Front Seven

[True]

When you look at the Ravens defense, most people would say the strength lies in the front seven. However, from last season towards this they've been less than stellar. Not getting enough pressure on the QB, getting beat in the middle passing game, and not being stout in the run game which is pretty unnatural for this team. However, they do relatively well by giving some support to the secondary to making it ranked in the top 10, and are #1 in allowing 3rd down conversions.

Haloti Ngata - Not much to say, he's simply fantastic. Arguably the best DE in the NFL.

Kelly Gregg - He's doing OK for his position, but his age might be catching up with him. The run game has suffered since he isn't getting as much push as he used to and I don't see him on all snaps. This is where I'd like to see Terrance Cody start to play more because he was great in defending against the run game while in college. He takes up at least two people and allows the LB's to jump through the gaps.

Cory Redding - Maybe he's just getting acclimated to playing on this team. He's shown to get some pressure but I'm not seeing him beat or clog up tackles allowing Suggs to accelerate since he plays on his side.

Jarret Johnson - That shoulder is clearly bothering him. Kindle was supposed to help get some reps in, but unfortunately that did not turn out this year. Hopefully he gets better after the bye week, but he's an average player at the moment.

Ray Lewis - Can't say much. Still the best LB in the game.

Jameel McClain/Dannell Ellerbe - These guys are still young and learning the position. Not too shabby in coverage or rushing the passer. Not sure if I see the Bart Scott/Adalius Thomas type player in them but they have room to grow.

Suggs - A lot is on his shoulders when it comes to the pass rush (and it should cause of that huge contract he got), but it's not entirely fair since he's more of a hybrid and also falls back into coverage. He desperately needs a compliment pass rusher so the OL can only focus on him and get double teamed. Shawne Merrimans name has been thrown out there, but that's a toss up if its helpful or not. Right now, Suggs is playing average and needs help opposite him.


The defense isn't playing great, but they are still a very good unit. Though we're seeing some uncharacteristic points such as a weak run defense and limited pass rush you're happy you have a Top 5/10 defense. Last year the passing game was our Achilles heel when it came to the playoffs. This season it could be the pass rush that is getting limited pressure on the QBs. If Elite QB's get more than 3-5 seconds to pass the ball, they're going to be in for a long day.

[Ed_Reed20]

In regards to Cody, I don't mean to be disrespectful but him being a force against the run in college doesn't mean he's guaranteed to do it in the NFL. There was a play against the Bills yesterday where I saw him get driven back at least three yards before he seemed to regain his base and shove the o-lineman back. In college, he could get by with just his massive frame and brute strength; that isn't the case in the NFL.

With all that said thought, he might need to see more snaps with Gregg struggling this year.

McKinney has been up and down against the run and while Kruger brought pressure at times against the Steelers, he did little yesterday.

[Jamal]

Maybe Kruger can give us a spark. Any word on when hes coming back?

Other than Ngata and Lewis, the front have been very average. Although I wont blame Suggs because its pretty easy for opposing teams when you could zero in on the only pass-rusher that scares teams.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1288048223' post='520842']
[b]Maybe Kruger can give us a spark. Any word on when hes coming back?[/b]

Other than Ngata and Lewis, the front have been very average. Although I wont blame Suggs because its pretty easy for opposing teams when you could zero in on the only pass-rusher that scares teams.
[/quote]

He played yesterday and got a pass deflection but I didn't see him do much rushing the QB.

[gabefergy]

I like our front seven in stopping the run, but the pass rush is pretty abysmal. Maybe we need to blitz more ( I think Mattison is way to conservative), but giving the opposing QB time is killing our secondary. If Ryan Fitzpatrick can light us up for over 300 yards, I'd hate to see what Peyton Manning or Phillip Rivers could do.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1288049457' post='520861']
He played yesterday and got a pass deflection but I didn't see him do much rushing the QB.
[/quote]

You know a guy's having a minimal impact when people don't realise he was playing.

Same goes for Cody, lots of people have been asking about if he's been playing. If (which I think he has) he's been playing, then he's not been doing the best of jobs.

[True]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1288049797' post='520872']
Maybe we need to blitz more ( I think Mattison is way to conservative), but giving the opposing QB time is killing our secondary.
[/quote]
I don't know. I saw a ton of different looks from Mattison during the Bills game with blitzes and coverages, but nothing was working. You might have the right scheme, but you also need the right personnel to execute. The defense is getting up their in age and should be the focus of being upgraded since Ozzie fixed up the offensive side these past few drafts.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1288049819' post='520874']
You know a guy's having a minimal impact when people don't realise he was playing.

