The Baltimore Ravens have been a mixed bag on defense so far during the 2021 season. They have had plenty of players step up and make a massive impact. However, others have struggled and haven’t lived up to what many were expecting out of them before the season began.
One of the positions that hasn’t played up to standards is the inside linebacker group. Second year players Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison have shown some flashes, but have struggled overall. When asked about the unit, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said that the group can play better, and that the team needs more out of the entire group.
“I see a lot of things. Do you want a grade? Do you want me to go through each play? What can I say? I think they can certainly play better, there’s no doubt about that. I think that’s what you’re asking me in a nice way, and I appreciate that. But we need more, there’s no doubt about that.”
Queen and Harrison have been on the receiving end of plenty of criticism, but at the end of the day they are both still extremely young and learning their way through the NFL game. There’s no doubt that both can play better, and they each have a massive amount of potential. However, with how much of a contender the Ravens are, playing through mistakes becomes a lot less tolerable as opposed to on a rebuilding team.
It’s not time to hit the panic button on the unit just yet. However, if Queen, Harrison and others continue to struggle over the next couple of weeks, general manager Eric DeCosta could make a move to help the group out, potentially bringing in a veteran to bring leadership to the unit alongside another experienced player in Josh Bynes.