Defense bracing for Bengals’ Green
Revamped secondary should be tested by veteran receiver
The Ravens did not have to face the Cincinnati Bengals’ last season because he was sidelined by a torn hamstring, but they didn’t exactly need a crash course this week on the damage the star receiver can inflict on a defense.
“If they don’t know what A.J. Green can do by now, they probably shouldn’t be in this league,” Ravens defensive coordinator
said Thursday. “Everybody knows how good he is.”
Few players have tormented the Ravens more in recent years than Green, who has six combined touchdown receptions and 604 receiving yards against them in the past five meetings. As the Ravens prepare for Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Bengals, the focus of their revamped secondary is slowing down the six-time Pro Bowl selection.
“A guy like him, you have to know where he [is] at all times. He can ruin a game — he’s done it before, especially for us,” safety
said. “We have to be on our toes, technically sound, and play good team defense to make sure he’s not going to ruin our afternoon.”
The Ravens contained the fourth overall pick in the 2011 draft in his first two seasons in the league, but they’ve had no answers for him since as Green has become a main reason the Bengals have won six of the past seven matchups.
Green caught eight passes for a 151 yards and a touchdown on a 51-yard game-tying Hail Mary pass with no time on the clock in the Bengals’ 20-17 overtime loss to the Ravens on Nov. 10, 2013. When the two teams met later that season, Green’s 53-yard touchdown gave Bengals receiver A.J. Green scores against Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith during a game two seasons ago. He caught 10 passes for 227 yards and two scores in the game. Cincinnati a lead it would never relinquish in a 34-17 victory.
In the regular-season opener of the 2014 season at M&T Bank Stadium, Green caught the game-winning 77-yard touchdown pass with just under five minutes to play.
Green’s most dominant performance against the Ravens came the following year as he caught 10 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns in Cincinnati’s 28-24 victory Sept. 27, 2015. Those two touchdowns, an 80-yarder and a 7-yarder, were in the last seven minutes. Upholding tradition: A little more than a year ago, nose tackle the lone undrafted rookie to make the Ravens’ active roster. On Saturday, the first-year class tripled that yield by putting inside linebacker
cornerback and defensive end-fullback Patrick the 53-man roster.
Their presence extended the organization’s streak of an undrafted free agent on the season-opening roster to 14 consecutive years, and Hill is aware of the tradition he, Bradley, and Ricard are trying to maintain.
“There’s a lot of pressure, but I feel like you’re either going to go up or you’re going to go down,” said Hill, the former Jacksonville State standout who led the defense in the preseason with two interceptions. “It all depends on how you take to it. There’s pressure because you’ve got to come in here and prove yourself every day. You’ve got to know that you’re here for a reason.”
Because of their undrafted status, the trio could be at risk of being replaced by a free agent the team might covet. But Ricard said they are aware of that possibility.
“Coming here undrafted, you’re already against the odds,” the former University of Maine standout said. “But the coaches trusted me enough to be on this team, and that means everything. I’m here, and I represent the undrafted class and so do two other guys. So let’s keep the streak going. It’s awesome to be a part of it.” End zone: The Cleveland Browns waived quarterback who was cut by the Ravens last Saturday despite a strong preseason, just four days after they claimed him. Woodrum completed 25 of 36 attempts for 321yards and two touchdowns and also ran for two scores while playing in all four preseason games for the Ravens. ... Peesadded Bradley to and
as players who could get substantial playing time replacing at weak-side linebacker. “They’re both very equal,” Pees said of Correa and Onwuasor. “K.C.’s probably the starter, but Patrick’s right there with him, and Bam’s coming along, too. He’s kind of a fourth guy that has really shown up here in the preseason, especially on special teams.”