Shoring up the run defense
Despite surrendering at least 100 rushing yards to an individual running back in back-to-back games, the Ravens rank seventh in the NFL against the run.
Still, allowing the Cincinnati Bengals' Cedric Benson to rush for 120 yards and a touchdown and the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson to compile 143 yards has been an unusual sight for a defense that had once prevented an opposing running back to reach the century mark for 39 consecutive games.
Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said players have been pressing to make a play in the past two games, which has opened up running lanes.
"It's common when that happens, when you don't have success or when something happens, it's common for a guy to say, 'I can make that play. I'm going to try to make that play,' Mattison said. "What ends up happening is you can go through that whole ball game against the Vikings -- and there are a lot of things going really good -- then all of the sudden, bang, one breaks. That's what we have to have -- guys not trying to play the position that they're not playing -- and play the defense. Then we'll be fine."
The task does not get easier Sunday when the Denver Broncos bring the league's seventh-ranked rushing offense to M&T Bank Stadium. Denver rotates Correll Buckhalter, who leads the NFL in yards per carry (6.7), and Knowshon Moreno, who leads all rookies with 381 yards.
"They both do a great job of getting the ball and running downhill," defensive tackle Haloti Ngata said. "I think the rookie kind of takes more chances of getting into a tight gap. But they’re similar. They’re really shifty and quick. We’ve got to make sure we stay balanced and bring them down when we can."
Comments
The one good thing to come out of getting beaten down by Cedric Benson was that I thought the talk of our 39 game streak of not allowing a 100 yard rusher would end. But, alas, it keeps being brought up.
The Giants absolutely stomped all over us to the tune of what? 200 some yards?
What a ridiculously misleading statistic that 39 game streak was. Please stop mentioning it.
Posted by: Chris | October 30, 2009 9:53 AM
When you have two safeties who can't tackle hard to support the run , forget it ! Landry is a liability , put in Zibikowski who is just like Jim Leonard , don't know why Landry is still in there ?
Until Webb and Zibikowski are starting in the secondary we are a 'five hundred team' , not too good for an already over rated head coach............gut feeling coming up !
Posted by: spy | October 30, 2009 10:30 AM
Suggs needs to lose about 20 pounds to get his quickness back. We don't need a 290 pound linebacker. His attention to the ball is not what is was. Landry needs to start watching the receivers hands in pass coverage. Both of these guys don't seem to be paying attention. Our cornerbacks also need to concentrate on the receivers hands on ALL pass plays like in football 101.
GO RAVENS!!!
Posted by: Bill Mohler | October 30, 2009 10:37 AM
This defensive unit tanked deep and too quickly. Yes we lost a couple of players and a great defensive coach, but this defense has been about the next man up year after year. Mattison needs to go ... Period. I can't believe we won't make the playoffs because our defense sucks worse than the Lions defense.
Posted by: Purple Koolaid | October 30, 2009 11:47 AM
This whole thing with Landry and Reed is becoming a real pain in the neck. ha ha I can't help but laugh to cover up the depression that's starting to set in. We lose to Denver and the season is over and everyone knows it. Speaking of over, refer to two names at top.
Posted by: Brian in Rockville | October 30, 2009 2:16 PM
@Chris before those last 2 backs ran 100+ yards on us we didn't allow a backi to gain 100 yards since 2006 , what is it that you don't understand that is an achievment that can't be overlooked , how many other teams have done that....
Posted by: songod7 | October 30, 2009 2:35 PM
Zibikowski is nothing like Leonard. He doesn't have Jim's quickness or instincts and he’s too slow to return punts in the NFL. He’s a tough special teams player that can be used for blitzing, and that’s it. Zib may not make the club next year. All you ND lovers need to wake up. Just about anybody can look good against the service academies and Stanford. We're still hearing about how great Brady Quinn is. Enough!
Posted by: Level Headed | October 30, 2009 4:05 PM