An Erroneous Observation on our Defense.

[BMORElegacy]

The idea that our defense is "old", "aging", and "slow" has been tossed around the last couple of years and has really started to pick up steam with their woes lately. But to say that the Ravens defense is "old and broken" is only half true. There is clearly something wrong and broken but they are far from old. Here is an article from the summer that highlights my point: [url="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-07-27/sports/bs-sp-ravens-camp-0728-20120727_1_lardarius-webb-terrence-cody-courtney-upshaw"]http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-07-27/sports/bs-sp-ravens-camp-0728-20120727_1_lardarius-webb-terrence-cody-courtney-upshaw[/url]

In essence, the experts love to make generalizations that our team's D is old and that is why they're giving up 400 yards a game. The reality is that there are glaring issues with regards to stopping the run and pass but it has absolutely nothing to do with an aging defense (unlike the numerous starters over 30 for Pittsburgh).

Yes we have the big names like Ray and Ed that are up there in age but the vast majority of our starters are young.

I just hate it when these people expose their ignorance and then proceed to act like they know what they're talking about with regards to our team. Yes, there are issues. But age is not one of them. If anything, our defense is too young and inexperienced.

That is all. I'm just fed up of hearing these half truths being parroted throughout the various sports shows. If you're going to present to an audience that you're an expert at least exert minimal effort and come up with an original thought that has some fact behind it.

[ravensfan160]

You know what I sorta wish our problems on defense were that we are old. But you are right, with Ray out the only "old" guy is Reed. The only other player 30 years old is Suggs.

Our defense isn't old it's just bad.

[PurpleReign92]

[u][b]Dean Peas hidden [/b][/u][b][u]Agenda[/u][/b]

I think every coordinator in the league should swear an oath to the team because it seems like Dean Peas is still coaching for the Pats..

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='PurpleReign92' timestamp='1350995287' post='1201475']
[u][b]Dean Peas hidden [/b][/u][b][u]Agenda[/u][/b]

I think every coordinator in the league should swear an oath to the team because it seems like Dean Peas is still coaching for the Pats..
[/quote]What are you talking about?

[berad]

Rodney Harrison said it on Sunday Night, when we were without Ray. But he's a clown.The only person over 30 on our D now is Reed. Is Suggs 30+?

[PurpleReign92]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1350995365' post='1201476']
What are you talking about?
[/quote]

What I'm a talking about Pats send spy's and they send more spy's and they win a championship..

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='PurpleReign92' timestamp='1350995620' post='1201479']
What I'm a talking about Pats send spy's and they send more spy's and they win a championship..
[/quote]This is the purplereign i know... expletive

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1350995372' post='1201477']
Rodney Harrison said it on Sunday Night, when we were without Ray. But he's a clown.The only person over 30 on our D now is Reed. [b]Is Suggs 30+?[/b]
[/quote]
Yeah Suggs just turned 30.

[berad]

[quote name='ravensfan160' timestamp='1350996905' post='1201488']
Yeah Suggs just turned 30.
[/quote]

Darn, then two old slobs weighing us down

[ravens88]

i just hope this is a lack of proper playcalling and scheme and not talent... but im starting to lean talent unfortunately.. when your ranked 26th in total D thats just bad...

[Moderator 3]

We should have a "Myth Busters" thread. Day after day I read the same false crap about our team because people just parrot what they heard or read somewhere.

First myth to bust: Michael Oher false starts at least once a game. SO untrue.

[display name]

Kelly Gregg is available in free agency!

[display name]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1350995372' post='1201477']
Rodney Harrison said it on Sunday Night, when we were without Ray. But he's a clown.The only person over 30 on our D now is Reed. Is Suggs 30+?
[/quote]
Kemouteau is also 33. He sucks.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1350997908' post='1201494']
We should have a "Myth Busters" thread. Day after day I read the same false crap about our team because people just parrot what they heard or read somewhere.

