[News] John Harbaugh Comes Down Hard On Defense

[Purple&Black]

Amerson was released from the Redskins. wouldn't be surprised if they brought him in for an extra body

[stixfix69]

I don't think the secondary is the problem, they just need time to gel more, i really feel the lack of a pass rush is the problem....True blown assignments in the secondary didn't help. but not getting to Carr all day long is what killed us...JMO....

[alwaysraven]

Everyone is worried about the Ravens 0-2 start, the 1975 Baltimore Colts started the season 1-4, winning the first game and losing the next 4, and made the playoffs in a 14 game season. There is still hope, until there is no hope. So people keep breathing.

[Ravensfansince03]

This is a loss everyone took, not just the defense. Its not right for the head coach to come out to the media and say things like that. We lost as a team, from the coaches to the players, everyone took a tough loss.

[Rave-O]

Dean Pees is worse D coordinator Ravens have ever had, worse than Neuheisel and Matteson! Just go back and look at how the defense ranking has dropped in the yrs since he has been here. Harbs is funny talking the "Ravens defense" Pees killed that yrs ago.

[stixfix69]

We should be 0-2, because we are, and we allowed it....Mistakes on the road are hard to overcome, that is why road wins are like gold...Best we can do this week is win and be 1-2 before facing Pit....The division games become even bigger now...

[Ravensfansince03]

I've noticed some tension with Pee's and Harbs since the beginning of the season, calling his bend don't break motto. Could very well be a short year if not his last full season here if he doesn't turn things around this week.

 

Saying the defense lacked effort says it all from what I've seen and heard thus far. I'm not sure if its our passive coach or the players lacking that aggressive nature but these guys don't look like a Ravens defense. I thought upgrading our DB's by bringing in some vets would add that swagger back but.....no.

 

Strongly missing Suggs and the defense of old....

 

Yea our front 7 really has to step it up. It's bad enough that we are undersized with Ngata & Suggs gone.

[Drew P]

Too many vanilla looks on D. The opposing QB doesn't have to make any adjustments. Plants his feet and fires. They need pressure to give the secondary a chance to make some plays.

[balfan23]

This is a loss everyone took, not just the defense. Its not right for the head coach to come out to the media and say things like that. We lost as a team, from the coaches to the players, everyone took a tough loss.

Most people complain that Harbs has a tendency to sugar coat things. Yes, we lose as a team, but I think he's being asked about the defensive performance and he told you. 

 

He's on the sidelines, not us. He sees the players, the look in their eyes, their demeanor. Since he almost never publicly calls out anyone or any unit, the fact that he did here speaks volumes. If they just made mistakes and got beat, that's one thing. But he challenged their effort. Wow. He's not going to do that unless there is a good reason to. 

[Purple&Black]

This is a loss everyone took, not just the defense. Its not right for the head coach to come out to the media and say things like that. We lost as a team, from the coaches to the players, everyone took a tough loss.

offense scored 37 points. If you score 37 points and can't win a football game, you don't deserve to win. Flacco could have made a better pass to Steve Smith for an easy TD instead of settling for 3, but you can't blame the offense for this one

[Ravenshine]

Lewis and Reed sorely missed...but the defense simply has to find a way to reinvent itself within the current culture...it's the only way. It will prove to be the best way.

[Prino61]

what i just dont uderstand is how we hold Peyton Manning to 0 TDs one week and the next week we make D.Carr look like T.Brady. WE NEED TO STOP PLAYING LIKE THE DEFENSE OF CABLE AND START PLAYING LIKE THE DEFENSE OF DIRECTV.

Edited September 22, 2015 by Prino61

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

Ok, players effort was a major factor but I would like to question what the hell Dean Peas was thinking when he drew up this game plan? Basically had a 3 man rush the entire game, no pass rush, no blitzes and when we realized that Carr can make a play if we don't get pressure on him, they continued to rush 3 and allow Carr time in the pocket to find his open receiver. These first 2 games we are witnessing what we do every year; coaching staff has a game plan and no contingency plan if the original plan isn't working and that's unacceptable.

