[News] What Makes Ravens Defense So Good This Year?

[BR News]

The Ravens have the second-ranked defense through the first three games, and they will get b Sunday against Oakland.

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[Ravenous_Ravens]

Time for a fast start on offense to reward the defense for their outstanding effort the past few weeks.

Also, TRESTMAN, please do not run on first play of game for once! Try a slick looking PA with a deep option to Perriman or Wallace with underneath routes. Your plays are good, but you need to play the chess game better. Many times it is far too obvious if the upcoming play is a run of pass.

[objective view]

Big test coming up this weekend with the Raiders offense. Trying to be objective, I would say that the improvement in the lack of Big Plays has been the pass rush more than anything else. The opposing QB's have not had the time to wait for the downfield routes to develop but that is at risk to change this weekend with the Raiders offensive line. Despite constantly getting bashed on this site, Pees has been outstanding dialing up the blitzes and pressure packages.

I am seriously concerned with the secondary, front 7 is playing well with better defensive line rush and much better line backer drops. I am still worried about our corners and Mr. Webb who will be seriously tested this week. Neither corner plays press coverage well and the underneath quick routes are an easy completion against them. Watch the catch and runs this week and if we tighten up at the line the raiders have the ability to get the ball deep if the pass rush is a little slow. I still have not seen solid coverage by Jimmy Smith this season, he appears to be trailing the receiver and beaten at the line 8 out of 10 times.

One thing is for sure, we will learn a great deal this week and the offense better be ready to be in a shoot out .....

[A Fish Called Yanda]

Big test coming up this weekend with the Raiders offense. Trying to be objective, I would say that the improvement in the lack of Big Plays has been the pass rush more than anything else. The opposing QB's have not had the time to wait for the downfield routes to develop but that is at risk to change this weekend with the Raiders offensive line. Despite constantly getting bashed on this site, Pees has been outstanding dialing up the blitzes and pressure packages.

I am seriously concerned with the secondary, front 7 is playing well with better defensive line rush and much better line backer drops. I am still worried about our corners and Mr. Webb who will be seriously tested this week. Neither corner plays press coverage well and the underneath quick routes are an easy completion against them. Watch the catch and runs this week and if we tighten up at the line the raiders have the ability to get the ball deep if the pass rush is a little slow. I still have not seen solid coverage by Jimmy Smith this season, he appears to be trailing the receiver and beaten at the line 8 out of 10 times.

One thing is for sure, we will learn a great deal this week and the offense better be ready to be in a shoot out .....

From my view our pass rush has been the weakest part of our defense, and one the weakest parts of the team as a whole. We have barely pressured QBs and have been bailed out by a bunch of errors committed by our opponents. Last week the Jags left a ton of points off the board because Bortles didn't have the accuracy to hit his open receivers. When we face better QBs (starting this weekend with Carr), we're going to need to get in his face early and often or we aren't going to escape with another W.

[stixfix69]

Difference is the last years youth were forced into tons of PT, which made them ready to play at this level this year, and this years draft class isn't to shabby.....Weddle makes a huge difference back there as well.

[bozo]

we owe them a loss last year we lost at the end of the game after the refs again took away the interception we made in the end zone, because the ravens defender bumped shoulders with the receiver at the same time we intercepted giving them first and goal at the 1 yrd.line. thank the refs. revenger time.

[bozo]

I always said jimmy smith is not good, he is always chasing the receiving down the field trying to catch them at least 1 time in every game.

[bozo]

jimmy bites and all fakes

[Ravenshine]

What makes the defense better this year? Well, ...last year when Suggs went out @ first game in Denver match...I went "that's alright, that's okay, we'll be fine" (but said in a scared Richard Prior voice as he and Gene Wilder are about to get in a bar fight with two big biker guys.) And you know, we might have been okay with just one strong player out...except...that was merely the beginning of injuries last year as we all know.

So now everyone is back, and we've got new members...obviously it's the intuitive playing and adjusting play by play that is one aspect making this group so successful. And..you can see them communicating on field with each other and that reminds me of how the 2012 defense looked. Can't hear what they are saying to each other...but whatever it is...it's working.

[20306cab]

Time for a fast start on offense to reward the defense for their outstanding effort the past few weeks.

