[News] Eisenberg: Nearly 20 Years Of Defensive Tradition Will Be Tested

[Postapocalypse Raven]

"The run defense held up nicely when Ngata was suspended for the last four games of the 2014 regular season – one of the reasons he was traded – but it still has to prove it can handle the rigors of an entire season without its longtime resident immovable object."

 

But even more importantly our defense has to prove that we can defend against a team with a descent running game. Out of the last four games of the regular season the Texans were the only team with a top ten ranked running game and the only game that we lost. Joe's interceptions didn't help much, but neither did giving up almost 100 yards to Foster either.

[Postapocalypse Raven]

"But now they’re preparing for their first season in almost a decade without Ngata, their veteran anchor, a six-time Pro Bowler who was traded in March after contract talks failed to produce an extension."   

 

Correct me if i'm wrong here, but isn't Ngata a five-time Pro Bowler???

Edited May 19, 2015 by Postapocalypse Raven

[RavensFanMania]

You are right about stopping the run. Carl Davis' most important attribute is stopping the run. Also, we have the best LB corps in the entire NFL. In the event the RBs get through the front 3, it will be difficult getting past Suggs and Upshaw on the edges and Mosley and Smith down the middle. With 3 surefire tacklers in nickel back Kyle Arrington, Safeties Kendrick Lewis and Will Hill, not to mention a great tackler in Webb, we will still be near impossible to run against.

and some damn good LB coaches.  Hopefully they don't get poached from us.

[ravens4life86]

I on CSNBMORE, Perriman throws out first pitch tonight....

[stixfix69]

Well Tucker is going to have to earn that paycheck with extra points being as long as a lot of FG's.....

[NCMan]

Wrong. It did play a part in the decision making process as this can be directly linked to his descending status. He was taking Adderall to enhance his performance. If you believe Ngata's line about using the stuff so he could focus in on his kids during Thanksgiving, well, there's this bridge in Brooklyn....  

I don't know if you are just expressing your opinion as fact or what, but how do you know it played a part in trading him and when did the rock solid evidence come out that he was taking Adderall? Can you provide your source?

[hen826957]

@rmcjacket23 ok thanks for the info just talking

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

All I know is the Ravens under Harbaugh usually step-up to the challenge and show the way Raven football is supposed to be played. I think this team will do the same I think they want to prove themselves to the rest of the NFL.

[The Greek]

there will be growing pains but eventually they will adjust.

[GO_Ravens]

Our d-line is fine Ngata was not the same guy he once was. Carl Davis will be a stud for us just watch.

[Mr.Incredible]

The d-line/stopping the run is literally the least of my worries for this team, honestly I don't have any worries but especially not the stopping the run. We did perfectly fine w/out Nagta for those 4 games, then you add the already good rookies and youngsters gain an extra year of experience, plus we got one if not the best run stopper in the draft and guys coming back from injury. The trend should def continue.

[Postapocalypse Raven]

I don't know if you are just expressing your opinion as fact or what, but how do you know it played a part in trading him and when did the rock solid evidence come out that he was taking Adderall? Can you provide your source?

Early December, and here is one of many many sources.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24872534/haloti-ngata-thanksgiving-family-fatigue-led-to-adderall-suspension

[RavensReck27]

Ngata in his prime was irreplaceable, and this article made me miss him slightly, but then I remembered the facts. Ngata is 31 years old. He is on the decline, and his cap hit was huge. We know what kind of player we have in Brandon Williams, who lit it up last year as a sophomore, and I think he can only get better this season. Jernigan should have been a first round pick, and he was rated as such. Jernigan has transferred his game to the NFL well, and I think he will do fantastic in his second year. Carl Davis is a giant, who, in my opinion, is not in the best shape. Brandon Williams was the same way his rookie year, and by his sophomore year he said the workouts our coaches had him doing completely changed his physique, and that he was a different player. Davis might not have the incredible arm strength of B. Williams, but he is bigger. I expect the same thing to happen to him in training camp, and through workouts over the season. I think Davis will be a nice role player this season, but I think his 2nd and 3rd seasons are when he is going to shine. Letting Ngata go, and putting our cards on two young surging studs was the better move.

