Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Can Ben Cleveland play defense, too? | COMMENTARY
By Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun,
4 hours ago
Oct 13, 2024: Ravens’ Ben Cleveland, top center, blocks a field goal attempt by Commanders kicker Austin Seibert,bottom center, in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Commanders 30-23 at M&T Bank Stadium. Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun/TNS
Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will answer fans’ questions in the middle of each week throughout the Ravens season. After a 30-23 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Baltimore (4-2) is riding a four-game winning streak entering a “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Here’s Preston’s take on a handful of questions from readers:
(Editor’s note: Questions have been edited for length and clarity.)
It was great to see Lamar “spread the wealth” with more passes to Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews on Sunday. Why did it take so long when we have so many weapons? — Jamie Myers
If you go back to the first two games, the Ravens played against two teams with quality defensive lines in Kansas City and Las Vegas. It wasn’t a good matchup for the Ravens, especially starting two young players on the offensive line. In those two games, quarterback Lamar Jackson was sacked six times. Those things happen. It’s like the Ravens’ secondary matched up against the Bengals’ wide receivers: There are times when you have to compensate or make adjustments for your weaknesses.
In the past four games, the Ravens have played four bad run defenses in Dallas, Buffalo, Cincinnati and Washington. They have made all of them pay by using running back Derrick Henry, which sets up the play-action passing game. The last two teams tried to stack the line of scrimmage, but Jackson has done well getting all of his receivers involved in the passing game. I don’t think it took Jackson long, it was just a matter of strengths versus weaknesses, and him having time to throw. If you’re going to beat the Ravens, you better have a good defensive line and some good cornerbacks. Kansas City has those ingredients, along with Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, but there are few others that can provide that challenge to the Ravens.
There’s always been so much talk about how big and strong Ben Cleveland is. He’s now been added to the field goal defense team and came up with a big block. His teammate, Tyler Linderbaum, mentioned that the team “should be able to find a role for him.” With that, do you think the Ravens could (or should) try him out on the defensive line, much like Patrick Ricard — who was pretty good there — at the beginning of his Ravens career? — Martin D.
Sorry, Martin, Ricard is athletic. He can play fullback, tight end or H-back. Cleveland is a bonafide offensive lineman. Because he is tall, he was a fit for special teams on the field goal block unit. But go back and look at the film. It’s not like he had the vertical leap of Michael Jordan. He can play several positions on the offensive line, but defensive linemen have to be runners. Believe me, Big Ben is no runner.
Has Brandon Stephens ever actually gotten his head turned around to SEE and defend a pass? The guy is just guessing at when and where the ball will be there. — Eric from Bel Air, Maryland
I have this argument with a certain person all the time. He tells me Stephens always gets beat on the first move, but has great recovery speed, yet that doesn’t allow him to turn and find the ball. I don’t believe that. He is always in position to make a play but never locates the ball.
I see a lot of college players performing the same way. In the old days, they used to tell cornerbacks that once the receiver turns to look for the ball, you turn as well. I guess the techniques have changed because a lot of players coming out of college never look for the ball. Next time, watch a college game and let me know what you see.
Maybe with Dean Pees, 75, as the adviser, he will make Stephens turn and play the ball. It’s frustrating watching him play because he always seems to have great position.
The Ravens have appeared to right the ship and are on a four-game winning streak. In your estimation, can the Ravens extend it to an eight-game winning streak in the next four weeks? — Ed Helinski from Auburn, New York
It sounds like a cliche, but the NFL really is a week-to-week league. The Ravens can win the next four against Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Denver and Cincinnati. Right now, I don’t see any defense that can stop the Ravens. I’m not claiming they have this high-powered offense, but the Ravens have a physical style and presence.
The emphasis around the NFL is on having a sophisticated passing attack, and these are some of the worst defenses I have seen in quite a while. I very seldom have seen tight ends and receivers so wide-open. Teams don’t hit anymore, and rules have cut down on the amount of contact in games.
If the Ravens fix their secondary, they have as good of a chance to play for the championship as any other team. It’s wide-open, but I’ve said this from the start of training camp: The road to the Super Bowl goes through Kansas City. Nothing has caused me to change my mind yet.
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