Also, TRESTMAN, please do not run on first play of game for once! Try a slick looking PA with a deep option to Perriman or Wallace with underneath routes. Your plays are good, but you need to play the chess game better. Many times it is far too obvious if the upcoming play is a run of pass.

Trestman's problem is the same as it's always been. He doesn't have a competent QB to facilitate his playbook.

[CaliRavenFan]

2 hours ago, 20306cab said:

Trestman's problem is the same as it's always been. He doesn't have a competent QB to facilitate his playbook.

Sorry but Trestmans problem is he is too predictive on the play calling. He doesnt know how to use Flacco to the best of his abilities and honestly I wouldnt be shocked if he is fired by the end of the year if he doesnt let Flacco take control of this Offense. The next two home games is the perfect chance to do that.

[harfordravenfan]

5 hours ago, A Fish Called Yanda said:

From my view our pass rush has been the weakest part of our defense, and one the weakest parts of the team as a whole. We have barely pressured QBs and have been bailed out by a bunch of errors committed by our opponents. Last week the Jags left a ton of points off the board because Bortles didn't have the accuracy to hit his open receivers. When we face better QBs (starting this weekend with Carr), we're going to need to get in his face early and often or we aren't going to escape with another W.

Our pass rush could definitely be better but it's still rated 7th or something like that (hoping Doom helps bring that up a couple notches) but... Carr gets rid of the ball quick so if we aren't pressing the wr's, I wouldn't expect many sacks

[huntrgathrr]

This is the game the offense needs to step up and dominate the game. The raiders defense is ripe for the taking and flacco needs to be on the money. Our D should hold them down enough but the offense needs to put it all together. I think this game will come down to turnovers. If we don't blow them out I don't like our chances to win a close one. Either we dominate or they will win this game.

[A Fish Called Yanda]

3 hours ago, harfordravenfan said:

Our pass rush could definitely be better but it's still rated 7th or something like that (hoping Doom helps bring that up a couple notches) but... Carr gets rid of the ball quick so if we aren't pressing the wr's, I wouldn't expect many sacks

I was actually looking at those exact stats earlier.  To be honest I'm surprised we're so high, doesn't seem like we've been very efficient at all.

[CaliRavenFan]

4 hours ago, harfordravenfan said:

Our pass rush could definitely be better but it's still rated 7th or something like that (hoping Doom helps bring that up a couple notches) but... Carr gets rid of the ball quick so if we aren't pressing the wr's, I wouldn't expect many sacks

I just hope everyone on the Dline gets their hands up like Timmy did last week. This game will be a great test for our run defense, I dont think I have read to many people talking about that but it could be the difference maker.

[Fastynart]

O come on. They are not "so good". They are improved, but they have played against lousy quarterbacks and bad teams. Give them props for bailing out the gawd awful offense, but to say they are "so good" is ridiculous at this point. Wait until they play against a real quarterback. Then, if they get the job done, we can give them the "so good" tag.

[picke]

1. Communication on D is better...
1a. Pees on the sideline interacting with his defenders during the game.
1b. Studious and performing Weddle at the back-end of the D calling out positions and tips.

2. Team speed on D is better...
2a. We are in better position.
2b. We are reading, anticipating and reacting better. Everyone knows, now, they had better be running to the football.
2c. Talent upgrade (Orr, Weddle, Mosley [MUCH better pass coverage], and rookies).

MVP on D so far, in my opinion, is Weddle. See previous article comparing Weddle to the Ray Lewis effect on our D. Also Ed Reed.

[Purple Dawg 96]

Less blitzing is making the QB hold the ball longer and they are benefiting from this! It's not rocket science! Mosley and Orr are getting INTs down field because our D Line is getting better and better and a good rotation up front and things will keep getting better and better! WE THE BEST!

[picke]

5 hours ago, Fastynart said:

O come on. They are not "so good". They are improved, but they have played against lousy quarterbacks and bad teams. Give them props for bailing out the gawd awful offense, but to say they are "so good" is ridiculous at this point. Wait until they play against a real quarterback. Then, if they get the job done, we can give them the "so good" tag.

Against Buffalo, we were going against an offense that could be pretty explosive, and we didn't let them explode. But overall, I think your assessment is fair. It is the same as saying we are 3-0 against three teams that are collectively 1-8.