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

This is a loss everyone took, not just the defense. Its not right for the head coach to come out to the media and say things like that. We lost as a team, from the coaches to the players, everyone took a tough loss.

 

This isn't pop warner where every did a great job and goes home with a medal.  The defense gave up 37 points, 351 passing yards and 3 TD's to a 2nd year QB.  They failed to get the Raiders offense off the field on several drives and when it mattered most in the 4th quarter they couldn't get the job done.  Harbs made a statement in the pre-season that he would love to get a game winning stop in the 4th quarter out of the defense and they haven't been able to do it and they haven't been able to do it for a couple years now.  

[RavenManiac#7]

The biggest problem with the Ravens defense is the fact that Dean Pees is our Defensive Coordinator. Harbaugh took Forever to finally realize that Cam Cameron had to go, and he's doing the exact same thing with Dean Pees. Loyalty is one thing, and a Fine thing, but he has to know where to place his loyalty. It should be to his team, not to an individual. He is a HC, for crying out loud. If All us fans can recognize that our CBs giving receivers such a big cushion, even on 3rd and three type plays, is a problem, why can't he? If All us fans can recognize that three man rushes are being So unsuccessful, why can't he. Has he talked with Pees about his play calling and schemes? Of course, we have no way of knowing that. Harbs is the HC. He is certainly in no danger of losing his job. Steve Bisciotti has full confidence in him. But, I wonder if Pees has his confidence as well. Pees just Has to go the way of Cameron; AWAY. We need someone in here that can build a defense. Someone who knows what works in the NFL today. Someone who can try to develop schemes that play to whatever strengths our personnel possess. I honestly don't think that Dean Pees is doing any of that. Let him go, Harbs. This misguided loyalty to your fellow coaches regardless of what kind of a job they're doing could, eventually, be your own downfall one day. Get rid of him.

[757RavensFan]

offense scored 37 points. If you score 37 points and can't win a football game, you don't deserve to win. Flacco could have made a better pass to Steve Smith for an easy TD instead of settling for 3, but you can't blame the offense for this one

 

The offense scored 33 and the defense gave up 37.  But your point is pretty much still valid. 

Edited September 22, 2015 by 757RavensFan

[Prino61]

not only are we 0-2 but we have 3 straight division games. buckle up people its going to be a bumpy ride

[ravens004]

The biggest problem with the Ravens defense is the fact that Dean Pees is our Defensive Coordinator. Harbaugh took Forever to finally realize that Cam Cameron had to go, and he's doing the exact same thing with Dean Pees. Loyalty is one thing, and a Fine thing, but he has to know where to place his loyalty. It should be to his team, not to an individual. He is a HC, for crying out loud. If All us fans can recognize that our CBs giving receivers such a big cushion, even on 3rd and three type plays, is a problem, why can't he? If All us fans can recognize that three man rushes are being So unsuccessful, why can't he. Has he talked with Pees about his play calling and schemes? Of course, we have no way of knowing that. Harbs is the HC. He is certainly in no danger of losing his job. Steve Bisciotti has full confidence in him. But, I wonder if Pees has his confidence as well. Pees just Has to go the way of Cameron; AWAY. We need someone in here that can build a defense. Someone who knows what works in the NFL today. Someone who can try to develop schemes that play to whatever strengths our personnel possess. I honestly don't think that Dean Pees is doing any of that. Let him go, Harbs. This misguided loyalty to your fellow coaches regardless of what kind of a job they're doing could, eventually, be your own downfall one day. Get rid of him.

