Secondary

[52N19]

"16t. Baltimore Ravens (pending coin flip)
Record: 8-8
Team needs: WR, OT, CB
Analysis: Baltimore's offense hasn't looked the same without Anquan Boldin. They also haven't played that well in the secondary during the 2013 season. Ozzie Newsome will always take the best available player, but it would be tough to pass on a talented wideout to complement Torrey Smith."

why do people say our secondary didn't play well? i think they played very well in 2013 despite the lack of a pass rush in the second half of the year. i think this is one of the only areas we don't need to address for 2014.

[BmoreBird22]

 

"16t. Baltimore Ravens (pending coin flip)
Record: 8-8
Team needs: WR, OT, CB
Analysis: Baltimore's offense hasn't looked the same without Anquan Boldin. They also haven't played that well in the secondary during the 2013 season. Ozzie Newsome will always take the best available player, but it would be tough to pass on a talented wideout to complement Torrey Smith."

why do people say our secondary didn't play well? i think they played very well in 2013 despite the lack of a pass rush in the second half of the year. i think this is one of the only areas we don't need to address for 2014.

I think it has to do with the fact that the Ravens were very prone to the big play and deep ball this year, something that would be easily fixed by signing a true free safety, in my opinion. Having a rookie strong safety trying to play single high free safety is difficult, but with someone back there who knows what they're doing, the Ravens will be alright.

[Jokerraven]

I agree with Bmorebird22 Elam played very  well closer to the line of scrimmage. I even thought Ihedigbo played well I think we gave up more big plays in zone versus man coverage. Jimmy Smith locked down a bunch of talented receivers this year (loved seeing Brandon marshall bang his helmet on the bench in frustration). Do the analyst actually watch the games . webb was playing injured he had a sports hernia even he played well.

[DomMcRaven]

So do we keep Diggs as a backup or not?

[rmw10]

So do we keep Diggs as a backup or not?

 

He's plan B.  If we don't find a FS that we like, I assume we'll bring Diggs back.  If we do find a FS, I assume he moves on in hopes of finding another starting spot somewhere.

[TSizzle00]

Ravens secondary is good, we need a good FS and for their communication to get better though. ILB and the Secondary were question marks going into the season. They were not even close to the main problems the Ravens ended up having.

[GrimCoconut]

The biggest issue I've seen in the secondary is FS, which is a lethal issue we have right now that really needs to be corrected in some way. It is an issue because we're giving up more deep plays than we have in years. I think the reality is we would've given up these plays before but we had Ed "Respect" Reed back there and guys were mostly afraid of throwing at him and if they did throw at him, he either made something happen, got someone else into position to make something happen, or gave up a play on occasion. 

 

Then we did have issues with Graham covering guys at times as well as even Webb and Jimmy Smith had his own issues with penalties and not turning his head at times but these are very minor issues for the most part. Graham was our weakest CB of the starting three and that's not a bad thing. He didn't have a good year, however, compared to last. That may work out for us because we might be able to re-sign him for a low cost as a result. 

[Gorillaz MD]

How many 3rd and shorts turned into 30-40-50 yard plays on the defense this year? During crucial situations? I feel like it was quite a few. Now, were those on the linebackers or the secondary? The scheme perhaps? Hopefully it gets fixed.

[Bullrush]

Then we did have issues with Graham covering guys at times as well as even Webb and Jimmy Smith had his own issues with penalties and not turning his head at times but these are very minor issues for the most part. Graham was our weakest CB of the starting three and that's not a bad thing. He didn't have a good year, however, compared to last. That may work out for us because we might be able to re-sign him for a low cost as a result. 

 

There's nothing he can do about the flags, that's the league being too soft and making sure receivers have an easier time making plays. Big corners will always be flagged regularly for pass interference / holding, that's just the way it is. You look around the league, all the big top corners are getting flagged like crazy, Jimmy is one of them. You have Cromartie who is a penalty machine, he's 6'2 as well, you have Richard Sherman one of the finest corners in the league, he's 6'2 and he gets flagged like crazy as well, you have THE OTHER Seahawks corner Brandon Browner who is a good corner as well, he stands 6'4 and he got flagged like 5 times in 5 games. Aqib Talib leads the Pats in penalties. So the refs are definitely going after these big corners. Personally it wasn't really an issue for me with Jimmy, it happened a few times over the season but it's not a constant thing and I don't want him to change the way he plays / covers people. Him not turning his head at all times is an experience thing, he's done that well in the 2nd half of the season and against the Bengals that was why he ended up with the INT in the endzone, he's definitely getting better at it, it's not an issue anymore. At the beginning of the year it was a little, I agree.

 

As for Webb, he just seems to be too short to cover receivers over 6'3. A lot of times he gives up those bigplays because he can't reach the ball, not because of bad coverage. Usually it's tight and decent coverage, he just can't bat down the ball and gives up too many bigplays because of his height. He can't fix that either.

 

I'm not sure what we'll do with our safeties though. Elam is an in the box safety, he's not good in coverage. Ihedigbo is an in the box safety (better than Elam as well), but he's also somewhat decent in coverage. What I'd like us see to do is bring in a big name free safety (Byrd?), pair him up with Ihedigbo for 1-2 seasons, then replace Ihedigno with Elam.