[Purple Dawg 96]

O come on. They are not "so good". They are improved, but they have played against lousy quarterbacks and bad teams. Give them props for bailing out the gawd awful offense, but to say they are "so good" is ridiculous at this point. Wait until they play against a real quarterback. Then, if they get the job done, we can give them the "so good" tag.

I wish you would say that to the Ravens Defense inside the huddle! Smh don't sound like a Raven to me! The only thing awful is this statement about our Squad! Smh

[January J]

I really think will davis needs to be active this Sunday. With their good o line their receivers will have ample time to get open and Davis excels in coverage. Tavon should do well too but really this game will really be decided by how well shareece does. He needs another one of those big bounce back games.keep limiting the big plays like we have been doing and we should be fine. We absolutely cannot let happen what happened last year and let them get an early jump on us. Keep the pressure on them- control the clock and their defense will fold like a lawn chair. I think Moore will surprise and sss will have a huge day. I think they might give west the bulk of carries and if he can get something going we should stroll to an easy victory.

[thegooddoc456]

Indeed, the defense is playing harder this year. Many of us here protested endlessly about the lack of effort in the past couple of seasons...and it was truly disgusting to watch, especially after watching other teams play. It also helps that some of the major culprits like Canty and Upshaw are gone, both of whom I observed at different times loafing around as the play unfolded right next to them. So far this season, I've seen great effort(mostly), and when players have been beat it hasn't been for a lack of effort(well, I would have liked Webb to hustle harder to the play when Wright got beat deep against the Browns...he was in position to disrupt that pass). In any case, greater tests lie ahead, let's hope our D rise to the challenges with even greater effort.

[Halshayeji]

I'm loving this Dline. Slowly but steadily I'm getting over Ngatas loss. B.williams is a must keep anchoring this line and if Jernigan continues to improve then we may have 2 pro bowlers in the making!

[Halshayeji]

1 hour ago, thegooddoc456 said:

Indeed, the defense is playing harder this year. Many of us here protested endlessly about the lack of effort in the past couple of seasons...and it was truly disgusting to watch, especially after watching other teams play. It also helps that some of the major culprits like Canty and Upshaw are gone, both of whom I observed at different times loafing around as the play unfolded right next to them. So far this season, I've seen great effort(mostly), and when players have been beat it hasn't been for a lack of effort(well, I would have liked Webb to hustle harder to the play when Wright got beat deep against the Browns...he was in position to disrupt that pass). In any case, greater tests lie ahead, let's hope our D rise to the challenges with even greater effort.

I actually would have loved to keep Upshaw and rarely questioned his motor but Mclelan is doing a fine job setting the edge while playing less than half he snaps opening up playing time to the young guns.

[thegooddoc456]

  4 hours ago, thegooddoc456 said:

Indeed, the defense is playing harder this year. Many of us here protested endlessly about the lack of effort in the past couple of seasons...and it was truly disgusting to watch, especially after watching other teams play. It also helps that some of the major culprits like Canty and Upshaw are gone, both of whom I observed at different times loafing around as the play unfolded right next to them. So far this season, I've seen great effort(mostly), and when players have been beat it hasn't been for a lack of effort(well, I would have liked Webb to hustle harder to the play when Wright got beat deep against the Browns...he was in position to disrupt that pass). In any case, greater tests lie ahead, let's hope our D rise to the challenges with even greater effort.

I actually would have loved to keep Upshaw and rarely questioned his motor but Mclelan is doing a fine job setting the edge while playing less than half he snaps opening up playing time to the young guns.

Yeah, McClellan is playing well. I don't even mean to disparage Upshaw now that he's gone, he did have some good moments...it's just there were a few times he left me dumbfounded at his lack of effort. One play that really annoyed me had two of our DBs around the 5 yard line fighting to keep someone out of the end zone, Upshaw is standing right next to them and does nothing to help as they are dragged into the end zone. Again, against the Jags last season...on that last play that did us in, while everyone was scrambling to get in place, Upshaw just walks off the field as the Jags snapped the ball...didn't bother to rush the passer or cover anyone. Of course, losing as we did amplified his nonchalance.