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The Baltimore Ravens rewarding L.J. Fort is a good move

By Chris Schisler

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 20: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks tries to avoid the tackle of linebacker L.J. Fort #58 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on October 20, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 20: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks tries to avoid the tackle of linebacker L.J. Fort #58 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on October 20, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Ravens picked up L.J. Fort after the 2019 season had already gotten underway. Fort found a new home in Baltimore:

According to reports, the Baltimore Ravens have signed a two year contract extension with linebacker, L.J. Fort. Fort has been one of the most pleasant surprises this season. The first two games of the season made it painfully obvious that there was some help needed at the inside linebacker positions. The Ravens reunited with Josh Bynes and picked up L.J. Fort while they were at it. The defense has been heavily boosted by these moves.

When the season started the Ravens were hoping that Patrick Onwuasor would step up and that Kenny Young and Chris Board would grow into the spot next to him. Onwuasor is showing that he’s not really a Mike linebacker. Kenny Young is now with the Rams. The additions of Fort and Bynes have led to very noticeable outcomes.

Fort has started three straight games for the Ravens and should be a big part of the defense moving forward. Even with Patrick Onwuasor back from injury, Fort will get his chances to shine as a linebacker. He really popped onto the scene against the Seattle Seahawks, where his aggressive style of play made a huge impact on the game.

Fort is a capable linebacker who is capable of playing both the Mike and Will linebacker spots. Whatever he is asked to do, Fort is in the right place and playing hard. He may be one of the most able tacklers on the entire defense.

The Ravens are the fourth team that Fort has played for. He started the 2019 season with the Philadelphia Eagles and played for the Pittsburgh Steelers for four seasons. Fort is now getting the best chance that he’s had in his career. Here, you have a fairly experienced player getting the opportunity to be a starter with the Ravens. He is starting to live up to his potential.

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If the Ravens didn’t keep Fort, the inside linebacker position would have been one of the biggest needs this offseason. Even with Fort in the picture, this is a position the Ravens would be wise to get better at. Patrick Onwuasor is a decent player, though he hasn’t lived up to the high expectations that were heaped on him with the departure of C.J. Mosley.

While there still isn’t any star power at the position, Fort is a player that the purple and black can count on.  He isn’t lost in coverage, and he gets into the backfield quickly to stop the run. Fort is a smart football player who plays at the speed required by this defense. This is a good two year deal that the Ravens gave Fort. It’s not a deal that breaks the bank by any means.

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This move is a lot like the extensions for Willie Snead and Nick Boyle. These are players the Ravens value and there is no sense in not taking care of them. Just like Snead and Boyle, Fort does his job and goes about his business. Fort may not be a superstar but he makes a difference on the field. These kinds of deals are good for the team and the player.

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