Ravens New Era Defense in 2013…

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The Ravens will have Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil as bookend OLB pass rushers… and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata anchoring the line. All are in the primes of their careers.

Time to stop feeling sorry for the Ravens loss of six starters from their Super Bowl defense.

 

 

 

 


Suggs and Ngata and Dumervil… and the last time Dumervil had 17 sacks in a season was the last time he played in a 3-4 defense like the Ravens play—and with a bookend pass rusher playing across from him.

This has the feeling of a New Era in Baltimore defense.

As Ryan Mink of the Ravens website notes, the cornerstone of the Ravens defense now shifts, and it rests on the shoulders of Suggs and Ngata. They have been in Baltimore since 2003 and 2006, respectively, and share a combined nine Pro Bowls.

They certainly aren’t alone, as cornerback Lardarius Webb, linebacker Jameel McClain and recent signees Elvis Dumervil, Chris Canty, Marcus Spears and other veterans will be leaned upon.

But Suggs and Ngata are now the elder statesmen.

“The foundation that our team was built on was defense,” Suggs said. “It started with Ray Lewis. Even though his era is over, we plan on continuing the tradition and playing really aggressive, physical defense."

“It’s going to look different, but believe that we’re going to play with the same amount of intensity.”

Intensity is a word I don't like—it's a sports cliche— but if it means focus, preparation, on-field communication and tons of film study, then look out—the New Era Ravens have quietly assembled a younger and stronger defense.

Last year, Baltimore’s defense wasn’t as strong in years past, ranking 17th overall in average yards allowed per game (350.9). It was a steep drop from No. 3 the year before, and the first time Baltimore had been lower than tenth (and in the bottom half of the league) since 2002.

But where the Ravens were still strong was in denying big points inside the red zone. The "bend but don't break" aspect of football is highly underrated.

Suggs and Ngata are each coming off sometimes difficult seasons.

Suggs, 30, was limited to eight games because of Achilles and biceps injuries. He had just two regular-season sacks after notching 14 as the 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Ngata, 29, was also limited because of shoulder and knee ailments. He missed two games and logged 51 tackles and five sacks.

In order for the Ravens defense to take a step forward, it will look for bigger seasons from the two marquee players. Head Coach John Harbaugh is anticipating it.

"Two guys I’m really excited about for next year are Terrell and Haloti because they battled injuries all year and they [still] played well," Harbaugh said last week at the owners meetings. "Those guys getting healthy, those guys are superstar players. That’s going to be big for us.”

The Ravens will likely field a younger defense in 2013 around Suggs and Ngata. Suggs pointed to second-year linebacker Courtney Upshaw, cornerback Jimmy Smith, nose tackle Terrence Cody and safety Omar Brown as those who will need to step up next season.

“When one door closes another one opens,” Suggs said. “It gives some of the young guys on our team to show what they can do, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

 

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