Whats the thought on our defensive performance vs Patriots after seeing the SB?

[wayne]

Brady numbers looked much better vs a potentially " one of the supposely greatest defenses in NFL history " in the Seahawks than he did playing against us so Im curious to see people views about our defense now. Has it changed, is it still the same, is what Brady did to the Seahawks irrelevant to us, etc...?

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

We did good all things considered. We had depleted corners. A missing Jimmy and Asa screwed us big time whether you want to believe it or not. Jimmy automatically takes away one man, which could allow saftey help on some other targets and such. Jimmy leaving alone is bad. But losing another starter in Jackson and Terrance Brooks as well? We were in trouble.

Our defense does a great job at stopping the run and can get to the QB. Without a doubt In my mind. We have a healthy secondary we win that game. Don't give me this "Pees is soft" crap. Dean Pees isn't the problem. He can piss me off sometimes, but you have guys off the street in the secondary going against a hall of fame QB. Who do you think is going to win?

[AsianRice]

We did good all things considered. We had depleted corners. A missing Jimmy and Asa screwed us big time whether you want to believe it or not. Jimmy automatically takes away one man, which could allow saftey help on some other targets and such. Jimmy leaving alone is bad. But losing another starter in Jackson and Terrance Brooks as well? We were in trouble.

Our defense does a great job at stopping the run and can get to the QB. Without a doubt In my mind. We have a healthy secondary we win that game. Don't give me this "Pees is soft" crap. Dean Pees isn't the problem. He can piss me off sometimes, but you have guys off the street in the secondary going against a hall of fame QB. Who do you think is going to win?

Bieber....lol

 

 

I was thinking the same thing and most of us in the forum has the same sentiment.

 

Jimmy is like our 1 man army in the backfield; losing him, our safeties are clueless of where the ball should go.  If we have Ed Reed back there, he should tremendously help out our missing Jimmy secondary cuz he can make the call and change the line up.

 

We need a legit FS back there, seriously.  Hopefully in this draft....

[izvoodoo]

I'm worried about Jimmy and his injury history.  Lisfranc injuries aren't minor, I'm really hopeful, have been an unabashed supporter since day one, but I'm worried still.

[bMore Heathen]

The problem with the Pats is the quick passing game. He gets the ball out so fast, it basically negates the pass rush. Sure, Seattle hit him a couple of times, but the key to beating Brady is keeping your corners at the line to bump, then play underneeth to to stop those quick passes and force him to hold the ball. This opens up the deep part of the field, but with a hawk like Thomas back there, they would have been fine. Outside pressure is not the answer (as we found out in the divisional round).

[lgcs27288]

Bieber....lol

I was thinking the same thing and most of us in the forum has the same sentiment.

Jimmy is like our 1 man army in the backfield; losing him, our safeties are clueless of where the ball should go. If we have Ed Reed back there, he should tremendously help out our missing Jimmy secondary cuz he can make the call and change the line up.

We need a legit FS back there, seriously. Hopefully in this draft....

Will Hill is amazing. If brooks pans out, we will be ok.

[AsianRice]

Will Hill is amazing. If brooks pans out, we will be ok.

yeah, as long as he is staying out of trouble, he'll be a much better player than last year...

[52N19]

i was thinking the same thing. belicheck and brady did to the seahawks what they did to the ravens. they found the weak link, rasheed melivin, and they kept going at him on every play. they did the same thing to the hawks whne Lane left the game.

 

between the chargers game and the patriots game we were one DB from getting to the big show. Jimmy Smith would have been a no brianer but i believe asa jackson could have gotten it done as well. the next choice would have been danny gorrer. i would have given gorrer a 50-50 chance to stop brady or rivers.

[CalvinSmoke]

SeaHawks defense played the Patriots better than we did, and they lost two corners in that game. But still, Baltimore is a FS and corner away from being very dangerous. (Will Hill at SS)

[hawkprey]

If we had 2 weeks to prepare for an offense we knew was coming, maybe we would've performed better. And who would've thought Edelman would have a 70 yard TD on a trick play? They also had 2 fumbles that they just happened to recover. Some luck, catching us off guard and a bunch of injuries ultimately killed us.

[A Fish Called Yanda]

If we had 2 weeks to prepare for an offense we knew was coming, maybe we would've performed better. And who would've thought Edelman would have a 70 yard TD on a trick play? They also had 2 fumbles that they just happened to recover. Some luck, catching us off guard and a bunch of injuries ultimately killed us.