First myth to bust: Michael Oher false starts at least once a game. SO untrue.
[/quote]

yeah, but when there's a game and he does it... he really goes for them lol

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1351001799' post='1201523']
Kemouteau is also 33. He sucks.
[/quote]
And he beat out Cody. What does that say about him. Ouch!

[CalvinSmoke]

Inexperience and lack of discipline killed us against the Texans. Especially amongst our linebackers (Excluding Suggs of course) I saw countless plays in which the young man would chase the play instead of keeping his pursuit angle and then got cut back on.

Or they dont stay in their hole and the Back would just bounce to where the line-backer was supposed to be. Pees actually has these guys in the right places sometimes... These young men are just making the wrong decisions. Certainly getting a baptism by fire

[The Raven]

[quote name='PurpleReign92' timestamp='1350995287' post='1201475']
[u][b]Dean Peas hidden [/b][/u][b][u]Agenda[/u][/b]

I think every coordinator in the league should swear an oath to the team because it seems like Dean Peas is still coaching for the Pats..
[/quote]

Oh good you're back. We've missed you and your insightful posts!

[msufan]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1350994659' post='1201472'].If anything, our defense is too young and inexperienced.
[/quote] that is our biggest problem is inexperienced.

[frozen joe flacco fan]

I submit one of the main problems with our defense is the lack of continuity at the Defensive Coordinator Position. Because we have had so many different coordinators, starting with Marvin Lewis, it is difficult for the inexperienced players like Jimmy Smith to learn one system. It is also easier for the teams we play to learn our defensive tendencies when our coaches leave and become head coaches elsewhere. With all due respect to Marvin Lewis (head coach), Mike Nolan, Rex Ryan (head coach), and Chuck Pagano (head coach), Ray Lewis has been our defensive coach since our Super Bowl season. The players should be commended for sustaining their high level of play during such a period of constant change. Make no mistake about it. The success of the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense is directly attributable to their 75 year old defensive coordinator, Dick Lebeau. I will reserve judgement on Dean Pees' success or lack of it until I see how we respond to the adversity we are currently experiencing on the defensive side of the ball. Excluding the safety and pick six TD given up by our offense on Sunday, our once proud defensive unit surrendered 34 points. It is time for the youthful, inexperienced next men up to grow up and to adopt the mantra --- "If it is to be, it is up to me." It is time for some of the younger players to step up or move on to other teams. The organization's loyalty to the players is laudable but loyalty works both ways. Ed Reed plays every game like it will be his last. The younger players should take a page from his book.

[display name]

I say we dump Kemouteau and pick Kelly Gregg back up.

[The Raven]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1351015656' post='1201805']
I say we dump Kemouteau and pick Kelly Gregg back up.
[/quote]

There is a good reason why he is a free agent. There is a reason we signed Kemo and not Gregg.

[display name]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1351015725' post='1201808']
There is a good reason why he is a free agent. There is a reason we signed Kemo and not Gregg.
[/quote]
Gregg has to be better than Kemo. He has to be. He. has. to. be.

[berad]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1351001799' post='1201523']
Kemouteau is also 33. He sucks.
[/quote]

Forgot about him, indeed he does

[frozen joe flacco fan]

[quote name='PurpleReign92' timestamp='1350995287' post='1201475']
[u][b]Dean Peas hidden [/b][/u][b][u]Agenda[/u][/b]

I think every coordinator in the league should swear an oath to the team because it seems like Dean Peas is still coaching for the Pats..
[/quote]Your quote is incredible! Didn't we defeat the Pats this year? I'm with Bmorelegacy on this one. What are you talking about?

