Porous Run Defense

The Packers ran 39 times for 4.9 YPC.  Let’s review the 12 runs of 6+ yards:

  • (Q1, 14:57): On 2nd/10, LT Telfort caved in Washington, C Monk and RG Newman blocked Urban, and Monk climbed to block Pepe Williams in L2, and TE Sims pancaked Robinson to lead RB Wilson RM12 including a missed tackle by Harrison at 5 yards
  • (Q1, 13:34): On 1st/10, LT Telfort pancaked Washington, Senat was backed up by a double team from LG Smith and C Monk, Monk then climbed to L2 to block Harrison, and TE Wilson blocked Simpson in L2 to lead RB Wilson RM8
  • (Q1, 5:52): On 1st/10, Ojabo was blocked by the pulling LG Smith to lose the edge, WR Heath blocked Wiggins in L2, WR Melton got away with holding on Pepe Williams to lead RB Merriweather RR13
  • (Q1, 3:19): On 2nd/6, LT Telfort and LG Smith blocked Urban, TE Wilson kicked out Robinson, and WR DuBose blocked Worley in L2, to lead Merriweather RM10
  • (Q2, 10:42): The pulling RG Newman blocked Ojabo, LT Jones blocked Harrison in L2, and LG Smith blocked Washington to lead Merriweather RM7
  • (Q2, 9:28): On 1st/10, C Monk initially blocked Senat then Harrison in L2, RG Newman blocked Ravenell, RG Tenuta blocked Ravenell then Simpson to lead RB Wilson RM12 including a MT by Kane at 10 yards
  • (Q3, 14:49): On 1st/10, RT Tenuta blocked Evans, C Monk blocked Senat, RG Newman blocked Senat then Rigby in L2 to lead Merriweather RR6
  • (Q3, 9:16): On 1st/10, WR Hicks blocked Simpson, RG Newman blocked Walthour, and TE Swinson kicked out Evans to lead RB McCrary RR17 who beat Hollman to the outside in L2
  • (Q3, 6:08): On 2nd/6, TE Wilson blocked Pepe Williams, Walthour beat C Monk left but overran the play, and TE Swinson blocked Rigby in L2, to lead RB McCrary RR7
  • (Q4, 13:08): On 3rd/3, C Smith sealed Walthour, LG Tenuta blocked Robinson, and RT Glover blocked Hollman in L2 to lead McCrary RM18
  • (Q4, 11:02): TE Pearson blocked Robinson, LG Jennings blocked Ravenell, and LT Jones pancaked Jennings in L2 to lead McCrary RM8
  • (Q4, 10:20): On 2nd/2, TE Swinson sealed Robinson, TE Pearson blocked Simpson in L2, and the Packers pushed the scrum for Merriweather RM8

Notes on the plays:

  • The Packers combination blocks were successful both in neutralizing/moving a DT and making a block in L2.  The Ravens were also caught in the wash several times by climbing linemen.
  • The Ravens had difficulty stopping the Packers from using their size to push the scrum for extra yards.
  • The Packers did not have a run over 18 yards, which means they rolled up their high rushing total with minimal variance.
  • The Packers lost yardage on only 1 of 39 run plays.

It’s tough to see your team struggle versus the run as the Ravens did vs Green Bay but the top 5 defensive linemen will play a much bigger role starting in Kansas City and Roquan Smith will be back to lead the run fits from level 2.

Extending the Roster

The Ravens have some injuries as the opener with Kansas Citty approaches and may make the choice to place as many as 4 players on (non-season-ending) IR to start the season.  These players may each return to the active roster by use of one of the 8 IR-DTR options each team has for the season.

To facilitate this process, the Ravens need to have veterans who:

  1. have nonguaranteed salaries,
  2. won’t have to clear waivers (year 5 of service or later), and
  3. have a handshake agreement to return to the Ravens 53 (so they are less likely to sign elsewhere)

Among the current healthy Ravens, 2 players meet these criteria, Brent Urban and Daryl Worley.  Each is likely to be cut on Tuesday and each may return to the Ravens roster early in the season if not for the opener.

