Defensive Playmaking Overcomes Depth Issues as Ravens Extend Streak

The Ravens extended their preseason-record win streak to 24 with a little offense combined with some big play defense in the second half that overcame mistakes on offense and special teams.  Unlike past years, however, the Ravens did not accomplish it primarily by having superior defensive depth to the opponent, but rather with playmaking through pressure schemes and 2nd-man-to-the-ball skills.

In fact, the Ravens lack of depth at CB nearly cost them the game and they allowed several members of the defensive backfield (Worley in particular) to play more snaps than we ever see normally from preseason Baltimore defenders. 

The Ravens still have good depth at ILB and OLB, but they rotated through a patchwork set of alignments in the secondary around Worley, Brandon Stephens, Ar’Darius Washington, and Kevon Seymour.

No Package Trickery

We keep personnel by drive rather than by play during the preseason, but I did not observe any plays where the Ravens played something other than base or nickel.  They had 2 ILBs on every play.  Effectively, each substitution they made was a CB for a DL or a 1-for-1 change at a position group.

The Ravens had some deception rolled into their pass rush in terms of off-ball blitzes, stunts, coverage drops, and simulated pressure.  They also had a healthy set of 1-on-1 wins primarily from the OLBs and Travis Jones.

Cornerback Carousel

The Ravens played without 6 of their 13 corners (Marlon Humphrey, Rock Ya-Sin, Jalyn Armor-Davis, Pepe Williams, Trayvon Mullen, and Arthur Maulet).  The planned move of Brandon Stephens back to safety was unwound earlier in the week at practice and he appears likely to stay on the outside between the combination of the team’s need and Worley’s performance.

To make matters worse, the Ravens leaned on Seymour (63 snaps), Stephens (58 snaps), and Ar’Darius Washington (72 snaps split between SCB and FS) with only limited play from Kyu Kelly (17), Corey Mayfield (11), Jeremy Lucien (32), and Jordan Swann (26).  Were I to point to a developmental concession aimed at winning the game, this would be it.

Individual Grades and Notes

As in past years, I have given each Ravens player a grade from +3 to -3 reflecting how much my expectation of their impact on this year’s team changed based on their performance (game grade before the front slash, cumulative grade after).  I don’t rate starters, players who have no place on the team, or anyone for whom I don’t think I have any data for a judgment.  The players here are new to the team, rookies, on the cusp of making the team, have new responsibilities this season, in positional battles, or have otherwise have something to prove.

Amos (-1): Jacquan started the game at FS paired with Worley, but played only the first series (12 snaps).  He slipped on consecutive plays (Q1, 11:42; Q1, 11:05) which always makes me wonder if a player has the right shoes.  Given this pair of plays, the lack of depth at safety, and his conspicuous absence, I believe it’s likely he sustained one of the minor injuries to which Harbaugh referred in his post-game presser. 

Armour-Davis (0):  DNP.  He’s had a pretty bad camp as I see it with no real ability to find the ball in the air or effectively contest catches.  Neither Stephens nor Seymour was perfect in this game, but they both gained significantly on the CB totem pole relative to JAD.

Blackson (+1):  Angelo retired after the second Eagles drive of the second quarter (21 snaps), but contributed a pair of pressures (Q1, 9:07; Q2, 13:28) and an assist on a defensive win.

Botts (0):  Trey entered for the last drive of the first half and played rotationally for the remainder of the game (25 snaps).  He was flagged for what I thought was a ticky-tack defensive hold (Q4, 10:23), generated one pressure by bull rush of the RT (Q3, 9:00) and had a nice pursuit to force Book OOB for a gain of just 2 (Q4, 9:16)

Caesar (0):  Kaieem entered midway through Q2 and played rotationally for the remainder of the game (22).  He didn’t accumulate an official defensive stat or pressure, but I noted him for standing his ground well against a double team vs the RG and RT (Q3, 4:58) that helped set up a tackle for no gain.

