While most of the Ravens’ focus this offseason has centered around boosting the offense, the defense also needs to improve for a playoff run.
General Manager Ozzie Newsome used most of his resources last year to find players that could help shut down opposing attacks. The team desperately needed to avoid late-game breakdowns and Newsome bolstered the secondary to avoid those issues.
Baltimore added safety Tony Jefferson and cornerback Brandon Carr via free agency. Newsome selected Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey in the first round (16th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. Those moves paid some dividends and the team led the league with 22 interceptions and 34 takeaways.
However, the secondary faltered at the most critical time.
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd on a 4th and 12 in the final minute of the regular season finale that gave the Bengals a 31-27 victory, knocking the Ravens out of the playoffs. Jefferson was in tears after the game.
“They brought me in here, and I really appreciate it,” Jefferson said. “Words can’t describe what they have done for me. I love coming to work because of these guys. The way it ended, it just kind of hurts.”
The secondary has remained intact from last season and the hope is that unit has learned from some of the breakdowns last year.
The Ravens are hopeful new defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale will bring more of an aggressive edge this year. Martindale served as the Ravens linebackers coach for the past six seasons before being promoted to take the place of Dean Pees, who retired as the team’s defensive coordinator in January. Pees later was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.
The goal is to put added pressure on opposing quarterbacks so the secondary is less vulnerable to giving up big plays.
“There are going to be sometimes where I am going to pressure more,” Martindale said. “I think I have a more aggressive personality in calling a game – sometimes too aggressive. That is something I have learned from the past. There is that fine line of what quarterback you are playing and things of that nature.”
One of the keys for the Ravens will be getting bigger plays from their linebackers.
Linebacker C.J. Mosley has made the Pro Bowl in three of the past four years, but sometimes struggles in coverage. Terrell Suggs led the team with 11 sacks, but he is 35 years old and entering his 16th NFL season. Nonetheless, Ravens coach John Harbaugh is confident Suggs is primed to have another huge season.
“[Suggs] was always a great player, but he’s better now,” Harbaugh said. “He will be in great shape and he will be better than ever this year. As a coach that gets you really fired up because this is a gifted guy and he is a leader.”
Baltimore needs other younger players to make a bigger impact, most notably linebackers Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams.. Both players had uneven rookie seasons, but still have a tremendous upside. Bowser and Williams need to take the next step with their development. Matthew Judon and Za’Darius Smith also need to show they can consistently get to the quarterback.
Even with a revamped offense, the Ravens likely won’t win a shootout with most teams. The onus will be on the defense to keep them in games.
Harbaugh is confident Martindale will help lead that charge.
“Wink’ has earned the promotion to defensive coordinator,” Harbaugh said. “His aggressive mentality will serve to take our defense to new levels. He is obviously respected by players, many of whom have already benefited from his direct coaching at the linebacker position. He knows the ins and outs of what we have been about on defense and has been an important contributor to our success on that side of the ball.”
