Don Martindale:
Let’s give the Baltimore Ravens defense some love. After all, the team finished fourth in the league in total YPG and third in PPG. That all has to do with the playcalling that Don Martindale was doing all year long.
So much attention is going to the Ravens offense, and rightfully so. Still, Baltimore’s defense more than held its end of the bargain. Without premier edge rushers not named Matt Judon, the team still found ways to get after the quarterback. The coverage was always tight, even after the team lost key-cogs in the secondary in Tavon Young and Tony Jefferson. The defense as a whole played well above their talent level.
“Wink” Martindale brought a certain swagger to the defense that has been lacking since the days of Ray Lewis. Guys were simply buying into everything that he was about. The chain wearing defensive coordinator got guys to play well above their expectations. Relative unknowns in guys like L.J. Fort and the often overlooked Anthony Levine were unbelievably important to the unit’s successes.
As a whole, the Baltimore Ravens defense was once again a fearsome unit, albeit one that doesn’t get enough love. Without Don Martindale calling the shots, we have to wonder what the unit would’ve been like, making this an easy selection for our next game ball.