The Baltimore Ravens will quietly enter Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 4th rated overall defense. The Ravens are 6th overall against the Pass, and 7th overall against the run. Most importantly, Baltimore is allowing the 2nd fewest points per game.
That said, I believe the loss of Lardarius Webb really limits what the Ravens (as currently constructed) can accomplish if they were to reach the AFC playoffs.
Webb’s athleticism, combined with the improved play of Foxworth, gave the Ravens two wideouts capable of running with anyone. Neither possess the great physical size to match-up against the elite, bigger receivers; but both had the cover ability to spend more time on an island than not.
It now seems apparent that the Ravens are going to turn to Chris Carr to replace Webb, and sign Corey Ivy to share time with Frank Walker at Nickleback.
To me, the Ravens should be going to a true 4-3 Defense, and the Tampa 2. My understanding with the Tampa 2, is that DB’s are positioned to cover the sidelines out to 15-20 yards, with the Safeties positioned 20 yards back, each equally taking half of the field.
I believe ideally with a Tampa 2, you look from pressure from the front-four, without aid of blitzing from the LB’s, and Secondary.
With teams being unable to attack you down the field, they are forced to dink-and-dunk their way underneath. Thus creating more opportunities for you to stymie their drives.
I would like to see the Ravens base 11 man defense look like this from left to right:
Edwards, Gregg, Ngata, Suggs (Pryce, Talavou, Bannan)
Johnson, Lewis, Gooden (Barnes, McClain, Ellerbe, Kruger)
Carr, Landry, Reed, Foxworth (Walker, Ivy, Zbikowski, Williams, Gerard)
As the Tampa 2 places a premium on speed maybe a better use of the roster would be:
Johnson, Gregg, Ngata, Suggs (Pryce, Talavou, Bannan)
Barnes, Lewis, Gooden (McClain, Ellerbe, Kruger)
Carr, Landry, Reed, Foxworth (Walker, Ivy, Zbikowski, Williams, Gerard)
If Johnson, and Suggs tire from having their hand in the dirt every play; you have the d-line depth behind them to provide rest.
McClain, Ellerbe, and Kruger can all play, and additionally keep the Barnes, Lewis, Gooden unit fresh.
I can understand those that would say, with the overall success of the Ravens defense, there is no reason to change the lineup now – even with Webb’s injury. I think that line of thought has merit, but I disagree. I think the defensive roster as enough talent to adjust to Webb’s injury, but I think the strategy has to be adjusted.
I especially think the strategy requires adjustment, if the ultimate goal is advancing deep into January. If you get to the AFC playoffs, and you have to face Manning, Rivers, Brady, Palmer etc. etc. it will be very difficult to advance playing man coverage, with no pass rush.
The Ravens rank 26th overall in the league in sacks, and having already played Indianapolis, San Diego, New England, and Cincinnati; I have little confidence in the Ravens ability to put the QB’s of those teams on the ground.
Running the Tampa 2 is a pretty simple scheme. You would be asking Gregg, and Ngata to control the rushing attack at DT, and hope that Suggs and Edwards/Johnson could bring a pass-rush from the edge, without the help of blitzing LB’s. The defense asks you to gang-tackle, and run to the ball. Something the Ravens have always done well. It would give the Ravens a chance to limit the loss of Webb, and potentially allow Reed to take over games playing Centerfield.
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.