The Ravens have used such handshake agreements for years to extend the roster and the league has now implemented 2 extra spots for non-season-ending IR on cut down day which leaves the Ravens with as many as 4 such extended spots.

Candidates to start the year on IR include Arthur Maulet, Rasheen Ali, Tez Walker, TJ Tampa, Trayvon Mullen, and Adisa Isaac.  Without knowledge of the severity of their injuries suffered Saturday, Nick Samac and Owen Wright may also be candidates.  While the Ravens might prefer to have these players available earlier in the season, they provide a valuable pool of replacements available after week 4 as the natural attrition due to injury occurs.

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.

Armour-Davis (0/+1):  Jalyn played the 1st, 3rd, and 4th series at RCB (27 Snaps) before retiring midway through Q2.  He made our notes 3 times:

  • (Q1, 14:15): QB Clifford completed PM13 (13 + 0) [2] to WR Heath with JAD trailing and Worley driving him back for a quick tackle
  • (Q1, 3:57): He effectively came downhill to tackle TE Pearson PL4 (3 + 1) [1] on a boot left
  • (Q1, 0:36): On 2nd/7, he had tight trailing coverage on QB Pratt’s pass for Heath 4 yards [1], INC

JAD has improved his stock this Summer and is now a roster lock for Tuesday.  However, if the Ravens decide to trade from their CB depth, he is among those who could be dealt for the right price.

Board (0/0):  DNP.  He suffered a concussion early in the game vs the Eagles and has returned to practice on a limited basis but not played in either of the last 2 preseason games.

Brade (0/+2):  Beau played the entire game with the exception of the 3rd and 6th drives (48 snaps).  He accumulated a mixed set of notes:

  • (Q1, 12:02): On 2nd/10, he penetrated unblocked through the right C-gap to undercut RB Merriweather RR-1
  • (Q1, 8:28): He and Wiggins had bracket coverage of WR DuBose 25 yards [1], INC
  • (Q2, 10:04): On 3rd/1, he took a poor angle to tackle TE Sims on PR20 (-1 + 21) [5] and ended up chasing
  • (Q2, 0:58): On 1st/10, he undercut RB Wilson RM3
  • (Q3, 4:13): On 1st/10, he slipped a block from WR Wayne to penetrate through the left A-gap and tackle Merriweather RM1
  • (Q4, 5:18): On 1st/10, he penetrated through the right B-gap to tackle Merriweather RM2
  • (Q4, 4:34): He bulled then shed WR Hicks to tackle Merriweather RM1

His run fits are impressive and would make him a solid dime or big nickel (the Ravens have that covered with Hamilton).  His success with the Ravens will depend on his ability to play the split-field safety role effectively, which does not play to his strengths.

The fact that both he and Kane were in the game as it concluded is some evidence that neither will make a roster that includes Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Eddie Jackson, Ar’Darius Washington, and (by handshake agreement) Daryl Worley.  I guess the Ravens will try to keep them both on the practice squad where they could be activated for 3 games each for special teams and added to the roster if injuries strike at safety, SCB (forcing Ar’Darius to move), or ILB (forcing use of the dime).

Cooper (0/+2):  Bump played most of the 2nd half (19 snaps) and surrendered his first completion of the preseason, a 7-yard play to WR Stanley (Q4, 13:36).  He had 2 fine run stops on the same drive (RM0, Q4, 14:18; RM1, Q4, 8:07).

On the majority of other NFL teams, Cooper would have won a roster spot with this preseason performance during which he allowed 1 catch for 7 yards on 6 targets.  I believe he is likely to be claimed if cut and I think it makes sense to keep the less tenured player when considering a competitor like Pepe Williams.