 

I don't even think 2 weeks would have helped us.  Unfortunately our secondary was just completely outmatched by Tom Brady - no amount of preparation would have helped.  I think our defense played that game as well as they could have given the personnel that we had on the field.

 

That being said, the fact that we only allowed the Pats 1 more TD than the Seahawks did is nice to think about lol.

[Inqui]

I don't even think 2 weeks would have helped us.  Unfortunately our secondary was just completely outmatched by Tom Brady - no amount of preparation would have helped.  I think our defense played that game as well as they could have given the personnel that we had on the field.

 

That being said, the fact that we only allowed the Pats 1 more TD than the Seahawks did is nice to think about lol.

I can agree with most of that, but in fairness we also happened to be the first to take on their weird "declare someone different as an eligible receiver on every other play" system and had to get used to it in-game. I'd think two weeks of preparing for that would be a huge advantage. Point is that I don't think we were as bad as we necessarily looked.

 

At the end of the day, our secondary cost us big but I do think we really only need to make tweaks as opposed to wholesale changes. That and get healthy.

[usmccharles]

I think we did just fine against the pats considering not having our starting corners.  If we at least had them, no doubt in my mind we win that game, hell we almost did anyways. 

[gooftroop]

I can agree with most of that, but in fairness we also happened to be the first to take on their weird "declare someone different as an eligible receiver on every other play" system and had to get used to it in-game. I'd think two weeks of preparing for that would be a huge advantage. Point is that I don't think we were as bad as we necessarily looked.

 

At the end of the day, our secondary cost us big but I do think we really only need to make tweaks as opposed to wholesale changes. That and get healthy.

Not to mention the league putting a procedure in place to alleviate any confusion, post Ravens-Pats...

[The Raven]

Same thoughts I had then, really. Front seven = Good. Secondary = Bad.

[flynismo]

Opinion hasnt changed. They did a very poor job.

[Pirate88]

We have a good rush,howeverhowever they are technique rushers with good power and speed. With all these timing offenses run by great rythym QBs an explosive speed rusher is more important than ever!! A pure speed rusher who can win off the snap with one lightning move and hit the qb b4 he even gets set. The rules are making it far to easy to get rid of the ball within 3-4 seconds at most. A Vic Beasley/Von Miller is a must if your defense/rush is to be feared!! Avril with 4.6 speed is The hawks best speed rusher. When he turned it up a notch Brady was terrible in quarter3!! After he was on the sideline Brady was a completely different QB. And the loss of the corners were exposed. Losing their corners weren't noticeable to much when Brady was making bad throws cuz of the rush. Brady looked defeated and scared like he did in the KC game with their explosive speed rushers. Let Mcphee go!! He isn't that difference maker speed rusher we need!! And still would need if mcphee is resigned. A Vic Beasley is CRUCIAL to stopping Brady and other top QBs!! We need "THE" speed rusher to learn being suggs/dumervil and eventually take over for Suggs who is getting older. NOT "A" young egde rusher!! There's countless edge rushers drafted every draft so we have to be picky to get "THE" impact player/Edge rusher. To many times teams settle and say we got an edge rusher or we got a OT or we got "A" WR all awhile "THE" players they wanted were plucked right out from under their noses!! And often the differece in the impact players u wanted and the constellation prizes you are left with is monumental!! Often its comparable to the difference in the multi $million prize and a kitchen cookware set!! 2005 they really liked Michael Roos but the #3-4 rd. Pick he would have costedcosted, OZ thought was to much so instead we settled for getting "A" Offensive Tackle in Adam Terry a complete bust and one of the weakest softest OLine players EVER!! All cuz OZ didn't wanna give up a mid Rd. Role player pick. Roos was a pro bowler and longterm anchor of an OLine. Weak Terry was a useless bust. Does anybody remember who we got with that mid RD. Pick we would have had to trade away to get Roos??!! Matter of fact was there ANY players drafted in 2005 that were longterm starters??!! None!! Bust of a draft!! Point is our defense needs an explosive edge rusher impact playerplayer or some other impact player for these big games more than a constellation prize player and mid/late rd. Role player. If we get a Vic Beasley/impact player I would prefer answering this question about our defenses performance in the playoffs!! Over the defenses performance adding some constellation prize and OK players.

