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It’s time for the Baltimore Ravens to unleash Tim Williams

By Connor Brooks

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 05: Tim Williams #56 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after their 10-0 win over the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 05: Tim Williams #56 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after their 10-0 win over the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Tim Williams was one of Ozzie Newsome’s highly regarded draft picks this year and it’s time for the Ravens to unleash him.

If you ask me, the Baltimore Ravens have a top five defense in the NFL. Brandon Williams went out for a while and that hurt them statistically; However, since his return, the Ravens have been stout against the run. Ozzie Newsome’s free agent finds Brandon Carr and Tony Jefferson have made the secondary one of the most feared in the league. Jimmy Smith is quietly turning into an All-Pro season and C.J. Mosley has been one of the best linebackers in the AFC.

One thing the Ravens need help in is the pass rush. According to ESPN.com, the Ravens rank 21st in total sacks with just 19.0 sacks. Terrell Suggs is the leader on the team with 5.5 sacks and he’s 35-years old. That means it’s time for the young guys to step up. One of those young guys is rookie outside linebacker Tim Williams.

Tim Williams was a guy the Ravens stole out of the third round. He dropped due to character concerns at Alabama but Ozzie Newsome knows coach Nick Saban. Williams can be the spark this the Ravens’ pass rush needs.

The Ravens play a lot of inexperienced quarterbacks in the upcoming weeks. That means they will be frigid in the pocket and if Dean Pees’ defense can shake those guys up, it’s game over. With an already elite secondary and run defense, if the Ravens can make their pass rush at least a little above average, they can be the best defense in the league.

Tim Williams has been aggravated by a thigh injury most of the year. He has only been active four times but is healthy now. Assuming he’s good to go, the Ravens can use him in a situational pass-rusher role. About 10-15 snaps a game seems good for him now. Williams doesn’t even need a lot of sacks. If he can get pressure and force throwaways, that’s good for now.

Next: 3 reasons Danny Woodhead won’t cure the Ravens offense

The bottom line.

Tim Williams can become a valuable player for this defense. If the Ravens are going to compete for a spot in the playoffs, getting pressure in the pocket is essential. If they are going to compete when they get into the playoffs, it’s even more important. The Ravens have a potential star in Tim Williams and it is time to unleash him.

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