Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan has a smorgasbord defense. The base is a four-man front, but a lot of the defensive line positions are interchangeable.
Both Terrell Suggs and Adalius Thomas are tweeners, guys who are too big to play outside linebacker and too small to play defensive end.
But don't tell them that.
Together, they have played extremely well in training camp. There has been no major adjustments in playing both positions or learning a new scheme.
Suggs weighs 265 pounds, five pounds above his playing weight of a year ago. There's not much fat on his body.
"I feel good, really good," Suggs said yesterday. "This is the best camp I've had. Last year [as an outside linebacker], they didn't ask me to drop into coverage a lot because AD [Thomas] knew the system better than I did. But now, we both know it. I have a veteran edge because I know the coverages a lot better. I'm getting in a three-point a little bit more than a year ago because I'm playing more defensive end, but I'm still an outside linebacker."
Thomas says the only difference is that linebackers have to drop into coverage more compared to ends. He prefers the linebacker position because it's new.
"I've played at end the last couple of seasons," Thomas said. "Linebacker is new to me even though I played some in college. I like the challenge it brings. It won't be boring."
Rabach's return
Today's scrimmage marks the return of Casey Rabach to M&T Bank Stadium. The former starting center for the Ravens became the first free agent to sign this offseason, reaching a deal with the Washington Redskins at 2:30 a.m., shortly after the free agency signing period began at midnight.
"I couldn't be happier with where I am right now," Rabach said. "It's a great fit for me. If the Ravens had matched the offer, it really would have been a tough decision."
Brown vs. Flynn at center
The Ravens expect rookie center Jason Brown to try to push veteran Mike Flynn for playing time. If that doesn't happen in 2005, he'll spend the season learning both the center and guard positions. The Ravens had Rabach as the swing guard/center last year.
Brown doesn't seem to mind. As a fourth-round draft pick, he'll play anywhere just to make the team. The hardest transformation from college to the NFL is preparation, according to Brown.
