn, mainly with your hands. There is chopping and swimming and other things like that. My pass rush has improved 100 percent since I've been here."
Doug Butschky, Baltimore: Hey Paul. I have been waiting for you to get some playing time after watching you play so well in the preseason. What has been the hardest thing to adjust to in the NFL? The size of the linemen, the speed of the game, learning Special Teams or something else?
Kruger:"It's been pretty smooth. But one of the bigger things was getting my footwork down while dropping in coverage more. I would do it in college, but it would generally be to the same side every time. So, learning the different schemes of the offense and getting my technique and footwork down have been the biggest things."
Stephen Dean, Ellicott City, MD: Are the guys you face every week, like Joe Thomas last week in Cleveland, the biggest offensive linemen you've ever faced in your playing career, and what do you have to do to beat them?
Kruger:"Every tackle in this league is really good. I go up against Jared Gaither in practice every day. You have to be crafty against those guys because they can get their hands on you, and you won't even be able to touch them. You have to use a lot of speed and quickness with your hands, as well as getting them going one way because they're so long that it's tough for them to change direction. You want to get them moving their feet, use speed and change it up a lot."
Tim Newton, Wilmington, DE:Do you hear the fans that have wanted you to play more from the beginning of the year? And now that you will because of Suggs' injury, do you feel any pressure?
Kruger:"I really appreciate that. I want to live up to those guys' expectations. I'm looking forward to getting out there. This is what I love to do, play. I didn't come here to practice, I want to play in the games. I hope Suggs gets back as soon as possible, because he's the man and everything that we need on this defense. Hopefully, it's a speedy recovery.
"But, that's why I'm here. I'm on this team to be effective and make plays. I definitely feel a huge responsibility and a lot of pressure to play well."
