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Week 3 Preview: Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens: Defensive Breakdown
July 31, 2010 By Jeff Chase
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DEFENSIVE LINE
The most interesting battle of the day maybe Baltimore's defensive line against the Browns offensive line. In 2006, many believed the Browns pulled the old bait on switch on Baltimore when it appeared Haloti Ngata was top on their list, causing Baltimore to flip flop picks, allowing the Browns to draft Kameron Wimbley out of Florida State. Now its 2010, Wimbley has been sent packing and Ngata remains a force on the Ravens defensive front. Ngata had a down year last year but also missed two games. His production numbers are nothing that jump out at you but his presence on the line is sure to be felt by the opposition week in and week out. Trevor Pryce has seen his number decrease since he came over from the Denver Broncos and had a breakout year in 2006. And with 14 years of service, no one should expect anything to change. Baltimore also boosts 11-year veteran Kelly Gregg at defensive tackle but he too is getting long in the tooth. However, the Ravens hope that Terrance Cody, the Alabama product, can be the future at the position.
Edge: Baltimore
LINEBACKERS
Much like the Steelers, the Ravens pride themselves on the versatility of their linebackers. This corps features two of the best at their position in Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. It seems every year scouts and analysts want to pick this year as the year we see the decline of Ray Lewis, but it just doesn't seem to happen. And until I see it with my own eyes, I'm not going to believe anything different this year. Expect Lewis to continue to be a dominating force up the middle. Suggs missed three games due to injury last season but offensive co-ordinators still cannot find away to stop him from getting to the quarterback, averaging seven sacks a year in his 8 year career. The x-factor of this group could turn out to be Sergio Kindle, the rookie out of Texas. Kindle has the versatility to play both outside linebacker or go down into a three point as an end. Baltimore has a knack for drafting the right guys who fit their needs and I truly believe Kindle falling to them in the second round might be one of the best picks of the draft if used effectively.
This one isn't even close.
Edge: Baltimore
SECONDARY
Baltimore used to have one of the most intimidating defensive backfields in the league, however they will enter this season with more questions about these guys then ever before. There is no question that Ed Reed is a lock of the Hall of Fame, however this season maybe the toughest year of his career. Entering his tenth year, Reed played in only 12 games last year and is still in recovery from major off-season hip surgery. He had his second lowest interception total since entering the league as well. Most of all, with major surgery and age catching up, Reed may find trouble doing what he used to do so well, which is managing to cover the entire field sideline to sideline. If he is not ready to go expect Tom Zbikowski to start until he is. Injuries seem to be the theme in the Baltimore secondary. Fabian Washington also is coming off a major surgery on his knee after missing six games last season. Washington has yet to play a full schedule since his rookie year with Oakland in 2005. He also isn't being confused as a shutdown corner by anybody. He has averaged only 38 tackles in five years and has only finished with more than one interception once in his career. Domonique Foxworth isn't much of a concern either. This is a tough call. If Joe Haden plays as the Browns hope he does, him and Eric Wright are a dangerous duo. However, because we don't know what to expect out of Haden and fellow rookies T.J. Ward and Larry Asante its hard to give them the edge. But if Ed Reed isn't healthy, the Ravens no longer intimidate quarterbacks to test them deep.
Edge: Even
SPECIAL TEAMS
And another week goes by where it's not even worth giving this any. There's a reason Billy Cundiff had been out of the league since the Browns signed him last year to fill in for the injured Phil Dawson. Plus, all the Ravens' return men combined can't do what Josh Cribbs can.
Edge: Cleveland
PREDICTION
The Ravens are just too talented on both sides of the ball to believe the Browns have a chance. And this early in the season, I don't expect all of the new pieces to be fitting together well enough to challenge this team. I expect the Browns to have a better chance later in the year and when they play in Cleveland. Browns will be dominated on both sides.
Score: Baltimore - 31 Cleveland - 14
