Baltimore Ravens Defensive Line Season Grades
Sep 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (92) smiles during the game against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Yet again, the Baltimore Ravens held opposing rushers to less than 4.0 yards per carry. For the reason, look no farther than the big uglies that make up the Baltimore Ravens defensive line, Brandon Williams and Haloti Ngata especially.
There is a whole let of muscle on that d-line, and they made their presence felt game after game. Let’s break them down one by one.
Brandon Williams – A+
The breakout player on the Ravens’ defense this year was Brandon Williams, all 330 pounds of him. Just an absolute beast in the trenches, Williams was completely unmovable in the ground game.
His best games this year came against the Pittsburgh Steelers and their All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey, which is always good news for Ravens fans. He has become a big-game player in just his second year of the league, and his block-shedding should only improve with more experience in the pro game.
Haloti Ngata – B
Purely in terms of his actual play, Haloti Ngata would get an A or an A+, but his suspension for adderall use cast a darker light on the season.
Ravens fans were undoubtedly disappointed in Ngata and his suspension at a crucial point in the season. Even so, that can’t completely overshadow his tremendous season.
Ngata was a beast in the ground game and extremely effective at pushing the pocket as a pass rusher. Along with Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil and Pernell McPhee, Ngata was a part of the best four-man rush in the NFL.
Though Ngata has never been one to rack up big stats, his dirty work of taking on blockers makes the defense better. That was on display every time Ngata took the field this year.
Chris Canty – C+
As he ages, Chris Canty has slid gracefully from being an every-down player to a rotational lineman.
What Canty did best this year was stunting. He still has good quickness for an older, massive defensive lineman, which he used very well on stunts, especially in the Wild Card round against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
His veteran leadership is also valuable, but Canty is very much on the downside of his career. He makes little impact rushing the passer and doesn’t shed blocks particularly well.
Timmy Jernigan – A
Timmy Jernigan immediately made his impact felt, leading the defensive line with four sacks and showing an innate ability to get off blockers.
Jernigan plays a lot like Arthur Jones, using his squatty frame well and constantly hustling in pursuit. Jernigan looks like he could be a long-term starter in Baltimore. What more could you ask for from a second-round pick?
DeAngelo Tyson – C
Injuries forced DeAngelo Tyson to play more than expected, and he was invisible when on the field. He did well enough taking on blockers and was active in terms of making tackles, but they were always a few yards downfield.
Lawrence Guy – B-
Like Tyson, Guy wasn’t expected to play much. Guy was a bit different with his time on the field, though. Though Guy was pushed around more often than Tyson, he also shed blocks better and generated more pressure.