Williams biggest reason for revival of Ravens’ dominant ‘D’

Nearly a week ago Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees was trying to describe the biggest difference in his unit compared with previous years without hurting anyone’s feelings.

He got the basic message out. The Ravens have an improved secondary, but there is more. Tackle Brandon Williams has proved that he is the most valuable player on the defense, and Pees deserves some credit for his play-calling as well.

The Ravens (5-5) are ranked No. 6 in total overall defense, allowing 306 yards a game, and No. 2 in pass defense, allowing 185.2. They are third in points allowed with a17.1 average but 26th in rushing defense at 120.8 yards per game. That will get better as long as Williams stays healthy.

As for now the Ravens are good and possibly knocking on the door of greatness. If they can make a couple more big plays, especially in crunch time, then even Pees concedes that this group could be outstanding.

The turning point, though, just wasn’t in the offseason, when the Ravens signed free-agent cornerback Brandon Carr and safety Tony Jefferson and drafted Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey in the first round.

The key moment came Oct. 22, when Williams returned to the starting lineup after missing the four previous games with an ankle injury. The Ravens and a rusty Williams gave up169 rushing yards to Minnesota that day in a 24-16 Vikings victory.

But since then the Ravens have allowed only 45 rushing yards to the Miami Dolphins, 71 to the Tennessee Titans and 75 to the Green Bay Packers. They are 2-2 since Williams’ return and 1-3 without him. Without him, they lost to quarterbacks Blake