Ebony Bird
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Gerald McCoy would be key addition to Ravens defense

By Richard Bradshaw

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Gerald McCoy #93 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 31-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Gerald McCoy #93 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 31-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy #93 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way through the smoke onto the field at the start of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy #93 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way through the smoke onto the field at the start of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

A jack-of-all-trades:

Considering the amount of turnover the unit is facing this season, after the losses of Terrell Suggs, C.J. Mosley, and Za’Darius Smith, Gerald McCoy should be a welcome addition. Baltimore is in need of veteran players with talent and leadership skills, something McCoy would more than provide them.

Yes, Baltimore still has vets like Earl Thomas and Tony Jefferson, as well as Brandon Williams, but the team can’t have enough veterans on the defense right now. I can’t emphasize how much the Ravens lost this off-season, as we didn’t even mention the team moving on from Eric Weddle. Losing that amount of leadership and production will dismantle a team, no matter how much young talent is at the ready.

Speaking of young talent, I understand that signing Gerald McCoy could symbolize the team “giving up” on guys like Chris Wormley and Zach Sieler. But honestly, neither of them have shown anything to bet on them anyways. Right now, Baltimore is in a win-now mode while the continue to get younger in the off-season, so adding older guys in the meantime isn’t the worst thing in the world.

The biggest aspect here, that no one wants to discuss for some reason, is that McCoy remains remarkably productive. McCoy has had no less than five sacks in each year dating back to 2012, including 33.5 sacks over a four-year span (2013-2016). Before you get underwhelmed with five sacks each year from a defensive linemen, name the last Ravens d-lineman to provide that production. The only player I can think of is Haloti Ngata, which was a long, long time ago…

Baltimore has more than enough run-stuffing, gap-eating defensive linemen, it’s far-time they add a pass rusher. Gerald McCoy fits the billing.

Next. Three Baltimore Ravens who could disappoint in 2019. dark

At the end of the day, it seems highly unlikely that the Baltimore Ravens will opt to sign McCoy. Considering the money currently being spent on other defensive players and the amount of depth on the defensive line, it seems like a luxury the team can’t exactly afford. Still, signing Gerald McCoy would be an A+ move and take the team’s defense over-the-top, perhaps back into that elite category.

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