our defense looks like it has improved recently

[rmcjacket23]

Hi folks.  not sure if you guys noticed, but Orr played a career-high 27 snaps versus the Browns and Daryl played just 45 of 68.  Orr was used in a far broader set of passing downs than simply 3rd and long where he was being used previously.

 

I have more detail in my weekly piece about the defense:

 

http://russellstreetreport.com/2015/12/01/filmstudy/brent-urban-ravens-debut-win-cleveland/

 

Effectively, the transition is already well underway to Smith as a 2-down player.

 

And not to pick, but McClellan's versatility to play ILB/OLB to go along with his solid ST play earned him a spot, but he's been used exclusively as an OLB this season since the injuries to Means and Suggs.  He's played 121 snaps this season as the 4th OLB behind Upshaw (557), Dumervil (513), and ZSmith (247).

Yeah I saw this. Probably has a lot to do with Cleveland largely abandoning the run game also, but worth noting.

 

I agree that Daryl is clearly not a three-down linebacker anymore.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

One player who really deserves credit is Shareece Wright. He got flamed after the 49ers game, but was in a really tough situation having not played all season and having only been with us a short week going into that game.

Since then he's balled out, only allowing 8 catches. Against the Browns he really stood out. He was tested time and again, and really rose to the occasion. Granted it was against a poor QB and receivers for the most part, but he was still our highest PFF rated defender.

He deserves credit for the turn around, and if he continues to play this way will be a great piece in turning around the secondary play in giving us a quality CB3.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

One player who really deserves credit is Shareece Wright. He got flamed after the 49ers game, but was in a really tough situation having not played all season and having only been with us a short week going into that game.

Since then he's balled out, only allowing 8 catches. Against the Browns he really stood out. He was tested time and again, and really rose to the occasion. Granted it was against a poor QB and receivers for the most part, but he was still our highest PFF rated defender.

He deserves credit for the turn around, and if he continues to play this way will be a great piece in turning around the secondary play in giving us a quality CB3.

Definitely. We need all the help we can get and he has definitely delivered. He probably earned himself a spot down the road on our roster.

[iceripper]

PFF has just released a CB ranking.

 

The media darlings aren't on the top, but Buffalo got the real steal of the draft in R.Darby (5th highest graded corner).

S.Wright is (32nd), Webb (41st) and Jimmy is 90th. 

I know Jimmy had a lisfranc, but 90th really? Wright seems to do well, but I need to see him playing against better opponents.  

 

https://twitter.com/PFF/status/672899009292460032

 

( I have no idea how to embed this tweet in the forums)

Edited December 5, 2015 by iceripper

[GrimCoconut]

PFF has just released a CB ranking.

The media darlings aren't on the top, but Buffalo got the real steal of the draft in R.Darby (5th highest graded corner).

S.Wright is (32nd), Webb (41st) and Jimmy is 90th.

I know Jimmy had a lisfranc, but 90th really? Wright seems to do well, but I need to see him playing against better opponents.

https://twitter.com/PFF/status/672899009292460032

( I have no idea how to embed this tweet in the forums)

Pretty nice, gotta say. With that said, he's also got a lot of talent around him on defense, arguably more than most teams and he has Rex Ryan. Pretty good combo not to take anything away from him