Ebony Bird
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Gerald McCoy to visit Ravens on Tuesday: 3 big things

By Chris Schisler

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is sacked by defensive end Vinny Curry #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy #93 during the second quarter of a game on September 24, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is sacked by defensive end Vinny Curry #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy #93 during the second quarter of a game on September 24, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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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) /

2. Why the Ravens have this level of interest in McCoy:

Much of the conversation about the Ravens pass rush is about the pressure that comes off the edge. McCoy would give the Ravens a real pocket pusher inside the defensive line. McCoy is coming off a six sack season and he has had at least five sacks per season since 2012. McCoy would add a pass rushing boost to the defense in a way that no player on the roster would. The Ravens want to have the number one defense in football. McCoy could give the defensive front an edge that could allow this to happen.

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One of the reasons that I wrote that the Ravens shouldn’t sign McCoy is because of the young talent on the defensive line. The Ravens have a lot of talent on the defensive line. While the Ravens are probably set with what they have, McCoy does make sense. The Ravens would rather count on a player with 54.5 career sacks than needing players like Chris Wormley, Gerald Willis and Daylon Mack to prove themselves. Having a surplus of talent on the defensive front wouldn’t be a bad thing, it would just give Don Martindale a lot to play around with.

If the main argument against this move is that McCoy isn’t needed it doesn’t mean he isn’t wanted. The Ravens linebacker group is in question at the moment. Other than Matt Judon, who can the Ravens unquestionably count on coming into the season? They have Patrick Onwuasor and Kenny Young lined up to be the main inside linebackers. The best way to help linebackers is to put big defensive linemen in front of them. McCoy can help win the battle up front and if he has a handful of sacks and a bunch of quarterback pressures the move will pay off in a big way.

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