Reviewing the defense as it stands

[NjRavensFan]

I definitely like Brown as a veteran presence. Id be happy about it. I haven't followed him much so just going off stats. Does he seem like an upgrade in coverage over mosley?

Also "veteran presence" usually refers to leadership. Brown is Burfict light. He proudly tries to injure people, and got cut after loudly trashing his coaches and fanbase on the radio. He can play but lets not act like we're getting intangibles just because he's been in the league for a little while.

[Rygar64]

Also "veteran presence" usually refers to leadership. Brown is Burfict light. He proudly tries to injure people, and got cut after loudly trashing his coaches and fanbase on the radio. He can play but lets not act like we're getting intangibles just because he's been in the league for a little while.

That's precisely what I was driving at...vet presence does not always pay dividends. They have some vet guys playing right behind or next to the ILB in Peanut, Levine and Jefferson. I'd be more interested in seeing what Kenny Young and whoever they draft can do at the position. Kenny is a 2nd year player but he got a good amount of meaningful snaps last year.

[Breezy5220]

Also "veteran presence" usually refers to leadership. Brown is Burfict light. He proudly tries to injure people, and got cut after loudly trashing his coaches and fanbase on the radio. He can play but lets not act like we're getting intangibles just because he's been in the league for a little while.

Emphasis on the "haven't followed him much" i didn't know about the headhunting or I wouldn't have asked. And I'm huge on kenny young since his college days. I'm just not opposed to bringing in something like a Daryl to rotate in. As i stated i have no doubt in the Ravens ability at LB. As with all suggestions if the money is right

[Rygar64]

Emphasis on the "haven't followed him much" i didn't know about the headhunting or I wouldn't have asked. And I'm huge on kenny young since his college days. I'm just not opposed to bringing in something like a Daryl to rotate in. As i stated i have no doubt in the Ravens ability at LB. As with all suggestions if the money is right

Agreed! Your point earlier about how they are like Pitt with WRs is exactly how I feel. Sure once in a while there is a Limas Sweed or Tavares Gooden, but usually they hit on good players.

[Breezy5220]

Agreed! Your point earlier about how they are like Pitt with WRs is exactly how I feel. Sure once in a while there is a Limas Sweed or Tavares Gooden, but usually they hit on good players.

Exactly! Im not by any means saying id be heartbroken if we don't bring in another to rotate. I'm honestly huge on Kenny and peanut. I think kenny is gonna be top 10 in the league in a couple of seasons. I'm just saying if we get someone in and don't put all of the pressure on them I'd be ok with it (kenny still needs some progression)

[Rygar64]

Exactly! Im not by any means saying id be heartbroken if we don't bring in another to rotate. I'm honestly huge on Kenny and peanut. I think kenny is gonna be top 10 in the league in a couple of seasons. I'm just saying if we get someone in and don't put all of the pressure on them I'd be ok with it (kenny still needs some progression)

Yeah part of me feels that way...but then the other side says to hell with rotation, play these guys now and see what we really have. Only one way to find out if we've got some every-down guys and that's to play them. Sure there will be growing pains, but that's how you get better.

[srobert96]

As it stands, I don't think this defense is set in stone on paper. I believe further additions will be made in FA, and through the draft to retool last seasons top ranked defense in yards allowed. However, with all that said, lets look at this unit as it stands now, and where they might make moves to fill potential gaps, or if it will be simply players already on the roster who step up and fill that void.

DT/3 TECH/DE- Michael Pierce
This is a guy who has a bit more explosion than Brandon Williams. And while he is no Haloti Ngata, this guy is an absolute mutant, and can push the pocket bringing pressure to the QB up the middle, and can stuff the run as well as Williams arguably. The guy is so strong, I think it was suggested that he is the strongest man in the weight room as well? Either way, this is a position we should have no worries about, providing Pierce does not get hurt in camp, touch wood.

NT- Brandon Williams
A bit of criticised player around here, mostly due tot he size of his contract. With that said, he is still among the best NTs in the game, and had a very solid season in 2018. Not as explosive as Pierce, and I would absolutely prioritise signing Pierce over Williams over the next few years, but Brandon is going to play a key role going into next season. We are set up the middle.

DE/5 tech- Willie Henry/Zach Sieler
A position where Urban did a solid job of playing last season, and looks like this is the first position on the list to have a change from last season. I actually expect a bit of an upgrade in pass rush from this perspective. Urban was a force against the run, but Henry has proven that he is better at getting to the QB. I think Henry will see the majority of snaps, but rotate with Sieler who showed a lot of promise in last years pre season. Sieler has great size and strength, and looks like a similar type of player to Brent Urban. Don't sleep on Wormley either potentially stepping up.

Overall, I do not expect to see this 3 man front drop off from last season, if anything it may be a bit better at bringing pressure, and possibly might drop off slightly against the run with the loss of Urban.

Mike LB- N/A (Possibilities: Kenny Young, free agent, or a draft pick)
This is one of the key holes in our defense right now on paper. We don't really know much about how Young will develop going into this season. He had an up and down 2018 campaign, he looked explosive and promising in the preseason, then when it came to game time in the regular season, he really struggled in some parts of his game. He eventually lost all of his snaps to Peanut who was his main rotational partner. Now it looks like he is currently set to start next to Peanut. I think we have to bring in competition for Young, as he really did not show 100 % that he is ready to step up, and only made filmstudys list as a developmental player in his defensive end of season evaluation.

Will LB- Peanut
Peanut really stepped up in 2018 after a shaky start. Down the stretch he showed he was capable of playing the athletic WILL LB role admirably. I only hope this trend continues upwards with the loss of Mosley. Peanut may be expected to even step up as a leader on the defense with the loss of the other veteran players.

