Ravens Position Battles: Inside Linebackers

When the Baltimore Ravens passed on adding an inside linebacker either through the draft or free agency, fans were puzzled. Most of the Ravens positional battles are due to a surplus of depth, like at running back or tight end. The Ravens’ inside linebacker corps, on the other hand, consists of C.J. Mosley and a bunch of unproven career special teamers, and that uncertainty seems likely to hold as this position battles it out throughout the offseason.

Discuss in the BSL forums here…

Let’s take a look at the three players fighting it out for the spot opposite Mosley to determine who will get the job or if an upgrade is needed.

Arthur Brown (4^th year)

In one of the Ravens’ worst drafts in franchise history, Arthur Brown stands out as a true dud so far. Even in a draft in which the Ravens took Matt Elam in the first round, Brown has produced less relative to his draft stock than anyone in that class. Yet, all is not lost. There is precedent for a fourth-year revival for a Ravens’ second-round draft pick. Yes, Paul Kruger is the reason for optimism for Arthur Brown.

Heading into the NFL, Brown was well regarded for his ability to flow to the football and athleticism, but his ability to shed blocks was questioned. Three years later, throw out the scouting reports. Nobody except the Ravens’ coaching staff has any clue what Brown can do.

Fans wanted to see Brown on the field years ago for his athleticism, assuming he would be good in coverage. And to play in the pass happy Big 12 in college, Brown had to have some coverage skills. He showed as much his rookie year, his most productive and active year. Yet, the Ravens played Zach Orr in nickel situations more than Brown, who mostly was a healthy scratch. Why?

According to The Baltimore Sun, Brown has struggled to pick up the playbook and to put on weight. Well, he has had three years. Brown remains the most athletic and naturally talented option to replace Daryl Smith, and his athleticism would pair well with the more physical C.J. Mosley. Ultimately, the Ravens need to identify a linebacker who will shore up their coverage struggles in the intermediate middle of the field, and Brown has the best chance to be that.

If that happens, maybe Brown will be the next Paul Kruger, playing his way to a fat new deal in his contract year after years of disappointment. Regardless, the Ravens have to hope Brown finally steps up in his fourth season, if nothing else than for depth.

Zach Orr (3^rd year)

Despite less fanfare upon his entry into the league, Zachary Orr already has twice as many career tackles as Arthur Brown. Orr made the Ravens’ roster as an undrafted free agent due to his special teams play, gradually earning more of a role as he developed over the past two years. Now, Orr is the front runner for the job.

Orr was the Ravens’ highest graded inside linebacker per Pro Football Focus. I don’t put too much stock into those grades, but it’s one data point in a larger picture, and that Orr was the Ravens’ best coverage linebacker per the site is promising.

Another promising data point: Orr came into the league at 237 pounds and now is listed at 255 pounds. That’s a big difference indicative of hard work in the weight room.

That said, Orr played some last year and did not stand out, good or bad. He played 138 reps last year and netted a sack and a pass defense, but otherwise he blended into a mediocre defense rather than standing out. He should improve in this, his third year.

As with Brown, whether or not Orr should start comes down to coverage. The Ravens need to lock down the intermediate middle of the field if they want to become a quality defense again. C.J. Mosley is lousy in coverage and should not be asked to fill that role. If Orr can be that guy (and last year’s grades indicate he can) then he could be a long-term starter in Baltimore.

Albert McClellan (6^th year)

Unlike Zach Orr and Arthur Brown, Ravens’ fans know quite a bit about Albert McClellan. He has spent each of his first five years in Baltimore and even held down a starting spot for much of 2012. Though listed as an outside linebacker, McClellan has the skillset of a thumping inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense thanks to his size (6’2” 254 pounds), physicality and sound tackling.

What McClellan does not have, however, is explosiveness. Despite playing OLB for years, McClellan only has two career sacks. That’s not enough for an edge defender. Inside linebacker is a more natural home for McClellan, as he can take on blocks well and spring Mosley to flow to the football the way Ed Hartwell used to.

That said, McClellan will need to be taken off the field on passing downs. He isn’t fast or fluid enough to hang with running backs in the flat or tight ends over the middle of the field. Let McClellan back up Mosley as the run-stuffing linebacker, but the two do not belong next to one another except in obvious run situations.

 

The failure to add a coverage linebacker this offseason is, to me, the Ravens’ second largest failure this offseason behind failing to net a starting caliber cornerback. There is not much left in free agency either, leaving the Ravens’ stuck with these three options next to C.J. Mosley.

I would bet on Orr taking the starting job thanks to his development over the past two seasons and established coverage ability. Expect the Ravens to scour the waiver wires, though, for new talent. They desperately need it.