[BloodRaven]

Some of the best free safeties in the league are converted cornerbacks. Just a thought.

[GrimCoconut]

Some of the best free safeties in the league are converted cornerbacks. Just a thought.

I would still like us to convert Graham to FS. If he's re-signed that is.

[Tank 92]

The secondary was OK, but gave up too many big plays. The lack of a pass rush and the inexperience of Elam can account for part of the issue, but Webb's poor play is to blame as well. I hope he can get it back and play the way he did prior to his second injury. And they were still having communication issues late into the season which have to be fixed moving forward.

 

J Smith emerged and I think will get even better. Diggs offers much more than Pollard did and probably stays. I think Graham stays as well. Not sure what to think about Elam, maybe we are trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. 

[pitchblack_20]

I was starting to wonder how much does a sports hernia injury affect out corners because they seem to not play up to par when they have them.

[Ravens1991]

I would still like us to convert Graham to FS. If he's re-signed that is.

I never thought about that but that's a good idea. He is 6 feet 195 so he is slightly undersized but he did league our team in INTs as the nickel back so he does have fairly decent ball skills. I would need to see game tape of him and see how he played in zone defense but I think that we could pull that off
 

[rmw10]

I would still like us to convert Graham to FS. If he's re-signed that is.

 

Harbaugh seemed really interested in having him back, but definitely as a CB.  He basically said they'd love to have Graham back so CB wouldn't be a position they need to worry about bringing in someone new.

[Willbacker]

I think it has to do with the fact that the Ravens were very prone to the big play and deep ball this year, something that would be easily fixed by signing a true free safety, in my opinion. Having a rookie strong safety trying to play single high free safety is difficult, but with someone back there who knows what they're doing, the Ravens will be alright.

Totally agrree. It should be FS not CB on that list especiaaly after watching Elam get burned by Green last Sun.

[Willbacker]

Harbaugh seemed really interested in having him back, but definitely as a CB.  He basically said they'd love to have Graham back so CB wouldn't be a position they need to worry about bringing in someone new.

Graham can cover the slot and outside plus he's a good SpTeamer. I'd like to see him back at a good price.

[LEGEN-wait for it-DARY]

Hire Seattle's secondary coach, Kris Richard, for defensive coordinator, have him bring Walter Thurmond with him, and let Graham walk. Between Richard's coaching, Webby getting completely healthy and Elo getting NFL experience our secondary would be second only to Seattle's.

 

 

                                                Elam

 

                                                                                            Diggz

 

Jimmy                                                                                                                  Webb                          Thurmond

[Sami84]

Byrd should be our big FA signing if We let suggs go.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Free safety is the biggest need in the secondary right now.  If Graham leaves in FA, then another cornerback is needed as only Webb, Jimmy Smith, Chykie Brown, and Asa Jackson will be under contract.

[rmw10]

Free safety is the biggest need in the secondary right now. If Graham leaves in FA, then another cornerback is needed as only Webb, Jimmy Smith, and Chykie Brown will be under contract.

And Asa Jackson, but I don't know if you can trust him or Chykie as the 3rd CB.

[Mt. Crushmore]

And Asa Jackson, but I don't know if you can trust him or Chykie as the 3rd CB.

 

Oops, forgot about him. I wouldn't trust him or Chykie as the 3rd CB.

[BloodRaven]

Totally agrree. It should be FS not CB on that list especiaaly after watching Elam get burned by Green last Sun.

 

Elam has no instincts in coverage, he's purely a SS.

[GrimCoconut]

I never thought about that but that's a good idea. He is 6 feet 195 so he is slightly undersized but he did league our team in INTs as the nickel back so he does have fairly decent ball skills. I would need to see game tape of him and see how he played in zone defense but I think that we could pull that off

It wasn't mine. Back in 2012 when Ed Reed was doing his normal off-season drama about coming back or not we were asked who would play FS if Ed holds out and Harbaugh responded with Graham, iirc. I remember an article somewhere about it on this website.

[Militant X 1]

Get a true FS and move Elam back to his natural spot at SS.

 

#Mili

[GrimCoconut]

Get a true FS and move Elam back to his natural spot at SS.

#Mili

I'm with this 100%. Elam looks out of place at FS. I don't think he's bad but it's not his strong point but perhaps he kills it this year if he's back there.

[1/28/01]

Draft a top flight corner, move Webb to FS, Jimmy at the other corner position and then Elam at SS. Diggs comes in to wreck the line here and again and have fun in the secondary.

Done!

[Static]

Elam has a year under his belt and I believe he moves back to SS. He could breakout.

 

We need a true FS. I like the idea of webb but this isn't madden and things don't work like that.

 

Asa Jackson looked great in preseason( corner and return man) 

 

I think we get a FA vet for secondary though, we don't have enough draft picks for every position.

[Ravens1991]

I remember Asa tearing it up during pre season as well. If he can develop into a great slot nickel that will be very good for us. Especially with a team that has 2 legit WR and we need to keep Webb on the outside.

I am just so high on Elam at SS I think he can be a pro bowler there. Get a great cover safety and let Elam do his thing at SS.

 

[dhstandard]

Maybe we get lucky and manage to get Jairus Byrd in the off-season.