One of the biggest knocks against Ravens outside linebacker Mike Green is his undersized frame, which often puts him at a disadvantage against bigger, longer offensive tackles who can lock him out of plays entirely.
To combat this, Green must play with better leverage in the trenches to fully tap into his upper body strength and ability to convert speed to power. He has taken a unique approach to developing that skillset: sumo wrestling.
Let’s break this down. First, a bit on sumo wrestling. It is Japan’s de facto national sport and originated in the country centuries ago. Today, we are accustomed to seeing massive, hulking sumo wrestlers, but that has not always been the case. Leaner wrestlers have thrived for most of the sport’s history, though the average weight has naturally increased over time, now up to well over 300 pounds.
Japan’s professional sumo wrestling does not feature weight classes, either. So while yes, Green’s opponent in the video appears to be lighter than modern standards, don’t let that dim his performance. He was knocked back at initial contact but managed to reposition himself and gain leverage. Green initially struggled to work his legs and arms in concert, but once he did, he threw his opponent out of the ring entirely.
I’ll admit, I like seeing Green try something a bit different to round out his profile. And I’m also curious where he got the idea, something I’ll be sure to ask at training camp (as well as the identity of his sparring partner).
