Defensive Overview

[BMORE_96]

With 2 gaping holes on the O-Line, a need for a dynamic TE, and a playmaking outside WR, we are understandably focusing on offense in the draft and FA. This does not mean defense poses no concern at all, however. We have a lot of guys hitting free agency and with them ,we still had noticeable weaknesses. 

Some units were strengths and some need work. No unrestricted free agents will be listed, but they will be mentioned as solutions to fill certain holes. 

 

D-Linee(5):

Haloti Ngata, Brandon Williams, Deangelo Tyson, Chris Canty, Kapron Lewis-Moore

 

The line did a great job all year. They stuffed runs and generated a decent pass rush at times. Having Arthur Jones here would be great but is not necessary at all. Considering McPhee can slide in at DE in passing downs and our recent streak of hitting on defensive lineman in the later rounds of the draft, we can draft another guy, graduate Tyson to a starter, and maybe sign cody to a minimum deal.  

 

Outside Lbs(5)

Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Courtney Upshaw, Pernell McPhee, John Simon

 

The pass rush was great early,especially from Dumervil. With injuries, it slowed down greatly. Strangely, we had trouble shutting down the edge. Suggs, later in  the season, had trouble holding position and was quick to push his man inside and let the runner go outside him. Upshaw had the worst PFF grade on the defense for his lack of a pash rush(I suppose) and he was not blowing up run plays like last year either.  McPhee was good in spot duty as a pash rusher and Simon demonstrated potential as a run defender and pash rusher in the preseason. 

 

Cutting Suggs here would allow us to bring back some other defensive guys and maybe a C or RT in FA, but I don't know if we can replace him even though we have great depth here. Pass rush could be a problem next season but trading Suggs for a second round pick could give us a guy who can rush and defend the run.

 

Inside Lbs(4)

Arthur Brown, Jameel McClain, Josh Bynes, Albert McClellan

 

No one really shined at either Mike or Will. Brown needs to start next year. McClain should be cut

Smith is not really good as a run defender but he has been our best coverage lb in a long time. PFF thought he was average and he is getting up there in age. If he does not sign for cheap, find someone else in FA. I would like Rolando back and Bynes would be a last resort. Drafting promising depth would be good too. 

 

Corners(4)

Jimmy Smith, Lardarius Webb, Chykie Brown, Asa Jackson

 

Webb and Smith were awesome. So was Graham. If we let go of Sugg's huge contract, we should try to resign Corey unless Asa or even Chykie can replace that production.  Drafting depth would help and if we don't sign Corey, another veteran would not hurt.

 

Safety(2)

Matt Elam, Omar Brown

We need a true FS and depth. Elam performed admirably and could do better at SS. Trawick and Levine were pure ST and I don't expect them to do anything else in the future. That is why they are not listed. Signing Kendrick lewis or even ihedigbo as stopgaps would be fine. I don't think we can find a player for the future this year with our current needs on offense but next year could see us drafting a safety early. Drafting depth is fine.

 

Needs(assuming depth can be addressed easily):

FS, Mike lb

 

*The very same positions Lewis and Reed held

 

 

[Alexir]

I am fine with cutting Suggs (restructure would be preferred) and re-signing Art Jones. I don't know where we get the money from, maybe a Webb restructure? But I would also like to keep Daryl Smith. It is hard to call Arthur Brown a disappointment but using such a high pick (1st and 2nd rounders are usually starters) and seeing him behind Bynes and McClain was disheartening. Hopefully he can get on the field more next season.

 

Safety wise, here is what I think...We are tied down by our lack of cap space. I do not want to waste it on a safety. Omar Brown has shown flashes. I rather have him back there then bring in a vet and spend a million or 2. We need the money for offensive and defensive line.

[Sami84]

Upshaw has been very mediocre.

 

OUr lack of successful drafting, ageing stars and lack of cap don't bode well. I think a lot of people here are being way to optimistic about our future. 

 

Im also very disappointed in arthur brown. It was his position to lose. He didnt do anything noteworthy.

[Free Agent]

Im also very disappointed in arthur brown. It was his position to lose. He didnt do anything noteworthy.

 

His position to lose? He had Daryl Smith, Josh Bynes, and an eventually healthy Jameel McClain to beat out. Plus the guy was a rookie, he had to get the defense down. And I'd say he was our best coverage linebacker this season, thats pretty noteworthy.

[blackandpurplesacks]

His position to lose? He had Daryl Smith, Josh Bynes, and an eventually healthy Jameel McClain to beat out. Plus the guy was a rookie, he had to get the defense down. And I'd say he was our best coverage linebacker this season, thats pretty noteworthy.

 

I would be willing to guess that McClain gets cut and Brown takes over his starting spot next year, with Bynes subbing in (if we re-sign Daryl)

[Free Agent]

I would be willing to guess that McClain gets cut and Brown takes over his starting spot next year, with Bynes subbing in (if we re-sign Daryl)

 

I would be totally okay with that. I'm not a McClain fan.

[LEGEN-wait for it-DARY]

I would be willing to guess that McClain gets cut and Brown takes over his starting spot next year, with Bynes subbing in (if we re-sign Daryl)

 

 

I would be totally okay with that. I'm not a McClain fan.

 

Cutting McClain, Leach, and Koch, extending Suggs, and restructuring Webb would open up a ton of cap space.

 

It would be better to release Koch after June 1st though because it would save 600k more and would give us time to look at the new punter.

[Purple_ICE 81]

Upshaw has been very mediocre.

 

OUr lack of successful drafting, ageing stars and lack of cap don't bode well. I think a lot of people here are being way to optimistic about our future. 

 

Im also very disappointed in arthur brown. It was his position to lose. He didnt do anything noteworthy.

