Ravens report: Revamped defense might be better than title version

Pete O'Brien | USA TODAY Sports

It's fitting the Baltimore Ravens' approach this season isn't about defending their 2012 Super Bowl title but rather winning the 2013 championship.

And while much has been made about the retirement of Ray Lewis and the departure of perennial all-pro Ed Reed along with a slew of other defensive stars — Paul Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe and Bernard Pollard among them — the truth is the Ravens defense wasn't particularly special last season.

It was the first time since 2002 that Baltimore didn't finish in the top 10 in yards (17th) or points allowed (tied for 12th) in the same season.

So don't be surprised if the reconstructed unit proves to be an improvement. General manager Ozzie Newsome was defiant in the post-draft phase of the offseason when it was suggested the champs were in pieces. "We like our football team this year," he said. "I'd like for someone to tell us we're not good enough to make the playoffs right now. Can anyone say that?"

It wouldn't be wise, considering Newsome added high-quality veterans in defensive linemen Chris Canty and Marcus Spears and safety Michael Huff — all on the cheap. Pro Bowl pass rusher Elvis Dumervil fell into his lap via a botched fax between Dumervil and the Denver Broncos. Another good-looking draft brought safety Matt Elam and inside linebacker Arthur Brown. Both are expected to start.

And don't forget about once-again healthy in-house stars Terrell Suggs, Lardarius Webb and Haloti Ngata, who were either sidelined or hampered by injuries last year.

Suggs thinks the revamped group could sizzle.

"To get a guy (Dumervil) that his No. 1 thing is to get after the quarterback is really exciting, especially (because) we added Canty. We get 92 (Ngata) healthy. We are going to be a nice little solid front," he said during minicamp.

Defensive coordinator Dean Pees understands the magnitude of losing Lewis, but that doesn't mean there's a leadership void.

"This new group that we have brought in, this is not a group — with Elvis and Chris Canty and Spears and Michael Huff — these are not rookies, young guys that don't know how to be pros," Pees said. "(Lewis) was an unbelievable pro. So are these guys. They may not be right now the Ray Lewis name that has always been here, but these guys are very, very good professionals. In the classroom and stuff, they are great examples to these rookies on what you are supposed to be."

Quarterback

Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco never has been voted to a Pro Bowl, but he has won more postseason games (nine) in five seasons than Hall of Famer Dan Marino did (eight) in 17. He was rewarded with a six-year, $120 million contract. While Flacco appears oblivious to pressure, it's clearly his team now that Lewis is gone.

While they hope he never sees the field, coaches like the athleticism and intangibles third-year backup Tyrod Taylor offers.

Running back

Ray Rice is among the elite three-down backs in the NFL. But his production in the fourth quarter has faded in the past two seasons, so expect talented Bernard Pierce to carry a bigger share of the load in his second season. Fortunately for Rice and Pierce, Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach re-signed after first testing his value on the free agent market.

Wide receiver

This position is the big question mark on offense. Torrey Smith gets deep and makes huge plays, but he'll draw a lot more attention this season without Anquan Boldin on the other side. Smith caught 45% of the passes Flacco aimed at him, so they must be more efficient in 2013. Jacoby Jones will get the first crack at replacing Boldin in the starting lineup. He'll be pushed by youngsters Tandon Doss, David Reed, Tommy Streeter and Deonte Thompson.

Tight end

Dennis Pitta's season-ending hip injury could be a crushing blow when combined with the departure of Boldin. Pitta caught 61 balls in 2012 and might have caught 80 this year. Now it's up to Ed Dickson and journeyman Visanthe Shiancoe to step into the breach.

Offensive line

The big, powerful offensive line returns intact with the exception of retired Matt Birk. Gino Gradkowski, in his second season, replaces him at center. Filling Birk's shoes is a tall order, but the team is excited about Gradkowski's athleticism and mean streak.

Defensive line

The arrival of Canty and Spears should allow Pro Bowler Ngata to go to the nose, which is exactly where he wants to be, instead of lining up in different spots. Arthur Jones likely will start ahead of Spears on the right side opposite Canty. Keep an eye on rookie nose tackle Brandon Williams. He might beat out consistently disappointing Terrence Cody as Ngata's backup.

Linebackers

Quarterbacks beware. Dumervil was lured to Baltimore in part because of position coach Don Martindale, whom he played under in Denver when he recorded a career-high 17 sacks in 2009. Suggs has slimmed down a bit as he tries to recapture his form from 2011, when he was defensive player of the year. Dumervil and Suggs will often line up with a hand in the dirt. Jameel McClain is a familiar face on the inside. He'll play next to Brown or newcomer Daryl Smith, who left the Jacksonville Jaguars after nine seasons as the team's all-time leading tackler.

Secondary

Webb should be fully recovered from a knee injury that limited him to six games last season. There's no reason to think he won't again be a lockdown corner. Jimmy Smith and Corey Graham should wage a fierce battle for the other spot. But both will be on the field for more than half the snaps anyway.

Elam and Huff might not bring the fear factor of Pollard or the Hall of Fame instincts of Reed, but they're interchangeable parts at strong and free safety. It's rare for teammates or coaches to talk about them and not have the words "speed" and "range" come up.

Special teams

Kicker Justin Tucker and punter Sam Koch have established themselves among the best at their positions and won't be challenged in camp. But the return game is a question mark because Jacoby Jones might only work spot duty, depending on how much his role as a receiver expands.

Coaching staff

Continuity rules at the top as John Harbaugh didn't lose any of his coordinators — Jim Caldwell (offense), Pees and Jerry Rosburg (special teams) — to head coaching jobs despite a championship.

Well-respected brain power was added among the assistants, notably senior defensive assistant Steve Spagnuolo and run game coordinator Juan Castillo, both of whom worked with Harbaugh on Andy Reid's staff with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Follow Pete O'Brien on Twitter @PeterOBrienJr