Ravens D Needs To Step Up

[WACKO4FLACC0]

Last year watching the Ravens one of the biggest problems was stopping the passing game...I thought this would be fixed quickly if our secondary could stay healthy...but after watching the chargers game I am extremely worried...especially since everyone was suited up and ready to go other than Rolle, which he'll be out for awhile.
I think no one can disagree that Rivers is a great QB but there is no way that we should be able to be thrown on that much especially since it looked like we were having problems pressuring him on the huge plays
Ravens have been shutting down the run but if we want to contend for the Super Bowl this year we better start figuring something out quickly
HOW DO YOU THINK THE D IS DOING THIS YEAR!?

[Ravenite]

We'll be fine. To me it's two folded. Like Harbaugh said, it's something that can be easily corrected. There's not that many teams with big recievers and a good QB like the Chargers. They are a very good offensive team.

It was a big game. Guys were trying to do much more than there role. Communication was a problem and so on. It's just the second game and if it continues then I'll get worried. I remember the first 2 games last year being close mainly because we didn't put that many points up to secure ourselves.

We are in the beginning rounds of the season. Guys are still trying to get in the mold and get comfortable playing. Everything will work out.

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='WACKO4FLACC0' date='23 September 2009 - 02:22 PM' timestamp='1253730148' post='240340']
Last year watching the Ravens one of the biggest problems was stopping the passing game...I thought this would be fixed quickly if our secondary could stay healthy...but after watching the chargers game I am extremely worried...especially since everyone was suited up and ready to go other than Rolle, which he'll be out for awhile.
I think no one can disagree that Rivers is a great QB but there is no way that we should be able to be thrown on that much especially since it looked like we were having problems pressuring him on the huge plays
Ravens have been shutting down the run but if we want to contend for the Super Bowl this year we better start figuring something out quickly
HOW DO YOU THINK THE D IS DOING THIS YEAR!?
[/quote]
In my opinion, its slightly above average. But if the offense keeps up the good work,it wont matter. As long as we keep applyin pressure,cause a turnover or 2,stay tuff in the redzone on both sides of the ball,we'll be fine.

[macbrak]

Too soon to hit the panic button, the important thing is the redzone numbers.

[JoeFlax]

we've only played 2 games... my gosh. We demolished the chiefs except for that one drive and a fieldgoal and the other points were scored because of the special teams so in essence the only teams we did bad against were the chargers and they have an extraordinary offense and our cornerbacks were just mismatched. nothing to be worried about. but we will have to see still

[PuRock]

We need to squash the home run hits. Most of these can be fixed through better communication on field. I still think we are above average. Philip Rivers just put on a precision passing clinic.

[Ed_Reed20]

Exactly. It's the big plays that have hurt the secondary 2 games into the season. That comes down to communication which, like the previous poster said, can be fixed.

The front seven has played very well so far and if the secondary can tighten up, this defense should go back to limiting teams to less than 13 points on a weekly basis.

[flynismo]

I want to see more 6 man rushes. Won't help limit the big plays, but I wouldn't mind giving up the occasional big play in exchange for more turnovers and sacks. It's tough to score on us in the red zone anyway, which somewhat mitigates the occasional bomb down the field.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='flynismo' date='23 September 2009 - 03:24 PM' timestamp='1253733877' post='240369']
I want to see more 6 man rushes. Won't help limit the big plays, but I wouldn't mind giving up the occasional big play in exchange for more turnovers and sacks. It's tough to score on us in the red zone anyway, which somewhat mitigates the occasional bomb down the field.
[/quote]

It doesn't seem like Mattison likes to blitz as much as Rex did. Plus, the corners have been inconsistent when left on an island. I'm sure later in the season(when the players are more comfortable) we'll see more blitz packages.

And the "occasional big play" could be the difference between a win or a loss against teams like the Pats or Colts.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='23 September 2009 - 03:40 PM' timestamp='1253734827' post='240373']
It doesn't seem like Mattison likes to blitz as much as Rex did. Plus, the corners have been inconsistent when left on an island. I'm sure later in the season(when the players are more comfortable) we'll see more blitz packages.

And the "occasional big play" could be the difference between a win or a loss against teams like the Pats or Colts.
[/quote]

I got frustrated last year when Rex would bring a huge blitz, but not much pressure occurred, leaving us susceptible to the completion, especially in the 4th quarter, even more specifically 4th quarter against the Steelers.

