don martindale – Couch Rider Report

Can Earl Thomas Turn Up In 2020?

We as Baltimore Ravens’ fans have high expectations when it comes to the FS position. Ed Reed set a precedent for the position to be great. Since Ed has left, Eric DeCosta has been looking for the centerfielder to replicate the production the Ballhawk had in his heyday. With that said, I truly believed the exit of Eric Weddle and the entry of Earl Thomas would be the fix for the position issue on the back end. I know it was just his first season as a Raven, but can Earl return to form?

Can he return from the burn?

Maybe my expectations are a bit high for the 10-year Vet? When comparisons to the Hall of Famer Ed Reed come up on the regular, eyebrows raise when production is not at a similar level. Does the lack of picks mean it was a bad year? When it comes to interceptions, Earl hasn’t had a 5-interception season since 2016. I probably wouldn’t even be mentioning Earl right now if the 7-time pro-bowler didn’t get embarrassed multiple times in the playoffs this season as well as the regular season.

Derrick Henry really had Earl Thomas turned around and blocking for him ? #TakeEverything #TitanUp #Titans pic.twitter.com/y3IUHT5URw

— Two-Tone Blue Nation (@TwoToneBlueNat1) January 12, 2020

Don’t get me wrong. I am not a fan of his trash talk but I do admire the football intelligence of the guy. The league and media alike see him with our dominant DBs as the best secondary in football. But I am wondering if Earl is truly worth the $55M it cost to bring him to Baltimore? Before the team’s Divisional Round of embarrassment, according to the Baltimore Sun, Earl had this to say:

“If Tannehill tries to pass on us, I don’t think that will go in their favor.”

A few days later… (in my SpongeBob Narrator voice)

Kalif Raymond with the great Corner-Post route pic.twitter.com/IOdz8VH98X

— Receiver School (@ReceiverSchool) January 12, 2020

Earl wasn’t in the camera angle from the beginning of this play. He played up, assuming it would have been a run and attempted to play the shallow mid coverage. He recognizes the mistake but is too late trying to turn back upfield. Was this on Don Martindale or Thomas? I don’t know. What I do know is that this play is what blew the doors open on the Ravens. If Earl had been where a Safety is typically supposed to be, this play would’ve been avoided.

Free Safeties are the last line of defense against the pass. They play the pass primarily and the run second. I do understand the initiative 29 took to aggressively attack King Derrick Henry, but it cost the team big on the gamble.

Secure the front to keep Earl in back?

Two interceptions in the 2019 season cost the Ravens a cap charge of only $7M in 2019 according to spotrac.com. That number is going up to $15M in 2020. If the Ravens go after the pieces needed to secure the front-7, Thomas may be looking at more than 2-INTs on the year. He won’t have to cheat up to stop the run if the front is providing pressure and sealing gaps. Here’s to hoping the team gets their money worth out of the former Legion of Boom Safety in year 11 of his career.

Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter

Simmons to the North Please!

Who is going to be that “dog” for the Baltimore Ravens? Where is the OLB that will put fear into the hearts of opposing QBs the way that Terrell Suggs used to? Is there a guy on the roster that can bring the noise and put QBs on their backs and strike fear into the AFC North again? I don’t think so. Sure, Matthew Judon led the team in sacks on the season, but let’s face facts. When you have as many pressures as Don Martindale did this past season, somebody needs to get there more than 9.5 times individually. So off to the draft we go. I am dreaming, of course. I believe there is only one guy I want these Ravens to snag in the back of the first round. Isaiah Simmons is that “dog”.

Motor Motor Motor!

I looked at the film on this guy, and the first thing that pops off the screen for me is the relentless pursuit. Offensive players cringe when they see the intelligent angles in which he takes towards the ball-carrier. Not just the angles, but the speed in which he tracks the ball carriers down with is flat out scary. At 6’3, 230lbs with a 4.5 40-time, he’s bound to raise some eyebrows.

Straight gushing over here

My favorite thing about the former Clemson Tiger is his ability to stay disciplined and let the opponent make the first move before attacking. You could see him simply playing his coverage until the QB tries to roll out of the pocket on most plays. Shortly after, you would see Simmons tracking them down like a dog in heat. With 9-sacks in 2019, you would have to wonder what the potential is at the next level with Wink designing blitz packages around him?

The Ravens had a clear need in run-defense as King Derrick Henry rumbled on the squad for 195-yards in the Divisional Round. I’m not the only one high on him. According to walterfootball.com’s Charlie Campbell:

“Simmons totaled 89 tackles with six passes broken up, three forced fumbles and one interception in 2018. He is a tough run defender who flies around the field and is a physical tackler. Simmons has good instincts with a nose for the football.”

Apparently, Simmons is not exactly all Linebacker. He plays a hybrid mix between Safety and OLB and has a nose for the ball. He had three picks in the 2019 season. Imagine this monster standing beside or even in front of Earl Thomas, laying the smackdown on anyone daring to touch the pigskin. I don’t know about you right now, but I am full-on gushing. Eric DeCosta, if he slides to the Ravens at 28, PLEASE PLEASE, do the right thing and pull the trigger!