History shows that the defense will come back strong

**leachisabeast** · 12-22-2012, 03:48 PM

Using total team defensive rankings, which takes into account every category (Not NFL's dated system of yards allowed and nothing else) I did some research and found some encouraging things about this team. (Rankings are off http://www.pro-football-reference.com).

Discounting 1996-2000 and going by the last twelve/almost thirteen seasons the Ravens defense has been the best defense in the NFL along with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Bears, nobody else comes close to being ranked so high consistently over the last decade.

It started in 2002 when we took a nose dive on defense and had to let go of a bunch of pieces on defense for cap reasons, we were ranked 19th overall, which is poor by Ravens standards. However the team came back strong in 2003 and finished 6th overall, and got us back into the play off picture. We finished 6th overall the next year too but failed to make the play offs and finished 9-7. We took a very slight dive in 2005 finishing 10th, but then straight after in 06 finished first in total defense for the first time in franchise history. It's funny how in 07 we took another nose dive after fielding one of the best if not the best defense in the last decade in 06. We finished 22nd overall in defense, it remains to be the worse season in the 21st century for us.

We then came back strong finishing 3rd overall in defense in 08, and had a really good year getting to the AFCCG. We had much more consistent and improved play on the offense which also helped a lot, but let's not kid our selves and pretend like it's a huge feat that we managed to play better than the Billick offenses, they were putrid offenses under Billick. We finished 3rd overall every year to this one, but 2011 was the strongest year we've had on defense in the Harbaugh era, and we follow it up with a really bad year on defense.

The three down years we've had on defense have been down to two simple reasons.

1. Injuries
2. Losing veteran players due to the salary cap

This FO has shown that it can quickly correct that, and put out a much better defensive unit the year after. This is slightly different to the other two down years, because we may be without Ray and Ed next year. However, we have also lost guys like Peter Boulware, Adalius Thomas, Rod Woodson, Chris McCallister etc, and have coped with it and have found replacements eventually.

Point being, I am confident we will get back to fielding out an elite defense again next year, and we shouldn't worry too much about this season. Yes it's disappointing that we are likely to miss out on another shot at our second SB in our young franchise history. With that said, here are some things that MUST happen in the offseason in order to get back to old ways.

1. We need to get Flacco to sign to a reasonable deal, and a deal that is worth what he is.

2. We need to get back to a ball controlled offense that can run the ball effectively, with more creative passing plays with whoever the new OC is. I suggest a Kubiak/Shanahan coaching tree OC that knows how to run a WCO variant with power zone scheme.

3. Double up and both the OL and get more athletic LB's.

I remain confident Ozzie will get this done.

**JustaslowZ06** · 12-22-2012, 04:02 PM

We need a different DC than, because Pees has never had a D ranked higher than 15th, in YARDS mind you.

Edit: As for the offense thy better figure out WHAT they want to do. You have Rice and Pierce back there with a power blocking and best FB in football yet we have the most 20+ yard pass plays in the league without the personnel for it. Add in a putrid OL that in itself doesn't even have a identity and thats why were looking at one and done in the playoffs.

ALOT of changes need to happen in the offseason.

**leachisabeast** · 12-22-2012, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by JustaslowZ06

We need a different DC than, because Pees has never had a D ranked higher than 15th, in YARDS mind you.

Edit: As for the offense thy better figure out WHAT they want to do. You have Rice and Pierce back there with a power blocking and best FB in football yet we have the most 20+ yard pass plays in the league without the personnel for it. Add in a putrid OL that in itself doesn't even have a identity and thats why were looking at one and done in the playoffs.

ALOT of changes need to happen in the offseason.

NE were top 10 in yards allowed in 2006, 2007, and 2009. All years under Pees.

With that said, I think a change in DC will be required.

**AirFlacco** · 12-22-2012, 05:45 PM

Ozzie said weeks ago if the young guys on D don't develop like
Jimmy and Cody the D will never return to what it once was.

So far they're not developing. Jimmy who seldom or ever missed
a game in college has missed most of his first two years and Cody
has been pushed around leaving no one to protect Ngata.

**houstonravensfan** · 12-23-2012, 12:14 AM

Leach, you always add good posts, but . . .

"The three down years we've had on defense have been down to two simple reasons.

1. Injuries
2. Losing veteran players due to the salary cap"

Injuries are often related to age. Yes, overall, the D is young, but key players are old.
Losing vets is not the problem. The problem is losing players with no one remotely capable of replacing them.

I see no reserve or rotation player on the D line, LB corp, or DB group who looks like a probable future star. Upshaw and Smith are at best "possibles" at LB and DB.

**leachisabeast** · 12-23-2012, 03:19 AM

Originally Posted by houstonravensfan

Leach, you always add good posts, but . . .

"The three down years we've had on defense have been down to two simple reasons.

1. Injuries
2. Losing veteran players due to the salary cap"

Injuries are often related to age. Yes, overall, the D is young, but key players are old.
Losing vets is not the problem. The problem is losing players with no one remotely capable of replacing them.

I see no reserve or rotation player on the D line, LB corp, or DB group who looks like a probable future star. Upshaw and Smith are at best "possibles" at LB and DB.

People said the same thing in 07. Then all of a sudden Ngata exploded, and Suggs picked their games up and both earned those contracts. Now am I saying that Jimmy and Courtney are going to be that good? No. But I think one is almost certainly going to be as good as Jarrett Johnson if not better as a pass rusher, and the other is up in the air, but one has to think if he can actually stay healthy he can develop into a good player as Webb did. Remember that it took Webb some time to get to what he is now (ACL not withstanding).

You then have guys like McPhee and Art Jones who have showed promise, they are likely to be long term contributors to the defense, Paul Kruger is interesting and could get better, he has certainly showed that he can get to the QB this year, will he sign for a fair deal though?

All it takes is one solid draft as well as hoping that at least some of the previous drafted players develop nicely. So say for example we draft Alec Ogletree and Sheldon Richardson for arguments sake, and they turn out to be big hits, then you are looking at the defense almost restored. I haven't even mentioned the chance of getting Suggs and Ngata back healthy either, and they are both still reasonably aged and have a while left in them yet.

**GOTA** · 12-23-2012, 09:22 AM

If Ray Lewis retires this defense isn't coming back strong. Ray Lewis has been the ultimate coach and motivator on the field. He makes those around him better. That's why the defense has always bounced back. Without Ray next year that all ends. Reed is gone. Suggs doesn't have that type of leadership ability. Ngata can't even motivate the D-line. Once Ray goes there are no guarantees for this defense and that probably stats in 2013.

**kronusthebonus** · 12-23-2012, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

If Ray Lewis retires this defense isn't coming back strong. Ray Lewis has been the ultimate coach and motivator on the field. He makes those around him better. That's why the defense has always bounced back. Without Ray next year that all ends. Reed is gone. Suggs doesn't have that type of leadership ability. Ngata can't even motivate the D-line. Once Ray goes there are no guarantees for this defense and that probably stats in 2013.

This.

Why would Ray Lewis come back next year? They aren't going to pay him his money he's on the books for and they'll be cutting a bunch of people for cap purposes. Sad to say, this will be an end of an era.

You think this board is in meltdown over a few down games? I can't wait to see what happens over a few down seasons.

Outlook: Grim.