Same goes for Cody, lots of people have been asking about if he's been playing. If (which I think he has) he's been playing, then he's not been doing the best of jobs.
[/quote]

No, neither of them have made any big impact plays(at least ones that counted).

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1288049457' post='520861']
He played yesterday and got a pass deflection but I didn't see him do much rushing the QB.
[/quote]


[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1288049819' post='520874']
You know a guy's having a minimal impact when people don't realise he was playing.

Same goes for Cody, lots of people have been asking about if he's been playing. If (which I think he has) he's been playing, then he's not been doing the best of jobs.
[/quote]
I saw him. He was in practically every time we only rushed 3 guys so he was doubled almost every time.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='True' timestamp='1288050078' post='520883']
I don't know. I saw a ton of different looks from Mattison during the Bills game with blitzes and coverages, but nothing was working. You might have the right scheme, but you also need the right personnel to execute. The defense is getting up their in age and should be the focus of being upgraded since Ozzie fixed up the offensive side these past few drafts.
[/quote]

You're right, Mattison did try a lot of different things and rarely had success. Still, in my opinion, you don't go with a three man rush when the LBs aren't great in coverage, you've got a hobbled FS, a slow-footed SS and two struggling CBs.

Ozzie has addressed the D the past two seasons, it's just people have gotten hurt or have been slow to develop.

[PuRock]

[quote name='True' timestamp='1288050078' post='520883']
I don't know. I saw a ton of different looks from Mattison during the Bills game with blitzes and coverages, but nothing was working. You might have the right scheme, but you also need the right personnel to execute. The defense is getting up their in age and should be the focus of being upgraded since Ozzie fixed up the offensive side these past few drafts.
[/quote]

I agree. Mattison threw a lot of different things at Fitzgerald without success. But there needs to comes a time when players just need to make plays.

[CorvusCorax]

Well let's see what happens now that we have Ed Reed back into the mix. He's already made a statement in our last game and now QBs must account for him. That's something else for them to think about. Or not think about and give him the opportunity to make a play.

[XxSizzleXx]

I think it is apparent that the weak spot in the front 7 is JJ. Ngata is playing like a beast and Suggs is playing like a pro bowler. Don't need to say much about Ray as he has already sealed a couple games. McClain has been playing VERY well IMO considering it's his first year starting next to Ray. Gregg has been a little inconsistent but he has been playing like him old-self. The ones who can pick it up to me are Redding and JJ, they need to be making more of an impact.

[hawkprey]

I have no idea why we're getting no pressure. With the personnel we have? Please tell me there's an easy answer because I'm just not seeing it.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1288051991' post='520930']
I have no idea why we're getting no pressure. With the personnel we have? Please tell me there's an easy answer because I'm just not seeing it.
[/quote]

Be real, Suggs aside, do any of the Ravens' players strike you as legitimate NFL pass rushers? Redding aside, none of them have ever had success doing it in the NFL.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1288052113' post='520933']
Be real, Suggs aside, do any of the Ravens' players strike you as legitimate NFL pass rushers? Redding aside, none of them have ever had success doing it in the NFL.
[/quote]

Man I don't know, but with Ngata, Lewis, and Suggs, I can't figure out why were having trouble with the run too.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1288052602' post='520938']
Man I don't know, but with Ngata, Lewis, and Suggs, I can't figure out why were having trouble with the run too.
[/quote]

Those are just three guys. There are times when they get gassed and Ray isn't the consistent force he used to be against the run. Gregg has declined, McKinney and Redding are solid but not spectacular and J.J.'s injuries are noticeably affecting his play. Plus, Ellerbe and McClain are inconsistent.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1288050641' post='520900']
I agree. Mattison threw a lot of different things at Fitzgerald without success. But there needs to comes a time when players just need to make plays.
[/quote]
Thats what was so perplexing yesterday, and what outsiders who didnt watch the game wont understand. We threw EVERYTHING at Fitzpatrick, zone blitz, normal zone coverages, zone-man, man coverage with safety help, zero blitz, cov 1 blitz. Not a damn thing changed anything, it was ridiculous.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1288054124' post='520970']
Thats what was so perplexing yesterday, and what outsiders who didnt watch the game wont understand. We threw EVERYTHING at Fitzpatrick, zone blitz, normal zone coverages, zone-man, man coverage with safety help, zero blitz, cov 1 blitz. Not a damn thing changed anything, it was ridiculous.
[/quote]

I think it really left Mattison scratching his head. Our defense got straight up picked apart by Fitzgerald. The guy was just playing with Bravado and determination. If we could've found something that worked, we would probably would've rode it.

[Jamal]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1288049457' post='520861']
He played yesterday and got a pass deflection but I didn't see him do much rushing the QB.
[/quote]
He played yesterday??

Nevermind my spark comment than.....