Rebuilding the NFL's worst defense in 1996 was the top
off-season priority for the Ravens, and the blueprint for improvement in 1997 begins up front, where the team added its most prized free-agent acquisitions.
How much the Ravens turn around their 4-12 record depends heavily on the impact of their new faces on the line -- right tackle Tony Siragusa and right end Michael McCrary.
Siragusa, an eight-year veteran, was brought in to shore up the middle against the run. McCrary, who blossomed in his fourth season in Seattle last year (AFC-high 13 1/2 sacks), gives the Ravens the pass-rushing force they sorely lacked in 1996.
"McCrary brings a wide-open sort of Energizer bunny-type of deal. He's always hustling, always throwing moves," left defensive end Rob Burnett said. "He's one of those guys who makes plays, but who also falls into plays because of his hustle. Me and Mac push each other. We both want to be the best, and we both have a lot of pride when it comes to turning on the film. We don't want to look bad.
"Goose is just a big, thumping menace," Burnett said of the 6-foot-3, 320-pound Siragusa. "Not only is he a load, but he's smart. He knows what an offense is trying to do. He gives us leadership, and he keeps us loose with his humor."
Complementing Siragusa inside is left tackle James Jones (6-2, 290), who joined the Ravens shortly before last year's regular-season opener and did not become consistently effective until the second half of the year. Jones was one of the top players in the preseason, as was veteran Larry Webster, who returned from a one-year substance-abuse suspension in July to re-establish himself as a presence in the interior rotation.
The steadier the Ravens are inside, the more disruptive McCrary and Burnett will be outside. Burnett's season largely depends on how well his surgically repaired knee holds up. He missed the last 10 games of 1996 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Burnett believes he can return to the form that saw him record 10 sacks with the Cleveland Browns in 1994.
"As long as I stay in one piece, you guys are going to see the real me this year," Burnett said. "It's up to us [linemen] to set the tempo. As we go, the rest of our defense goes. We've got to start the party."
The Ravens will be happy just to see all the partygoers together. Burnett and Siragusa (off-season surgery) missed parts of training camp with knee soreness, and McCrary missed the entire preseason after arthroscopic knee surgery last month.
"There's a selflessness and a common-goal approach," defensive line coach Jacob Burney said. "They've spent lots of time in film sessions, and they're on the same page, but there's no substitute for working together on the field.
"You want them to become a unit, not just four individuals doing what the coach says to do. We need to mesh."
In a hurry.
Scouting report
Strengths: Up the middle, where run stuffers like Tony Siragusa, James Jones and Larry Webster should force offenses outside, and allow pass rushers like Michael McCrary to be more effective third down.
Weaknesses: Lack of depth at end, where rookie Chris Ward and often-injured Mike Frederick make for suspect backups.
Comment: The weakest link of last year's team should be one of the bright spots of 1997.
X-factor: The knees of Siragusa, McCrary and Rob Burnett.
Pub Date: 8/29/97