Hamm (+2):  Malik played rotationally beginning with the first drive of the second quarter (38).  To summarize:  

  • (Q2, 1:43):  He bulled then shed RT Okorafor for a QH
  • (Q3, 7:11):  He beat RT Okorafor inside with a top-dash shelf spin move for fast S-6
  • (Q3, 4:58):  He set the right edge vs. pulling LG Toth to help set up Sermon RM0
  • (Q4, 11:45):  He bulled RT Okorafor and got his hand up for a PD
  • (Q4, 4:36):  His pressure flushed QB Book left where Ross tackled him RL1

He could be a candidate for a backup SAM role but to do so, he’ll need to demonstrate some coverage chops.  At a minimum, this game solidifies his chance for a practices squad spot.

Harrison (+1):  Malik started at Mike with the green dot and played 3 quarters (58 snaps) with mixed results:

  • (Q1, 13:42):  He blitzed through the left B-gap, too fast for LT Steen to record S-9
  • (Q1, 12:59):  He had a quick take down of TE Stoll on PL6 (5 + 1) [2]
  • (Q1, 10:33):  On 4th/1, he bit on fake inside handoff which allowed Mariota RL2 conversion
  • (Q1, 3:39):  He and Worley contained RB Penny RM2
  • (Q2, 6:15):  He shed the pulling C Reid and assisted Blackson to tackle Sermon RR2
  • (Q3, 8:55):  He was blocked by pulling RG Robinson to help lead Sermon RM8

Jones (+3): Travis was the most dominant physical presence on the field (29 snaps). Summarizing by racing form notes:

  • (Q1, 13:42):  He drove back C Reid as Harrison recorded S-9
  • (Q1, 12:59):  He had a pressure via compression vs. RG Opeta on PL6
  • (Q1, 9:51):  He slipped by RG Opeta to tackle Penny RM0
  • (Q1, 4:58):  He shed RG Opeta to assist Phillips on Penny RL-1
  • (Q2, 11:28):  On 3rd/6, he beat RG Steen outside for fast pressure/near QH as McKee threw away incomplete to end drive
  • (Q2, 9:47):  He was double teamed by LT Johnson and LG Sills to allow Penny RM4
  • (Q2, 9:13):  He worked off a double team from RT Okorafor and RG Steen to deny space which set up Phillips tackle of Penny RM2
  • (Q2, 7:57):  He handled RG Steen to stretch Penny right but Robinson’s missed tackle near the LoS allowed Penny RR9
  • (Q2, 7:14):  He beat RG Steen inside for near pressure but BOQ resulted in PL31 negated by OPI
  • (Q2, 5:01 and 3:56):  In each case, Jones penetrated far into the backfield but was trapped by his opponent which helped neutralize him on a 1st down conversion, then the TD

The Eagles didn’t play anyone who could handle him in a 1-on-1 situation and after he beat them so regularly, they finally devised a way to get him to aggress himself out of 2 of the last 3 plays on their only TD drive (beginning Q2, 5:01).  While he needs to clean up some of his aggressive penetration, Macdonald will probably want to devise ways to find him more 1-on-1 opportunities.

Kelly (0): It’s a very bad sign that he did not enter until the beginning of Q4.  He played both LCB and RCB and had tight coverage of WR Cleveland when Hamm had his PD at the LoS (Q4, 11:45).

Lucien (+1): He entered near the end of the first Eagles drive and then returned later in the half to play a mix of safety and SCB for the remainder of the game.  In addition to recovering the fumble forced by Worley (Q4, 11:41), he got his feet tangled with WR Haselwood on a drive ending incomplete pass (Q2, 1:17).  He filled to tackle Brooks on a run left for just 2 (Q4, 5:57) and was part of the pursuit of Book which resulted in Worley’s S0 (Q4, 3:10).  He’s probably earned a bigger look in this week’s joint practices and subsequent game with the Commanders.

Maulet (-1):  DNP.  His absence and the play of Ar’Darius Washington did not help his chance to make the team.

