The Baltimore Ravens are 9th in the league in Total Defense, including 8th against the Pass even after yesterday.
Since the year prior to the Super Bowl, the Ravens have made their reputation as a defense by stopping the run. Currently the Ravens are 18th in the league in this category.
Baltimore is also tied for 18th in the league in sacks with 12 (San Diego leads with 25, Tampa has the least with 5).
What that illustrates is what we see with our own eyes. This is a good defense, that has some flaws.
We all understand that a new waive of external talent is not going to be walking through the doors. So the questions are, does there need to be a philosophy adjustment at the Castle? Should the existing personnel be used differently?
Coach Harbaugh is fond of saying the Ravens will adjust their personnel accordingly week to week to give them the best opportunity to win that particular match-up. An example of that would be the Ravens using a 4-3 scheme at-times yesterday, even though their typical base defense is a 3-4.
Right now the base defense looks like:
Option 1)
Base 3-4 now
Redding, Gregg, Ngata
Johnson, Lewis, Ellerbe, Suggs
Washington, Reed, Landry, Webb
If the Ravens are going to stick with the 3-4, I would like to see the following adjustments to their ‘starting/base’ personnel:
Option 2)
Base 3-4 what I would like to see
Cody, Ngata, Suggs
Johnson, Lewis, Ellerbe, McClain
Wilson, Reed, Landry, Webb
or
Option 3)
Cody, Ngata, Kruger
Johnson, Lewis, Ellerbe, Suggs
Wilson, Reed, Landry, Webb
Ultimately though what I would like to see is the Ravens going back to primarily utilizing a 4-3 defense.
What I envision would look like:
Option 4)
4-3 base
Kruger, Cody, Ngata, Suggs (Redding, Gregg, McKinney, Jones)
Johnson, Lewis, Ellerbe (Kruger, McClain, Gooden)
Wilson, Reed, Landry, Webb (Washington, Carr)
or
Option 5)
Redding, Cody, Ngata, Kruger (Gregg, McKinney, Jones)
Johnson, Lewis, Suggs (McClain, Gooden)
Wilson, Reed, Landry, Webb (Washington, Carr)
In either the 3-4, or the 4-3 it should be pretty clear of what I would like to see. Basically I want the following:
1) Cody inserted as a starter getting the majority of the defensive snaps, with Gregg giving you 20 or so plays a game as a reserve.
2) Suggs and Kruger together on the outside, simply being asked to attack the QB.
3) Wilson inserted as a starting CB opposite of Webb.
There is plenty of talent here on the defensive side of the ball. I think by tinkering with their lineups and using more of their players the production can improve.
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.