Will this be our best defense since 2006?

[reed20]

I feel it and I see it. Having played wonderfully against Peyton Manning who many thought lost a step just had a great game against the Chiefs (another strong defense.)

I look at the depth chart, even without Suggs, that I'll also mention left and the defense didn't lose a step, and I see virtually no flaws whatsoever. A bunch of ballers. We will without a doubt see a huge year by Mosley who is already off to a fantastic start. We'll see great years from Dumervil of course, Will Hill III, Jimmy Smith, Jernigan, B Will, Webb. We have a strong and healthy secondary that's work is cut out for them due to a fierce front seven. This unit is championship caliber at every position.

The key? Stay healthy.

Our offense needs to play mistake free from here on out and realize that the defense is capable of single handedly winning games for us. The offense being on point will result in blow outs. Like this weeks upcoming rout of the faders for example.

Edited September 18, 2015 by reed20

[salamander]

Would like nothing more than for the Ravens to have their best defensive team since '06. Feeling good about this defense for sure but I think I will need to see consistent, dominant performances over the span of several games against other good opponents before I could go that far. If the defense ends up being stellar, Super Bowl could be a logical outcome, but only if the offense holds up their end of the deal, meaning good to excellent.

[Dfence4champs2052]

That would be exciting. I hope it plays out that way. That would probably inspire Sizzle to come back for sure too!

[balfan23]

Line: I loved Ngata, but I think Williams is developing into a player of a similar caliber. Roll Jernigan in and some of the other complementary pieces and we have a very solid line rotation.

 

Edge: Suggs hurts ... we do need to see that Doom doesn't wear down and still can get after it on 3rd down, now that he's going to be seeing more snaps on early downs. We need to see that Upshaw can get some measure of pressure on a passer and overall see how the new rotation manages.

 

ILB: No one will ever be Ray. Ever. But Mosely is just about the best one could ever hope for. Smith is grossly underrated. 

 

S: Likewise, no one will ever be Reed. Ever. Will Hill is emerging as a rock solid player. Lewis ... I still need to see how he functions when we face an offense that has a true deep threat. We got fortunate on a couple deep balls last week. We need him being a hawk and I've not seen that yet.

 

CB: Jimmy is the bomb. Arrington is solid as a slot CB. Webb ... still a question mark. I don't see the need to bash him the way so many want to out here. I don't think we're ever going to see the Webb we thought we'd see when we signed him to that deal, but I think he can work his way toward being respectable. 

 

Put it all together and there is the chance that can be a very good defense. Before I start making such comparisons, I need to see them show it on the field. But all in all, very encouraged about the where this D can take us this year. 

[Purple_City39]

Wow, that's a tall order.  The 06 unit is easily no worse than the second best defense in Ravens history (on a few levels, better than the 2000 squad) so if this year's defense ends up better then that means we will win superbowl 50.  Giving January Joe a defense of that caliber wouldn't even be fair to other teams.......not that any of us would mind.

 

EDIT: We'll have an answer to how well this defense will end up after week 4.  Playing Dalton and then the Steelers offense will tell us everything we need to know about this defense.  Pittsburgh will have Bell back although they will probably say not having Bryant hurts them

Edited September 18, 2015 by Purple_City39

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

I think it's scary that both Jernigan and Williams have the potential to make a Ngata like impact. If Carl Davis somehow keeps it up, the linebackers will have a very easy time.

Webb needs to go. If we had Marcus Peters than I'd agree with you though

[JoeyFlex5]

the key is health and time of possession. if we can statistically have our best defense since 2006, against THIS schedule, then i dont know if the defense can do it on its own, especially without sizzles almost weekly big play that weve grown so used to. now this defense has the ability to be dominant, but we also caught some big breaks with peyton having a flailing deep throw, 2 easy touchdowns fell 1 yard too deep. 

 

in short, the 00 and 06 ravens had no weak spots, if samari rolle in his prime is the worst player on your defense, then you will be top ranked, sadly this defense isnt of that caliber imo. i feel like most of our positions are just a tad bit lower than 00 and 06, and we have a few weaknesses that can absolutely be exploited, you couldnt say the same for those defenses. 

