Examiningthe Ravens? defensive roster, one could have a hard time defining what position a player plays. Are players like Terrell Suggs and Dan Cody linebackers or defensive ends? Is Adalius Thomas a linebacker, defensive end or possibly even a safety?
It is that type of confusion that Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan hopes to use to his advantage in developing game strategy for the upcoming season. The versatility of so many of Baltimore?s defenders allows for a lot of defensive deception.
The idea is to make it difficult to tell exactly what type of defensive package is out on the field. Ryan?s defense allows any number of players to either drop back in coverage or pressure the quarterback.
“With us, we still have the advantage of playing a 3-4 and hiding or disguising the rusher, but we?re doing it out of a 4-3 personnel and sometimes we do it out of a 4-4 personnel,” Ryan said.
Thomas is a prime example of Ryan utilizing these hybrid defenders. At times last year, he dropped back to play safety following injuries to starters like Ed Reed. Ryan said that making such moves is only possible if you have the talent to do it and that it would not work with all teams.
“If you don?t have the people, it doesn?t make sense to do things like that,” Ryan said. “These guys have the physical ability and the mental capacities to handle a lot of different responsibilities.”
Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce said it took some time getting used to the unpredictable nature of Ryan?s defensive schemes.
“I?m starting to hone in on it now. It?s not as unpredictable as when I first got here,” said Pryce, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who joined the team this year after spending nine seasons with the Denver Broncos.
Reed said the team?s versatility makes it that much more difficult for opposing offenses to develop an attack plan for their defense.
“I think it?s a great thing that we have a bunch of guys because you never know who?s going to come in, and you never know what we?re running,” Reed said. “That gives us an advantage over offenses because we have so much that we can do. That?s one great attribute that we have as a defense.”
DEFENSE NOTES
» The Ravens defense ranked fifth in the NFL in 2005, allowing an average of 284.7 yards per game.
» The Ravens defense has finished in the top six in the NFL six times between 1999 and 2005.
» The Ravens defensive roster includes seven current or former Pro Bowl selections.
