Anthony Levine Sr. Could Be The Ravens X-Factor
With a new role in the defense, Anthony Levine Sr. could be the x-factor
The Baltimore Ravens have been experimenting with Anthony Levine Sr. as a hybrid player. In the Ravens sub packages, Levine plays as if he was a linebacker. In reality he is an extra defensive back. The Ravens will now have more speed on the field on passing downs and it comes with the toughness of a linebacker.
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Levine Sr. earned his shot at being the Ravens x-factor. He has quietly been a developing player with the Ravens since 2012. As a special teams player and occasionally as a defensive back the six year pro has won a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens and the Green Bay Packers.
The Inspiration:
The Arizona Cardinals kind of opened the door for Levine. The Cardinals decided to use Deon Buchanan a defensive back, as a linebacker in passing situations. Bruce Arians and his team showed the value of this kind of hybrid player. It solves many problems for the Cardinals. They get extra pass rush, extra coverage and extra speed all in one player. Now the Ravens are hoping to replicate this success.
It is exciting to see the Ravens defense experimenting and changing. Dean Pees, the Ravens’ defensive coordinator is known for being set in his ways. Exciting is not the first word that comes to mind when you think of the Pees brand. This is a way for the defense to add some spice to their attack.
The Application:
Levine Sr. has made a huge impact so far in this preseason. Earlier in the preseason he almost had an interception. Against the Lions he had a sack and an interception. The Ravens showed off his potential by having him do several things. They put him on the edge and told him to put a licking on the quarterback. Pees made him a middle of the field defender. They also let him fly around to the football.
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Levine Sr. could easily be the Ravens secret weapon. He will be the Ravens x-factor. So often in the NFL, coaches have to choose between speed and power, a linebacker, or a defensive back. With Levine Sr. the Ravens get the best of both worlds.