Doug Farrar, head scout for Bleacher Report, recently went through the NFL’s best defensive schemes and alignments and to no surprise, the Ravens’ defense cracked the list. Here is what Farrar had to say about the Ravens’ scheme, which he ranked fifth in the NFL.
The Ravens went 8-8 last season and missed the playoffs for the second straight year, which obscured the outstanding job defensive coordinator Dean Pees did. Baltimore ranked sixth in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted metrics for team defense and 10th against the pass, which was especially impressive given the fact that top cornerback Jimmy Smith struggled to stay healthy.