This Defense Vs. Last Years

[Ravens Lover]

After seeing the D in the last game I am very excited to see what Pagano can do as the Coordinator, I definitely can see the pass rush difference.

[AsianRice]

He should be our D-coordinator long time ago, but we chose Mattison over him. It's better late than never. I can't wait to see him opening up his book for the Steelers.

[scrock]

This years defense has a lot of potential, I think we got younger, we have guys who are maturing and starting to be able to play for us, guys like Paul Kruger, Art Jones, Sergio Kindle is healthy, Pernell McPhee sounds like he was a steal in the draft, Bernard Pollard is a big hitting safety

I think this years defense will be better than last years, our CB situation is a good one too, we have a lot of quality depth and should be able to cover pretty well, especially if Cary Williams is a starter

[jimmysmith3]

A great mix of vets and young players on D. I'm so pumped for this season.

[Indestructible]

It's gonna be night and day. We are going to be much more aggressive and explosive. With the talent and speed of our young guys, QB's aren't gonna have the time to sit back and torch our Corners. And once Jimmy Smith really gets his feet under him, that will free up Reed to freelance or help in coverage on the other side. It's gonna be a great year.

[mhead66]

I agree with everyone else, the pass rush should improve significantly. Here's my question:

Last year we kept 7 DLinemen and 9 LBs. On the line, we've lost Kelly Gregg and added Pernell McPhee. An improvement.

At LB, we've gained Paul Kruger and Sergio Kindle, which - in my opinion - leaves Jason Phillips and either Gooden or Burgess out the door. Seriously, with Lewis, Suggs, JJ, Kruger, Kindle, McClain, Ellerbe, Ayanbedejo and Gooden/Burgess... [b]who starts[/b]?

On the line, Ngata is a given. You only want him sitting if he needs a breather. In addition, you have McPhee, Redding, Cody and Art Jones sharing two spots. Four players and two positions. A logjam.

At ILB, Ray and McClain/Ellerbe will start. At OLB, another logjam: Suggs will be on one side, with JJ, Kruger and Kindle fighting for time on the other side. Three players sharing time at one position.

I think the pass rush is going to improve, but with both Kruger and Kindle looking vastly improved, with McPhee and Arthur Jones showing impressive ability to get a pass rush... the last 2 preseason games should determine who gets the majority of the snaps.

Who do you think will get the nod? We can only start seven players in the front 7 (obviously )

[The King]

I see this defense as having improved somewhat from last year's. Improvement or at least equality at every position, and a lot of help seems to be coming in the pass rush. Pagano will prove himself a major upgrade from Mattison.

[MLGWL20]

I see Reed getting double digit pics cause of the improvement of the pass rush and the bigger more physical CBs

[Indestructible]

I think we will see alot of the same starters as last year, at least at the beginning of the year. As the year progresses, there will be real battles obviously but its a good problem to have. You have a deep stable of talented players for many situations, as well as gives you the ability to keep guys fresh. Not to mention, if one guy goes down.. we have another just as capable to step in.

[Indestructible]

[quote name='MLGWL20' timestamp='1314050026' post='760188']
I see Reed getting double digit pics cause of the improvement of the pass rush and the bigger more physical CBs
[/quote]


Double digit picks for Reed and a TON more sacks from the front seven. You can't double everyone!

[The Raven]

[quote name='MLGWL20' timestamp='1314050026' post='760188']
I see Reed getting double digit pics cause of the improvement of the pass rush and the bigger more physical CBs
[/quote]

I'd love for that to happen, but is it feasible? Has [i]anyone[/i] gotten double-digit picks?

edit: Looked it up, Night Train did get 14 picks in 1952. And that was in a ten game season... Holy crap.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1314051233' post='760207']

I'd love for that to happen, but is it feasible? Has [i]anyone[/i] gotten double-digit picks?
[/quote]
Yes, there have been several players with 10+ picks. The last player was Antonio Cromartie with 10 in 2007. Reed did have 8 picks in 10 games last year, so he could definitely pull it off. We are also playing a pretty weak schedule with a[i] lot [/i]of young QBs.

