2. Next man up:
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If there was any doubt that Cyrus Jones was going to make the team, that doubt is now gone. Jones started the game against the Green Bay Packers in Young’s normal spot in the defense. Jones has a chance to win the job for the season. Anthony Averett and Maurice Canady are also players you have to keep your eyes on here. There is no quick, perfect fix. The Ravens are equipped to deal with the fallout of the injury, but there will be a drop off. We already saw this to a degree last night in the preseason game. Jones had an up and down performance.
Replacing Young will be in part a scheme thing. Don’t rule out a player like Anthony Levine Sr. or DeShon Elliott from helping out in this capacity. The Ravens have a lot of help at safety and that’s where some of the best cover skills come from. Brandon Carr, who has proven to still be best on the outside can play over the slot. Don Martindale has to be a little creative and fortunately for the Ravens that is what Martindale is known for.
Don’t expect the Ravens to make a move in the secondary. They invested a lot in the defensive backfield and this situation only justifies their decision to do so. The Ravens three best corners make about as good as a trio as there is in the NFL. Young’s absence won’t prevent the defense from being dominant, but it may make taking things up a notch difficult.