Greg Mattison

The Ravens' ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks isn't under scrutiny. The manner in which they rush passers is. On Sunday, the defense sacked Tom Brady three times, tying the Miami Dolphins for the most the New England Patriots quarterback has gone down this season. But the Ravens lost in overtime, 23-20, in part because the defense couldn't apply consistent pressure on Brady in the fourth quarter and extra period. One factor was the Ravens' decision to use a three-man rush and flood the secondary with eight defenders to make it harder for Brady to find an open receiver.

On a day where Chuck Pagano was introduced as the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, the Ravens remained mum on the status of their own coaching staff Thursday. However, all indications are that linebackers coach Dean Pees remains the clear front-runner to succeed Pagano as the Ravens' defensive coordinator, and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will stay in his current position. Coach John Harbaugh called a news conference for 11 a.m. Friday to discuss his coaching staff, ahead of owner Steve Bisciotti and the organization's top decision-makers' annual State of the Ravens address next week.

Despite his initial apprehension - yes, he nearly turned down John Harbaugh's job offer two years ago - Greg Mattison is perfectly comfortable in Baltimore running the Ravens' defense. Promoted from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator after just one season in the NFL, longtime college coach Mattison this season replaced the trash-talking, bigger-than-life persona that was Rex Ryan. If August was any indication, the Ravens' defense still is as bodacious as ever. "I've said it time and time again," Ray Lewis said once more this week.

All season, Chuck Pagano, the Ravens' brash first-year defensive coordinator, had dismissed questions about his potentially landing a head coaching job, saying his sole focus was helping the defense be the top unit in the NFL and getting to Indianapolis for the Super Bowl. Pagano is headed to Indianapolis after all, but it won't be with the Ravens. Three days after their stunning AFC championship loss to the New England Patriots, the Ravens were dealt another blow when they learned that Pagano has been named the new head coach of the Colts.

Go ahead, drink the Purple Kool-Aid. Lift up those wine glasses, and toast the Ravens. After completing the first quarter of the season, the Ravens are 3-1 and in sole possession of first place in the AFC North. There are five other teams in the conference with the same record, but they aren't as good as the Ravens. Unfortunately, the Lombardi Trophy isn't presented to the NFL champion until February, but drink while you can. Maybe in the next couple of months, the Ravens will sweeten the drink, but Ravens fans can at least enjoy the taste for another two weeks before the Houston Texans visit Baltimore.

Two days after he was waived by the New York Jets almost a year ago, Bryan Mattison found a new home with the Ravens. And as ecstatic as he was to continue his NFL career, a small part of Mattison was reluctant to make the move - and it had nothing to do with AFC rivalries. Bryan Mattison is the son of Greg Mattison, then the Ravens linebackers coach and now the defensive coordinator. That relationship gave Bryan Mattison pause. "It was great, but then you think to yourself - not ever questioning whether you're going to do it or not - 'Now I'm going to have to deal with this and deal with that,' " Mattison, 25, recalled.

The Ravens announced today that they have promoted rookie linebacker Josh Bynes from their practice squad to their active 53-man roster. Bynes, who signed with the Ravens in July as an undrafted free agent, appeared in 43 games for Auburn in his collegiate career, recording 238 tackles (127 solo), seven interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.     He had been waived by the Ravens on Sept.3, but he was re-signed to their practice squad on Nov.9. He'll provide linebacker depth with both Ray Lewis (toe)

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday night that the I ndianapolis Colts will interview Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano for their vacant head coaching job on Tuesday. In Pagano's first season as defensive coordinator, the Ravens finished third in the NFL in scoring defense and third in yards allowed. The Ravens were fourth in rushing defense and second in pass defense. And in Sunday's AFC championship game loss to the New England Patriots, the Ravens forced Patriots quarterback Tom Brady into two interceptions.

When last seen in the AFC championship game, the Ravens had a lot going for them. They had a defense that body-slammed ball carriers at every turn, a quarterback who didn't shrink at crunch time and a running game that commanded respect. Since that loss in Pittsburgh, the losses have mounted. Free agency cost them linebacker Bart Scott, safety Jim Leonhard and center Jason Brown. Cornerback Chris McAlister left in a funk and Samari Rolle wants out. Matt Stover is suddenly old news. Worst of all, they watched Rex Ryan leave to take the New York Jets' coaching job, and he took his top lieutenant, Mike Pettine, with him. Ozzie Newsome can replace the defections on the field.

