[News] Why John Harbaugh Expects The Ravens Defense To Be Great

[BR News]

Baltimore has perhaps more talent and depth in the secondary and at pass rusher than in any year over the past decade. That should allow Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees to pressure more often and challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage.

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[Tsizzle24]

Can't wait to see the Ravens this season especially after adding those defensive weapons. I've always favored defense over offense so this year will be exciting for me.

[jrubin80]

That is great and all. However, when the offense gets 35 three and outs a game and doesn't score enough points, they will gas even the best defenses, and lose games. I don't blame Ozzie for not drafting a WR because CD and MW were long gone but I do blame him for not getting a WR in FA. There is literally nothing out there except a few old banged up guys that are not gonna help our offense. The offense was horrible with SSS last year. Let's do the math. Not gonna be a good yea, gonna be third in the division. Good job!

[bluehen]

They better be, otherwise he and the defensive staff should all be fired!

[The Greek]

They better be, otherwise he and the defensive staff should all be fired!

that just about sums it up

[Bruce_Almty]

Still have not seen a Power Ranking or Vegas odds with the Ravens in the top 10 or even top half of the league, but we do have a good defense.

[sami]

That is great and all. However, when the offense gets 35 three and outs a game and doesn't score enough points, they will gas even the best defenses, and lose games. I don't blame Ozzie for not drafting a WR because CD and MW were long gone but I do blame him for not getting a WR in FA. There is literally nothing out there except a few old banged up guys that are not gonna help our offense. The offense was horrible with SSS last year. Let's do the math. Not gonna be a good yea, gonna be third in the division. Good job!

Theres still plenty of time to get another quality WR besides our young WRs will be better this year than they were last year. The biggest improvement comes between years 1 and 2. Given a chance, I think they will do just fine.

[eze17]

We've lost way too many games over the last few years because our defense has not been able to preserve a lead. Should be no question about that, look it up if you don't believe it. While our offense has struggled at tymes, Joe & Co. can usually come up with enough points to keep us competitive. Raven's D has let us down too often, thus FA and draft were heavily tilted towards defense. I really think we would have snagged a WR in the draft, but every time we had our pick it would have been a reach grabbing any wideout who was available at that tyme. Agree that the players we got were better pick-ups and can help us long term, rather than grab someone who would just be a body on the roster. Do we need more help, not to mention depth, at WR? Of course. Have some faith that the Raven's are not done with getting some more players who can help this team.

[bigcatfrank1]

That is great and all. However, when the offense gets 35 three and outs a game and doesn't score enough points, they will gas even the best defenses, and lose games. I don't blame Ozzie for not drafting a WR because CD and MW were long gone but I do blame him for not getting a WR in FA. There is literally nothing out there except a few old banged up guys that are not gonna help our offense. The offense was horrible with SSS last year. Let's do the math. Not gonna be a good yea, gonna be third in the division. Good job!

So Wallace at /over 1000 yds, Perriman potentially at/over 1000 yrds, then Moore, Waller, Campinaro and Co total at conservatively 600, that is about as good as any WR crew the Ravens have had= 2600 WR yards.
Add the TE position at least 800 yds ( Pitta had that many on his own)
Add the RB position at at least 800 yds - considering Woodhead easily hits 350 alone, West and Dixon can make up a measly 450-

This describes a 4200 yrd passing offense. It is pretty much an easy sum looking at the past and abilities.
Probably the only one that is suspect to future doubt is Perriman however his quiet 500 yards last year would be considered a huge step being he was 3rd on the depth chart. I just do not see him going backwards, up , up and away!

So I just do not see your prognostication. You may be ham hunting and if so, that is your prerogative, however put some numbers behind the sour apples please.

If anything I'd pick on the running game. But that is a horse of a different color.

[Ravensfansince03]

Guys DO NOT keep saying "we have a good defense". It will knock the mindset of the players off. Let them earn the title please.

