A few Defensive Notes 9/10/07

**Filmstudy** · 09-11-2007, 10:02 PM

Some good things actually came out of the game, in particular, the primary camera angle ESPN used allowed view of all 11 (sometimes excluding Reed), so I was able to record it for every defensive play (all I could do was the heavies reliably last season). A few notes:

1. The Ravens used the dime exactly 6 times, all on 3rd down, and did not allow a 1st down in 6 attempts. The 3rd down distances were 4, 11, 6, 4, 12, 8, and the Bengals completed just 2 of 5 passes for 5 yards as well as a 13-yard sack. The Bengals were 3 of 7 on 3rd down against all other sets.

2. Ray Lewis missed just 2 plays the entire game despite the injury. Haley replaced him on those 2 (Haley's only 2 defensive snaps) and amazingly the Bengals scored both of their offensive TD's on those 2 plays (39-yard pass, 7-yard pass).

3. Ngata was a beast, lining up 4 yards off the line of scrimmage on many 3rd down snaps. He has replaced Gregg as the 3rd down DT in the nickel. For the game, Ngata played 45 snaps to Gregg's 31 (penalties included). That's a complete reversal from last season. Ngata recorded 2 tackles, a hurry, and forced the late fumble recoved by Reed that gave the Ravens their last shot.

4. Johnson was probably our defensive MVP (I understand those who say Lewis or Reed) with 4 tackles, the sack, and 2 hurries. One thing I had questioned was his ability to play every down. The early results certainly do not indicate a problem as he played every snap and recorded his finest game as a professional.

I'm revamping my spreadsheet to handle the additional inputs, but I'll post the YPP stats when I have it completed.

**RockyMRaven** · 09-12-2007, 12:14 AM

Thanks, Filmstudy. I really enjoy reading your reports.

**Greg** · 09-12-2007, 09:45 AM

This guy should have a weekly show in place of the one on Saturday evening. Deep analysis is much more interesting than what the inside of a player's house looks like.

**Dont Know** · 09-12-2007, 09:52 AM

Call him up on every Gametime show and do a defensive analysis segment.

**UKRavenStockers** · 09-12-2007, 10:23 AM

Only thing I'd say against JJ is that his coverage was as weak as I expected. We schemed to cover it in the 2nd half, but he simply doesn't have the speed to get out to the underneath responsibilities that we were asking of him on the short and intermediate routes. He was much better as an all-round package than I expected, even lined up at tackle a few times I think.

**Filmstudy** · 09-12-2007, 08:41 PM

UK, only Scott, among Ravens LB's looked good in coverage last night. The Bengals don't often throw to the TE, however (Kelly and Coats each had 1 catch on Monday). With all the passes going "outside the numbers" as they kept saying last night, there was little real chance for Johnson to show his cover skills.

Last year, Johnson was the team's best player in Yards Per Pass Play (4.9) and had the team's highest sack rate per pass attempt (11.6%) despite contributing just 1.5 sacks personally. He was on the field for 37 of the Ravens franchise-record 60 sacks. On many of those plays he dropped into a short middle zone coverage after selling a fake that took a lineman out of the blocking scheme. Against a team that challenges the Ravens inside, I think Johnson will be fine. Against many other teams, the constant throws outside are going to result in 1 or more very costly turnovers (these are the open field picks if the throws are telegraphed or tipped). Carson Palmer is a great QB, and has the arm, smarts, and receivers to use the outside routes with minimal risk. That won't be true of Derek Anderson, Alex Smith, Matt Leinart, whoever the Jets play, etc. What's the point of all this...I'm not worried about Johnson's ability to contribute to an effective Ravens pass defense, because he's got a very fine track record.

As to Johnsonvs. the run...last year he allowed 3.8 YPC while he was in, by far the worst on the Ravens among those with 40 or more rush attempts against. I thought his play against the run, and the Ravens overall ability to stop the Cincy run cold was the biggest single positive we can draw from Monday. As was mentioned on the broadcast, we were playing a deep cover 2 and were able to stop the run with 7 men.

Oh, and thanks for the very kind comments, guys.

**psuasskicker** · 09-13-2007, 01:10 AM

Nice work Film...I love reading your stuff so keep it coming!

I'm really excited about what Ngata's turning into. He's gonna be a dominant force inside that's gonna help Lewis look like his old self and allow Bart Scott to do those same things as well. I enjoyed seeing him line up at MLB and crash the line. I have a hard time imagining he doesn't make the Pro Bowl this year.

Reed and Lewis both looked like their old selves which could make things fun.

Unfortunately I have very low expectations from our offense, and if McNair spends any significant time out of the line-up, this could be a long season for us.

- C -

**sailorsam** · 09-13-2007, 07:36 AM

I didn't hear Samurai Rolle's name much; as he is a d-back that's probably a good thing.
considering the turnovers the D did well to hold them to 27.
good job Filmdude!

**highwater** · 09-13-2007, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by psuasskicker

I'm really excited about what Ngata's turning into. He's gonna be a dominant force inside that's gonna help Lewis look like his old self and allow Bart Scott to do those same things as well.

My thoughts exactly . . . Ngata's presence and performance is going to be a big factor in this defense, which is going to be awesome this year. Lost in all the injuries and turnovers was the fact that the defense actually played pretty well on the road against a very good Bengals offense.

We should crush the Jets.

**Ravenswarrior19** · 09-13-2007, 10:43 AM

hey Film, I have a question for you. On the Bengals 2nd TD (7yds to TJ Housh), are you sure it wasn't Bart Scott out with Ray in? On Ravens Wired last night, Bart said he got a stinger on the previous play. I check my tape and it looks like the LBs are JJ, Ray, and Haley covering the slotted TJ.

(Not a critique, I LOVE everything that you do here

)

**Filmstudy** · 09-13-2007, 09:36 PM

Ravenswarrior19, Thanks. You are absolutely correct, Ray was in for the 2nd TD and Haley was replacing Scott. I have corrected in my spreadsheet. Thanks for the catch.