Courtesy of Washington Post

Courtesy of Washington Post

The Ravens remade defense will include a mixture of old faces and new and some possibly in unfamiliar positions on the field. Still this is a talented group that could outperform last season’s model.

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Let’s take a look.

2013 Depth Chart:

ILB – Jameel McClain, Daryl Smith, Arthur Brown, Josh Bynes, Albert McClellan, Bryan Hall, Nigel Carr, D.J.Bryant

OLB – Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Courtney Upshaw, Pernell McPhee, John Simon, Spencer Adkins, Adrian Hamilton

Ray Lewis. Losing him is THE sign that an era has ended in Baltimore. No other player has been as closely identified as the face of the franchise since its inception in 1996. So how do you replace him? You don’t. But you can plug in players that should be able to provide better field production than the aging Hall of Famer did last season.

First up Jameel McClain, who was a steady performer last season until a spinal injury knocked him out late in the season indefinitely. His health will have a large impact on how the depth chart shakes out in 2013 and as of right now he has yet to be cleared to practice. It’s been noted that it’s McClain’s job to lose at this point but he’ll need to get on the field first to prove it. Free agent acquisition Daryl Smith is the Jacksonville Jaguars’ leading tackler and has strong coverage skills and can stuff the run. He also has health questions as a groin injury limited him to only two games a year ago. However he appeared fine at the team’s most recent mini-camp.

Another option is the second round pick in this season’s draft Arthur Brown. Brown is fast to the ball and a hard hitter. Much like his predecessor Lewis he has the knock of perhaps being too small to take on larger players. Brown was hampered with a sports hernia over the Spring but should be a full go this week.

Josh Bynes is best known for his Special teams work but he also stepped in due to injuries in spot duty last season with mixed results. Albert McClellan is a former undrafted free agent who started 11 games last season on the outside a year ago could also help add depth inside as well. Bryan Hall is in the midst of a position switch from defensive line to linebacker as he dropped 50 pounds to add more agility to his skill set. Nigel Carr who spent much of last season on the practice squad and local product D.J. Bryant round out the inside backer candidates and should have something to prove in a crowded field.

The buzz surrounding this group is on the outside, where hopefully a fully healthy Terrell Suggs can return to form and new acquisition Elvis Dumervil can continue terrorizing quarterbacks opposite him. With the departure of Lewis it’s expected that Sizzle should pick up some of the leadership slack with his vocal personality as well. Courtney Upshaw had a solid rookie campaign and proved himself to be very productive in run support. The concern over his weight proved to be much ado about nothing as he his ready to find playing time in a more crowded field. There was some discussion as to weather Upshaw might also find time inside but that remains to be seen.

Pernell McPhee went through an injury filled sophomore season and has slimmed down to be used more as an outside rushing threat. He may still be listed as an end but the team will probably use him on passing downs to go after the quarterback where he excels.   Rookie John Simon like McPhee is also listed as an end but he is more of a hybrid out of the Jarret Johnson mold. Spencer Adkins is a former sixth round selection in 2009 from Atlanta who was picked up by the Ravens this past January. Adrian Hamilton was on the practice squad an is another of those small school stars the Ravens at times like to sign.

Predictions: McClain’s health is the key to the inside. If he is recovered he’ll anchor the unit and make the calls for the defense. If not expect a combination of Smith and Brown to get the nod. Bynes and McClellan should provide depth and will have spots due to their work on coverage teams. The health of Suggs is also another huge key not only to the group but for the return to dominance for the defense. He’ll have help on the opposite side as Dumervil replaces the disruptive Paul Kruger who left for Cleveland. The prospect of Suggs and Dumervil meeting at the quarterback all season should have fans excited. I expect a bounce back season for Suggs and another very productive one for the former Bronco.

Courtney Upshaw should continue his development and may even notch a few more sacks that last season and I see him lining up in a variety of spots. Pernell McPhee may also be better suited as an outside rusher as bulking up last year only caused problems in is game. I like Bryan Hall’s work ethic but he’ll need to improve in pass coverage to catch on in a crowded field. Creativity is the key as the Dean Pees has plenty of options to work with and still plenty of talent on the roster.

Matt Jergensen
Matt Jergensen

Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.

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