Last Years Defense vs. This Years Defense

[black blood purple passion]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1364427880' post='1417912']
Some one said some where else on here
"Steven Hawking could run on our D"

Its rude and inappropriate but also funny and just slightly accurate.

Our D was weak last season cept' for the last few weeks.

On paper this D looks outstanding,
On paper.....
[/quote]

finding a funny joke that isn't at someone/somethings expense is harder than the concepts Stephen Hawkings comprehends.

[K-Dog]

[quote name='black blood purple passion' timestamp='1364860325' post='1422102']
finding a funny joke that isn't at someone/somethings expense is harder than the concepts Stephen Hawkings comprehends.
[/quote]

Ironically the joke is at the expense of our defense.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='justifythegame' timestamp='1364857678' post='1422078']
Watch, next year the excuse will be hey they are all inexperienced, or just learning, or they lost a lot of good players, it couldn't have been Pees fault.
[/quote]
There will be no excuse IMO if the defense struggles outside of the first couple of weeks. If so, I'll clamour for his dismissal and Brooks' or Austin's promotion. Like I said, he has the horses this year, and all off season to make sure they know the playbook. No excuses for me.

[black blood purple passion]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1364863464' post='1422147']
Ironically the joke is at the expense of our defense.
[/quote]

definitely a bizarre feeling after so many years of dominance, I was definitely pulling the hair out of my head at times last year especially with the run D. I think beefing up our D line will have a domino effect on our defence that'll see everyones performance increase.

[GrimCoconut]

People need to stop hating on Pees so much. Lol, that's unreal.

[youne]

Let's not forget - the defense did really pick it up near the end of the year. We were ranked high twenties then in the last 6 weeks got up to 17. That means we performed far above what we were doing, so Pees got going once injuries faded off.

Pittsburgh had the top ranked defense, we let in as many touchdowns as them. One of the perks of having a good offense is we don't have to rely solely on having a top 5 D anymore. I'd say with the loss of Q, if our D lands somewhere between 10 and 15 and our O stays on pace we will be in a really good spot.

If a d let people pass 870 yards per game but only let in 1TD per game, you'd be pretty darn happy, right? The most important stat is to win, and if some combo of where the O is now and the D is now lets us do that, then I say eff the rankings. They're fun to watch and brag about, but the Lombardi trumps all...as we showed this year.

[display name]

[quote name='youne' timestamp='1364881942' post='1422366']
Let's not forget - the defense did really pick it up near the end of the year. We were ranked high twenties then in the last 6 weeks got up to 17. That means we performed far above what we were doing, so Pees got going once injuries faded off.

Pittsburgh had the top ranked defense, we let in as many touchdowns as them. One of the perks of having a good offense is we don't have to rely solely on having a top 5 D anymore. I'd say with the loss of Q, if our D lands somewhere between 10 and 15 and our O stays on pace we will be in a really good spot.

If a d let people pass 870 yards per game but only let in 1TD per game, you'd be pretty darn happy, right? The most important stat is to win, and if some combo of where the O is now and the D is now lets us do that, then I say eff the rankings. They're fun to watch and brag about, but the Lombardi trumps all...as we showed this year.
[/quote]
Thank you! Thank you! Thank You! Alleluia!

[Ravenseconbeast]

Not really either/or answer.

Its more of a "all of the above".

[sameoldbull]

[quote name='justifythegame' timestamp='1364851980' post='1421994']
Because Dean Pees has no business coordinating in the NFL
[/quote]

Last years defense might not have been so good as we are used to, but stating that Dean Pees has no business being a DC is a bit... harsh to say at least.
He was the DC in New England Patriots from 2006-2009 and he fielded units that ranked as following:

2006: 2nd in pts and 6th in yards.
2007: 4th in pts and 4th in yards.
2008: 8th in pts and 10th in yards.
2009: 5th in pts and 11th in yards.

This is per pro-football-reference.com. I would say that it really wasn't that bad especially if you look at the 2005 season for Patriots when they were 17th in pts and 26th in yards. Do I miss Chuck? Hell yeah, but Dean Pees is definitely an underrated DC and he wasn't rejected in New England, it was his own choice to come to Baltimore as I recall it.

[PurpleCityLights]

Last year>>> We got Ran on.
This year>>> Nobodys running on us.

[PurpleCityLights]

BTW we have a strong Pass Rush now & with the Brady rule gone........QB's are in trouble;-)

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='PurpleCityLights' timestamp='1364916737' post='1422591']
BTW we have a strong Pass Rush now & with the Brady rule gone........QB's are in trouble;-)
[/quote]
Lol, I know it's easy to confuse the Tuck Rule & the Brady Rule, but they are not the same. The Brady Rule prevents defenders from lunging at the QB when they are knocked to the ground. It was designed to prevent injuries like Brady sustained when he tore his ACL in early 2008.

