Ravens In For Big Defensive Adjustment, Terrell Suggs Challenged

Nov 24, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) gets introduced prior to the game against the New York Jets at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to lunchtime links, where we round up all the latest Ravens news from around the web for your convenient consumption.  Today, we look at why Terrell Suggs has had his hands full lately, reveal that Steve Smith won an office pool bet, find out that Lardarius Webb is optimistic about his return, and talk about the big defensive adjustment the Ravens must make this season.

Joint practices between the Ravens and the 49ers wrapped up yesterday, and one player that admits he benefited from them is Terrell Suggs.  Suggs has thoroughly dominated against the Ravens offensive line in training camp practices, but admits that he was challenged against the 49ers.  Between Colin Kaepernick’s mobility and the Niner’s dominant offensive line, Suggs is likely happy to move on.

More from Ravens News

• Will Baltimore Ravens be rewarded for risky Lamar Jackson decision?
• The Baltimore Ravens Big Gamble
• Ravens Super Bowl odds present fascinating insight on Lamar Jackson’s future
• Should Baltimore Ravens be interested in this recently released WR
• Do the Baltimore Ravens have serious interest in this free agent wide out?

Steve Smith is another player who benefited from the joint practices, but not in the way you may think.  Smith told the media that he won an office pool after having zero fights during the practices. Smith, known for his fiery nature in both practice and real games, bet the under at zero and won the entire pot, according to him anyway.

Lardarius Webb, who has missed pretty much all of training camp due to back spasms, is still optimistic about his return. Webb expressed his desire to return to the field before the regular season starts, but he is ultimately placing his trust in the team to make the right call.  Even if Webb doesn’t get any reps in the preseason, he should be fine when the real action starts. And for a team that is thin at corner,  that’s the most important thing right now.

Finally, some rules changes are going to present a big challenge to defenses this year, including the Ravens.  The NFL has vowed to make both illegal contact and defensive holding a big emphasis this season, and we have already seen flags flying like crazy for the infractions early in the preseason.  Players who were once overly aggressive must learn to dial back on contact, or risk drawing excessive penalties this season.