Baltimore's John Harbaugh Cracks Down on Explosive Plays to Boost Takeaways
The Baltimore Ravens are taking a more disciplined approach to their secondary defense, with a focus on preventing explosive plays and forcing turnovers.
Baltimore Ravens secondary coach Mike Mickens believes his players can protect the defense without becoming passive. "We're going to keep a cap on the defense, but that doesn't mean be soft," Mickens said on The Ravens Lounge.
The "Deny My Man" philosophy applies whether Baltimore is playing man or zone coverage, but discipline must come before aggression. Mickens' teaching places responsibility on players to understand when they can attack.
A safety with proper depth can drive on an underneath throw, while a cornerback without help must remain disciplined enough to prevent the receiver from getting behind him. This approach requires communication between Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey, and every defender involved in coverage.
Baltimore struggled to consistently close games last season, making situational discipline one of the defense's priorities under Jesse Minter. The Ravens want their defensive backs in the proper position before attacking the football.
"It's about the ball," Mickens said. "The more times we can get the ball back for our offense, great things are going to happen." Takeaways become particularly valuable for a team led by Lamar Jackson and an offense capable of turning additional possessions into points.
Ending an opponent's drive also reduces the number of snaps Baltimore's defense must play. The Ravens, however, cannot create those opportunities by allowing receivers to run freely through the secondary. Eliminating explosive plays requires a balance between caution and playmaking.
Mickens is not asking the Ravens to choose between the two. He wants a secondary capable of controlling the deep field, challenging every catch, and attacking the football when its positioning creates the opportunity.
This approach should benefit a team that has the talent to capitalize on additional possessions. With Lamar Jackson at the helm, the Ravens can turn takeaways into points quickly. The key will be executing this strategy consistently throughout the season.
As the Ravens prepare for their next game, they will look to implement this new approach and see the results on the field. The success of this strategy will be crucial in determining the team's performance in the coming weeks.
Source: Yahoo Sports