Per Ken McKusick
A possible tonic for the
Ravens inability to cover the middle of the field is the quarter defense, which would include safeties patrolling both ILB spots. The Ravens didn’t do that against the Browns, but they reduced Onwuasor’s snap load to 54 of 60 snaps.
Many folks have been calling for more playing time for
DeShon Elliott. He was inserted as an ILB in dime packages, but the downs and distances he played were more like those of a normal ILB instead of a pass defense specialist (like Levine). Elliott lined up to play 9 snaps (including 2 penalties, the down/distances were 1/10, 1/10, 2/10, 2/5, 1/10, 1/20, 1/20, 2/15, 3/3). He looked to be playing fast, which is what the Ravens have seen from each of their ILBs, but he should also add ball skills and coverage/pass rush flexibility.