FUBAR

[vmax]

 

 

The Ravens aren't getting much love from the national media this pre season and this is ridiculous....

 

 

So, which nine units appear to be the stingiest this time around? Well, if my last name rhymed with 10, you'd see the Ravens, who had the league's top defense last season (292.9 yards allowed per game), in the No. 10 slot on the list below. But I am worried about some key offseason defections from that group, including Terrell Suggs, Za'Darius Smith and C.J. Mosley . The Rams' Aaron Donald is the best defensive player on the planet, but you won't see his team in these rankings, not after it ranked 19th in the league last season and didn't make any blockbuster additions in the offseason. You won't see Bobby Wagner and the division-rival Seahawks mentioned below following the departures of Frank Clark and Earl Thomas.

But that's enough about who didn't make the cut. Here are my top defenses, Schein Nine style:....http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001041124/article/top-nine-defenses-for-2019-nfl-season-chargers-lead-the-pack

 

 

[papasmurfbell]

There are reasonable questions about this unit. They lost so much.

[oldno82]

While there are questions, Suggs and Weddle are at the nadir of their careers. Smith did a great job but I think the most talented guy on defense is: Martindale. I think he's got enough ammo and, more importantly, his brains to keep the D as effective as they'll need to be. Plus, I'm thinking the offense finally has enough potential playmakers to allow the defense some breathing space. They don't have to carry the team any more.

 

I'm not predicting another playoff run but it's possible and this is probably going to be the most exciting team we've had since the Flacco-Boldin playoff offense in 2012. It should be really entertaining to just watch this team play this year.

[vmax]

There will not be 9 teams with a better defense than the Ravens.

They will finish out in the top 5 at worst.

[papasmurfbell]

They have to also change their play caller so that can be an issue. I still have questions on the pass rush.

I am glad Weddle is gone. He was never worth the money. But they should have shipped Jefferson also.

[oldno82]

Some reporters like what they've seen... https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/late-for-work-8-14-analyst-predicts-ravens-are-ready-to-make-a-huge-leap-in-2019

 

So I guess based on who's reporting, it will be either a disaster or a playoff game.

 

Thursday should be a good test as both the Ravens and Packers aim for their regulars to play about a quarter or so I've read.

 

We also need to keep injuries to a minimum

[oldno82]

Regarding Thursday,,,from today's Sun: https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-fb-packers-rodgers-20190814-ljbnlkkxqrfztnch3gwnnlrdve-story.html

[papasmurfbell]

On one side of the ball that is a lot of turn over. It even in the neest of circumstances should take time for them to all be on teh same page. And it all happened at different levels.

[vmax]

It does take time to develop chemistry. It will take time for all of them to be on the same page and play instinctively. That will happen over the season.

The same is true for the 2019 offense.

This is going to be fun watching this team grow this season

It's early but if they come together by the end of the year....look out 2020.

 

I think the defense will be better because Weddle couldn't not run or cover. Mosley, who I think is really good, struggled in coverage and Suggs is out of gas and running on flat tires. zadarius will be missed. That's a big loss.

The Ravens got better imo.

 

 

10 of the Ravens’ 16 games come against defenses that ranked in the bottom 10 in yards per carry allowed........

[oldno82]

The biggest things we lost were 2 high level defensive leaders in Weddle and Suggs and that does hurt quite a bit. That aspect also relates to chemistry which is more important in football then, say, baseball. Their physical talents are replaceable. We'll have to see if new defensive leaders appear.

 

Aaron Rodgers will supply a big test for this Ravens' defense. They won't be facing a better QB than him all preseason.

[papasmurfbell]

Hell a starting OL will supply a test. The Jags ran out basically just their #2s.

[tsylvester]

While there are questions, Suggs and Weddle are at the nadir of their careers. Smith did a great job but I think the most talented guy on defense is: Martindale. I think he's got enough ammo and, more importantly, his brains to keep the D as effective as they'll need to be. Plus, I'm thinking the offense finally has enough potential playmakers to allow the defense some breathing space. They don't have to carry the team any more.

 

I'm not predicting another playoff run but it's possible and this is probably going to be the most exciting team we've had since the Flacco-Boldin playoff offense in 2012. It should be really entertaining to just watch this team play this year.

Well said. Suggs has cost this team more than he has helped the past five years. Weddle, while a good player/leader, the secondary was always missing play calls, out of position with him back there.

 

Smith, while a great Ravens player, time will tell if he was another of a great production player because of the scheme or just coming into his own.

 

Frankly, I think the former but wish him luck.

 

Mosely, over hyped, he still cannot cover, can't get through traffic, is always making plays 8 yards down field because of his issues with getting off blocks. Good riddance.

 

All that said, this defense is younger, faster in some spots, but also inexperienced. It may take half a season to know what they can really will be. I like how active they are, but can they keep the energy up if the offense does not hold the ball for 3 quarters of the game as they did the later parts of last year?

 

That was a big reason why the defensive stats appear to be so "good"....

[oldno82]

No doubt. The defense is going to continue to need the Offense to pull their weight more than before but, so far, I'm encouraged. Might know a bit more after they a quarter against the Pack tonight which will also have regulars on the field for a while.