A lot of people confuse these rules but they aren't the same.

[beanfigger]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1364924534' post='1422734']
Lol, I know it's easy to confuse the Tuck Rule & the Brady Rule, but they are not the same. The Brady Rule prevents defenders from lunging at the QB when they are knocked to the ground. It was designed to prevent injuries like Brady sustained when he tore his ACL in early 2008.

A lot of people confuse these rules but they aren't the same.
[/quote]

I wonder if the Hall of Fame committee considers how many new rules a single player is responsible for when electing new members. If Brady gets a few more before retiring, the new Brady rule might be electing him in his first offseason of retirement. Why not? They change tradition all the time for him, anyway.

[justifythegame]

[quote name='sameoldbull' timestamp='1364914531' post='1422565']
Last years defense might not have been so good as we are used to, but stating that Dean Pees has no business being a DC is a bit... harsh to say at least.
He was the DC in New England Patriots from 2006-2009 and he fielded units that ranked as following:

2006: 2nd in pts and 6th in yards.
2007: 4th in pts and 4th in yards.
2008: 8th in pts and 10th in yards.
2009: 5th in pts and 11th in yards.

This is per pro-football-reference.com. I would say that it really wasn't that bad especially if you look at the 2005 season for Patriots when they were 17th in pts and 26th in yards. Do I miss Chuck? Hell yeah, but Dean Pees is definitely an underrated DC and he wasn't rejected in New England, it was his own choice to come to Baltimore as I recall it.
[/quote]
He was fired by Bill Bellichick, Harbs and Pees were buddies and he jumped at the chance to bring him in as a LBs coach.

[sameoldbull]

[size=3][font=georgia, serif][quote name='justifythegame' timestamp='1364928877' post='1422824']
He was fired by Bill Bellichick, Harbs and Pees were buddies and he jumped at the chance to bring him in as a LBs coach.
[/quote][/font][/size]

[size=3][font=georgia, serif]His contract was up and he simply didn't want to renew it. It was his own personal choice. It was a mutual parting with multiple factors (Health, disagreeing on defensive philosophy, the environment or whatsoever).[/font][/size]
[size=3][font=georgia, serif]Anyways this is from his official statement:[/font][/size]

[size=3][font=georgia, serif][color=#333333]"My contract with the New England Patriots will expire in a couple of weeks and I have informed Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick that I will not seek to renew it. I enjoyed my time in New England, but feel this is the right time to pursue other opportunities. I had the privilege of working with some great coaches and great players over the past six seasons and leave the Patriots with some wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. In addition to the players and coaching staff, I want to thank the Kraft family, the media and the fans for all of their support."[/color][/font][/size]
[size=3][font=georgia, serif][color=#333333]From this article: [/color]http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=4826721PP[/font][/size]

[size=3][font=georgia, serif]And I acknowledge that he and Harbaugh are buddies, sure that is true. But he wasn't fired. But please tell me why Dean Pees has nothing to do as a DC in the NFL? Your argument is that he was fired. By following your logic a lot of coaches shouldn't be in the NFL any longer. Heck even Bill Belichick was fired once (by ourself).[/font][/size]

[Yatagarasu]

[center][b][u]Front Seven:[/u][/b][/center]

[center]-----Jones--Ngata--Canty-----[/center]

[center]--Dumervil--McClain--BPA--Suggs----[/center]

[b][u]DL Depth:[/u] [/b]Spears (All Roles), McPhee (Nickel), Cody (NT), Tyson (Depth)

[b][u]LB Depth:[/u][/b] Upshaw (Possible Joker), Ayabedejo (STer), McClellan (ILB), Bynes (ILB), Carr (ILB), Hamilton (ST/OLB), McAdoo (Developmental)

[b][u]Conclusions:[/u][/b]

Our D-line depth is good with a solid depth player in Spears, a impact rusher like McPhee, and some depth in Cody and Tyson.

Our LB Depth is thin because we have a lot of unproven and young players. Ozzie will play this out to training to see who is worthly of making the team, so this will be a whole offseason process, but we do need to talent in the ILB spots, which will be addressed in the Draft.