[respecttheRaven]

I agree with Sami....besides, every year a lot of people say let the young guy's play...they need reps to get better. Well here's their chance....Perriman needs to step up, I'm not willing to call him bust (not yet anyway). Chris Moore showed promise. Campanaro can be weapon, if he can stay on the field. We have Wallace, whom I am sure will gladly step up to show he's still "got it"!!  I was pe'od about the top WR prospect's that the Ravens had their eye's being picked in the top 15......so I thought, ok, they are going to take an OL or Center for their top pick. But to my surprise...they did not. They also picked up 4 WR after the draft. Haven't looked into them but....who knows, there could be a diamond in the rough!! So, as said before, there is still time to sign a free agent later. Just my .2cents.    http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Reports-Ravens-Sign-Undrafted-Free-Agents-After-2017-Draft/55bda71b-7a4d-48b8-a82c-cdca8493c27e   

[bigcatfrank1]

Ravens need to look for support in the Running Game, maybe J. Charles, D Williams, J Starks for some veteran help to begin the year...who wants a ring?
Then feel out where this running game is going when Dixon comes back.

[eze17]

Ravens need to look for support in the Running Game, maybe J. Charles, D Williams, J Starks for some veteran help to begin the year...who wants a ring?
Then feel out where this running game is going when Dixon comes back.

Charles signed w/Broncos yesterday. But agree we are thin at RB.

[thegooddoc456]

Nothing here, just more mindless Harbaugh speak. I've always hated Pees' unimaginative and bland defense, so I don't know if plugging in couple of rookies and a new safety in the same scheme is gonna make that much of a difference. The very best I can do is wait and see.

[ellicottraven]

Well we know that there can be no more 4th quarter lapses from the defense. To me rankings are meaningless. Unless they take into account the number of saves a defense has had. If you can't save a lead, I really don't care where we are ranked statistically. So Mr. Pees, don't worry about rankings and instead just worry about not letting the opposition score in the 4th and no more easy TDs.

[Tiznut]

We looking at 2000 again?!

[huntrgathrr]

I absolutely love the Raven's clear cut decision to build a great defense. They have executed this plan wholeheartedly and IMO their decisions seem excellent. Jefferson and Weddle are 2 of the top safeties in the league and probably the best tandem. Adding Carr and drafting Humphries should give us 4 solid corners with Smith and Young. If Humphries pans out then this may be the best secondary in the league. Smiths injury led to a meltdown in the secondary last year and cost us an AFC North title. That won't be the case this year. Adding Williams and Bowser gives the front seven 2 serious pass rushers to accompany Suggs and Judon. Adding Wormley creates quality depth behind Williams, Pierce and Urban. He looks good enough to end up starting before the year is over. He won the Michigan DPLOY twice, being selected over Peppers who was a phenomenal player. The icing on the cake would be if Kafusi and Correa come to fruition this year. That would give the Ravens the deepest and probably the most talented defense in the league.
That would take a lot of pressure of the offense. Having only to cross midfield for Tucker to score is a unique luxury afforded the Ravens. But the offense is being grossly underestimated by almost everyone. That is a mistake. Flacco showed he can win close games with his performance on Christmas day in Pittsburgh. His performance was outstanding and should have delivered the game and the AFC North title to the Ravens.
We have three excellent offensive lineman in Lewis, Stanley and Yanda. Whether Jensen earns the job at center or they bring in Mangold won't hurt. Likewise, if Siragusa wins the LG spot or if they use Hurst at RT this will be a very good offensive line. This gives Joe time to throw and allows West and Dixon to be very effective north-south runners. They shredded the Pittsburgh defense in the final drive, using 6 of the 7 minutes left in the game before we scored the apparent game winning TD with a minute left. Only a Christmas day miracle resurrected a Steeler team that was beaten by the Ravens for the 7th out of 8 times in the last 3 years. That will not happen this year.
The wailing and wringing of hands over the WR position is unwarranted. Wallace is a proven WR with experience and speed that teams must respect. But I'm very optimistic that we have some great talent waiting to flourish in Perriman, Waller and Moore. All three have the abilities to have standout performances and become stars in the league. My prediction is that 2 of these guys combine for over 1500 yards receiving and 15 TDs this season. We have the cap space to bring in a FA as well if needed and there are plenty of proven receivers out there. Pitta and Boyle are very effective TEs. Pitta is clutch and he showed that against the Steelers on Christmas day. If Williams finally lives up to his potential then this will be a formidable TE group, regardless of what Watson does.
Defense wins championships. This has always been true and today's NFL is no exception. This is why the Steelers, before last season, won 1 playoff game in 5 years and were thoroughly routed by NE last year. NE's domination last year was due to their defense as was Seattle's and Denver's in the previous years. With the defense Baltimore should have this year they should be tough to beat. I can't wait to see if the plan works out.