[AlaskanRavensFan]

[quote name='frozen joe flacco fan' timestamp='1351011934' post='1201736']
I submit one of the main problems with our defense is the lack of continuity at the Defensive Coordinator Position. Because we have had so many different coordinators, starting with Marvin Lewis, it is difficult for the inexperienced players like Jimmy Smith to learn one system. It is also easier for the teams we play to learn our defensive tendencies when our coaches leave and become head coaches elsewhere. With all due respect to Marvin Lewis (head coach), Mike Nolan, Rex Ryan (head coach), and Chuck Pagano (head coach), Ray Lewis has been our defensive coach since our Super Bowl season. The players should be commended for sustaining their high level of play during such a period of constant change. Make no mistake about it. The success of the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense is directly attributable to their 75 year old defensive coordinator, Dick Lebeau. I will reserve judgement on Dean Pees' success or lack of it until I see how we respond to the adversity we are currently experiencing on the defensive side of the ball. Excluding the safety and pick six TD given up by our offense on Sunday, our once proud defensive unit surrendered 34 points. It is time for the youthful, inexperienced next men up to grow up and to adopt the mantra --- "If it is to be, it is up to me." It is time for some of the younger players to step up or move on to other teams. The organization's loyalty to the players is laudable but loyalty works both ways. Ed Reed plays every game like it will be his last. The younger players should take a page from his book.
[/quote]

I think you are on to something there. Every few years Oz has to see what he's got. There has been a logjam on defense with Ray, JJ and Redding. Not a bad thing necessarily, but because of that we didn't know what the younger players on our defense were capable of. To be fair, we still don't. However, Oz needs to find out because some of these guys are coming up on contract years or will be soon.

[BenMir]

[quote name='frozen joe flacco fan' timestamp='1351136665' post='1203130']
Your quote is incredible! Didn't we defeat the Pats this year? I'm with Bmorelegacy on this one. What are you talking about?
[/quote]
Think about it. We won.. yes, but how did the defense play?

[frozen joe flacco fan]

Your point is well taken. It did take an extraordinary offensive effort to beat the Pats. The defense gave up 30 points. I'm just not ready to blame it all on Dean Pees yet. Our pass rush is hurting us partly due to the loss of Suggs in the first six games but our inability to stop the run is inexcusable as is our DB play. It shows just how good Lardarius Webb is. Our once proud defense has been decimated by injuries to key players and free agency.

[DocMartin]

Defense has to get better. We all know we missing several key players, but we cannot be giving up 30 points a game and expect to make Playoffs. With the players we have on this defense, we should be ranked at least mid-pack in top 15 team, not 27th or 28th. There is lot of blame to go around, including players and coaches. We need to plug some holes on defense, and we should consider bringing in free agent.
We are 5-2 and tough schedule ahead. Winning the division is the key to success. It will take at least 10 wins or more. With our dismal performances on the road, wild card is a bad option.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1351015656' post='1201805']
I say we dump Kemouteau and pick Kelly Gregg back up.
[/quote]

I like this.....bring back Buddy L!

[Tank 92]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1350994659' post='1201472']
The idea that our defense is "old", "aging", and "slow" has been tossed around the last couple of years and has really started to pick up steam with their woes lately. But to say that the Ravens defense is "old and broken" is only half true. There is clearly something wrong and broken but they are far from old. Here is an article from the summer that highlights my point: [url="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-07-27/sports/bs-sp-ravens-camp-0728-20120727_1_lardarius-webb-terrence-cody-courtney-upshaw"]http://articles.balt...courtney-upshaw[/url]

In essence, the experts love to make generalizations that our team's D is old and that is why they're giving up 400 yards a game. The reality is that there are glaring issues with regards to stopping the run and pass but it has absolutely nothing to do with an aging defense (unlike the numerous starters over 30 for Pittsburgh).

Yes we have the big names like Ray and Ed that are up there in age but the vast majority of our starters are young.

I just hate it when these people expose their ignorance and then proceed to act like they know what they're talking about with regards to our team. Yes, there are issues. But age is not one of them. If anything, our defense is too young and inexperienced.

That is all. I'm just fed up of hearing these half truths being parroted throughout the various sports shows. If you're going to present to an audience that you're an expert at least exert minimal effort and come up with an original thought that has some fact behind it.
[/quote]


Yep. We're not old, we just plain suck.

But seriously, I think we will see a different squad on both sides of the ball from here on out. I expect some good things to come from this mid season break and we get back to being a respectable D. Or at least one that can keep the opponents somewhere under 400 yards and 35 points!