The Baltimore Ravens are entering training camp with a much different looking defense than seasons past. The Ravens will now be replacing four defensive stars including Ray Lewis and Ed Reed who long anchored that defense for many years. Now, it is time for Terrell Suggs and newly signed Elvis Dumervill to step up and be the leading forces for 2013.
The Ravens now have two prime pass rushers with Suggs and Dumervill teaming up together. Dumervill signed back in March after his extension with the Denver Broncos was ruined thanks to a fax machine. Likely moving to strongside linebacker in the new defensive setting, Dumervills main goal is still to get to the quarterback. Pairing him with Suggs will give Baltimore the best linebacker tandem in the league.
"We can be pretty good," Suggs said. "If everything goes according to plan, we can keepy everybody healthy, it's going to take more than just us two, though. It's a collaborative effort of everybody doing their job."
Dumervill is coming off a season of just six sacks while Suggs recorded two sacks during a year when he missed most of the season recovering from an Achilles tear and a later bicep tear. Both are hoping for a strong return to form this season. Dumervill is mainly ready to step up and replace the leadership that left with Reed and Lewis.
"I think the way you play on the field, you lead by example," Dumervill said. "Leadership don't come with talking or speech. It's just how you carry yourself. I've always been a leader. It's just natural for me. I think I learned how to follow before I could lead. It's year eight. I know a little bit."
Suggs is now 30-years-old, entering 11th season in the NFL, but says that age is just a number and he is still in his prime as a player. The one-time Defensive Player of the Year wants another season of recording 14 sacks or more.
"I'm 30, so I'm alright. A lot of those guys are a lot older than me. I'm 30. If you ask me, I'm probably entering in my football prime right now," Suggs said.
The Ravens are certainly hoping that is true. They will begin their campaign to defend their Super Bowl title without long-time key players, expecting new ones to step up.