Evans (+1/-1):  Joe entered on the first drive and played another 39 snaps vs the Packers, bringing his preseason total to 145.  His notes were mixed but contained fewer times where he was blocked close to the point of attack on Packers run wins:

  • (Q1, 12:08): He cleaned up on initial pressure from Senat for QH of Clifford as he threw INC
  • (Q1, 2:34): He again cleaned up on pressure from Simpson as he disengaged from RT Glover for QH, INC
  • (Q1, 0:33): On 3rd/12, he forced Wilson inside on RB screen left for PL6 (-5 + 11) [1] where Walthour tackled to force FG
  • (Q2, 8:08): He absorbed an undercut from TE Pearson to tackle RB Wilson RM1 with assist from Simpson
  • (Q3, 14:49): He was blocked by RT Tenuta as part of Merriweather RR6
  • (Q3, 9:16): He was kicked out by TE Swinson as part of McCrary RR17
  • (Q4, 8:50): He contained the OLS and assisted on tackle of McCrary RM0

Neither of his QHs came as the initial pressure but it’s a natural consequence of high effort to find cleanup plays.

Harrison (0/+1):  Malik played the first 4 series and exclusively at ILB (30 snaps).  We recorded 5 negative run notes, including a missed tackle (Q1, 14:57).  He’s a player the Ravens can’t afford to lose and I think it was interesting that when Yvandy Rigby and later Deion Jennings went down in the second half, the Ravens substituted with Simpson each time.  Trenton finished with 54 snaps.

Hollman (-1/-1): Ka’Dar played 35 snaps after the departures of Wiggins, JAD, and Mullen.  He made our notes for 3 plays:

  • (Q3, 12:05): On 4th/4, he was boxed out by WR Heath on PM7 (7 + 0) [4] TD
  • (Q3, 9:16): He was beaten outside by RB McCrary RR17, chased, and finally pushed OOB
  • (Q4, 13”08): He was blocked by RT Glover in L2 as part of McCrary RM18

Humphrey, Stephens, Wiggins, Armour-Davis, Mullen, and possibly Tampa are all ahead of Hollman on the CB depth chart.  Cooper may be as well and that is a list only of the deep outside CB corps with Ar’Darius Washington, Pepe Williams, Bump Cooper, and Arthur Maulet (when healthy) also candidates for SCB roles.  The Ravens may consider trading a CB prior to Tuesday’s cut deadline.

Isaac (-1/+1): DNP.  Without Adisa, the Ravens were short-handed at OLB where just 3 players (Tavius Robinson, David Ojabo, and Joe Evans) split the snaps.  While I am high on Isaac’s future after his fine game vs the Falcons, I am concerned about the severity of his injury and afraid he may start the year on IR.

Jennings (0/0): Deion played 2 series (14 snaps) crossing over from Q3 to Q4 but was hurt (Q4, 11:02) which forced Simpson to return for a second time.  The Ravens traditionally keep 2 special teams ILBs on the practice squad and he’s a candidate for that role but there is no room on the 53 for him.

Kane (0/0): He returned from a concussion suffered in the Eagles game to play 48 snaps.  He had a missed tackle (Q2, 9:28) and assisted Cooper on the tackle of McCrary RM0 (Q4, 14:18).  It’s a very deep secondary and I don’t see an obvious path to Kane making the 53.  It is possible the Ravens will either cut or place on injured reserve each of their final 4 draft picks (Ali, Leary, Samac, Kane).

Matthew (0/-2): He played 28 snaps beginning with the final Packers drive of Q2, but he was injured on the same play as Deion Jennings.  The only note we have is for coverage on the play he protested the rolling bobble by WR Toure on the left sideline (Q4, 12:08).  He is not a candidate to make the roster and I don’t see a compelling reason why he’d be on the practice squad unless some of the other current outside CB hopefuls are claimed or signed elsewhere.

Mullen (-1/-1): He played just 1 series (3 snaps) and it was reported that he suffered another shoulder separation, his second since the beginning of camp.  He did not make our notes.