I would like to see pressure being created by our front four. Great D-lines can do this. And then bring in some packages with the bull-rusher Kruger. I really want to see our front 4 step up this year. Suggs, Ngata, Gregg and Pyrce definitley have the potential to be better.

[Alexir]

We are a pretty damn good red zone defense, we are the number 1 rush defense. we just need to tweak a couple of things, mainly the secondary and switch someone out for Trevor Pryce every now and then.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='PuRock' date='23 September 2009 - 03:46 PM' timestamp='1253735179' post='240376']
I would like to see pressure being created by our front four. Great D-lines can do this. And then bring in some packages with the bull-rusher Kruger. I really want to see our front 4 step up this year. Suggs, Ngata, Gregg and Pyrce definitley have the potential to be better.
[/quote]

That's the key: front four pressure. Pryce is still a good player but he isn't the pass rushing force he was in 2006. Ngata and Gregg are both great against the run but neither one of them seems to be able to consistently collapse the pocket. Suggs is still getting back into game-shape. As for Kruger, I would like to see him too but he supposedly doesn't fit with the special teams unit which is why he has yet to be activated so far this season.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Alexir' date='23 September 2009 - 01:56 PM' timestamp='1253735789' post='240380']
We are a pretty damn good red zone defense, we are the number 1 rush defense. we just need to tweak a couple of things, mainly the secondary and switch someone out for Trevor Pryce every now and then.
[/quote]
Agreed , and the guy that spells Pryce has to stop being Dwan Edwards. Does he even have a career sack yet? Just another reason why im dumbfounded Kruger isnt even dressing.

[K-Dog]

I voted average which is average for US. Which is above average for the NFL.

[Ravens52]

Average I guess. Maybe a bit above.


That doesn't get it done in Baltimore however. We want elite.

[WACKO4FLACC0]

[quote name='Steelerkillers' date='23 September 2009 - 02:36 PM' timestamp='1253731019' post='240345']
In my opinion, its slightly above average. But if the offense keeps up the good work,it wont matter. As long as we keep applyin pressure,cause a turnover or 2,stay tuff in the redzone on both sides of the ball,we'll be fine.
[/quote]
lets face it although the Ravens offense is playing great do you think we are going to be able to put up 30-40 points up every game...especially against teams like the steelers

[WACKO4FLACC0]

[quote name='flynismo' date='23 September 2009 - 03:24 PM' timestamp='1253733877' post='240369']
I want to see more 6 man rushes. Won't help limit the big plays, but I wouldn't mind giving up the occasional big play in exchange for more turnovers and sacks. It's tough to score on us in the red zone anyway, which somewhat mitigates the occasional bomb down the field.
[/quote]
I agree especially on 3rd down...we seem to slow the rush on 3rd and long

[WACKO4FLACC0]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='23 September 2009 - 04:06 PM' timestamp='1253736377' post='240385']
Agreed , and the guy that spells Pryce has to stop being Dwan Edwards. Does he even have a career sack yet? Just another reason why im dumbfounded Kruger isnt even dressing.
[/quote]
wait are you saying that pryce doesnt have a career sack yet? slightly confused by the wording

[PuRock]

[quote name='WACKO4FLACC0' date='23 September 2009 - 09:34 PM' timestamp='1253756051' post='240504']
wait are you saying that pryce doesnt have a career sack yet? slightly confused by the wording
[/quote]

I believe he meant Dwan Edwards. And yes he does have 1 career sack. It came in the 2007 season. 5 years 1 sack.

[smashmouth]

I think everyone is getting caught up in the numbers way to much. Rivers carved us up on the big plays no doubt. But go back and take a look at our coverage. On half of those plays our CB's was in the best postion they could possably be in. They just diddnt play physical enough to knock the ball out. Rolle will defiently be a plus, he's pretty darn good at swatting and knocking balls out, C-mac was a great shutdown corner especially in his prime. When walker made that play in the endzone it was all about knocking the reciever off his timing and being physical.

I dont think we need to hit the panic button to soon, there's not any team out there that has bigger recievers then SD. I mean come on, those guys are giants. With other teams if they have a big reciver, more then likly they will only have one, we can just play bump and run and throw a safty over the top. We couldent do that with SD because they have them all over the field.

