The Baltimore Wire
Fansided

Baltimore Ravens: Healthy Secondary Needs more Clutch Plays

By Jeremiah D. Sater

facebooktwitterreddit

Oct 12, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) runs with the ball as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) defends during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. The Ravens won 48-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens’ secondary was one major problem last season that had to be fixed during the offseason. The other AFC North teams do not lack in the passing game, so the team cannot afford to struggle again after barely qualifying for the playoffs behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals.

More from Baltimore Ravens

The secondary gave up 54 plays for 20 or more yards last season. They allowed more than 200 first downs through the air while allowing 10 plays of 40 or more yards.

Certain stats do not show the defense being terrible. They allowed less than 20 points per game and 22 touchdowns through the air.

With the numerous injuries in the secondary, many of the more talented players were not on the field. However, the leaders were not either. The stats show the defense failing to finish plays in critical situations.

Of the 22 passing touchdowns allowed, 12 were allowed in the second half. Nine of those were allowed in the fourth quarter.

When it came to clutch defense, the Ravens couldn’t hold their own on the field. When the defense needed to hold their ground, they couldn’t.

The secondary allowed nine fourth quarter touchdowns through the air and 12 in the second half, which was more than half of their total passing touchdowns allowed on the year.

The defense allowed a 77-yard touchdown from the Cincinnati’s quarterback Andy Dalton in the fourth quarter last season that would end up sealing the victory for them. This play happened during the first game of the year, when many of the injuries had not taken their toll.

It was more than injuries that led to the poor performance from the secondary. Jimmy Smith, Lardarius Webb and Terrence Brooks remaining healthy are only the first steps to improving the secondary.

With the addition of veterans Kendrick Lewis and Kyle Arrington, the team can hope to perform better in the critical do-or-die situations. Without a clutch mentality, it won’t matter if the entire secondary is healthy or not.

When the opposing teams begin their two-minute offense, Smith and Webb need to take charge of the defense and lock down the passing game. Terrell Suggs leads the front part of the defense, but he cannot be expected to lead the secondary as well.

More from The Baltimore Wire

The former Colorado cornerback needs to take the young players under his wing. Some players have the clutch instinct naturally. They often turn out to be the best players.

For others, they can develop it over time. The veterans are an important part in this development. Safety Matt Elam was a victim of lacking this ability when he moved into his second year.

While he can improve his skills during the offseason, his ability to think critically in clutch situations is going to develop over time. As one of our writers wrote, the veterans such as Webb are going to have to pour into him as well as the other young players.

The Ravens have added a lot more veteran presence, so that very well could translate into a better secondary. However, the veterans cannot do much if they do not stay healthy in the first place.

Next: Local Media Gets First Two Selections in Ravens Top-20 Wrong

Home/Baltimore Ravens