 

DL: equal 

LB: 06 

CB: 06 

S: 06

DC: 06 

weaknesses: webb looks like he will get absolutely worked all year long, and we constantly have to fear for the health of our stars, we didnt have such a glaring hole in 06 and our players were mostly healthy and we also had much more experience in our starters. 

 

id put this D on par with 08 if i had to make a prediction

[JoeyFlex5]

I think it's scary that both Jernigan and Williams have the potential to make a Ngata like impact. If Carl Davis somehow keeps it up, the linebackers will have a very easy time.

Webb needs to go. If we had Marcus Peters than I'd agree with you though

i wanted peters badly, but i knew our only shot was to trade up. 

 

heres to hoping tray walker is as good as the coaches hyped him up to be, he may turn out solid because the FO seems to never take small school guys at all unless theyre 100% positive theyll be good.  

 

and yeah davis is a stud, i was on the davis train as a 2nd round prospect, i was jumping for joy when we got him in the 3rd, he is really making 31 other teams look REALLY stupid right now

[reed20]

Just so everyone knows we're currently ranked #1 in defense. And that's after playing against of the best offenses in the NFL.

Edited September 19, 2015 by reed20

[codizzle]

Just so everyone knows we're currently ranked #1 in defense. And that's after playing against of the best offenses in the NFL.

I think it would've been a little different if Peyton had the freedom he did once he started doing his thing in the chiefs game

Our defense still would've been stout but that wasn't a great offense we faced

[Purple Punishment]

I think it would've been a little different if Peyton had the freedom he did once he started doing his thing in the chiefs game

Our defense still would've been stout but that wasn't a great offense we faced

A dose of reality from Dizzle

[DomMcRaven]

Too early at this point. I hope this doesn't jinx us.

[redrum52]

We don't play that many great passing offenses and the defense is built to stop the run. I think it's possible to be the best since 06, if they can stay healthy.

[redrum52]

A dose of reality from Dizzle

I think if he goes no huddle at the end of that game they get the td and game's out of reach.

[pmr468]

It'll be tough to do without Suggs. I do think though that we have a damn good defense.

[Maryland]

Pretty early to call this defense one of the best in franchise history. I think we're good, but not great. Definitely behind the Broncos and Bills, and probably the Chiefs. 

 

I think our D-line rotation has betterdepth, and will improve once Urban comes back. 

 

LB corps is strong on the inside, and Upshaw is a good SAM on running downs, but now we have no proven edge other than Doom. I would definitely take 06's LB corps over this one. 

 

Secondary is pretty shaky still imo. Yes, we have one shut-down corner in Jimmy and a dynamic safety in Hill. However, beyond those two, I can't really feel supreme confidence in anyone. Webb almost got beat deep on several plays last week, and there was no safety to help him. A better QB completes those passes. If Melvin comes back and lives up to the training camp hype, I'll feel a lot more comfortable with our #2 CB because he shouldn't get beat as easily or have to play as far back as Webb (I see him being another Cary Williams, minus the attitude). Arrington is solid in the slot, but not spectacular or anything. I want to see Terrance Brooks come back and make a push for playing time. Our secondary is not better than 06 (although it raises the question: how does Jimmy compare to McAlister?)

Edited September 19, 2015 by Maryland

[Cillmatic]

Manning left about 3 touchdowns on the field. Defense didn't play great, people(Webb) were getting beat deep multiple times. Manning just couldn't throw deep so he avoided it.

[Edgar]

I think it would've been a little different if Peyton had the freedom he did once he started doing his thing in the chiefs game

Our defense still would've been stout but that wasn't a great offense we faced

Correct. Broncos so far can't run the ball and are still figuring it out offensively. Wait a few weeks. Edited September 19, 2015 by Edgar

[codizzle]

Manning left about 3 touchdowns on the field. Defense didn't play great, people(Webb) were getting beat deep multiple times. Manning just couldn't throw deep so he avoided it.

Opposite end of that.. We were definitely daring them to throw it deep

[codizzle]

Correct. Broncos so far can't run the ball and are still figuring it out offensively. Wait a few weeks.