Mayfield (0):  Corey showed up well in camp with 2 picks of the 9 the previous Saturday (8/5) but did not get a chance against the Eagles until the last 2 drives of the game.  I noted him twice for good coverage (Q4, 9:23, WR King; Q4, 7:03, WR Ngata on 2-point try).  However, he also missed the tackle of WR Haselwood (Q4, 5:17) which resulted in an important first down.  

Moon (0):  Jeremiah entered in the second quarter and played rotationally into the fourth (24 snaps).  He had a pressure by bull rush from which Mariota escaped for a drive-ending, 6-yard scramble (Q1, 1:41).  He also sealed off the B gap then recovered to tackle Penny RR2 when he bounced outside (Q1, 3:39).

Nichols (0):  He played rotationally for the entire game (43 snaps), but did not make my notes or have a pressure event as I scored it.

Ojabo (0):  David played for the first 2 drives (20) during which time he had a pressure by bull rush (Q1, 4:14) but also accumulated 3 notes for failing to maintain containment effectively (Q1, 12:18; Q1, 11:42; Q1, 7:26).  The Ravens need him to do some things other than rush the passer.

Phillips (+2):  Del’Shawn and Malik Harrison played the first 3 quarters of the game (58 snaps).  Phillips led the team with 10 tackles, a figure rarely attained in a preseason game.  Of his 10 tackles, 7 were defensive wins by the Football Outsiders definition.  He cleaned up well on both penetrations of Travis Jones, and quality edge setting by Kelle Sanders.  He also had the underneath coverage on the bracket of WR Cleveland (4th and 3, Q3, 4:13) which eventually resulted in McKee’s drive-ending incomplete for Ngata in the back of the end zone.  He’s on a training-camp heater in terms of coverage and turnovers forced that will make cutting him a difficult decision indeed.

Robinson (-1):  In the course of 31 snaps,Tavius tried an inside rush on LT Steen which allowed the Eagles lineman to seal him as Mariota scrambled left for 7 yards.  He also missed the tackle of Penny on a stretch run right near the LoS that became a 9-yard run.  He may need more seasoning to become more than a situational pass rusher.

Ross (0):  He and Welch took over as the ILB pairing for the last 3 drives of the game (17).  Despite a good effort, he failed to keep QB Book from running right for a 9-yard conversion (Q4, 12:25).  He mirrored well to take down Book for a 1-yard gain (Q4, 4:36) to start the Eagles final series of downs.

Sanders (+1):  Kelle entered in the second quarter and played rotationally for the rest of the game (37).  His results were mixed:

  • (Q2, 6:15):  He set the edge vs. RT Okorafor on Sermon RR2
  • (Q2, 2:25):  He set the edge vs. TE Arnold then worked off to assist Phillips on Sermon RM2
  • (Q3, 8:55):  He was blocked by TE Jackson as part of Sermon RM8
  • (Q3, 7:44):  He exploited an assignment error by rushing untouched through the left B-gap to tackle Sermon RL-7
  • (Q3, 5:37):  He lost containment then missed an ankle tackle for S-2 on what became McKee RR7
  • (Q4, 9:57):  He rushed himself out of the play to allow Book RM11
  • (Q4, 3:10):  He pursued Book right off Washington’s missed sack on Worley S0
  • (Q4, 2:22):  On 4th/4, he rushed unblocked off ORS for drive-ending QH as Book’s pass was thrown high and incomplete

He improved his chance for a practice squad role with this outing.

Seymour (+1):  With most of the Ravens CBs sitting out the game for various reasons, Kevon started and played into the 4th quarter (63 snaps).  He had drive-ending coverage of Ngata (Q1, 9:07), delivered a PD in coverage of Ngata (Q2, 12:10), and drew and OPI on Ngata (Q2, 7:14).  On the other side of the ledger, he was late and rubbed off by Cleveland on the 4th-and-1 conversion for PR17 (Q2, 1:50).

Simpson (-1):  DNP.  I’m not sure when he would have played had he been available, but the importance of these live-fire opportunities would be difficult to overstate for a player who may see limited time defensively in 2023.

