(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Linebackers
No. 50 Antwaan Barnes
Strengths: Speed, pass rushing, tackling, special teams
Weaknesses: Pass blocking, blitzing, coverage
Grade: B-
Projected stats: 27 tackles, .5 sacks
No. 56 Tavares Gooden
Strengths: Pass rushing, blitzing, tackling, speed
Weaknesses: Inexperienced, pass blocking,
Grade: B
Projected stats: 24 tackles, two for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble
No. 53 Jameel McClain
Strengths: Pass rushing, pass blocking, blitzing, tackling, safeties, special teams
Weaknesses: Inexperienced, speed, coverage
Grade: B
Projected stats: 40 tackles, three for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one safety
No. 51 Brendon Ayanbendejo
Strengths: Tackling, hitting speed, pass rushing, blitzing, special teams
Weaknesses: Pass blocking, coverage
Grade: B+
Projected stats: 48 tackles, two forced fumbles, one sack, Pro Bowl Special Teamer
No. 95 Jarrett Johnson
Strengths: Pass rushing, pass blocking, tackling, blitzing, intercepting, coverage
Weaknesses: Speed
Grade: A-
Projected stats: 57 tackles, two deflections three for a loss, six sacks, one interception, five INT yards, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery
No. 52 Ray Lewis
Strengths: Leadership, hitting, tackling, pass rushing, pass blocking, blitzing, coverage, speed, intercepting,
Weaknesses: Age
Grade: A+
Projected stats: 62 tackles, five for a loss, four deflections, 7.5 sacks, two interceptions, 25 INT yards, two forced fumbles, Pro-Bowl selection, First Team All-Pro
No. 55 Terrell Suggs
Strengths: Tackling, hitting, blitzing, pass rushing, pass blocking, intercepting, coverage
Weaknesses: None
Grade: A+
Projected stats: 68 tackles, five deflections, 13.5 sacks, two interceptions, one touchdown, 38 INT yards, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery. Pro Bowl selection, First Team All-Pro
Well, there you have it. An overview of all the playmakers on the Ravens defense. As for team rankings and how they compare with others, I have that for you as well:
Yards per game: Second
Points per game: First
Against the run: Second
Against the pass: Third
Takeaways: First
Scoring: First
Overall league ranking: Second. As much as I hate the Steelers, there is no denying that they are absolutely loaded on defense, and haven't changed much in the offseason.
Predicted record: 10-6 or 11-5. They have a murderous schedule this year, but they have the personnel to overcome it.
I hope you found this informative, feel free to leave any comments, questions or concerns, or if you just want to blast me with hate.
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