Team owner Steve Bisciotti spoke at great length during the Ravens end of the year presser about the domino effect that took place on defense following OLB Terrell Suggs‘ season-ending injury in week one of the season.
He pointed out how the lack of a third pass rusher this season exposed both the linebackers and secondary in coverage. The secondary, in particular was forced to cover opposing receivers longer, which resulted in, well, you know the story…
Bisciotti spoke of how the team never really got a chance to use rookie Za’Darius Smith the way they had intended. Smith was forced to line up on the edge of the defense, which prevented the Ravens from using Smith to fill the void left by Pernell McPhee, who spent much of the 2014 season rushing from the interior in passing situations.
The result?
Dean Pees’ defense posted just 37 sacks in 2015 (tied for 17th in NFL) with Dumervil (6) and Za’Darius Smith (5.5) leading the way.
As the Ravens head into the the offseason, filling the need of a pass rusher certainly becomes a priority. Dumervil and Suggs will both be another year older, and we don’t know how well Suggs will recover from his Achilles injury.
Za’Darius Smith will have an entire offseason to work on his craft and to improve on his pass-rushing ability. Both are major goals for the former University of Kentucky standout.
“Just getting stronger,” responded Smith about his goals this offseason. “Just get in the best shape possible and just become a smarter defensive lineman and get back here for next season and win some games.”
The 6’4, 275 pound linebacker will return to Kentucky shortly to begin working with his former coaches and players.
Smith showed vast improvement over the final weeks of the 2015 season, particularly with pressuring quarterbacks. Over the rookie’s last three games, he recorded 3 1/2 sacks including two against Kansas City in week 13.
“I feel that I am a smarter player,” said Smith when asked whether he saw improvement in his play over the season’s final weeks. “Paying attention in meetings and learning whats going on. Everybody gets better as the season goes on.
“Some of the guys I have played against, I learned from the first time we played Cincinnati to this last time we played and understood what they were doing,” added Smith. Â “I feel like I got better just being a smarter player.”
While GM Ozzie Newsome will probably turn in a ticket on draft day for another pass rusher in hopes of returning the Ravens defense to a unit that was once feared by opposing QB’s and offensive lines, Za’Darius Smith will surely play a huge part in 2016.
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