Baltimore Ravens' Defense: What To Expect in '09

Scribe Written on June 30, 2009

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 4: Safety Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens returns an interception for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in an NFL Wildcard Playoff Game at Dolphins Stadium on January 4, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The 2008 Raven's had a lot to be proud of, especially the defense. There are now some holes to be filled on the team with several offseason losses, Corey Ivy, Bart Scott, and Jim Leonhard. This is an overview of the replacements and the returners.

I will use the most state-of-the-art and high-tech stat projecting and grading system, also know as my noggin.

Cornerbacks

No. 22 Samari Rolle

Strengths: Coverage, pass blocking

Weaknesses: Age, tackling

Grade: B-

Projected stats: 35 tackles, five deflections, one interception. 11 INT yards

No. 31 Fabian Washington

Strengths: Speed, coverage, pass blocking

Weaknesses: Small stature, tackling

Grade: B

Projected stats: 33 tackles, seven deflections, three interceptions, .5 sacks, 75 INT yards

No. 24 Domonique Foxworth

Strengths: Speed, pass blocking, coverage, tackling

Weaknesses: Small stature

Grade: B+

Projected Stats: 41 tackles, seven deflections, three interceptions, one sack, 83 INT yards

No. 29 Chris Carr

Strengths: Speed, kick/punt returns, special teams

Weaknesses: Coverage, tackling

Grade: Returns: A; Corner: B-

Projected stats: 32 attempts, 780 yards, one touchdown; no cornerback play

Safeties

No. 28 Tom Zibikowski, SS

Strengths: Tackling, kick/punt returns, speed

Weaknesses: Coverage

Grade: Returns: B+; Strong safety: B

Projected stats: 27 attempts, 505 yards; five tackles.

No. 43 Haruki Nakamura, FS

Strengths: Hitting, tackling, coverage, speed, deflections, special teams, blitzing

Weaknesses: Inexperienced

Grade: A-

Projected stats: 22 tackles, five deflections, two interceptions, 32 INT yards, 2.5 sacks

No. 26 Dawan Landry, SS

Strengths: Hitting, tackling, speed, deflections, intercepting, blitzing, special teams, coverage

Weaknesses: Returning after neck injury

Grade: A+

Projected stats: 38 tackles, 10 deflections, five interceptions, 50 INT yards, one touchdown, three sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries. Pro Bowl selection.

No. 20 Ed Reed, FS

Strengths: Coverage, speed, intercepting, INT returns, takeaways, fumbles, blitzing, deflections, hitting, tackling, special teams.

Weaknesses: None

Grade: A++

Projected stats: 45 tackles, 10 deflections, 11 interceptions, 100 INT yards, three touchdowns, 3.5 sacks, one blocked punt. Pro Bowl selection, First Team All-Pro, Defensive Player of the Year

Defensive Linemen

No. 93 Dwan Edwards

Strengths: Pass rushing, speed, tackling

Weaknesses: Pass blocking, blitzing

Grade: B

Projected stats: 15 tackles, one for a loss

No. 94 Justin Bannan

Strengths: Pass rushing, blitzing, tackling

Weaknesses: Speed, pass blocking

Grade: B+

Projected stats: 23 tackles, three for a loss, 1.5 sacks

No. 90 Trevor Pryce

Strengths: Blitzing, tackling, pass rushing, pass blocking, speed

Weaknesses: Age

Grade: A

Projected stats: 35 tackles, five for a loss, three sacks, one forced fumble

No. 97 Kelly Gregg

Strengths: Pass rushing, pass blocking, blitzing, tackling

Weaknesses: Speed, age

Grade A-

Projected stats 40 tackles, four for a loss, 3.5 sacks

No. 92 Haloti Ngata

Strengths: Pass blocking, pass rushing, tackling, blitzing

Weaknesses: Speed

Grade: A

Projected stats: 49 tackles, six for a loss, six sacks, one interception, zero INT yards, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery.

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written on June 30, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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