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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: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with DeShon Elliott #32 after a turnover against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 13: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with DeShon Elliott #32 after a turnover against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Secondary:

  • Anthony Averett- 11 tackles, one pass defended
  • Chuck Clark– 28 tackles, .5 sack, .5 tackle for loss, two forced fumbles
  • DeShon Elliott- 17 tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, two passes defended
  • Marlon Humphrey– 23 tackles, .5 sack, .5 tackle for loss, five passes defended, one interception, two forced fumbles
  • Marcus Peters– 12 tackles, three passes defended, one interception, one fumble recovery
  • Jimmy Smith– 12 tackles
  • Tavon Young (Out for season)- two games, two tackles

The secondary for years was the Ravens’ Achilles heel. With multiple injuries and many failed projects on the back end, the Ravens have hit the jackpot with cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters as well as former sixth-round picks Deshon Elliott and Chuck Clark. What the defense is missing is Tavon Young. Young at one point in time was the highest-paid slot corner and has struggled with injuries throughout his career. He always comes back and looks to be playing at a high level but cannot sustain it because of injuries. His loss will be felt.

On the back end, the most versatile piece has been Jimmy Smith who has guarded tight ends, played safety, and can play corner. He’s a very valuable depth piece to this team. Between Elliott and him the back end is patrolled relatively well. Elliott has been an aggressive tackler and has shown some of the instincts he is lauded for each offseason.

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Chuck Clark is the leader of the defense, wearing the green dot on his helmet and aligning the defense. He has played well in coverage, against the run, and everything in between. Having an in the box safety that knows the defense well is a luxury many teams don’t have. To pair with that the Ravens have Anthony Levine Sr. who is a trustworthy veteran for special teams and dime packages.

Between the duo of Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens have the best corners in the league. In order to complete passes, opposing offenses need to throw the ball quickly or away from them. I have been very hard on Anthony Averett because he gets targetted a lot and doesn’t make many plays. Peters and Humphrey have created big play after big play. Averett needs to up his play to help out Peters and Humphrey so the ball goes in their direction more often. Between these three guys, they will play a lot of snaps and have played solid this season. Humphrey and Peters both could be All-Pro’s and at the least Pro Bowlers.

Grade- B

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