1 dominant OLB will change this defense dramatically

Exactly! Part of the scheme is to confuse where pressure is coming and part is getting the double team. Osemele should not have had nothing to do when he blocked JH a split second before he got to Flacco.

If you watch how the Ravens play Ben when they win, they push the pocket straight back into him. Why most teams don't do that is beyond me.

 

Yeah the game was really won in the trenches. After seeing this game would it surprise you to see them get Munch a new toy to work with in passing situations?

 

and yes here we all talk about ngata but brandon villiams is a beast too ...

 

I would cut as many players needed to land Justin Houston from KC, cut Worilds, Troy, etc... With that guy, we would be a vastly different defense.

 

No one stud LB is gonna fix this D. Nor will one stud nose tackle. I go back and forth on all of it myself. A stud front 7 makes your secondary better usually. Having a couple studs in the secondary can make a huge difference with the D in totality as well. I think we have a good D line in the wings. We have a log jam at ILB and old mother Hubbard had more in her cupboard to offer her poor dog in comparison to the OLB spot. I don't want to see another LB taken with the first pick period, and I say that only due to the question marks surrounding the last 2 years' number 1's. I don't want to see a nose tackle taken either, as Big Mac and big Dan (with a year under his belt) might be a pretty good tandem to work with. I can live with a DB for sure or a LT taken #1.

I think Allen (if he un F's himself) could be a pretty good corner. Meaning we only need to pick up another good'n either way you can land him. I honestly see Shazier as a better Troy replacement at safety as some of us have mentioned... But our coaches do not think outside the box regardless if Lake noticed and then mentioned it or not.

we do need some OLB help, that's a no brainer. Only problem is, even if drafted who out there makes an immediate impact? We already know we're not gonna big game for a great vet in FA so what do you do? Moats is pretty serviceable and the word is still out on JJ but he could turn out alright. Either way, that's not much star power and absolutely no depth to speak of behind them.

i think if we switch some personnel around and alter the scheme... I.e. Quit playing our corners 10+ yds off the receiver and safeties in the box along with undersized LBers at big boy spots then we could actually solve a lot of problems without breaking the bank on a FA or reaching in the draft. Just my opinion. Beat it to shreds.

 

My favorite plays by the Ravens' center were the ones where he got driven backwards so far and so fast that he knocked his own QB to the ground. That happened twice. Both from McLendon. And on running plays, too. How often do you even see that? That's some Big Snack stuff. McLendon owned Zuttah, and if you're saying it was the other way around, I don't even know how to respond. You gonna tell me James Harrison was getting pushed ass backwards by James Hurst, too? How do you just make stuff up like that?

 

I will also say McCullers got great push into the backfield, but allowed the RB to run right past him. hopefully he gets some better awareness in his coming years. I believe that is the trouble with JJ too. field awareness. that should come with field time. my only concern for the NT spot as I've said before is macs injury history. I believe he is scheduled for shoulder surgery this offseason. I just hope we don't have to carry a 3rd because of this. or we get a guy that can move inside part time but is better as a DE. and not cam Thomas.

 

Good to hear. Loved those big hits he was delivering in camp.

 

Was that announced via like "tweet" or something? (side note: is it not a little weird to use the word "tweet" when one is talking about one of the most physical/macho/testosterone fueled games?)

 

Point is this defense needs guys that flow and react to the ball better. We all saw what Blake and McCain contributed and they're considered average to below average. Tuitt/McClendon are play makers! They at least made plays! Troy for all he's done did nothing! Ike's been a warrior, but he did nothing the last few years! Cortez, when he wasn't hurt made some plays.

They need guys making plays, period!

Hell HoJo and Mauro looked like guys that could at least get in there and make a play. Tuitt

Get the guys that show motor in there and you can work on scheme as the season progresses.

 

Yeah because that is much more suitable. Although I don't know if I'd want a cupcheck given the "check" that I just got at the dr yesterday.... LOL!