Our Cb's do need to play better for sure, there was a few plays where they was just out of postion or beat, but like I said, 400 yards of passing really dont tell the whole story. Especially considering there recievers have a 7", 6" and 5" reach advantage.

By the way I picked above average. We played "elite" in the redzone against SD, KC hung around only because of ST, and the Flacco INT. How is that the defense's fault?

[jfc13]

I picked 'above average'. I know we're used to them giving up less points, but they are still doing enough to win the games. They may need some fine-tuning when we play more elite teams, but they're doing fine from what we can see now - maybe they need a little settling down to not give up the big plays, but I think they'll get there.

As long as they hold the opposition to less points than we make, then they are doing fine. And they are awesome in the red zone.

[FerrariFan87]

Average overall, but Excellent in the Red Zone, where it really matters.

[WACKO4FLACC0]

[quote name='smashmouth' date='24 September 2009 - 04:27 AM' timestamp='1253780833' post='240584']
I think everyone is getting caught up in the numbers way to much. Rivers carved us up on the big plays no doubt. But go back and take a look at our coverage. [b]On half of those plays our CB's was in the best postion they could possably be in[/b]. They just diddnt play physical enough to knock the ball out. Rolle will defiently be a plus, he's pretty darn good at swatting and knocking balls out, C-mac was a great shutdown corner especially in his prime. [b]When walker made that play in the endzone it was all about knocking the reciever off his timing and being physical.[/b]

By the way I picked above average. We played "elite" in the [b]redzone against SD, KC hung around only because of ST, and the Flacco INT. How is that the defense's fault?[/b]
[/quote]
I dont necessarily agree with our WR's being in the best possible spot 1/2 the time...Walkers knock down was pretty lucky and he only got one finger on it...Walker is our worst corner we have on the roster by far...and yes I agree redzone D has been pretty good mostly because they have tried to run on us in the redzone...big mistake

[WACKO4FLACC0]

[quote name='jfc13' date='24 September 2009 - 08:18 AM' timestamp='1253794722' post='240595']
I picked 'above average'. [b]I know we're used to them giving up less points, but they are still doing enough to win the games.[/b] They may need some fine-tuning when we play more elite teams, but they're doing fine from what we can see now - maybe they need a little settling down to not give up the big plays, but I think they'll get there.

As long as they hold the opposition to less points than we make, then they are doing fine. And they are awesome in the red zone.
[/quote]
I think if we lost the SD game you wouldnt be saying that lol

[hawk51]

I believe the Ravens secondary had a tough game against SD, mainly because of the offensive weapons they have. They had so many options, and Phillip Rivers is a solid QB. The offense executed their plays and they did it correctly.

Personally, I believe that the Ravens defense is doing well considering the fact that they got 2 sacks, the interceptions, plus the fumble. Just in that game, the Ravens defense is good at winning the turnover battle.

The even greater thing is that the offense takes advantage of those turnovers. The Ravens offense time of possession was less than SD's too. With that I believe the Ravens D is doing well, they probably learned a lot from that game, and I'm sure they'll capitalize on that. I'd say that they are Above Average, one thing I've always noticed about the Ravens D is that in a crunch they press on the gas pedal really hard, they don't hold back.

[rastaman831226]

Where's my Organized Chaos!!!?!!! Rex's defensive schemes brought uber pressure on QB's, forcing quick decisions , short plays and turnovers. Mattison's Organized Mayo has brought sustained drives and big plays because of minimal pressure on opposing QB's resulting in more heat on our smallish secondary. BRING BACK ORGANIZED CHAOS!!! Rex's old schemes plus Cam's new look high powered offense would make the Ravens the most dominate team in football.

[Jhyson]

Agreed on the organized chaos deal.

Mattison said he was planning on keeping the gameplan very similar to last year. So do that! A little more pressure on the QB could only bring better results I feel.

[WinnipegRaven]

Im definitely hungry for a good old Ravens Defensive showing.

[YYZ66]

[quote name='PuRock' date='23 September 2009 - 11:09 PM' timestamp='1253758161' post='240517']
I believe he meant Dwan Edwards. And yes he does have 1 career sack. It came in the 2007 season. [b]5 years 1 sack[/b].
[/quote]

Ouch. Wasn't he a second round pick?

[FerrariFan87]

I will be very surprised if we give up more than 13 points to the Frowns.