Ojabo (+1/+1):  David played rotationally for the entire first half (34 snaps) and accumulated some positive notes:

  • (Q1, 8:28): He beat TE Wilson outside for fast QH as Clifford threw INC
  • (Q1, 5:52): On 1st/10, he was blocked by pulling LG Smith to lose the edge as part of Merriweather RR13
  • (Q2, 11:16): He held the left edge vs. TE Wilson as Harrison tackled Merriweather RM2
  • (Q2, 10:42): He was blocked by the pulling RG Newman as part of Merriweather RM7

He’s 3rd on the Ravens OLB depth chart.  I expect him to play primarily as a situational pass rusher in 2024.

Ravenell (0/+1):  He entered during the first series and continued to play for the remainder of the game (37 snaps), exclusively on the defensive line.  In addition to 2 run plays where he was blocked near the point of attack, he had a pair of highlights:

  • (Q2, 1:27): On 2nd/10, he stunted then bulled RT Glover to flush Clifford for RM3 negated by Simpson’s IC
  • (Q4, 8:50): He shed LT Jones to tackled McCrary RM0 with assist from Evans

I believe the Ravens will keep him on the practice squad and he may replace Urban as the primary 5-tech in 2025.

Rigby (0/0):  He entered in Q2 and logged 32 snaps at ILB despite leaving (and subsequently returning) due to an injury suffered by the opponent sideline.  He had 4 more tackles, 1 of which was a defensive win, bringing his total to 3 wins on 18 tackles this preseason.  He’s a good bet to make the practice squad.

Robinson (+1/+2):  He played rotationally for the entire game (57 snaps) at OLB.  He had a mixed afternoon of run defense including 5 run notes for being blocked near the point of attack plus some good run and pressure highlights:

  • (Q1, 12:55): He was not fooled by the naked boot left (NBL) as Clifford’s pass for TE Wilson was dropped behind the LoS
  • (Q1, 11:23): On 3rd/11, he came unblocked off the OLS for QH as Clifford threw INC behind the LoS to force FG
  • (Q1, 3:57): He was not fooled by NBL and delivered QH as Clifford completed PL4 to TE Pearson
  • (Q2, 10:04): On a boot right, he was blocked by TE Sims as Pratt completed screen PR20 (-1 + 21) [5] to RB Wilson
  • (Q2, 1:52): He stood up then shed TE Sims to hold right edge then tackled RB Wilson RR0 with Simpson
  • (Q2, 0:53): On 2nd/7, he bulled LT Telfort into cone for pressure as Clifford completed PM3 to TE Wilson
  • (Q3, 14:09): He was held up briefly by WR Toure on Clifford PL8 (1 + 7) [1] TE Wilson
  • (Q3, 4:50): He was not fooled by NBL as Pratt’s BOQ was overthrown, INC for WR Stanley 12 yards [4]
  • (Q4, 3:50): On 3rd/7, he cleaned up on Pepe Williams MT at -1, to twist down WR Stanley PR0 on screen right

After a Falcons game in which the Ravens had difficulty reacting to boot plays, it was good to see Robinson consistently forcing the QB to deliver the ball quickly when they ran the play naked.  Tavius’ roster spot is secure and I expect he’ll play more than the base defense role which was his primary responsibility in 2023.

Ross (0/-1):  DNP.  The Ravens ILB depth eroded during his absence with the injury to Jennings and temporary departure of Rigby.  At a minimum, I anticipate that means Ross will be added to the practice squad.

Senat (+1/0):  Deadrin left the game with an injury late in Q3 that was not detailed on the broadcast.  He was party to 4 run losses near the point of attack, but also had 4 positive notes:

  • (Q1, 14:15): He shed C Monk then bulled RG Newman for pressure as Clifford threw PM13 to WR Heath
  • (Q1, 12:08): He bulled C Monk to flush Clifford left where Clifford threw OOB as he absorbed QH by Evans
  • (Q3, 13:32): He shed LG Smith to tackle Merriweather RM3
  • (Q3, 12:49): He assisted on Walthour tackle of Merriweather RL3

Assuming he is not badly injured (he left the game Q3, 4:45), I assume he’ll be offered a spot on the practice squad where he will be a candidate to be poached.