[Crusader]

  On Wednesday, May 03, 2017 at 5:10 PM, jrubin80 said:

That is great and all. However, when the offense gets 35 three and outs a game and doesn't score enough points, they will gas even the best defenses, and lose games. I don't blame Ozzie for not drafting a WR because CD and MW were long gone but I do blame him for not getting a WR in FA. There is literally nothing out there except a few old banged up guys that are not gonna help our offense. The offense was horrible with SSS last year. Let's do the math. Not gonna be a good yea, gonna be third in the division. Good job!

Theres still plenty of time to get another quality WR besides our young WRs will be better this year than they were last year. The biggest improvement comes between years 1 and 2. Given a chance, I think they will do just fine.

They will do fine but someone has to be great. Ravens had Torrey, Boldin, and Steve. That guy is not on the team. Yet. Johns dreaming if he thinks the Ravens defense can be on the field as long as they were when Ray commanded the field. Loosing two oline players and one great blocker did not help those odds.

[Crusader]

How about we see Ozzie draft board? Has that been shown?

[respecttheRaven]

14 minutes ago, Crusader said:

How about we see Ozzie draft board? Has that been shown?

This is about the only thing that I have seen that kind of explains some things and who some of their picks were. Not sure if you saw it or not. I have not seen anything on the "actual" draft board though.   http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Whats-Up-With-Not-Drafting-Any-Offensive-Players-Ozzie-Newsome-Answers/3b3e6869-5e50-4570-b768-37e5e0334be7

[Zeus]

Harbs also expects BP to catch a ball

[BigUgly]

Of course Harbs expects the 2017 Ravens D to be great. After the massive investment over the last 2 years in Weddle, B Williams, Tony Jefferson, Carr, and 11 draft picks in the last 2 years, it had darn well better be.

The cupboard is pretty bare on the other side of the ball, where OCs have been fired like Browns' QBs, partially due to coaching ineptitude and certainly due to a lack of talent. There is precious little cap space to shore up the offense, so I'm not sure what to expect the TEAM to do in 2017.

[faulk2017]

4 hours ago, huntrgathrr said:

