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

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 Ravens
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 26: Inside Linebacker C.J. Mosley #57 of the Baltimore Ravens runs back an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

1. C.J. Mosley is going to have a career year:

The fact that this is a contract year for C.J. Mosley bodes well for the Ravens. The Ravens are no strangers to the impact of a contract year. Joe Flacco earned his payday in 2012 (what happened later was a different story). Mosley seems to have that kind of focus. The fact that he has expressed over and over again that he wants to stay here added to the Ravens assurances that they want to re-sign him to a long-term deal, add up to one thing. Mosley believes in himself and he wants to earn the kind of money he think he can earn. Both sides want a deal done, and Mosley is waiting for the numbers to match what he feels he’s worth.

A motivated Mosley will be bad news for the rest of the league. Mosley is already one of the best linebackers in the game. Consistency has been the only real problem with Mosley, and his contract situation may bring a razor focus. It won’t distract Mosley, because he has everything to gain by playing well. Unless the Ravens reach a deal with Mosley before next offseason, I expect this motivation will take a very good player and make him great.

Next: Ravens Training Camp: 3 things the Ravens don't need to fix

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