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Baltimore Ravens: 5 reasons the defense will be better in 2018

By Chris Schisler

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 08: Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens returns a recovered fumble for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 08: Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens returns a recovered fumble for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions is sacked by outside linebacker Matt Judon #99 and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions is sacked by outside linebacker Matt Judon #99 and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

4. Less Predictable Pass Rush

Organized chaos may or may not be what Don Martindale brings to the table, however it was certainly not in the cards with Dean Pees. The Baltimore Ravens need pass rush that can come from anywhere. With Dean Pees the outside linebackers had to do most of the work. If they didn’t create the kind of pass rush that changed games, Pees would send a telegraphed blitz. Blitzing gave the Ravens a chance in the 39-38 loss to the Steelers. The problem is Ben Roethlisberger diagnosed it after a few hits and took back control of the game.

Martindale is being hailed as more aggressive, so if that’s true his defense will be less bland. Pees defense was like vanilla ice cream. Vanilla always works. It’s a grown up taste that is always a safe. That being said, you know you want some chocolate chip cookie dough in there or maybe bits of waffle cone covered in chocolate. Martindale is going to use the same defense as Pees. The Ravens have the personnel for a 3-4 defense and that’s the way it’s going to stay. Bringing a better blitzing menu is like bringing the cookie dough. No two people would run a defense exactly the same, so this seems like the sensible and practical difference that Martindale can make.

Last year Terrell Suggs and Matt Judon were the only consistent pass rushers the Ravens had. There were other contributors in pass rush, but they were the main stays. Martindale has to make it so everybody gets a sack. It has to be like Oprah Winfrey giving out cars to the audience. Martindale has to get everyone involved and he will.

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