There is a major difference between Pees and Cameron...  Pees has won a Super Bowl as Raven's Coordinator.  Defense clearly played bad this week, but they will bounce back.  3 weeks from now they can be 3-0 in the division...  In the words of the great Aaron Rodgers...  Relax       They play 16 games for a reason, not 2

[BillyD]

"The performance was particularly odd considering the defense nearly completely shut down Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense in Week 1. They kept the Broncos out of the end zone entirely, holding them to just four field goals."

Was that the D or the inept Denver O that caused the lack of offensive production? Denver couldn't get anything going until the 2nd half of the KC game. And with regards to the SB win, that annoying "bend don't break" Pees defense in the 2nd half nearly cost us the game, if you recall. If SF ran the ball instead of leaving it up to an extremely inexperienced, overrated, and inaccurate QB, we might be having a different conversation right now, because on that last SB drive the Niners ran it down our throats down to the 5-yard line. IMO, Pees is weak and needs to go. He really suffers from Cam Cameron-itis...we can play lights out and shut a team down on D, just like Cam would come out swinging and we woudl get up on teams quick when he was the OC, and then they go into cruise control and play not to lose instead of playing to win. I'd take Rex, Marvin, or Chuck back in a HEARTBEAT. Those were the days when QBs feared the Ravens, RBs would just crumble to the turf with the sight of the Ravens front closing in. Not so much anymore. Our D has more holes than a June bride with that weak soft zone and no D-line penetration. We need to fire it up and get some schemes going that knock the offense off balance. We need to attack.

[Bruce_Almty]

Did Harbs happen to mention he was firing Dean Pees??? If not ... nothing to see here; move along.

[BillyD]

The biggest problem with the Ravens defense is the fact that Dean Pees is our Defensive Coordinator. Harbaugh took Forever to finally realize that Cam Cameron had to go, and he's doing the exact same thing with Dean Pees. Loyalty is one thing, and a Fine thing, but he has to know where to place his loyalty. It should be to his team, not to an individual. He is a HC, for crying out loud. If All us fans can recognize that our CBs giving receivers such a big cushion, even on 3rd and three type plays, is a problem, why can't he? If All us fans can recognize that three man rushes are being So unsuccessful, why can't he. Has he talked with Pees about his play calling and schemes? Of course, we have no way of knowing that. Harbs is the HC. He is certainly in no danger of losing his job. Steve Bisciotti has full confidence in him. But, I wonder if Pees has his confidence as well. Pees just Has to go the way of Cameron; AWAY. We need someone in here that can build a defense. Someone who knows what works in the NFL today. Someone who can try to develop schemes that play to whatever strengths our personnel possess. I honestly don't think that Dean Pees is doing any of that. Let him go, Harbs. This misguided loyalty to your fellow coaches regardless of what kind of a job they're doing could, eventually, be your own downfall one day. Get rid of him.

And let's not forget, I believe it was Biscotti himself that pressed Harbs to dump Cam.  Let's hope Steve doesn't wait so long to do the same if Harbs doesn't do it himself with Pees.  It's been clear ever since Pees took over the D that we were operatign under a different philosophy, which really doesn't work well at all.  We were lucky to have players like Ed, Ray, T Sizzle, and Haloti that had been under Marvin, Rex, and Chuck's schemes and could make adjustments and changes on the fly.  We don't have that anymore, and it shows.  We need a DC that is much more aggressive.

[bigcatfrank1]

Its time... for all to "play like Ravens"! no player is exempt...in the past 2 games i dont think there was a player out there who didn't cost the team by mistakes. This is not acceptable. Big time players make big time plays..to win big time games. Its time.....

[jravens13]

This is a Dean Pees warning shot. Don't think he is safe this entire season if you remember what happened to Cam Cameron. Harbaugh has continually been vocal about his frustration of allowing last minute drives that result in points, whether it is before the half, or at the end of the game. From NE, to the Preseason, to Oakland, he is not happy about the gifts we give teams. 

