Arthur Brown Needs to Get On to the Field

Jun 12, 2013; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Arthur Brown (59) walks off the field after mini camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

As much as Dean Pees, Matt Elam and Chykie Brown have been scapegoats for the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive struggles, the inside linebacker play hasn’t necessarily inspired much enthusiasm either. Yet, Arthur Brown, a 2013 second-round pick, has been a healthy scratch from the active roster three consecutive weeks. What gives?

The Ravens have been dressing four inside linebackers this year, but only two have gotten defensive reps: C.J. Mosley and Daryl Smith. Zachary Orr and Albert McClellan, the backups, have only played on special teams.

Neither Mosley nor Smith has stood out in any major way. In fact, Smith is the lowest rated Ravens defender on Pro Football Focus (subscription needed). Smith is easily blocked in run defense, and neither inside linebacker has played especially well in coverage. Mosley has been a little better, especially in stuffing the run, but he hasn’t been a world beater. No one should have expected him to be so early in his career.

In the Ravens’ zone-heavy defensive scheme, inside linebackers are often tasked with covering the middle of the field, occasionally covering the hook-curl zone or the flat.

Opponents have had incredible success throwing the ball to those zones. For instance, the Cleveland Browns were three-of-four passing for 54 yards and a touchdown attacking the intermediate middle of the field.

Arthur Brown is a linebacker known for his range and coverage ability, as he occasionally came on the field last year in passing situations. This year, he hasn’t gotten that chance. Maybe he should.

Brown looked pretty solid in the preseason defending the pass, as his instincts and range in zone coverage are probably superior to either Mosley or Smith.

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Further, down the road, Arthur Brown could be a fit for what the Ravens have been trying to do in the run game as well. With the defensive line playing well (especially nose tackle Brandon Williams), the linebackers have had the opportunity to cover a lot of ground in the run game. Mosley and Smith have spent a lot of time filling multiple gaps at once with their range, and Brown has perhaps more range than either of them.

Brown does have some very real weaknesses that need to be addressed before he can become a full-time contributor. He is not the consistent tackler that Mosley and Smith are, nor can he take on blocks very well. Realistically, even if Brown  dresses and plays, he will be restricted to passing downs.

And clearly, the Ravens do not think Brown can contribute on special teams at the level of McClellan or Orr, or else Brown would be dressing already.

All that said, the Ravens are clearly in need of some help in coverage, and that should include some personnel changes. Adding Brown’s coverage ability would be a small step in addressing the Ravens’ defensive woes, but it’s one they need to make.