[u][b]ILB Draftees:[/b][/u]
Arthur Brown - top ILB
Alec Olgetree - borderline 1st round - Elite coverage LB
Kevin Minter - 2nd Round - Instinctual MLB, but is not an elite athlete
Mant'i Teo - 2nd Round - Decorated MLB, but is considered slow and have some questions
Kevin Reddick - 3rd Round - Speedy ILB, but struggles against blocks
Gerald Hodges - 3rd Round - Viewed as a 4-3 OLB, but should be able to play 3-4 ILB due to his versatility.
Jon Bostic - 3rd Round - Physical Downhill LB that can also cover
Kiko Alonso - 4th Round - A great coverage ILB
Sean Porter - 4th Round - A speedy LB that has a lot of versatility to fit for the 3-4 ILB positions
A.J. Klein - 4th Round - A tough ILB that can play all 4 downs
Michael Mauti - 5th Round - Injured, but has all the tools to be an effective ILB

[b][u]Opinion:[/u][/b]
There's a lot of talented ILB that we can draft especially in the mid rounds and I wouldn't be surprised if the team double dips ILB players in the mid rounds. The only time we spend a 1st rounder on a LB is if Arthur Brown drops to our trading range or Alec Olgetree is considered a top player, even though he has off-the-field issues. With two drafted ILB, I feel we have a good chance to build a good ILB depth for this upcoming year.

[Yatagarasu]

[b][u]Secondary:[/u][/b]

[u][b]CB:[/b][/u]
Jimmy Smith - First Round Talent that needs to be healthy
Lardarius Webb - Coming back from injury, but is considered our best when healthy
Corey Graham - All-around CB that is effective
Chykie Brown - Good solid Depth
Asa Jackson - Good Potential to be a slot CB

[u][b]Safeties:[/b][/u]
Michael Huff - Starting FS
James Indigbo - Special Teamer that can spot start at SS
Christian Thompson - Developmental Safety that is on 4-game suspension
Omar Brown - Hungry UDFA safety that could develop into a starter

[u][b]Conclusion:[/b][/u]
Our Depth at safety is thin due to the loss of Reed and Pollard. This position is a definite need for our team and will be addressed in the draft.

[u][b]Safety Draftees:[/b][/u]
Kenny Vaccano - 1st Round - Top safety, but will might be too much of price to trade up
John Cyprien - 1st Round - Physical SS that can cover
Matt Elam - 2nd Round - Quick and aggressive SS that can play both roles
Eric Reid - 2nd Round - Prototypical talented FS
D.J. Swearinger - 2nd Round - Underrated Safety that can hit and also cover WR
Philip Thomas - 3rd Round - Underrated, but a possible ball-hawking FS
Shamarko Thomas - 4th Round - Undersized Aggressive SS
Shawn Williams - 4th Round - Another Bernard Pollard Clone that could fill our missing SS spot
J.J. Wilcox - 5th Round - Developmental Safety with a lot of potential
Tony Jefferson - 5th Round - A talented safety that was exposed to be too slow


The safety class is deep this year and the Ravens should be able to get a good player. 2nd Round might be where the value of getting a good safety.

[justifythegame]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1364990012' post='1423447']
[center][b][u]Front Seven:[/u][/b][/center]

[center]-----Jones--Ngata--Canty-----[/center]

[center]--Dumervil--McClain--BPA--Suggs----[/center]

[b][u]DL Depth:[/u] [/b]Spears (All Roles), McPhee (Nickel), Cody (NT), Tyson (Depth)

[b][u]LB Depth:[/u][/b] Upshaw (Possible Joker), Ayabedejo (STer), McClellan (ILB), Bynes (ILB), Carr (ILB), Hamilton (ST/OLB), McAdoo (Developmental)

[b][u]Conclusions:[/u][/b]

Our D-line depth is good with a solid depth player in Spears, a impact rusher like McPhee, and some depth in Cody and Tyson.

Our LB Depth is thin because we have a lot of unproven and young players. Ozzie will play this out to training to see who is worthly of making the team, so this will be a whole offseason process, but we do need to talent in the ILB spots, which will be addressed in the Draft.

