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When you think about the Baltimore Ravens, you likely think of suffocating, hard-hitting defense. Even with quarterback Lamar Jackson earning the 2019 NFL MVP award, setting a ton of franchise and league records and the rushing attack becoming the most prolific in history, the defense is still king in Baltimore.
Derek Wolfe had wanted to join the Ravens last season via trade and kept his eye on Baltimore this offseason as a free agent before getting his wish. With the Ravens trading for Calais Campbell to pair with Brandon Williams, Wolfe thinks Baltimore could have something serious going on defense . . . Historic, even.
“When I saw that Calais was going up there and I know Brandon was up there already, it was a no brainer for me,” Wolfe said in his introductory press conference. “I think we can have the best defensive line in the league, for sure. We can break records, we can break the rushing record — yards per rush and stuff like that.
“I think we’re going to be able to shut that run game down and then when it comes to our offense keeping us up by 10, 20 points a game, it’s going to get ugly for these quarterbacks.”
Defensive coordinator Don Martindale is back for 2020 after the Ravens gave him a hefty contract extension this offseason. Martindale’s reputation for having an aggressive and confusing scheme precedes him. When asked if he thinks it’ll mean he can improve upon his seven sacks over 12 games last season, Wolfe wasn’t reserved in his expectations but noted he’d have to take advantage of the opportunities created.
“Absolutely,” Wolfe said. “I feel like he’s definitely going to open up opportunities for me to make plays. It’s just a matter of going in there and making them. If the one-on-one is created, you have to win.”
Martindale will definitely open up opportunities for Wolfe and the rest of the pass rushers, simply by how often he sends blitzes. While maybe a coverup of Baltimore’s weak pass-rush depth last season, Martindale sent blitzes an amazing 54.9% of the time, leading the league by a wide margin. It’s something Wolfe took note of coming to Baltimore and has him excited for the defense.
“He sends a ton of pressure and that gets quarterbacks guessing and makes them do things out of character, makes them step up in the pocket and stuff like that,” Wolfe continued. “I feel like, as a defense line and as a defense as a whole, I think we’re going to be able to eat these quarterbacks up, especially with this secondary that we have.”
Wolfe is on a one-year deal that is heavily incentivized. Performing well could next him a lot of money this year and a hefty contract extension from the RAvens next offseason. Furthermore, Wolfe might be one of the final pieces of the puzzle to get Baltimore over the hump and back to the Super Bowl. A lot is riding on Wolfe playing extremely well but he isn’t lacking on confidence.
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