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Baltimore Ravens: First Quarter Report Card- Defense/Special Teams Edition

By Jake Lippman

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 13: Patrick Queen #48 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after a play against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 13: Patrick Queen #48 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after a play against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 13: Patrick Queen #48 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a play against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 13: Patrick Queen #48 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a play against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Inside Linebackers:

  • Chris Board– Eight tackles
  • L.J. Fort– 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, one defensive touchdown
  • Malik Harrison– Nine tackles, one pass defended
  • Patrick Queen– 33 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble

Inside linebacker has long been a staple of the Ravens defense. Since the Ravens founding in 1996, the Ravens have had linebackers like Ray Lewis and C.J Mosley. Now the Ravens have drafted Patrick Queen in the first round this season and he is not disappointing. As the team leader for tackles, Queen has been making plays all over the field on a consistent basis. His biggest play to date was on the goal line last week when he stopped the Football Team from scoring with one arm. It was a very impressive play and one that changed the outcome of the game.

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Third-round pick Malik Harrison has also looked good in a small amount of playing. As a rookie, they are limiting his playing time but he has shown good instincts and the ability to play in pass coverage although he was not highly regarded as a coverage defender coming into the league. The player he is sharing time with as the third inside linebacker is Chris Board, the former undrafted rookie, and special teams stud. Board has struggled in pass coverage, but in situations where they have used three inside linebackers, he has been solid in run defense. This formation is a new formation that I don’t recall seeing and it has had mixed results.

L.J Fort is the veteran of the group. Fort, the former Steeler and Eagle has started each game next to Queen and has been a key contributor on special teams. He has already forced a fumble on a well-defended fake punt and has been all over the field. Fort has surprised many after not playing a large number of snaps on defense by being one of the better defensive players and leaders on the team. His impact goes way beyond the stat sheet.

Looking towards the next quarter of the season, this group has been surprisingly good. The running game has been slowed down and passing over the middle of the field hasn’t been as easy as it has in years past. Although there have been struggles, this group is full of positives moving forward.

Grade- B+

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