This unit is where I expect to take a bit of a hit in 2019, in run defense. We may see a slight upgrade defending the pass, but in the only game Mosley was out in 2018, we gave up 5 yards a run when we played the Denver Broncos in week 3. Maybe we might even use Jefferson or Levine as a WILL LB, and move Peanut to Mike. That would be a pretty bold move for the Ravens, moving to a more athletic defense built to stop the pass over the run which is something they have never been. This would be more akin to a Seahawks type defense.

ROLB/DE- N/A (Possibilities: Tim Williams, Tyrus Bowser, Matt Judon, free agent, draft pick)
Another key area where we don't really have a definite answer right now with the loss of Suggs. I am hopeful of Bowser or Williams but not convinced. Justin Houston as a released free agent, is the logical choice here, but at what price? I think this is another area where we may take a drop off if someone like Houston is not bought in.

LOLB/SAM LB- Matt Judon
Still a promising player, yet a total knuckle head at times. He really has potential to become one of our key defensive veterans, but he needs to realise that potential. At times he has totally controlled games, one where he recorded 3 sacks. Other times, he totally disappears.

Joker LB- N/A
This is where Z Smith has played the last couple of seasons, and I'm not sure if we will even use one in 2019. This could be a role for Tim Williams I suppose, but I could not imagine him lining up inside and being able to win inside against bigger guards.

Overall, I think this is where I would say the biggest hole on our defense is right now, perhaps even the roster. I think its is vital we bring in a veteran, and look at drafting another in the first 4 rounds minimum.

SS- Tony Jefferson
I expect this to be his best season in a ravens uniform with the addition of Earl. He had an improved season from his first season in 2018, but I still want to see a bit more from him at his natural area which is in the box.

FS- Earl Thomas
Don't even need to say how good this guy is, I just hope his health holds up. I think he is a significant upgrade to Weddle from an athletic stand point, and is just as football savy and has the same IQ level when it comes to QBing the defense.

I think this will be an upgraded area from last season.

CB1- Humphrey
This is the season where I hope to see Humphrey break into that top 5 shutdown corner conversation. I still remember to this day loving the pick, while 80 % of this board hated it. That includes you sword.

CB2- Jimmy Smith
I may have been in the minority when it came to keeping Jimmy this season. I am actually happy we did. He may not be worth the current price we are paying for him, but he started to show signs of his former self down the stretch in 2018. I think it would have been foolish to give up the chance of seeing Jimmy and Humphrey play as a tandem in 2019. Again this reminds me of that Seahawks secondary from years ago.

Slot corner- Tavon Young
I expect big things from him in 2019.

This is another area where I see an upgrade from last seasons already good secondary. This is because I am hopeful Jimmy will be healthy, we still have Carr, and both Young and Humphrey should develop even further into elite players at what they do.

Overall assessment: This defense is set to have another year in the top 10 ranked defenses. As it stands, I don't think they would be a top 3 defense like last season, but should they bring in maybe 2 more additions, I may change my tune on that. It is arguably the most athletic and fastest defense we've ever had on paper. What we are likely to lose in run defense, I actually think we will be better in pass defense. This looks more Seahawks 2014 then it does Ravens 2000/2006. (Not comparing them, just saying what they look more alike on paper with). Here is an interesting angle, is it worth dropping down to being just a top 10 defense that defends the pass better, while losing out on remaining a top 3 defense due to certain losses of players and becoming weaker against the run, but improving on offense with the rest of the free agency and draft moves being focused for the offense?

I think they should move Judon to Suggs old spot. I think Bowser should be given first shot to win the SAM spot. It think that Tim Wiliams should be used like DOOM was used as a pass Rush specialist. I hope that if they do not trade back that they use the pick on an edge rusher. I would not mind them siging Zach Brown as a short term ILB.

[Breezy5220]

Yeah part of me feels that way...but then the other side says to hell with rotation, play these guys now and see what we really have. Only one way to find out if we've got some every-down guys and that's to play them. Sure there will be growing pains, but that's how you get better.

This is true too. I think it worked out for Lamar. It sucked his growing pains showed up at the worst time but i think its gonna be big going forward. Two sides just came to a common ground lol, if only all arguments went this way

[Breezy5220]

I think they should move Judon to Suggs old spot. I think Bowser should be given first shot to win the SAM spot. It think that Tim Wiliams should be used like DOOM was used as a pass Rush specialist. I hope that if they do not trade back that they use the pick on an edge rusher. I would not mind them siging Zach Brown as a short term ILB.

I was all for the Bowser pick when it happened. I'm really hoping he shows something this season

[jonboy79]

I think they should move Judon to Suggs old spot. I think Bowser should be given first shot to win the SAM spot. It think that Tim Wiliams should be used like DOOM was used as a pass Rush specialist. I hope that if they do not trade back that they use the pick on an edge rusher. I would not mind them siging Zach Brown as a short term ILB.

Agreed all around.

[NjRavensFan]

Agreed! Your point earlier about how they are like Pitt with WRs is exactly how I feel. Sure once in a while there is a Limas Sweed or Tavares Gooden, but usually they hit on good players.

Limas Sweed is a WR from Texas that was a huge bust for the Steelers. I think he was taken the same year as Mendenhall. I remember because baby Nj REALLY wanted him that year lol WHOOPS. He also had a huge drop in the end zone against us iirc.

All that is to say, he definitely was not a LB of ours lol. Definitely agree with your premise tho

[Rygar64]

I think they should move Judon to Suggs old spot. I think Bowser should be given first shot to win the SAM spot. It think that Tim Wiliams should be used like DOOM was used as a pass Rush specialist. I hope that if they do not trade back that they use the pick on an edge rusher. I would not mind them siging Zach Brown as a short term ILB.

Agree with all of it except the bolded - give Kenny Young first crack at that spot.