[TSizzle00]

I'll admit I do see them in a different light. Our secondary was not even close as good as the Seahawks.

[TSizzle00]

The problem with the Pats is the quick passing game. He gets the ball out so fast, it basically negates the pass rush. Sure, Seattle hit him a couple of times, but the key to beating Brady is keeping your corners at the line to bump, then play underneeth to to stop those quick passes and force him to hold the ball. This opens up the deep part of the field, but with a hawk like Thomas back there, they would have been fine. Outside pressure is not the answer (as we found out in the divisional round).

 

You stop a quick passing game but punishing the ball carriers. Our DBs had trouble tackling. If you can keep laying big hits the WRs start magically dropping those quick passes for fear of the big hit. Similar to what the Seahawks did against the Broncos in the SB. They had them so rattled

[Pirate88]

Will Hill is amazing. If brooks pans out, we will be ok.

I couldn't agree more!! If Brooks works hard this off season at his technique, play recognition and tackling along with ball skills/field vision he could be a good FS. Will Hill is an incredible talent and one of the best complete safety's since Ed Reed!! He has range and ball skills comparable to Earl Thomas yet a more physical and stronger tackler. He is a physical and explosive player. When he was unfocused and thin with the giants he was barely 200 lbs yet knocking FBs and TEs backward while taking them down effortlessly!! He also punched balls and caused out and forced fumbles with quick twitch power rarely seen from a 200 lb or less player. However he has a big frame with room to add muscle without losing any speed and athleticism. As a matter of fact he is mature and focused now and is spending the off season ravens facility training,running, stretching and weight training while spending time in the film room every day. His goal is to fill out his frame while getting in elite condition and his goal is to play at 215-220 lbs while getting faster with more endurance. He does have the frame of a LB and could fill his frame to 216lbs or so without losing speed. He actually will be faster and better conditioned at his bulked up weight cuz of finally taking his training drills,stretching,weight training,nutrition more seriously than ever before!! Will Hill if he gets as serious as he seems to want would be one of the NFL's most feared defenders!!

Just watch his play. He is one of most complete safety's since Reed. Yet he hasn't taken training an the film room seriously at all. He has a huge frame and is 6'1 yet due to not being focused played at about 200 lbs yet has a frame comparable to most LBs that could hold an additional 15-20 lbs without really bulking up. It would be more filling out his frame and maturing his natural frame/size. If he was rocking 260lb TEs and causing fumbles at 203 lbs and unfocused and unconditioned with the giants, what would he do at 216/219 lbs conditioned and trained??!! As well as more field and play aware. Will Hill would be the best overall safety in the NFL. Range,cover, playmaking ball skills and tackling athleticism of Earl Thomas on a 6'1 216-219lb frame that is nearly as physical of a hitter and tackler that of Kam Chancellor. Will Hill should be one of NFL's best most feared defenders.

[Pirate88]

te]

Will Hill is amazing. If brooks pans out, we will be ok.

I couldn't agree more!! If Brooks works hard this off season at his technique, play recognition and tackling along with ball skills/field vision he could be a good FS. Will Hill is an incredible talent and one of the best complete safety's since Ed Reed!! He has range and ball skills comparable to Earl Thomas yet a more physical and stronger tackler. He is a physical and explosive player. When he was unfocused and thin with the giants he was barely 200 lbs yet knocking FBs and TEs backward while taking them down effortlessly!! He also punched balls and caused forced fumbles with quick twitch power rarely seen from a 200 lb or less player. However he has a big frame with room to add muscle without losing any speed and athleticism. As a matter of fact he is mature and focused now and is spending the off season ravens facility training,running, stretching and weight training while spending time in the film room every day. His goal is to fill out his frame while getting in top condition and his goal is to play at 215-220 lbs while getting faster with more endurance. He does have the frame of a LB and could fill his frame to 216lbs or so without losing speed. He actually will be faster and better conditioned at his bulked up weight cuz of finally taking his training drills,stretching,weight training,nutrition more seriously than ever before!! Will Hill if he gets as serious as he seems to want it would be one of the NFL's most feared defenders!!