Upshaw is mediocre in terms of his development into a 3 down pass rushing OLB. But he still brings alot to the run defense on early downs.

[Purple_ICE 81]

Resign Daryl Smith to a 2 year contract. Look at someone like Ryan Mundy or Kerry Rhodes in free agency and draft a 2nd or 3rd round FS. Than you have your mike LB and FS.

[ravefan52]

Resign Daryl Smith to a 2 year contract. Look at someone like Ryan Mundy or Kerry Rhodes in free agency and draft a 2nd or 3rd round FS. Than you have your mike LB and FS.

I like Rhodes as an option too. With some of the stuff off the field I could see him coming cheap. I think he can still be a good player and it seems like the type of vet bargain signing we would make. My other top options for FS would be Clemons and Griffin. Both might be a little pricey, but we could afford it if Pitta walks and both would be great additions to our secondary. There's a few FS draft prospects I like, but I don't want to rely solely on that.

[Purple_ICE 81]

I like Rhodes as an option too. With some of the stuff off the field I could see him coming cheap. I think he can still be a good player and it seems like the type of vet bargain signing we would make. My other top options for FS would be Clemons and Griffin. Both might be a little pricey, but we could afford it if Pitta walks and both would be great additions to our secondary. There's a few FS draft prospects I like, but I don't want to rely solely on that.

I dont know about Michael Griffin, he is coming off a pretty solid season and would likely become one of the most sought after safeties and probably end up making more than we can pay him. I feel like a cheap veteran FS combined with a drafted FS could be a good combo. If our veteran signee pulls a Michael Huff on us we could just part ways and use our rookie.

[Bravens292]

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  22m

John Harbaugh when asked if he expects Jameel McClain back: 'Absolutely, he can be a part of this. I would expect him to be a part of this.'

 

coach speak or no?

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  22m

John Harbaugh when asked if he expects Jameel McClain back: 'Absolutely, he can be a part of this. I would expect him to be a part of this.'

 

coach speak or no?

Hopefully coach speak, but who knows. I mean the guy was better than Ellerbe 2 years ago, but didn't look the same after the injury. I think we've done right by him in keeping his salary the whole time he was injured. He needs to take a more drastic pay cut this year, or I think its best to let him walk.

Arthur Brown should be starting and I want Daryl back.

[The Raven]

With the Seahawks rumored to cut Red Bryant for cap room, anybody opposed to picking him up to replace Art Jones?

[SecretAgentMan]

With the Seahawks rumored to cut Red Bryant for cap room, anybody opposed to picking him up to replace Art Jones?

Bryant is a big boy who excels in stopping the run. It would literally be two 320 + lbs guys on the line... He'd be a great pickup for that reason alone..

[DomMcRaven]

I'm not opposed with getting Red Bryant. Besides Ozzie likes to get those who were cut.........of course at the right price.

[display name]

 

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  22m

John Harbaugh when asked if he expects Jameel McClain back: 'Absolutely, he can be a part of this. I would expect him to be a part of this.'

 

coach speak or no?

 

 

 

Hopefully coach speak, but who knows. I mean the guy was better than Ellerbe 2 years ago, but didn't look the same after the injury. I think we've done right by him in keeping his salary the whole time he was injured. He needs to take a more drastic pay cut this year, or I think its best to let him walk.

Arthur Brown should be starting and I want Daryl back.

I think McClain is most likely gone. His six years with the team have been solid overall (especially for an undrafted FA), but nothing spectacular.

[Bravens292]

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  13m

Falcons to cut Thomas DeCoud: Pro Bowl safety in 2012. http://chilp.it/ca50eb  @footballpost #NFL

 

Not sure what type of safety he is but worth noting

[PurpleCityLights]

No more FA, let the young draft picks try for some of these starting postions that will be open.

[Hjulmann]

Upshaw has been very mediocre.

 

OUr lack of successful drafting, ageing stars and lack of cap don't bode well. I think a lot of people here are being way to optimistic about our future. 

 

Im also very disappointed in arthur brown. It was his position to lose. He didnt do anything noteworthy.

Let's give up before the season starts, shall we?

[Bravens292]

Let's give up before the season starts, shall we?

 

well that was posted 2 months ago. things didnt look encouraging until we got great news like Kubiak, getting some top notch position coaches, salary cap increase, pitta being signed, and suggs extending his contract. i was even a little concerned back then but our offseason is looking awesome so far, as long as we dont ruin it by letting monroe walk which is highly unlikely

[Bravens292]

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  1h

Report: Bills not expected to tag Byrd, or sign him prior to free agency: Free safety is a ... http://bit.ly/1bYnqPp  @footballpost #NFL

 

^ Any Byrd lovers got some good news today

[52520Andrew]

Byrd is going to cost a TON. He is good but he is out of our price range IMO

[Static]

We need to give Arthur Brown time and stop putting stop gap players in his way.

[Cville-Raven]

We need to give Arthur Brown time and stop putting stop gap players in his way.

Hopefully he'll get into things faster since he wont have to go through a surgery like he did last offseason.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Byrd is overrated. Hope he gets a fat contract..long as its not us!

[Dr. Kelley]

His position to lose? He had Daryl Smith, Josh Bynes, and an eventually healthy Jameel McClain to beat out. Plus the guy was a rookie, he had to get the defense down. And I'd say he was our best coverage linebacker this season, thats pretty noteworthy.

ill give you smith, but bynes and mcclain?

[Free Agent]

ill give you smith, but bynes and mcclain?

 

Rookies are never given anything, especially our rookies. Considering they were on the team before him, he had to beat out everyone.

[Cville-Raven]

Byrd is overrated. Hope he gets a fat contract..long as its not us!

Yeah, hes a bit too fragile for my liking. He isn't on Thomas' level.