Ebony Bird
FanSided

Handing out 5 Ravens game balls for the 2018 regular season

By Richard Bradshaw

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 15: Nose Tackle Michael Pierce #97 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 15: Nose Tackle Michael Pierce #97 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Michael Pierce:

Perhaps one day more people will grow a respect for nose tackles. It’s not these guy’s fault that they do all the dirty work that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. These players are gritty, fierce competitors who are often looked at as “big guys” who take up space. Not enough credit is given to them, but I’m here to say that I see you all coming up big on Sundays. That is especially true for the Ravens own nose tackle, Michael Pierce.

Since going undrafted out of Samford back in 2016, Michael Pierce has done nothing short of dominate the line of scrimmage and make life hell on opposing offenses lines. Pierce, standing at 6’0″ 340-lbs., has used his low-center of gravity to control the LOS and eat gaps that would otherwise allow the opponents run-game to open up. Instead, Pierce simply dictated the rhythm of the play, and if he wasn’t making the tackle, someone else was.

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In years past, this role often belonged to fellow defensive lineman Brandon Williams. However, Pierce’s emergence has pushed Williams from nose tackle to 3-Tech defensive tackle. The two have been a wonderful tag-team duo, but Pierce has quickly become Baltimore’s top defensive lineman.

Pierce is arguably the biggest reason that the Ravens finished fourth in run defense in 2018, and has a legitimate claim to being a top three player on the team’s defense. Pierce has made a massive impact since day one in Charm City, but 2018 has been his best yet. Congratulations, Michael Pierce on earning Ebony Bird’s first game ball for the 2018 season! The best is yet to come.

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