OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The hype around the Baltimore Ravens has been justified … so far.
Over the opening two preseason games, the Ravens lead the NFL in several statistical defensive categories. Although the numbers are impressive, the coaches are concentrating on performance, not rankings.
“The thing that we have to be is consistent all the time,” defensive coordinator Dean Pees said. “The biggest thing we are looking for right now is no mental mistakes, playing physical and just really pursuit – effort. We have good enough athletes; so does everybody else. The difference is usually going to be the effort to the ball, your aggressiveness, the physical play that you have and then not making a mental mistake. More games are lost sometimes than won because somebody makes a bad mistake or plays soft in coverage when they are not supposed to or whatever that might be.”
Baltimore’s defense is ranked No. 1 in points per game (5.0), rushing yards per game (42.5), passing yards per game (86.5) and total yards per game (129.0) entering Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
General manager Ozzie Newsome focused on developing depth and adding playmakers in the offseason. As a result, he took a cornerback, two linebackers and a 300-pound defensive tackle with the first four picks in the draft. Baltimore also boosted its secondary by signing free-agent safety Tony Jefferson and veteran cornerback Brandon Carr.
The results have been positive.
“We keep reiterating it, but as far as defense as a whole, as a unit, preseason is preseason,” cornerback Jimmy Smith said. “But, we want to go out, and every opportunity we get to showcase what we’ve got, we want to. So, this next game especially, we’ve got to go out there – however long coach has us out there – and shut the offense down. That’s going to be the only thing that really matters.”
–Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace said teams should be wary of “Weapon X.”
Wallace was referring to quarterback Joe Flacco, who has yet to practice because of a back injury. Flacco, however, has shown signs of improvement and should be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
So far, though, Flacco has rarely been seen at practice or on the sidelines. When asked about Flacco’s progress, Wallace jokingly replied: “Top secret, baby, We can’t be doing all of that. We can’t give you any glimpses of Joe. When he comes back, you all are going to see.
“He has gained like 30 pounds of muscle, and he is running like a 4.5 (40-yard dash) now. I’m telling you guys, it’s crazy! You have to see him. He is under wraps. He is like ‘Weapon X.’ He is under wraps right now, but when he comes back, it is going to be crazy.”
Flacco had an uneven season in 2016 one year removed from season-ending knee surgery. He threw for a franchise-record 4,317 yards with 20 touchdowns, but also had 15 interceptions. Baltimore missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season and third time in four years.
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Marty Mornhinweg hinted that Flacco is getting closer to being back on the practice field.
“He’s in all of our team meetings, offensive meetings, as well as the group and quarterback meetings – all of the meetings with very few exceptions,” Mornhinweg said. “He is on it. The day before yesterday, we went through a little scenario, and he’s on it that way. Now, you know, I’m twitching to get him on the field here one of these days, and we’ll have a nice little plan for him there.”
–Lardarius Webb’s future was uncertain when he was released by the Ravens in March.
However, he agreed to a new deal almost two months later. Now, the veteran defensive back appears poised to play another vital role this season.
Webb has emerged as the favorite to start at slot cornerback with second-year player Tavon Young out for the year with a knee injury. Webb has been a versatile player in his eight years with the Ravens, playing cornerback, safety, punt returner and kickoff returner.
Head coach John Harbaugh appreciates that type of flexibility.
“Lardarius is very, very valuable,” Harbaugh said. “He’s having the best camp he’s had in a while. I really love the way he’s playing, love his attitude, everything about what he’s doing. Leadership is part of it, but he’s doing it by example. He’s doing it by the way he practices and the way he plays every single day. That’s what speaks the loudest.”
Last year, Webb started all 16 games at safety and finished with 73 tackles (59 solo), one interception, five pass breakups and one sack. He hopes to make another big impact this season.
“I’ve been a part of this for so long and I want to continue being a part of it,” said Webb, who was selected by the Ravens in the third round (88th overall) of the 2009 draft. “I’m comfortable here, and I love the people that are here.”
PLAYER NOTES
RB Danny Woodhead is dealing with a hamstring injury and might be out the rest of the preseason. The 10-year veteran injured his leg in the second preseason game against Miami and has not returned to practice. “He had some things in the game, got banged up a little bit,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. “So, (we’re) kind of holding him back right now.” Baltimore signed Woodhead to a three-year deal in the offseason and he was enjoying a solid training camp prior to the hamstring issue. He is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
WR Michael Campanaro did not practice Thursday and might not be available for the third preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. If Campanaro can’t play, Keenan Reynolds will likely be used as the primary kick returner Saturday. Campanaro has dealt with a myriad of injuries over his three-year career. He was released from injured reserve by Baltimore last season before being re-signed. However, Thursday’s practice was the first Campanaro missed since being activated off the PUP list early in training camp.
LB Tim Williams was back at practice after missing time earlier in the week for an undisclosed reason. After struggling in the first preseason game against the Redskins, the rookie from Alabama was much better in the second game against Miami. He finished with two sacks and was a constant force in the backfield. It was the type of performance the Ravens expected when they selected him in the third round of this year’s draft. “What he has to offer is exactly what we drafted – a guy coming off the edge, he has a good pass rush,” defensive coordinator Dean Pees said.
LB Albert McClellan did not practice Thursday for undisclosed reasons. His status for the third preseason game against Buffalo is uncertain. McClellan is having another solid training camp and is pushing for a starting job. He is also a key member of special teams and led that unit in tackles in 2014 (13), 2013 (12) and 2011 (12), tying for second most (6) in 2015.
WR Breshad Perriman has been out since Aug. 1 with a hamstring injury. There is no set timeline for his return. However, it appears unlikely that he will appear in any preseason games. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Perriman’s injury is “not season ending,” so there is some hope he could be back by the regular-season opener Sept. 10 against the Bengals.
LT Ronnie Stanley has been out since Aug. 12 with an undisclosed injury. The Ravens’ offensive line has already been ravaged with injuries and the long-term loss of Stanley would be difficult to overcome. Last season, Stanley became the first rookie in franchise history to start at left tackle. However, he missed four games with a foot injury.