[The Raven]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1314051602' post='760215']
Yes, there have been several players with 10+ picks. The last player was Antonio Cromartie with 10 in 2007. Reed did have 8 picks in 10 games last year, so he could definitely pull it off. We are also playing a pretty weak schedule with a[i] lot [/i]of young QBs.
[/quote]

Thats a good point, especially with the young QBs we're playing. Either way, ten picks is a rediculous feat, but Reed is more than capable of that.

[Ravensfan23]

I think many people are overlooking 2 key factors that will improve our pass rush and neither one is the play of the guys who will be getting after the QB.

It's run defense and press coverage.

It will be extermely hard for any team to run the ball against the Ravens this year. I'm talking no more then 65 yards rushing a game, and that could turn into about 55 yards(which would be a record), if the offense can become explosive and put up points early in games.

Ngata, Cody, McKinney and Redding have looked really good against the ran over the first 2 preseason game. But even if those guys weren't playing so well, Pagano's aggressive style will have our LBs and Safeties shooting the gaps/backside on run blitzes.

If teams can't run the ball on first and second downs with any success, it'll put them into 3rd and long situations. In that case Pagnao will really attack them.

Then with the press coverage, teams won't be able to steal yards on our defense like they did last year. The defense wasn't as successful at getting off the field on 3rd downs as years pasted, because we allowed too many yards on first and second downs. Then what made matters worse, when we did actually get into 3rd and longs, we played too soft in coverage and it made for easy completions without much pressure.

Well this year the Ravens will get a lot more physical with WRs at the LOS and disrupt the timing of the offense. Also it will allow Ed Reed to work closer to the LOS and become even more of a weapon because QB won't be able to avoid him as much. With the aggressive ball hawking style of Cary and Jimmy, it'll allow Ed to play games with the QB like he did when we had Mac and Rolle back there.

The word that will probably discribe the Ravens defense best this year is Suffocating.

Teams are gonna feel like they can't run the ball. They're gonna feel like it's not enough room to pass the ball, because of lack of separation. Then when they do have to throw down field they are gonna either feel like they don't have time, or they won't trust what they see.

Then if the offense holds up their end of the bargin, which I think they will, teams are gonna look up and the Ravens will already have 17 points on the board, forcing teams to get into comeback mode. With means more 1 dimensional offenses.

I think our franchise record for sacks in a single season is 60 and our INTs is 26. Both records might be broken this year.

[colljb9]

Agree with everyone else here i actually personally think everyone will get playing time as i could see Pagano drawing up different packages for different players. I mean Webb in blitzing schemes, Nakamura shot through the a gap for a sack, put kruger on one side looking for the screen and let suggs and mcphee bull rush, leave jimmy and cary in man to man with reed roaming and blitz pollard. Pagano understands defenses and i think we are all going to be suprised come week 1. I understand some were by backups but I mean if 5 sacks, an interception, and at least 5 pass deflections was a non gameplanned vanilla defense...im pretty excited to see a set depth chart defense with pagano going all out...sounds scary to me

[MsMarvel73]

I think the D is taking on Pagano's swagger already.

Lovin' it already!

[Romo Ravens]

Jimmy Smith looked like a stud last game. Bowe just got lucky. Our D looks awesome, so happy

[Crabcakes&Football]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1314051233' post='760207']

I'd love for that to happen, but is it feasible? Has [i]anyone[/i] gotten double-digit picks?

edit: Looked it up, Night Train did get 14 picks in 1952. And that was in a ten game season... Holy crap.
[/quote]

It is Ed Reed we are talking about here. Double digits are definitely feasible.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Crabcakes&Football' timestamp='1314058331' post='760336']

It is Ed Reed we are talking about here. Double digits are definitely feasible.
[/quote]

He hasn't done it yet. I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but even if "it is Ed Reed we are talking about here" he still hasn't done it yet. He's been in the NFL a while, he's had the opportunity to do it. Not hating, just saying. He's got potential to do it of course, but potential is defined by what you haven't done yet.

[1/28/01]

Considering he had 8 last year in 10 games, he could definitely do it. Had 9 in another season as well.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='PARavensgirl' timestamp='1314053794' post='760277']
I think the D is taking on Pagano's swagger already.

