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Ravens vs. Jaguars: 3 goals for the defense in 1st preseason game

By Chris Schisler

OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND - JUNE 10: Tim Williams #56 of the Baltimore Ravens poses for a portrait at the Under Armour Performance Center on June 10, 2019 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND - JUNE 10: Tim Williams #56 of the Baltimore Ravens poses for a portrait at the Under Armour Performance Center on June 10, 2019 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 23: Defensive Tackle Willie Henry #69 of the Baltimore Ravens sacks quarterback Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 23: Defensive Tackle Willie Henry #69 of the Baltimore Ravens sacks quarterback Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

The Baltimore Ravens are set to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight. Here are three goals for Don Martindale and his defensive unit in the first preseason battle:

1. Find every bit of pass rush there is:

The Baltimore Ravens pass rush is the main concern of the defense, a point we’ve really hammered home this offseason. Don Martindale has a great opportunity to explore all the pass rushers and their potential. At the moment Pernell McPhee is the starting RUSH linebacker will Matt Judon is the starting SAM linebacker. It will be interesting to see McPhee as a starter. If he is able to make an impact at that position, it would be great news for a position group who just needs somebody to step up.

This game is more about the depth of the position since the starters should get little to no work. Jaylon Ferguson is currently listed as the third string outside linebacker. Tonight we’ll get a glimpse at how close he is to figuring out NFL pass rushing. Ferguson is a player who hopefully exceeds expectations and finds himself climbing the depth chart. It seems telling that Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith are gone and neither Tim Williams nor Tyus Bowser have climbed to the top of the depth chart. They need to show up tonight.

The Ravens need to show that they can rush the passer with other players than just Matt Judon. That’s the advantage to preseason football. The first string players don’t hog up the playing time and you get to see what else is there. The Ravens need to find pass rush tonight, even if it comes from a defensive lineman you weren’t expecting it from.  They need to start working on this.

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