D starting to shape up

[vmax]

Not too shabby a performance last night. They missed some take-a-way opportunities....tackling could be better...asshole penalty by Jernigan led to 3 points...Sheldon Price was getting eaten alive...but they didn't give up a TD.

4 sacks...5 tackles for a loss...1 interception.

And a lot of players were sitting on the bench.

You can see the difference Suggs makes. It raised the level of play and intensity.

The linebacking corps has to tighten up their ship in a hurry.

 

 

 

The Ravens had to love seeing plays being made by a defense that has often bent, but not broken, during two inconsistent seasons.

Fifth-round draft pick Matt Judon contributed his third sack in as many games and veteran safety/linebacker Anthony Levine had a sack and an interception with a 20-yard return -- the Ravens' fourth takeaway in three games -- that set up a touchdown. All told, the Ravens recorded four sacks; they have nine in three games.

Plus, even with six defensive backs sidelined -- including safety Lardarius Webb (back tightness) -- the Ravens held Detroit to 125 net yards passing; the Lions' three quarterbacks played to a paltry 48.8 rating.

But two problem areas for the Ravens this summer have been their own running game and their ability to stop the run.

Helped by some sloppy Baltimore tackling, the Lions averaged 7.2 yards per carry in the first half and 5.3 for the game, a clear sign that injured defensive tackle Brandon Williams (unspecified ailment) was missed.

Working with a pair of rookies on the left side of the offensive line, the Ravens -- who have at least attempted to find better run-pass balance, having thrown and run the ball 99 times each through three games -- weren't nearly that prolific, notching 3.8 per attempt...https://www.pressboxonline.com/2016/08/27/good-news-bad-news-ravens-win-ben-watson-done

 

[oldno82]

Our defense will be fine as long as Suggs stays healthy and Dumerville is ready. The secondary has issues but is not as bad as last year. Levine should be kept as a LB. Cut Arthur Brown.

[tsylvester]

Alot of the rushing yards came when the front line was out of position, pre snap, as the broadcast pointed out, major gaps. That is simply a mental adjustment, easily fixable.

 

Levine, while playing the zone well, still struggles in man coverage.

[oldno82]

Maybe so, but the guy is a playmaker.

 

Hoping Dixon is 'just' got a sprain. If so, recovery could be anywhere from 2 weeks to six months depending on severity. We need this guy. He's the only back besides West that's shown anything this preseason.