Ravens Defense actually underrated?

Have we actually reached the point where the Ravens Defense is underrated?

I think comments about the Ravens lacking the horses necessary on defense, to be as comical as my 8-4 prediction for the MD Terps.

Ngata, Gregg, Pryce, Bannan, Edwards, McKinney, and Talavou is an embarrassment of riches. Yes, Pryce is dealing with age, Gregg is not all the way back from his injury, and Talavou is deactivated most-weeks; but the D-line has never been this deep.

As the year progresses, it is up for the lines most-skilled player (Ngata) to further elevate his game, and collapse the pocket at the line-of-attack. If that happens, and Edwards continues to evolve as a DE, the pass-rush will improve, which will help the secondary.

Ok, so what about the Linebackers? Suggs has developed into a more well-rounded LB in recent years. He is much better against the run, and even defending the pass than he once was. However, he only has 2.5 sacks. For this defense to get back to where we are all accustomed, Suggs has to bring a consistent pass-rush from the edge.

As the best pass-rusher on the team, other teams key on Suggs every-week. The Ravens have to have a pure speed-rusher from the opposite side. The two internal candidates that could provide that (Barnes, and Kruger) were both deactivated this past-week.

Neither one is the overall LB that the Ravens want on the field, but both know how to attack a QB. Hopefully the Ravens will put them in position to take advantage of their strengths going-forward.

The recent line of the day, is that the Ravens are missing Scott in run-coverage. Perhaps, but if that is accurate, I think that is probably due to Scott's experience, vs. any physical advantage of Scott over Gooden. Each week Gooden becomes more experienced, and each week he becomes a more productive player.

Johnson has as many sacks (4) as he did all of last-year. Lewis continues to play at Pro Bowl level. Who is actually a better ILB than Lewis? You could possibly argue Patrick Willis, but even that is debatable.

Outside of Barnes, and Kruger, I even like the other reserve LB's McClain, and Ellerbe.

So of course this leads to the Secondary, where most of the finger-pointing has existed.
Before we discuss the CB's, lets talk about the Safeties. Every-team in football that plays the Ravens, starts their game-plan with trying to avoid Ed Reed. The reason that Reed will wind-up in Canton, is that Reed has dealt with that his entire career and found ways to still make more plays than anyone.

As Reed has continued to deal with nerve-damage, he has become less willing to play at the line-of-scrimmage and help in run-defense, or as an extra pass-rusher. If this keeps Reed on the field, you can not argue against this decision. I think one of the reasons the Ravens caught fire last-year, was that Leonard was able to make plays opposite of Reed.

Landry has 2 interceptions, but seems a step-slow to me in pass-defense. I do have to remember how much time he missed last-season, and how it takes time to get your legs back under you. Either he will improve, or he will further pushed by Zbikowski, and Nakamura. While each of the three bring something to the table, each is more known as a punishing hitter, vs. their covering skills.

I am finding the constant harping on the CB's to be annoying. Washington and Foxworth are good, cover corners with speed. Neither one is elite, and neither one has the size to deal with larger, more athletic receivers.

I am not sure why this surprises anyone. Both were 5'11, and 180 pounds in the pre-season as well.

People killing them for the coverage they have provided, are missing the point in my opinion. They are not going to grow, and become more physical this year. They are not going to be like McAlister and be able to help against the run. They are who they are, and they need to be helped with a more consistent pass-rush.

If I have any true disappointment with the Secondary, it is with Rolle not being able to play this season, and the complete lack of help provided from Carr and Walker.

Lardarius Webb emerging as the regular Nickle-back from next-week on, has to occur for this team.

Ultimately though, if the Ravens can not get to the QB (not just with sacks, but with hits and hurries) it does not matter who is at CB. You simply can not cover NFL receivers, if the QB is able to regularly step-up in the pocket.

I believe this can be addressed, because I believe in the existing talent of the roster.

My guess is that even though the Ravens will continue to face excellent QB's (Palmer, Manning, Roethlisberger (twice), Rogers, Cutler), the deficiencies shown will be corrected.

There is too much talent existing, for the Ravens to not end 2009 in their accustomed-spot as a Top 10 overall defense.