Just watch his play. He is one of most complete safety's since Reed. Yet he hasn't taken training and the film room seriously and when he does he has very rare and special talent. He has a huge frame and is 6'1 yet due to not being focused and working hard played at about 200 lbs with the giants yet has a frame comparable to most LBs that could hold an additional 15-20 lbs without really bulking up or losing any speed/athleticism. It would be more filling out his frame and maturing his natural frame/size. If he was rocking 260lb TEs and causing fumbles at 203 lbs and unfocused and unconditioned with the giants, what would he do at 216/219 lbs conditioned and trained??!! As well as more field and play aware. Will Hill would be the best overall safety in the NFL. Range,cover, playmaking ball skills and tackling athleticism of Earl Thomas on a 6'1 216-219lb frame that is nearly as physical of a hitter and tackler that of Kam Chancellor. Will Hill should be one of NFL's best most feared defenders and best safety in the NFL who could cover in zone or man up at an elite level with elite ball skills, playmaking ability and a physical sure tackler!! He easily has the most complete skill set of any safety in the NFL!! As well as the best safety sinceEd Reed!! He can do it all as a safety!! And now that he wants to be great and work hard he will be even better than ever realized!! He is much better than he has shown tus far!!

[gtalk12]

My take on our defense is that we played without our best CB's on the field. We did everything we could with what we had, and considering everything I've seen I have to say I was impressed.

 

Jimmy Smith plays that game and the outcome is different, T Brooks wasn't there either.

 

I think if we can stay healthy next year in the secondary then this unit will once again be on it's way to be one of the best defenses in the league again.

 

Will Hill when amped it a MONSTER.

[FlocksGottaFeed]

My perspective of our defensive performance is unchanged. We performed as well as we could have without any continuity in the defensive backfield and the Seahawks performed as well as we could have with 3 players playing injured and the limited adjustments available for their defensive coordinator.

 

Both games were determined defensively by limitations that were exploited by the Patriots offense and the inability to make adjustments due to their available personnel. In the Ravens case, the unprecedented use of 'eligible/ineligible' substitutions as a diversionary tool before it could be addressed by the league (Not a complaint, but just an observation).

 

Upside: Through this, both teams got much needed auditions from players to sure-up their rosters. You never want this to happen during a Super Bowl run. 'Next Man Up' just got up-ed.

[Tank 92]

My perspective of our defensive performance is unchanged. We performed as well as we could have without any continuity in the defensive backfield and the Seahawks performed as well as we could have with 3 players playing injured and the limited adjustments available for their defensive coordinator.

 

Both games were determined defensively by limitations that were exploited by the Patriots offense and the inability to make adjustments due to their available personnel. In the Ravens case, the unprecedented use of 'eligible/ineligible' substitutions as a diversionary tool before it could be addressed by the league (Not a complaint, but just an observation).

 

Upside: Through this, both teams got much needed auditions from players to sure-up their rosters. You never want this to happen during a Super Bowl run. 'Next Man Up' just got up-ed.

Yep. The Kraftys never make it to Arizona to face an injured hawks D if the Ravens weren't in the same boat. IMO Brady did nothing special in either game, nothing many other QBs couldn't have done.

[gtalk12]

Yep. The Kraftys never make it to Arizona to face an injured hawks D if the Ravens weren't in the same boat. IMO Brady did nothing special in either game, nothing many other QBs couldn't have done.

 

You think so? 4 Td's on the Hawks could have been done by many other Qb's?

[ratedr]

You think so? 4 Td's on the Hawks could have been done by many other Qb's?

With Sherman playing with a torn ligaments in his elbow, Thomas playing with a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder, Chancellor playing with a torn MCL, and Lane getting knocked out of the game with a broken arm? Probably.

[Tank 92]

You think so? 4 Td's on the Hawks could have been done by many other Qb's?

 

 

Yep, no question. Their secondary was hurting bad, just as ours was.

[Dr. Kelley]

You think so? 4 Td's on the Hawks could have been done by many other Qb's?

Joe could've done it. The seahawks secondary was injured. Joe played well against the pats secondary, which matched the hawks in the superbowl

[ratedr]

Hawks defense also forced more turnovers. 

 

And while they did have a 10 point lead, their offense didn't give them TWO 14 point leads.

 

I know a lot of Ravens fans can't handle a bad defensive performance but it is what it is.

[redrum52]

Same thoughts I had then, really. Front seven = Good. Secondary = Bad.

This.  I'd like to think our front 7 is as good as their secondary is, but our secondary isn't close to as good as their front 7.  I still believe if Jimmy is healthy, just one more decent-good corner is available that game, we probably win.