Stephens (+1):  Brandon played 3 quarters (58 snaps) with more positive results than negative.  He allowed some pitch-and catch receptions but also delivered one of the game’s biggest plays in coverage of Ngata in the back of the end zone that turned the ball over on downs (Q3, 4:13).

Stone (0):  DNP.  The Ravens safety depth looks much better than it did when the game began.  Stone is in no danger of losing his roster spot, but with Worley, the club has an additional emergency or specialist option.

Swann (-2):  Jordan entered late in the first quarter.  He had a difficult night, including receptions allowed of 27 and 33 yards.

Urban (+1):  Brent retired for the night near the end of the first half (19 snaps).  While the defense did not play well as a unit, he made his case for a roster spot with a PD and an impressive shed of TE Stoll on which he tackled RB Swift for a 2-yard gain.

Washington, A. (+2):  He improved his chance to make the roster with solid play at both SCB and SS.  Condensing to notes:

  • (Q2, 12:40):  On 3rd/6, McKee completed PL8 (6 + 2) [1] to WR Cleveland in front of Seymour and Washington
  • (Q3, 8:22):  He was outbodied by WR Haselwood for PR19 on a ball the receiver tipped to himself
  • (Q3, 5:39):  He had tight coverage of Haselwood 10 yards [5] which forced an incomplete
  • (Q4, 13:07):  He covered TE Russell well as Welch chased the rolling Book OOB for RR1
  • (Q4, 7:03):  On the 2-point attempt, he peeled off underneath coverage of Cleveland for an interception to maintain Ravens 1-point lead
  • (Q4, 3:10):  On 3rd/4, he rushed unblocked off ORS but missed tackle on what would have been S-13.  After pursuit, Worley forced Book down for S0.

His play alone does not quite warrant the high grade, but expectations for him are up that much based on versatility and the fact no other SCB has stepped forward.

Welch (+1):  He played the last 3 Eagles series (17 snaps) and had 3 positive contribution I noted, including pulling Brooks’ left arm off the ball to set up Worley’s forced fumble (Q4, 11:41).

Worley (+3):  He played every snap (75) and turned in one of the greatest preseason games ever for a Ravens defender, particularly with leverage considered.  Summarizing:

  • (Q1, 3:39):  He helped contain RB Penny which allowed Moon to recover to tackle RR2
  • (Q3, 4:13):  On 4th/3, after a run fake created ATS, he and Phillips had a bracket on WR Cleveland as McKee threw incomplete to WR Ngata in back of endzone
  • (Q4, 11:41):  He stripped RB Brooks as second man to the ball which was quickly recovered by Lucien
  • (Q4, 8:40):  On 3rd/8, he blitzed off slot right through the B-gap, past RB Brooks for initial pressure.  After missing the sack, he recovered to chase Book right then left for S-21.
  • (Q4, 7:03):  On the 2-point attempt, he covered RB Brooks on what became a pass intercepted by Washington
  • (Q4, 3:10):  On 3rd/4, he forced Book down for S0 after missed S-13 by Washington to bring up 4th/4
  • (Q4, 2:22):  He had tight coverage of RB Sermon as Book’s pass sailed high on the last Eagles’ play

His last 6 notes were contributions to 3rd-down or drive-ending plays.  The last time I can remember a similar string of high-leverage contributions was when Anthony Levine took over the 2018 win at Pittsburgh with 3 consecutive drive-ending plays in the 4th quarter.

Which of these players is not like the other (in terms of experience among the defensive players on the field for the final Eagles possession)?  Nichols, Botts, Caesar, Sanders, Hamm, Ross, Welch, Kelly, Lucien, Swann, Mayfield, A. Washington, Worley.  Daryl, a journeyman DB in his 8th NFL season (55 starts), towered over the other players on the field as Geno Stone did in the 2022 preseason opener.  Regardless of the competition level, his performance improved both the Ravens safety depth and his chance to make the team.

Defensive MVPs:

  1. Worley
  2. Jones
  3. Phillips

Honorable mention to Malik Hamm, Malik Harrison, and Ar’Darius Washinton