They'll be able to put up more yards and all that for the rest of the year but I still see their offense as one that can be shut down come playoff time

They are still too one dimensional and will have to rely heavily on the defense

[cobrajet]

the key is health and time of possession. if we can statistically have our best defense since 2006, against THIS schedule, then i dont know if the defense can do it on its own, especially without sizzles almost weekly big play that weve grown so used to. now this defense has the ability to be dominant, but we also caught some big breaks with peyton having a flailing deep throw, 2 easy touchdowns fell 1 yard too deep. 

 

in short, the 00 and 06 ravens had no weak spots, if samari rolle in his prime is the worst player on your defense, then you will be top ranked, sadly this defense isnt of that caliber imo. i feel like most of our positions are just a tad bit lower than 00 and 06, and we have a few weaknesses that can absolutely be exploited, you couldnt say the same for those defenses. 

 

DL: equal 

LB: 06 

CB: 06 

S: 06

DC: 06 

weaknesses: webb looks like he will get absolutely worked all year long, and we constantly have to fear for the health of our stars, we didnt have such a glaring hole in 06 and our players were mostly healthy and we also had much more experience in our starters. 

 

id put this D on par with 08 if i had to make a prediction

I am very excited by what I have seen so far from our starting defense, but like JoeyFlex stated, I also worry about T.O.P. on offense which may wear out this defense in games. I just don't see us as better than 06, but we have some young players to be really excited about. I can see us as a top 3-5 defense this year, but our offense worries me right now. Please do not bring up Marcus Peters, I wanted that kid so badly in this year's draft, it is going to upset me for a long time that we did not get him.

[1/28/01]

If Manning had any touch with a ball thrown past 20 yards, our game wouldn't have even been close.

With that said, we'll have a top 10 D and O.

[DenverRaven]

They'll be able to put up more yards and all that for the rest of the year but I still see their offense as one that can be shut down come playoff time

They are still too one dimensional and will have to rely heavily on the defense

 

Yes, they'll still post a solid 24 points a game, maybe slightly higher on average, but they will continue to struggle at times through out the season. It's hard to think they'll make a deep playoff run, but that defense could help them. The league will find ways to break them down eventually though.

[Static]

Recievers were wide open Manning just can't play very well anymore

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

If Manning had any touch with a ball thrown past 20 yards, our game wouldn't have even been close.

With that said, we'll have a top 10 D and O.

An offense has to take what the defense gives them. We were daring them to throw deep. Like I said we would. We knew they couldn't beat us that way. So overall it was just good game plan.

We executed well. I think we have a top 6 defense by the end of the year

[reed20]

Recievers were wide open Manning just can't play very well anymore

He just had a good game against the Chiefs.

[GrimCoconut]

i wanted peters badly, but i knew our only shot was to trade up.

heres to hoping tray walker is as good as the coaches hyped him up to be, he may turn out solid because the FO seems to never take small school guys at all unless theyre 100% positive theyll be good.

and yeah davis is a stud, i was on the davis train as a 2nd round prospect, i was jumping for joy when we got him in the 3rd, he is really making 31 other teams look REALLY stupid right now

I'm not sure if this really means much. I'm sure we thought Gino was 100% going to be great but that hardly warranted his selection as the 98th overall pick (4th round), and while Webb and Gillmore are two examples of great picks, it hardly means Walker will become who we hope after drafting him 136th overall (4th round).

[PurpleCity5]

You know, people have been saying Manning missed a couple of guys on plays that could've change the game and that helped us drastically. That is true but every QB is going to have one or two plays where they miss a guy wide open every game. We all saw Brady miss on Amendola once or twice(I think) against Pitt. 

[Edgar]

They'll be able to put up more yards and all that for the rest of the year but I still see their offense as one that can be shut down come playoff time

They are still too one dimensional and will have to rely heavily on the defense

I meant wait a few weeks until I can get a real sense of our defense.

[PurpleCity5]

Best Defense tho? Idk, 2011 and 2009 Ravens defense was good....really....really....really...GOOD. 

 

Right now, we're shifting from a new era. C.J Mosely, Brandon Williams and Jimmy Smith are the cornerstones of the franchise. 

 

Also, tbh it's week 2, too early to tell.

Edited September 19, 2015 by PurpleCity5