The Anchors

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July 14, 10:02 PM

by Phil Macek, Baltimore Ravens Examiner

 

 

Look at the numbers.  According the Ravens web site, Baltimore's run defense was ranked #2 in the league last year, surrendering a paltry 79.3 yards /game.  More impressively, no running back gained 100 yards.  Sure the defense has some big names--Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, and Bart Scott--but Kelly Gregg and Haloti Ngata do the dirty work, they plug the holes so that Ray and the others can get good penetration.  Kelly Gregg registered over 100 tackles last season.  He has been an underrated star for far too long.

That could change this year.  With all the question marks on offense, the defense will be expected to--once again--carry the team to victory.  To their credit, the defense wears that expectation as a badge of honor.  They seem to thrive on the pressure.  Gregg and Ngata make the hurculean task of shutting down offenses all the more manageable.

Plus, they both seem to embody Baltimore's blue-collar work ethic; they just show up and kick ass and let the others take the credit.

This year, however, they may have no choice but to take the credit--the much deserved credit of being named to the Pro Bowl.
 

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