The Ravens have been ranked in the top 10 against the run in 12 of the last 13 years and in the top five for six consecutive seasons. But with the unit losing a pair of outside linebackers in Terrell Suggs (torn right Achilles tendon) and Jarret Johnson (free agent who departed for the San Diego Chargers) who were often overlooked for their ability to force opposing running backs to the middle of the defense, can the defense continue that strong tradition?
A lot could depend on how Paul Kruger and rookie Courtney Upshaw – who are penciled in as the starting outside linebackers – rise to the occasion, but defensive tackle Haloti Ngata said he’s not overly concerned.
“I think we still have some work to do, but we have a lot of young guys that are trying to learn – especially the guys with the edges and with Paul Kruger and with Upshaw and all the other guys behind them,” Ngata said after Monday’s practice at the team’s training facility in Owings Mills. “So it’s just getting those guys together and setting those fronts and getting some camaraderie together out there on the field. I don’t think we really play together well yet, just because it’s so new and young. Once we get those things together, I think we’ll be really good and up there again.”