Spotlighting the Baltimore Ravens' LB Position Heading into the 2012 Season

When you think about the AFC North, you think immediately about defense. And when you think about those AFC North defenses, you're more than likely thinking about linebackers.

And if you start thinking about AFC North linebackers, then instantly, a wall of men in purple jerseys pop into your head. The Baltimore Ravens have long had one of the more brutal defenses in the entire NFL, thanks to their linebacking crew.

The Ravens linebacker unit has dealt with a lot of offseason shakeups this year, the effects of which are still unknown. But let's take a look at the linebackers on the roster and try to figure out how these changes will impact them and what we can expect from them on the field as a result.

Terrell Suggs

Terrell Suggs was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year after a 2011 season that saw him rack up 70 total tackles, 14 sacks, two interceptions and seven forced fumbles.

But now, Suggs is a major question mark. He tore his Achilles' tendon in early May, and though on Tuesday, he reported that he is off crutches and can begin rehabbing the injury, it's not clear if or when he can be expected back.

Losing Suggs for all or part of the season is a major blow to the Ravens defense, though not one they can't ultimately absorb. His absence will be felt, but it can be mitigated if the rest of the linebacking corps steps up their games enough to make it less of an emergency.

Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis has long been the most public face of the Ravens' vaunted defense. Though he's getting older—he's 37 currently—and with age has come some loss of speed, he's no less intimidating as a result.

Lewis missed four games last season with a turf toe injury, but still led the Ravens defense in total tackles, with 95. He also had two sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles.

Suggs' performance has allowed Lewis to do a bit less, but this year, without Suggs for at least the first six or so weeks of the season, he'll again take center stage. We'll then know just how much Lewis has slowed and just how vicious he still is. My guess is that we'll all be pleasantly surprised with how well he handles it.

Courtney Upshaw

Rookie linebacker Courtney Upshaw wasn't expected to be a full-time starter when the team drafted him high in the second round back in April.

He was expected to contribute, certainly, and develop (ideally rapidly) into an eventual starter. But with Suggs sidelined and another outside linebacker spot to fill (Jarret Johnson's, who left the team as a free agent), Upshaw is very much in the fight for one of those jobs.

Upshaw has the skill set to play Suggs' hybrid outside backer/defensive end role—he did the very same thing in his time at Alabama—but also the run-stopping ability to fill Johnson's shoes (with a bit more pass rush thrown in).

He'll be fighting it out with two veteran players, but if he proves himself in camp, there should be no qualms with the coaches handing him one of the jobs. If not, he'll still be on the field in a situational capacity.

Paul Kruger

With the linebacking corps a bit battered and bruised, it's more than likely that one of the two starting jobs up for grabs will go to veteran Paul Kruger. Kruger saw limited action on the field last year in situational, pass-rushing situations—he had just 15 tackles, but also notched 5.5 sacks and recovered two fumbles.

According to the Carroll County Times' Aaron Wilson, Kruger's most likely to take over Suggs' spot. Rotoworld believes that Suggs' defensive end snaps will go to second-year player Pernell McPhee.

Kruger has more to prove in the rush defense department, but he may step up and surprise everyone. The Ravens had in Johnson a run-stopping specialist, giving no reason for Kruger or anyone else to perform those duties. This year, Kruger will have to contribute more in that area, giving us the true picture of how well-rounded a linebacker he is.

Mike McAdoo

The battle for Johnson's and Suggs' jobs was supposed to be between four men, Mike McAdoo included, but it's now down to three. McAdoo tore his Achilles' tendon as well, and unlike Suggs, won't be taking the field at all in 2012.

The Ravens just waive-injured McAdoo on Tuesday; if he clears waivers, he'll be placed on injured reserve. This is the second straight season McAdoo has dealt with a major injury. McAdoo also missed all of 2011 with a knee injury. This may be the end of the line for him in Baltimore.

Sergio Kindle

The third of three linebackers fighting out for Suggs' and Johnson's spots is Sergio Kindle, one of the team's 2010 draft picks. Kindle has rarely taken the field in the past two years, as he worked to recover from a 2010 post-draft fall that fractured his skull and left him with lingering after effects, including partial hearing loss.

The Ravens are hoping Kindle can make a real contribution this year. If not, the team may not hold onto him in 2013. The hope is that he can, at the most, win a starting job, or at the very least, take the field situationally and successfully. I project that he won't grab one of those two spots, but that he'll be a backup who does see decent playing time.

Brendan Ayanbadejo

Brendan Ayanbadejo gets some situational work as a linebacker, but his biggest strength is in special teams kick and punt coverage. That's the main reason why they brought the free-agent back this year, and that's where he will contribute most. The Ravens need all the help they can get on their coverage team, and Ayanbadejo is one of the best.

Jameel McClain

For a time, it seemed that the Ravens would lose yet another of their defensive free agents when linebacker Jameel McClain tested the open market. However, he opted to return to Baltimore, signing a three-year, $10.5 million contract. 

McClain is the starting right inside linebacker and had 84 tackles, a sack and two forced fumbles. He's a major part of that Ravens run defense, and his experience and talent will be much-needed this year as he helps make up for the loss of Johnson.

Dannell Ellerbe

Dannell Ellerbe is a backup inside linebacker who got some time on the field last season when Lewis was out with his turf toe injury. The one-time undrafted free agent was given and signed a second-round tender this year while the Ravens wondered if McClain would move on. McClain didn't, which means Ellerbe will remain a backup this year and occasional situational player.

Last year, Ellerbe had 18 tackles. He may be worth developing into a someday starter, but right now his biggest value is to provide depth. Considering the Ravens sorely need it, Ellerbe's role is important.

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