I absolutely love the Raven's clear cut decision to build a great defense. They have executed this plan wholeheartedly and IMO their decisions seem excellent. Jefferson and Weddle are 2 of the top safeties in the league and probably the best tandem. Adding Carr and drafting Humphries should give us 4 solid corners with Smith and Young. If Humphries pans out then this may be the best secondary in the league. Smiths injury led to a meltdown in the secondary last year and cost us an AFC North title. That won't be the case this year. Adding Williams and Bowser gives the front seven 2 serious pass rushers to accompany Suggs and Judon. Adding Wormley creates quality depth behind Williams, Pierce and Urban. He looks good enough to end up starting before the year is over. He won the Michigan DPLOY twice, being selected over Peppers who was a phenomenal player. The icing on the cake would be if Kafusi and Correa come to fruition this year. That would give the Ravens the deepest and probably the most talented defense in the league.
That would take a lot of pressure of the offense. Having only to cross midfield for Tucker to score is a unique luxury afforded the Ravens. But the offense is being grossly underestimated by almost everyone. That is a mistake. Flacco showed he can win close games with his performance on Christmas day in Pittsburgh. His performance was outstanding and should have delivered the game and the AFC North title to the Ravens.
We have three excellent offensive lineman in Lewis, Stanley and Yanda. Whether Jensen earns the job at center or they bring in Mangold won't hurt. Likewise, if Siragusa wins the LG spot or if they use Hurst at RT this will be a very good offensive line. This gives Joe time to throw and allows West and Dixon to be very effective north-south runners. They shredded the Pittsburgh defense in the final drive, using 6 of the 7 minutes left in the game before we scored the apparent game winning TD with a minute left. Only a Christmas day miracle resurrected a Steeler team that was beaten by the Ravens for the 7th out of 8 times in the last 3 years. That will not happen this year.
The wailing and wringing of hands over the WR position is unwarranted. Wallace is a proven WR with experience and speed that teams must respect. But I'm very optimistic that we have some great talent waiting to flourish in Perriman, Waller and Moore. All three have the abilities to have standout performances and become stars in the league. My prediction is that 2 of these guys combine for over 1500 yards receiving and 15 TDs this season. We have the cap space to bring in a FA as well if needed and there are plenty of proven receivers out there. Pitta and Boyle are very effective TEs. Pitta is clutch and he showed that against the Steelers on Christmas day. If Williams finally lives up to his potential then this will be a formidable TE group, regardless of what Watson does.
Defense wins championships. This has always been true and today's NFL is no exception. This is why the Steelers, before last season, won 1 playoff game in 5 years and were thoroughly routed by NE last year. NE's domination last year was due to their defense as was Seattle's and Denver's in the previous years. With the defense Baltimore should have this year they should be tough to beat. I can't wait to see if the plan works out.

You have faith in our wr group. 

[Purple Dawg 96]

Defense was good last season but Joe and bad play calling left the Defense hangin in "SEVERAL" games! Ozzie and Co. just sticking to the script reloading the Defense Joe needs to step his game up and blaming the O line and WRs won't work anymore! It's on film! Only one position needs to be looked at and the sun rises and sets on it! It makes or breaks the entire team! YUP 100 million is a clue!

[ellicottraven]

It is a no brainer that he expects it but again he expects great things from the Ravens every season. Now I don't think it is his job to expect great things but in fact it is his job to deliver greatness. I think he just said it without much thought. He is going to be held accountable for the Ravens greatness this year. He'll be lauded if we go deep into the playoffs and will be vilified if we underperform.

[jravens1313]

We lacked Secondary Depth and pass rush depth last year and that's why the defense was vulnerable at the end of the year. This defense is the most stacked it's been since 2008-2010. Only unproven commodity is the pass rush opposite Suggs. I'm very excited to see what they can do, but I'm also nervous as to how the offense will hold up their end of the bargain. Still has to be better than the Boller years right?

[Dfence4champs2052]

The potential of defense seems to be immense ON PAPER. It is up to the players to apply their talents and the coaching staff to get the best out of the players. I think we'll be back and at worst a top 3 defensive team! Go Ravens!

[PersianRaven]

Can't wait to see the Ravens this season especially after adding those defensive weapons. I've always favored defense over offense so this year will be exciting for me.

Same here. I just want us to get our swagger back. Ever since Ray and Ed left, teams have not been scared of us anymore, but now we have players/veterans who can play smash mouth football and hit. All we need is a dominate rushing attack and we'll be just fine. Joe is at his best when he has a running game working so he can use more play-action plays.

[PersianRaven]

I think the organization finally realized that we can't become an offensive team because we are known to play smash-mouth football. That's why they went ahead and stacked the D up so we can play old school Raven football. We still need a monster RB tho so we can run the ball and bully opponents. I think we should have considered Adrian Peterson as he was dirt cheap. I have high hopes for Dixon and West and I think they can be a problematic duo once they get going, but that 4 game suspension is really bothering me. Lorenzo showed flashes too when healthy, but he's hurt too often.

[sizzlingdoom]

Guys DO NOT keep saying "we have a good defense". It will knock the mindset of the players off. Let them earn the title please.

LOL. If anything them seeing us say that would only motivate them to be hungrier imo