[RavensReck27]

The offense will be very good but the defense with a weak secondary and the lose of great run stopper spells trouble. Losing Ngata will be like the lose of Corey Graham last season.

Except we actually have a proven, high draft pick, player to come in to replace Ngata.  Plus, we drafted one of the best lineman in the draft in Carl Davis.  Ozzie thought Chykie Brown, an unproven low draft pick, was going to fill Corey Grahams shoes. The plan to replace Ngata this year shouldn't even be in the same sentence as the plan to replace Corey Graham last year.

[Asmodeus71]

Ngata, wasn't missed when he was suspended. Now think about that statement. When he was gone, teams knew he was gone so they had to put game plans to attack this weakness. Thing is the weakness wasn't there and the defense played as well and maybe even better without Ngata. This isn't me putting Ngata down, it just proves the combination of Ngata getting older and the quality of the players we had playing behind him equals no drop off in losing him. Are these guys as good as Ngata in his prime? I won't go that far, at least not yet, but they are as good as Ngata is now or maybe better.

[20306cab]

The Ngata move was just another example of Ozzie taking another team to the cleaners. The Lions in this case, Jax a couple years ago, etc., etc. These other teams will never learn to stay away from the Ravens FO, and let's hope they never do. That's why the Ravens are SB contenders annually, and the others are perennial cellar dwellars.

[BmoreB]

I don't know if you are just expressing your opinion as fact or what, but how do you know it played a part in trading him and when did the rock solid evidence come out that he was taking Adderall? Can you provide your source?

How do I know it played a part ? It's called logic.... And it doesn't get more rock solid as far as evidence than it coming straight from the horse's mouth. Just google Ngata admits Adderall use. 

[bozo]

if they can't stop the run, there in real trouble.

[Crusader]

if they can't stop the run, there in real trouble.

I have no faith in this years defense. NONE. Name the group of leaders.Suggs is not "born" leader but a great vice president and every great leader needs/ needs one. Ray Lewis had Ed Reed, Ngata had Suggs etc .ect

[January J]

Let's get something straight. The Ravens DID NOT let Ngata go because of last year's suspension. To even suggest that is ridiculous. He was gone strictly and ONLY because of the contract.

ofcourse not- but you cant say that didnt give them atleast a little leverage in not giving him the money he wanted. that gave them the oppurtunity to see how we could hold up without him- even if it was against mediocre teams.

[Purple&Black]

I have no faith in this years defense. NONE. Name the group of leaders.Suggs is not "born" leader but a great vice president and every great leader needs/ needs one. Ray Lewis had Ed Reed, Ngata had Suggs etc .ect

 

wow...calm down. First of all, the Ravens were comfortable letting Ngata go for more money because they performed just fine without him for the last month of last season. It was a tryout for Jerrigan and Williams and they answered the call. Not to mention Davis is a stud against the run, but lacks pass rushing ability which was a big reason he dropped. We will be just fine on the line. We're set at LB and pretty well off at CB unless everyone decides to get hurt at the same time which was beyond rare. We are most questionable at Safety, but Hill is a stud and maybe lewis will bring more than what the past safeties have. As far as "leaders" Ngata was perhaps the quietest guy on the team. I'm pretty sure his leadership won't be missed THAT much. D Smith is a proven leader and will continue to do so. We the top pass rush duo in the league based off last season, and one of the best LBs in the game in Mosley. As long as Jimmy stays healthy (which is admittedly a long shot) he is a lock down CB. At least let a few games play out before you jump ship

[DiehardRavenFan]

MARK my words people.....the Ravens will stop the run with the best of them. Everyone needs to stop with this doubting we can stop the run. We may have lost Ngata but I honestly think we will be even better at stopping the run this year. Our front 7 is damn good and the depth out D-line has with become evident when we are once again in the top 10 in yards per rush allowed just like every other year. So people remove the head from yourself and get it straight........our run D is dominant.