Tampa (-1/-1):  DNP.  He was a full participant in practice on Tuesday (I don’t know his participation vs the Packers in the joint practice).  His roster spot is not in jeopardy, but he may start the season on IR.

Tupou (-1/0):  DNP.  The Ravens are likely to keep 1 veteran (either Senat or Tupou) and 1 rookie (either Ravenell or Walthour) on the practice squad and may even find a way for 3 of the 4 contenders to continue to practice with the team.

Walthour (0/-1): Tramel entered on the first drive and played rotationally for the entire game (43 snaps).  He was effectively blocked near the point of attack on 3 of the Packers run wins and had a missed tackle (Q3, 6:51).  However, he also made contribution to 2 drive-ending plays:

  • (Q1, 0:33): On 3rd/12, he chased down screen to RB Wilson PL6 (-5 + 11) [1] to force FG
  • (Q3, 8:37): He beat RG Newman inside then slipped past chip from RB McCrary for pressure as Pratt threw INT to Simpson 7 yards [4]

Washington, A. (0/+2):  DNP.  Ar’Darius sat out after a strong practice Thursday vs the Packers.  He finished the preseason as one of the Ravens who has increased his prospects to contribute by the most.

Wiggins (+1/+4):  He returned to play the first 4 series versus the Packers (30 snaps).  Both passes on which his assignment was targeted were incomplete, including a drive-ending attempt for WR Melton (Q1, 7:44).  I expect him to see action in the opener, either as a starter or in rotation.

Williams, D (-2/-1):  Pepe saw action throughout the game at SCB from the first series to the last.  His was blocked 3 times near the point of attack on run losses and had a mixed set of other notes:

  • (Q1, 15:00): He rushed unblocked off the ORS for QH as Clifford threw INC for TE Sims 1 yard [4]
  • (Q1, 12:55): He was bearing down on TE Wilson as he dropped Clifford’s pass 3 yards [1]
  • (Q1, 1:46): On 3rd/6, he was late getting to coverage of WR Heath on PR8 (3 + 5) [5] and pushed him OOB after conversion
  • (Q2, 7:27): On 3rd/4, he failed to find or adjust to Pratt’s TD PR18 (18 + 0) [5] to WR Melton
  • (Q2, 0:30): On 3rd/4, he blitzed through left B-gap past RB Merriweather for fast pressure as Clifford threw INC to force punt
  • (Q3, 4:45): On 3rd/7, he missed the tackle at 3 yards on PL13 (3 + 10) [2] to WR Toure conversion
  • (Q4, 3:50): On 3rd/7, he missed tackle at -1 on screen right to WR Stanley PR0 cleaned up by Robinson

The Ravens love to run blitzes from SCB, but it’s not a good thing for any member of the secondary when that is his primary contribution.  The fact that he was in the game as it ended could mean either of two things (at least):

  1. Cooper was hurt and Pepe returned to finish the game
  2. Pepe is below Cooper on the SCB depth chart

The Ravens have significant SCB depth/options and as such, I am afraid they are better served to retain a younger player like Cooper for the last DB spot.

Worley (0/+2):  Daryl played 34 snaps and retired after Q3.  He had mixed results: 

  • (Q1, 14:15): He delivered a downhill tackle of WR Heath PM13 (13 + 0) [2] who was covered by trailing JAD
  • (Q1, 12:51): On 3rd/2, he helped finish RB Wilson RM2 conversion with Simpson
  • (Q1, 3:19): On 2nd/6, he was blocked by WR DuBose in L2 as part of Merriweather RM10

He is an ideal “handshake” candidate who is likely to be cut on Tuesday, placed on the practice squad, and returned to the roster when need and roster space allow.

Defensive MVPs:

  1. Wiggins
  2. Robinson
  3. Evans

Honorable mention to Beau Brade, and David Ojabo.