The Ravens have a long history of promoting their defensive coordinators from within. Mike Nolan replaced Marvin Lewis. Rex Ryan replaced Nolan. Greg Mattison replaced Ryan. And Chuck Pagano replaced Mattison. Now that Pagano is leaving the Ravens after one season as defensive coordinator to become the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Dean Pees and Clarence Brooks are two names to remember in the coming days. Pees just finished his second season coaching the Ravens linebackers, including Pro Bowl players Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs.

The Ravens have a long history of promoting their defensive coordinators from within. Mike Nolan replaced Marvin Lewis. Rex Ryan replaced Nolan. Greg Mattison replaced Ryan. And Chuck Pagano replaced Mattison. Now that Pagano is leaving the Ravens after one season as defensive coordinator to become the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Dean Pees and Clarence Brooks are two names to remember in the coming days. Pees just finished his second season coaching the Ravens linebackers, including Pro Bowl players Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs.

Now-former Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano accepted an offer Wednesday to become the next coach of the Indianapolis Colts. He replaced Jim Caldwell, who was fired after the Colts went 2-14 this past season. Pagano, who was the defensive coordinator for one season, is tasked with getting the Colts, who have the No. 1 pick in April's draft and Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning (in limbo), back to the playoffs. Pagano is the fourth former defensive coordinator in the 16-year history of the Ravens to become a head coach elsewhere.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday night that the I ndianapolis Colts will interview Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano for their vacant head coaching job on Tuesday. In Pagano's first season as defensive coordinator, the Ravens finished third in the NFL in scoring defense and third in yards allowed. The Ravens were fourth in rushing defense and second in pass defense. And in Sunday's AFC championship game loss to the New England Patriots, the Ravens forced Patriots quarterback Tom Brady into two interceptions.

The Ravens announced today that they have promoted rookie linebacker Josh Bynes from their practice squad to their active 53-man roster. Bynes, who signed with the Ravens in July as an undrafted free agent, appeared in 43 games for Auburn in his collegiate career, recording 238 tackles (127 solo), seven interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.     He had been waived by the Ravens on Sept.3, but he was re-signed to their practice squad on Nov.9. He'll provide linebacker depth with both Ray Lewis (toe)

When Chuck Pagano succeeded Greg Mattison as defensive coordinator in January, Pagano made no attempt to hide his objective to have the unit return to its aggressive, blitz-happy roots. Through four weeks, the Ravens have seemingly carried out Pagano's wishes. The defense trails only the Tennessee Titans' for fewest points allowed at 14.3 per game. (The Titans have surrendered 14.0 points per contest.) The Ravens rank third in the NFL in rush defense (an average of 72.5 yards)

Go ahead, drink the Purple Kool-Aid. Lift up those wine glasses, and toast the Ravens. After completing the first quarter of the season, the Ravens are 3-1 and in sole possession of first place in the AFC North. There are five other teams in the conference with the same record, but they aren't as good as the Ravens. Unfortunately, the Lombardi Trophy isn't presented to the NFL champion until February, but drink while you can. Maybe in the next couple of months, the Ravens will sweeten the drink, but Ravens fans can at least enjoy the taste for another two weeks before the Houston Texans visit Baltimore.

Bryan Mattison, the son of former Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, was a member of the team's practice squad the past two seasons, at times shuffling back and forth from offensive line to defensive line. His father is now coaching at the University of Michigan, so perhaps the notion that nepotism is what kept Mattison around will go out the window now that the Iowa graduate is running with the first-team offense in Matt Birk's absence. Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that Mattison will start Friday against the Chiefs.

The Ravens don't pick a defensive coordinator. They anoint one. The man who gets to run their defense is already well versed with its tradition, is an advocate of its core principles and is eminently familiar with its personalities. For Chuck Pagano, the mantle was passed last Jan. 18, in the wake of a disquieting playoff loss in Pittsburgh after a season in which that defense was besieged — relatively speaking — with problems defending the pass. No sooner had coordinator Greg Mattison opted for a return to the University of Michigan than Pagano was tapped to replace him. Eight months and one lockout later, the back end of the Ravens' defense might be its strength.

If the Ravens' Chuck Pagano has proven anything heading into Thursday's preseason game against the Washington Redskins, it's that he's an unpredictable defensive coordinator. Only a few weeks ago Pagano cautioned fans not to read too much into the defense because he was going to play "vanilla" schemes to avoid showing too much in the preseason. He then unleashed safety blitzes at Philadelphia, and brought the nickel backs as well as linebackers against Kansas City. So, why did he decide to change the plan?