I don’t really like to think of the Ravens sending all-pro veteran safety Ed Reed on downfield blitz assignments anymore… But the NFL Network’s analyst Jason La Canfora says it will likely happen more than ever in 2011.
La Canfora appeared on TV Sunday night and discussed the Ravens impending defensive changes based on new personnel and new coaching schemes.
As Ryan Mink of the Ravens NFL site also observed from watching La Canfora the other night, the analysts at NFL Network all seem to agree rookie cornerback Jimmy Smith may allow the Ravens’ defense more flexibility. Second, they envision new Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano being more creative in putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
“I think you could see more sacks coming out of the defensive secondary than we’ve seen maybe since Rex Ryan was here,” La Canfora told BaltimoreRavens.com.
“Maybe Ed Reed gets a little more involved or maybe Dawan [Landry] gets a little more involved.”
Last year the Ravens netted a franchise-low 26 sacks. Only one came from the defensive backfield, as Landry notched a sack in Week 3 against Cleveland.
Okay, I get the concept. But do you really want your star “center-fielder” with a rehabbed shoulder going in there to bust it up with offensive linemen and pass-protect blockers?
I always had the feeling that Reed stayed out of the blitz packages due to his shoulder. I prefer to keep him up top where he really is effective. He is a great blitzer, but he commands far more attention when he is floating around hiding behind linebackers.
However, the Ravens do have some talented pass rushers in the secondary.
Reed is a playmaker wherever he lines up, and his blitzing potential was seen in 2004 against the Washington Redskins when he blitzed then-Skins quarterback Mark Brunell and caused a fumble, which he recovered and returned 22 yards for a touchdown. The ball-hawking safety only has one sack in the past six seasons, however, coming in 2008 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cornerback Chris Carr, who is currently slated to be an unrestricted free agent, had 1.5 sacks in 2009. Safety Haruki Nakamura is also quick to get to quarterbacks and would occasionally come off the edge last season to apply pressure. He hasn’t yet notched a sack in his three-year career.
I’ll keep an open mind to La Canfora’s theory that the new combination of Jimmy Smith holding down a locked corner plus Dave Pagano’s new blitz schemes will result in more exciting defensive plays being made in the opponents’ backfields by cornerbacks and safeties.
I just don’t think it will be Ed Reed going in there on blitzes anymore. The Ravens need to keep Reed healthy— and available for his over-the-top coverage. That’s where Reed is still most valuable. I don’t need to see Reed sent into kamikaze situations at this stage of his career…unless it is the final quarter of the Super Bowl, and the Ravens need a big play.
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