The Ravens replaced one tough guy with another tough guy. Maybe even tougher.
When the Ravens put nose tackle Kelly Gregg on injured reserve early in the season, there were doubts about anyone measuring up to his standards. After all, Gregg had established himself as one of the best run stoppers in the NFL.
But as the Ravens head into Sunday's wild-card playoff game against the Dolphins in Miami, the Ravens have the league's No. 3 run defense (81.4 yards a game), and a big, big reason is Justin Bannan, Gregg's replacement.
"Obviously, I was disappointed and sad for Kelly," said Bannan, in his seventh season out of Colorado. "I know what kind of competitor he is, and he can't stand to be out there and not playing with his teammates. Also, I knew the role I had to undertake. I didn't bat an eye because I knew I was ready for it."
Bannan is 10th on the team in tackles with 45, 10 behind fellow tackle Haloti Ngata. When teams try to run against the Ravens, it's a game of pick your poison. On one side is the 6-foot-4, 345-pound Ngata. On the other is the 6-3, 310-pound Bannan.
Bannan is the one with the short-cropped hair - and no neck. He has a huge chest and the biggest biceps on the team. He might not be as strong as Gregg or Ngata, but he's nastier than both.
"Toughness, he has had that toughness from Day One," Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle said. "I didn't think we knew he could play as many plays as he has, but every time he had gotten in the game in the past, he got the job done.
"As far as strength, I would take Kelly over Justin. But in a fight, I'm taking Bannan. He'll pick up anything to beat anybody."
Bannan would be a starter on most NFL teams. In fact, when he signed with the Ravens in 2006 as an unrestricted free agent from the Buffalo Bills, he was expected to be a starter teaming with Gregg on the inside.
Instead, the Ravens drafted Ngata with the No. 12 overall pick in the first round. Ngata and Gregg became the starting tackle tandem.
"I'm real surprised he is here," Ngata said, "because he could start anywhere else. Even when I was starting as a rookie, I was surprised because of the way he practiced, the way he prepared."
Ngata watches Bannan a lot. He likes his explosiveness and the way Bannan comes off the ball. He also likes Bannan's toughness. Rolle says Bannan and outside linebacker Jarret Johnson could form a tag team in the WWE.
