Baltimore Ravens’ Player Profile: Kendrick Lewis
By Cole Moog
There was much to be said about the Baltimore Ravens’ secondary last season. The positive things were very few, while the negative was very easy to come across.
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It was clear the team needed to address their secondary either in the draft or free agency. Darian Stewart, who started at strong safety for the Ravens last season, left to join Gary Kubiak and Owen Daniels in Denver.
Will Hill started at free safety along side Stewart after his six-week suspension and played very well last season. The Ravens signed ex-Texans safety Kendrick Lewis to a three-year deal early on in free agency.
Overall, I hadn’t heard much about Lewis before his arrival in Baltimore. Although after watching much of his highlights during his time in Houston, I am optimistic about his impact in Baltimore. He, as of right now, appears to have earned the starting free safety spot thus far into training camp.
The addition of Lewis allows Hill to play his more natural position of strong safety. Stewart was very inconsistent in coverage last season. He would have solid moments when he would be in perfect position to make a play and other games where he would get burned for a long touchdown.
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With the addition of Lewis, I believe the Ravens will be much improved in down-the-field coverage this season. Hill is very solid in man-on-man coverage, as we saw when he matched up against tight end Jimmy Graham where he had a interception for a touchdown off the highly touted quarterback Drew Brees.
He did struggle as a center fielder in zone coverage packages. However, Hill can now focus on his man-to-man duties, while Lewis can focus on his strong suit covering with the whole field with his range.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley who covers the Baltimore Ravens wrote an article that says the veteran safety is already becoming a leader in the secondary.
Kendrick Lewis quickly becoming the leader of the #Ravens secondary http://t.co/92YytsQjIV
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 2, 2015
It is always good to see a veteran become a leader on a new team this soon. It reminds me of linebacker Daryl Smith when he was tasked as the man to replace Ray Lewis, and he has been an impactful leader on this team and very productive. I personally believe he has had a hand in the early positive development in the half man/half amazing rookie linebacker C.J. Mosley.
A young undrafted free agent named Nick Perry has made some noise as a possible player that can make the roster, I believe he can learn a lot from Lewis.
Overall, the Ravens have not had any solid cover safeties since the departure of the great #20 Ed Reed. I believe they finally have a true cover safety this season and that Lewis along with Kyle Arrington will provide a very noticeable upgrade this season.