The Baltimore Ravens underwent massive changes within the way they go about strength training a few years ago. They moved on from former strength and conditioning coach Steve Saunders, and with it brought in a new face in Scott Elliott to run the department.
Baltimore defensive tackle Michael Pierce was asked about the transition, as it came with controversy with how Saunders was running his program. Pierce said there weren’t that many adjustments, and credited former defensive line coach Anthony Weaver and current defensive line coach Dennis Johnson for trusting their ability to make an impact as pass rushers.
“I wouldn’t say so. [Strength and conditioning coordinator] Scott [Elliott] has always done a great job, even when we had [former strength and conditioning coach] Steve [Saunders] prior. It’s just more so [about] ‘Coach Weave’ [former defensive line coach Anthony Weaver] and now [defensive line] Coach Dennis [Johnson]’s trust in our inside guys to make a lot more [of an] effect on the passer [when he’s] expecting it. So, guys train for it throughout the offseason, but traditionally, we’ve had bigger, bulkier guys like ourselves, who just blast through A gaps, and that kind of was it. As our defense has evolved, as they’ve started to expect different things – and obviously, we’re in a passing league now – those things of pass rushing and affecting the passer have been what’s required now. So, no. I’m grateful that Coach ‘Weave’ allowed us to grow into that role, but like we see, we have myself, we have ‘Trav’ [Travis Jones and] ‘Broddy’ [Broderick Washington]. All of us can not only stop the run, but make a great effect on the passer. It may not be sacks, but [it’s] pressures and all those kinds of things. It’s good when you have big bodies and mix in those guys, like bring down ‘Urb’ [Brent Urban] or bring down ‘Dafe’ [Odafe Oweh] and play him at three-technique and get some one-on-ones. No, it’s definitely something that’s expected now. I think it’s something we train for.”
Baltimore has dealt with plenty of injury problems over the last handful of years, but the transition appears to have been smooth for the players. The Ravens’ defensive line was one of the best pass-rushing units in the league in 2023, and are hoping to maintain that high level in 2024, as Pierce says.