Edited September 22, 2015 by jravens13

[NCMan]

Someone needs to buy Harbaugh a big mirror. One big enough to see all the coaches in. Then, look at it awhile to see where the problems lie. Oh, and leave room for Ozzie, for some of his dimwitted draft picks lately. Perhaps a glimpse of Average Joe in there, too.

[PurpleDreams]

R-E-L-A-X People

Show some faith in your team, your coaches, and your organization. We win the next three games and we still in line in achieving our first goal, win the division. I ride and die with my team win or lose like coach Harb said. When you pointing fingers there's three pointing back at you. We'll be fine, we have all the right pieces. We just need to play Ravens football.

#RoadToSuperBowl50

[The Greek]

not all of this is on dean pees. this defense has become very young with suggs out. if pees is let go at some point than ted monachino should get a shot.

[jravens13]

not all of this is on dean pees. this defense has become very young with suggs out. if pees is let go at some point than ted monachino should get a shot.

You have to admit that Harbaugh has begun to point the finger at the defense blowing leads or allowing scoring drives with little time left. It starts with Pees, and there are individuals who will take the fall as well. But when it is something that has frequently happened over the last few years, it points to more than just the players. 

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

This is a Dean Pees warning shot. Don't think he is safe this entire season if you remember what happened to Cam Cameron. Harbaugh has continually been vocal about his frustration of allowing last minute drives that result in points, whether it is before the half, or at the end of the game. From NE, to the Preseason, to Oakland, he is not happy about the gifts we give teams. 

 

Here's something to ponder on - the Coordinators all put together their game plans for the week and guess who they review them with?  HARBS!!  So while we are quick to blame the OC/DC/ST but ultimately the game plan is approved and in play by Harbs.  So why isn't he questioning these guys more?  Why isn't he saying ok, well what if that doesn't work, what then?  Maybe he is and Sunday's plan was the best they could come up with, in which case this is going to be a very long and disappointing season! 

[fusuymada]

It didn't matter if he threw it quick or took his time, there was little or no pressure. The corners gave the Raiders a 15 yard cushion and if they moved up, without any pressure, Carr just threw over their head. Arrington and Lewis were supposed to come in and be solid pieces in the secondary and they just fell apart. Lousy tackling, in the wrong spots, lousy coverage. We all know Ozzie doesn't go top shelf shopping for free agents but our bargain brand fill ins are about as effective as the last couple secondary fill-ins we acquired. (Darian Steward, Jeromy Miles, Michael Huff, Dominic Franks, etc... and now Arrington and Lewis). Some positions you really need to get good players to be effective. Perfect example is Steve Smith Sr who is as advertised. You paid for a good player and you got one. The other wide receiver/cb/safety positions that we have been cheap on we got what we paid for. At some point in time, and it may not be until next year but you got to pay to play. I would have thought after years and years of failing to develop a wide receiver, we wouldn't try to grab one to develop in the draft, we would have picked up one of the high dollar free agents but we didn't and now we have nothing. Same with the secondary, with the way the league is set up to benefit receivers and play to qb's you have to have good coverage guys. We didn't spend the money and now here we are with exactly the same problems. Wide Receiver/safety/cb, same positions, same problems, year after year after year.

[January J]

R-E-L-A-X PeopleShow some faith in your team, your coaches, and your organization. We win the next three games and we still in line in achieving our first goal, win the division. I ride and die with my team win or lose like coach Harb said. When you pointing fingers there's three pointing back at you. We'll be fine, we have all the right pieces. We just need to play Ravens football. #RoadToSuperBowl50

wish all fans thought like this. It's amazing how many people jump ship after 2 losses. 2 losses that very easily could have been wins mind you. I admit I was majorly let down when they gave up the game losing drive to Derek Carr and the raiders- and things aren't looking so bright with a tough schedule ahead, but I'm not givin up just yet.

I do think that dean pees is on a short leash and if we struggle next week at home and then follow up with another weak performance on defense in Pittsburgh that will be strike 3. He had an excuse last year with the crazy amount of injuries, this year it's on him.