Ebony Bird
FanSided

Lardarius Webb and Eric Weddle Are Key To Defensive Turnaround

By Chris Schisler

Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) carries the ball as Baltimore Ravens safety Lardarius Webb (21) attempts to tackle during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) carries the ball as Baltimore Ravens safety Lardarius Webb (21) attempts to tackle during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lardarius Webb and Eric Weddle are the biggest reason for the Ravens defensive dominance against the Buffalo Bills.

The Baltimore Ravens problems in the secondary have gotten worse and worse every season after Ed Reed’s departure. It almost seems ironic that the Baltimore secondary would see the light turn on when Reed was coaching the opponent’s secondary. The Ravens defense dominated in the Ravens 13-7 win on Sunday. It all starts with Eric Weddle and Lardarius Webb.

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Webb did a really good job preventing big passing plays for the Bills. The free safety position is kind of like the offensive line positions: if we call their name, it’s often because they screwed up. So the lack of big plays down the field is a testament to Webb’s sharp play at the safety position. Webb is a veteran who knows the game inside and out. Dean Pees trusts him, and that has a huge impact.

Weddle did a bit of everything for the defense. He played some in the box. He shut down passing routes for the tight ends and wide receivers coming over the middle. Weddle also played some deep coverage. Weddle and Webb have a different skill set, but they have one important trait. Both players diagnose what is going on quickly and accurately.

Dean Pees now can do things with the defense. When the secondary was a problem Pees had to play conservatively. He never wanted to let the big play kill his defense. Because of this, we got a bend but don’t break defense that frustrated Ravens fans accustomed to stingy defensive play.

The Ravens blitzed when they needed to blitz. Pees called the dogs off when he needed to. The Ravens mixed up their coverage and allowed Jimmy Smith and Shareece Wright to battle the wide receivers. Trust in the secondary goes a long way. It seems like the whole defense is clicking and it stems from this trust.

Next: Ravens At Browns: RG3 Injured

You have to give Pees credit. Talent in the secondary was the missing piece. It also seems like Pees being on the sideline helped. This was just one game. The Ravens still have to prove themselves but it looks like we are seeing a revitalized Ravens defense this season. Weddle and Webb have a lot to do with that.

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