Reason #10 is simple: the upgraded secondary.
The 2014 Baltimore Ravens’ season was promising. Angry and motivated over a missed playoff opportunity, the purple and black attack was poised to reclaim their rightful place among the top teams in the league. But like the stomach virus where you can’t seem to hold anything down and you tend to try to eat anything just to see if it will, such a virus attacked the Ravens secondary from week one well into the playoffs.
Sep 22, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (left) talks to coaches prior to the game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
The line-up of defensive backs as of week one included:
SS: Matt Elam
FS: Darian Stewart
LCB: Lardarius Webb
RCB: Jimmy Smith
Then there were also Jeromy Miles, Asa Jackson, Chykie Brown, and promising rookie Terrence Brooks all serving back up roles. This was after newly signed CB Aaron Ross went out with an injury as well as Dominique Franks getting cut right after the preseason. However, the line up was pretty promising to say the least. Not a lot of excitement, but a solid group expected to produce some plays.
And then, everything you can think of happened. Torn ACLs, sprained backs, strained ligaments in the feet, hamstring pulls, alien abductions, etc.
Aug 28, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Fitzgerald Toussaint (43) looks over injured tight end Phillip Supernaw (84) during the first half of a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
From there, it was a week by week scramble to find replacements. Signings were happening from every and anywhere. The NFL term “signing guys off the streets” almost appeared to be too literal, as some of the names of those who stepped up almost made it seem as if these were guys who just finished a shift at Foot Locker. Those names include Chris Greenwood, Danny Gorrer, and Rashaan Melvin.
And even with that group, the Ravens made it to the Divisional Playoffs, on the road, and only missed out on the AFC Championship game by 4 points.
Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots strong safety Duron Harmon (30) intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during the end of the fourth quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Plenty of factors went into losing that game, particularly the lack of desire to make an aggressive catch by a certain receiver in the last 4 minutes of the 4th quarter. But the bigger issue I’d point out would be the struggles of the secondary that gave up two 14-point leads. The defensive front intimidated the running game of the Patriots, so Tom Brady and company picked on the secondary and it paid off for them.
Fast forward to the upcoming 2015-16 season.
The projected/favored players to make the 53-man roster are:
Jimmy Smith
Lardarius Webb
Will Hill
Kyle Arrington
Kendrick Lewis
Asa Jackson
Terrence Brooks
Anthony Levine
Matt Elam
May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Asa Jackson (27) catches a punt during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
And there’s still a host of others who may find a role on special teams and reserve packages for the secondary.
The additions of Kyle Arrington from the reigning Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots and Kendrick Lewis from the Houston Texans (2 teams that defeated the Ravens last season) have already proven to be a major upgrade.
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2015 6th round draft pick Tray Walker also has a great shot at making the 53 -man roster. Couple that with a returning and healthy Jimmy Smith and Terrence Brooks and a more focused Will Hill and Matt Elam, all of whom will have a strong impact on a secondary that struggled a year ago.
Add to that the veteran leadership of Lardarius Webb (who himself is having his best offseason in years) and with Asa Jackson poised and mature, and it’s safe to say that barring injuries, this could be a great year for the secondary.
Next: Ravens Burning Questions: Is the Secondary Really Fixed?
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