The Baltimore Ravens need more production from a number of their players.

Pernell McPhee was instant pressure in passing situations last year as a 3rd down rusher. Getting the opportunity to start, he has 1/2 a sack in 3 games.

Paul Kruger has played 2 of the 3 games, and has yet to get to the QB. He did have a couple of pressures Sunday night. I think he needs to be on the field more, just directly attacking the QB. I think his limitations in other aspects of the game are impacting how much he sees the field. I think the Ravens are going to have to live with those limitations and take greater advantage of his strengths.

Terrence Cody has said all the right things about playing behind Kemoeatu. I want to see the former 2nd round pick do more, to get on the field more. At the minimum, be rotated in more and split time with Kemoeatu. I would hope with his snaps cut, that Cody could be more disruptive when he does see the field. This was a player the Ravens were extremely high on.

Heck, last October Harbaugh stated,“He dominates in there quite a bit. He is big, he is athletic, he is moving so well, he stays square. … I know you put him in there with Haloti, and I think our linebackers appreciate having those two guys in the middle.”

This April, Harbaugh stated Cody looked tremendous in his off-season workouts. So, where is he now?

Jameel McClain is listed as the starter, but he seems to come off the field after 1st down. After 84 tackles last year, he has 9 in 3 games this year. Ellerbe had 9 tackles Sunday, including 1.5 sacks. They gave McClain 3 yrs $10.5, with a $3.6M signing bonus. Doesn’t he need to be more of an every-down player for that money? Is he not grading well in pass coverage? In 67 games, McClain has only 4.5 sacks. I still remember McClain’s rookie season (2008) when he was sent after QB’s on 3rd down and regularly got pressure.

Jimmy Smith’s rookie year was impacted by the labor situation, and the high-ankle sprain he suffered in last year’s opener. He still gained experience last year. He got all of the mini-camps this off-season. He was drafted where he was to be elite. The Ravens need to see him start to emerge. I think Baltimore has to put him out on an Island, and give him the responsibility of locking down an opposing receiver. If he is doing that, than the Ravens can be more aggressive up-front about going after the QB.

Ed Dickson fell out of favor with many locally last year due to a number of drops. Still, he had 54 receptions. I was more down on him for the significant drop in yards per reception, and yards after the catch from his rookie year. The emergence of Pitta should not be an elimination of Dickson as a weapon. Through 3 weeks, Dickson has just 5 grabs. He needs to be utilized, and I want to see him sent further down the field. He was drafted as a guy that was supposed to get separation from LB’s, and be too big for Safeties to defend. Tools wise, he should compare well to Aaron Hernandez. If you get Dickson going, that helps Pitta, that helps the receivers on the outside, and that should help Rice as well.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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