Lovin' it already!
[/quote]

i was thinking the same thing! i love it as well!

~Mili

[scrock]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1314058658' post='760342']
Considering he had 8 last year in 10 games, he could definitely do it. Had 9 in another season as well.
[/quote]

yeah, i think if he played 6 extra games he might have been in running for defensive player of year based on INT totals alone, haha

[jus'_crAzy]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1314049692' post='760181']
I agree with everyone else, the pass rush should improve significantly. Here's my question:

Last year we kept 7 DLinemen and 9 LBs. On the line, we've lost Kelly Gregg and added Pernell McPhee. An improvement.

At LB, we've gained Paul Kruger and Sergio Kindle, which - in my opinion - leaves Jason Phillips and either Gooden or Burgess out the door. Seriously, with Lewis, Suggs, JJ, Kruger, Kindle, McClain, Ellerbe, Ayanbedejo and Gooden/Burgess... [b]who starts[/b]?

On the line, Ngata is a given. You only want him sitting if he needs a breather. In addition, you have McPhee, Redding, Cody and Art Jones sharing two spots. Four players and two positions. A logjam.

At ILB, Ray and McClain/Ellerbe will start. At OLB, another logjam: Suggs will be on one side, with JJ, Kruger and Kindle fighting for time on the other side. Three players sharing time at one position.

I think the pass rush is going to improve, but with both Kruger and Kindle looking vastly improved, with McPhee and Arthur Jones showing impressive ability to get a pass rush... the last 2 preseason games should determine who gets the majority of the snaps.

Who do you think will get the nod? We can only start seven players in the front 7 (obviously [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png[/img] )
[/quote]
I think the starting lineup will be obvious. The key this year will be our rotation. Dem boys gon be crazy.

[mhead66]

[quote name='jus'_crAzy' timestamp='1314060888' post='760407']
[b]I think the starting lineup will be obvious.[/b] The key this year will be our rotation. Dem boys gon be crazy.
[/quote]
I'm not sure it's obvious... I like his all-around game, but Jarret Johnson only had 1.5 sacks last year, at OLB. I'm certain that Sergio can quadruple that, and the "new and improved" Paul Kruger can add 5 sacks, without a doubt...

[Gordo52]

Pagano will be a head coach one day. The way our D looks compared to last year in terms of play calling I think is better, more aggresive like how RAVENS are supposed to be. I think Smith,McPhee,Williams,Jones,Cody,Kindle,Kruger all have a good year

[jus'_crAzy]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1314063521' post='760458']

I'm not sure it's obvious... I like his all-around game, but Jarret Johnson only had 1.5 sacks last year, at OLB. I'm certain that Sergio can quadruple that, and the "new and improved" Paul Kruger can add 5 sacks, without a doubt...
[/quote]
Sergio's still getting adjusted to everything so we're starting him out on special teams. I think it's a bit unrealistic to see him start ahead of JJ right now.

Also Kruger backs up Suggs on the other side.


EDIT: forgot to add JJ played injured last year so expect his sack count to go up. He's also one of the better run defenders on this defense.

[Radinho84]

let´s just wait at least for the steelers game to judge our defense.
we are on a good way i think but don´t get too excited at this point of the year...

[joemak]

Our defense seemed exhausted last year in the 4th quarter. and it was as embarressed as ive ever been of our D. were supposed to be a top 5 D and we cant even make it through a ball game. I dont know if it was Mattison or injuries or what. But it was embarressing.

[RavenRage92]

Anybody think Zibby still has a chance to start over Pollard??

[#1RavenFan]

i think as long as ed reed stays healthy thru the season double digit picks is def. going to happen... (imo)... im just excited to see our pass rush this season !! with all the new guys on the line (New starting people, I.e. Mount Cody, Mcphee maybe, Kindle, Kruger etc.) it should be an intresting season, also lets not forget our revamped recieving corp [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/banana1.gif[/img] with an improved offense it should take some of the pressure off the defense, which could lead to a more overall agressive defense, just for the shear fact they dont have to "worry" about giving up A touchdown. anyone getting what im saying ? lol