Anthony Levine resigned

[RAVEN2FLY]

So the Ravens don't need to upgrade at safety then?

I'm being facetious. I don't think you need to pay a premium (financial or draft) for a star athlete at safety who can cover WRs 1-on-1 and also play the run etc. You can find slot corners late in the draft who can cover receivers deep, if that's what you're looking for.

I like the flexibility and deception the defense gets from having 2 safeties who can cover a bit and play the run. They don't need the same range because they're each covering less space and their intelligence gets them in the right position most of the time. It's an added bonus that players like that are available later in the draft or cheaply in FA.

I said the same thing. Its easier to disguise coverage when you have two intergeable safeties. Its really a nice strategy since you don't have too many ball hawkin safeties in the leauge. Plus you paying your corners a lot of money to take the pressure of these safeties.

[boller4president]

It’s a nickel league and trending dime. I would argue your 5th CB is more valuable than your 1st safety

He can't play dime or nickel either. He is done being used as an extra DB in coverage.

We tried him a bit last year and gave up after a handful of snaps. 4-4 1TD and a 158.3 passer rating in coverage. He wasn't good in 2019 either and was a big part of the reason we moved Carr to safety.

I agree I'd rather have a DB that can play ST then a ST guy who can't really play not only for the reasons you mention but also the impact of ST specialists just aren't what they once were after the rule changes. So I don't really get this move. People here are saying whats the harm in signing him the harm it's a lost opportunity to give the look to someone else.

[boller4president]

We'll check back at the end of the season and compare their snaps on ST and D.

Levine had 30 snaps last year on defense. Fort played 381

[Mmcclend]

Safeties have no chance in Baltimore because they'll always be compared to Ed.

It's not just the green dot, Clark plays intelligently as well. They both do, I can hardly remember a serious safety breakdown hurting the Ravens all season.

Of course, playmakers would be nice at any position but they're both good, solid players. They just don't fit the with Raven's fans mental image when they hear the word 'safety''.

Has nothing to do with Ed. I’m more than happy with Elliot and he’s nothing close to Ed Reed. Clark plays intelligent, that’s great. Why can’t we upgrade to a safety who plays smart AND makes plays?

[Ravenswintitle]

He can't play dime or nickel either. He is done being used as an extra DB in coverage.

We tried him a bit last year and gave up after a handful of snaps. 4-4 1TD and a 158.3 passer rating in coverage. He wasn't good in 2019 either and was a big part of the reason we moved Carr to safety.

I agree I'd rather have a DB that can play ST then a ST guy who can't really play not only for the reasons you mention but also the impact of ST specialists just aren't what they once were after the rule changes. So I don't really get this move. People here are saying whats the harm in signing him the harm it's a lost opportunity to give the look to someone else.

That’s a fair take but Harbs loves his ST stars and Levine is the Captain

[Rygar64]

Has nothing to do with Ed. I’m more than happy with Elliot and he’s nothing close to Ed Reed. Clark plays intelligent, that’s great. Why can’t we upgrade to a safety who plays smart AND makes plays?

As soon as you identify him, please let the FO know. I think they and the rest of the NFL have been looking for them for quite a while. Derwin was trending that way but he can't stay on the field. I admittedly don't watch enough other teams to know that there are 4 or 5 teams out there that have the mythical smart and playmaking safety.

[RAVEN2FLY]

As soon as you identify him, please let the FO know. I think they and the rest of the NFL have been looking for them for quite a while. Derwin was trending that way but he can't stay on the field. I admittedly don't watch enough other teams to know that there are 4 or 5 teams out there that have the mythical smart and playmaking safety.

Jamal Adams, honey badger, the safety from the Vikings that got the big contract the other year. But thats all I can remember from top of my head. But you really don't see too many elite safeties or lockdown corners nowadays since rule changes. They use to be household names. Not anymore.

[QtR Nevermore]

Jamal Adams, honey badger, the safety from the Vikings that got the big contract the other year.

Harrison Smith? Great players but Chuck Clark is actually better in coverage than Adams, at least according to PFF.

But you really don't see too many elite safeties or lockdown corners nowadays since rule changes.

I think they've always been rare.

Teams always have to economize at some positions. Safety is a good position to do that because you can find solid play cheaply or with late picks.

[Shrubbs]

I think the idea that you need a true free safety is incredibly archaic

[Shas]

I think the idea that you need a true free safety is incredibly archaic

I'm not quite on board with that. I mean, I equate "playmaking safety" with "true free safety," and I think there are definitely times when having a safety to can cover a whole lot of ground in a hurry is a big advantage making life difficult for certain quarterbacks in certain offensive schemes. Whether that means baiting a quarterback or having the luxury to move another player into the box against the run or to gain leverage on another part of the field.

Neither Clark nor Elliott give them that. It's not a matter of upgrading Clark with a "true free safety" it is more a matter of having another chip that will give Wink more options.

[BcRaven]

Levine had 30 snaps last year on defense. Fort played 381

Yes, Fort was a "semi-regular" with 53 tackles, 1 FF, 2 FRs, 2 PDs, 4 STFs... Bc

[QtR Nevermore]

I'm not quite on board with that. I mean, I equate "playmaking safety" with "true free safety," and I think there are definitely times when having a safety to can cover a whole lot of ground in a hurry is a big advantage making life difficult for certain quarterbacks in certain offensive schemes. Whether that means baiting a quarterback or having the luxury to move another player into the box against the run or to gain leverage on another part of the field.

Neither Clark nor Elliott give them that. It's not a matter of upgrading Clark with a "true free safety" it is more a matter of having another chip that will give Wink more options.

As a role player there are advantages but those players come at a premium. The real advantage rangy free safeties give you is the ability to have one player cover the back end on running downs when you're in base formation, so that 2 ILBs and the SS can all play the run. With less base defense being played that's becoming less useful and there are cheaper ways to piece together the same results.

2 or even 3 versatile safeties can cover smaller zones and are better at coming down in run support. A corner can cover the back end and run with receivers. Most safeties are usually still fast enough to cover TEs down the middle.

I'd like the Ravens to add a player who can cover in the middle of the field. I don't really care whether they're classed as a slot corner or a free safety because they'd probably be asked to do the same things either way. I'm not sure it's necessary anymore to pay the premium to get that coverage ability in a safety sized body.