ExtremeRavens Posted October 31 Posted October 31 The Ravens’ struggles on defense have been well-documented. From blown coverages to missed tackles to dropped interceptions, there are myriad reasons Baltimore has given up more passing yards per game than any team in the NFL through the first eight weeks of the season. The situation seemed to reached its nadir last week in Cleveland, where the lowly Browns and backup quarterback Jameis Winston, who was making his first start since 2022, torched Baltimore’s porous secondary for 334 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-24 upset. Starting safety Marcus Williams watched in uniform from the sideline. Coach John Harbaugh called the benching of Williams in favor of Eddie Jackson and Ar’Darius Washington a “personnel” decision but also said it was an “internal” situation. A day later, he said he didn’t have anything else to say about it and that the matter would stay “in-house.” After having what defensive coordinator Zach Orr said on Thursday was a “great” week of practice, however, the eighth-year veteran spoke with reporters for the first time since being yanked from the lineup. “We’re not worried about what happened last week,” Williams said when asked about being benched. “It’s all about moving forward to this week, getting prepared, staying prepared. When I’m ready to get in, when it’s my time, I’ll go in and do what I’ve got to do to make plays.” Whether Williams returns to the starting lineup this week against the Denver Broncos remains to be seen, though indications from some in the building are that he likely will be back out there. Orr also praised the 28-year-old Williams, a 2017 second-round pick of the New Orleans Saints who signed a five-year, $70 million deal with the Ravens in March 2022, for his reaction to last week’s news. “One thing I’ll say about Marcus — the way he handled what went down is great,” Orr said. “He’s just a great teammate. He’s been a pro since he’s been here. He handled last week like a pro, so I’m excited to see how we move and how he moves going forward.” Williams — who this season has allowed a passer rating of 143.9 in coverage, per Pro Football Focus, and has surrendered 10 catches while being credited for just one pass breakup — is also looking ahead. “I’ve faced adversity all my life,” he said. “It’s nothing new to me. Adversity makes you or breaks you and it’s how you react, how you come out and act like a pro and do all you’ve got to do to move on and get the next week.” The first two months of the season has certainly not gone Williams’ or the secondary’s way. Baltimore has given up more completions of 20 or more yards than any team in the league. The Ravens also have the dubious distinction of leading the NFL in dropped interceptions. “I think we can get far,” Williams said when asked about the defense’s woes. “We just need to continue to lock in, make plays and come out here and do what we’ve got to do one play at a time.” For Williams, that starts with being on the field. “I’m just going to stay prepared no matter what,” he said. “I’d rather be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than have an opportunity and not be prepared. I’m going to stay prepared and when my name is called, I’m going to go out there and do what I’ve got to do.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
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