[u][b]ILB Draftees:[/b][/u]
Arthur Brown - top ILB
Alec Olgetree - borderline 1st round - Elite coverage LB
Kevin Minter - 2nd Round - Instinctual MLB, but is not an elite athlete
Mant'i Teo - 2nd Round - Decorated MLB, but is considered slow and have some questions
Kevin Reddick - 3rd Round - Speedy ILB, but struggles against blocks
Gerald Hodges - 3rd Round - Viewed as a 4-3 OLB, but should be able to play 3-4 ILB due to his versatility.
Jon Bostic - 3rd Round - Physical Downhill LB that can also cover
Kiko Alonso - 4th Round - A great coverage ILB
Sean Porter - 4th Round - A speedy LB that has a lot of versatility to fit for the 3-4 ILB positions
A.J. Klein - 4th Round - A tough ILB that can play all 4 downs
Michael Mauti - 5th Round - Injured, but has all the tools to be an effective ILB

[b][u]Opinion:[/u][/b]
There's a lot of talented ILB that we can draft especially in the mid rounds and I wouldn't be surprised if the team double dips ILB players in the mid rounds. The only time we spend a 1st rounder on a LB is if Arthur Brown drops to our trading range or Alec Olgetree is considered a top player, even though he has off-the-field issues. With two drafted ILB, I feel we have a good chance to build a good ILB depth for this upcoming year.
[/quote]

i doubt mcclain plays next year

[display name]

[quote name='justifythegame' timestamp='1365008910' post='1423659']
i doubt mcclain plays next year
[/quote]
Ayanbedejo's time in Baltimore is probably up, so maybe he can see some time on special teams. If we do draft somebody at MLB, they may be ready to start at day one or they may not be ready. McClain can mentor whomever that person is.
McClain, in my opinion, has always been a solid presence. He can also replace Ellerbe, because we do run a 3-4, so their are two starting spots.

[easternshore97]

The thing is that no other team had Ray Lewis and Ed Reed for the last 10 years, however, 6 other teams still won the Super Bowl whether it was with ok defense and great offense or great defense great offense or super stout defense. So we still stand a solid shot just like all the rest

[Guest RBates]

We are obviously younger and faster. However this team's chemistry will be a major factor. I just wish we could have kept the offense together. This is going to be tricky.

[justifythegame]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1365009481' post='1423668']
Ayanbedejo's time in Baltimore is probably up, so maybe he can see some time on special teams. If we do draft somebody at MLB, they may be ready to start at day one or they may not be ready. McClain can mentor whomever that person is.
McClain, in my opinion, has always been a solid presence. He can also replace Ellerbe, because we do run a 3-4, so their are two starting spots.
[/quote]
McClain had a spinal injury that some say he might not be able to come back from, his nfl future might be in question let alone starting next year

[Yatagarasu]

I think next year is when McClain is on the chopping block because it's his last year of his contract. I know the team kept him because the dead money is pretty high compared to the cap hit of this year. McClain showed a lot of promise the year before last year, but injury and weaknesses from what the DPOY in Suggs covered kind of made him an ineffective LB. I hope he heals up and get one more productive year because if not, it might be his last year. That's why it's important for the team to find one or two starting ILBs later in free agency or the draft.

Karlos Dansby and Rookie ILB with McClain as a back-up can do a lot.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if McClain becomes a Post-June 1st release depending on how the draft and rest of the offseason goes.

We have a lot of question marks at ILB, but I have faith Ozzie will fix that.

[display name]

[quote name='justifythegame' timestamp='1365016883' post='1423757']
McClain had a spinal injury that some say he might not be able to come back from, his nfl future might be in question let alone starting next year
[/quote]
I heard that he will not have surgery and everything is "resolving itself."

[CARavensFan]

I don't know where all this hate for McClain came from, people are forgetting that before his injury last year and the season before that he and Ellerbe were teaming up to be our potential MLB tandem for the future. In fact for a while HE was the diamond in the rough that everyone was raving about and Ellerbe was just a knucklhead who couldn't get his act together

I know that McClain hasn't been cleared for football yet medically, but bear in mind that there isn't any football he could be playing right now so why wouldn't they wait until the season was closer?

[funky141]

[quote name='TonyTone1192' timestamp='1364427681' post='1417908']
Entirely too early to tell. On paper it looks like if we're healthy we'll be just as good. But who knows how all of these new guys are going to mesh. This will be the first year our defense will not have a Ray Lewis or an Ed Reed leading the D in our franchises history. I'm a bit skeptical about our D. We've lost 5 out of our 11 starters. It will be a transition definitely. I believe that our Offense will have to carry us until our Defensive unit get's valuable playing time w/ one another uner their belts'
[/quote]

I agree with this..

[justifythegame]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1365083851' post='1424643']
I heard that he will not have surgery and everything is "resolving itself."
[/quote]
I guess its a wait and see kind of thing. Spinal injuries are no joke. We saw Ed Reed play it safe during regular season and turn it on during crucial games/playoff games because of his neck health imo. Guys like Dawan Landry were never really the same again either after those sorts of injuries. Definitey could use McClain with no depth, but he was a borderline starter that was slightly below average on the field imo (though he was much better statistically).