Ebony Bird
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3 things Baltimore Ravens must build on against the Packers

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 08: Chris Moore #10 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 08: Chris Moore #10 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 08: Gardner Minshew #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is hit by Kenny Young #40 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 08: Gardner Minshew #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is hit by Kenny Young #40 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

What should the Baltimore Ravens try to build on as they get things going against the Green Bay Packers for their second preseason game? These three very important things:

1. An impressive start for the linebackers:

The Baltimore Ravens linebackers have gotten off to a great start all the way down the depth chart. The Ravens aptitude of the inside linebackers may have been the most important takeaway from the first preseason game. Patrick Onwuasor, Kenny Young and Chris Board were all impressive. The athleticism and quickness in the middle of the defense is something to be excited about. Think about what you saw on Thursday night. Kenny Young is a second year player who was a fifth round pick. Chris Board was an undrafted free agent in 2018. Onwuasor has been here since 2016 and his fellow linebackers were playing at the same speed and with the same confidence. The Ravens wanted to keep C.J. Mosley, but it looks like they have it covered at this position.

The outside linebackers looked good as well. Tim Williams and Tyus Bowser played well early in the game. Shane Ray got a sack and Jaylon Ferguson helped a defensive lineman get one. The outside linebacker position is still the biggest question mark on the defensive side of the ball yet the first preseason game alleviates the level of concern a bit.

The Ravens need to see more positive performances from the second level of their defense against the Packers. They need to give Tim Williams and Tyus Bowser more of a chance to show what they can do. In fact, the Ravens should just give Matt Judon the night off. We know that Judon is a stud. The preseason doesn’t have to be meaningless because it could lead to positive confidence building at the outside linebacker positions.

Baltimore should play Williams and Bowser into the second quarter. Then they should let Shane Ray and Jaylon Ferguson strut their stuff under the lights. Don Martindale needs to confirm that Williams and Bowser are legitimate and he needs to get Ferguson meaningful experience. Ferguson is raw and the playing time for him could be incredibly valuable.

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