The best defense against RGIII is a good offense. #RavensNationhttp://bmob.us/4fr
Eisenberg: Best Defense Against RGIII Is A Good Offense
Posted 19 minutes ago
John EisenbergBaltimoreRavens.com ColumnistAll John Eisenberg ArticlesRGIII isn't just another rookie appetizer. Best way to stop him is to keep him off the field.
It wasn’t so long ago that the Ravens defense was known for devouring young quarterbacks like double-meat sandwiches. Remember? The unit simply was too rugged and savvy for inexperienced signal callers such as Colt McCoy, JaMarcus Russell and Mark Sanchez, just to name a few recent victims.
But the Ravens defense isn’t the same in 2012, ranked No. 25 in the league, and the Washington Redskins’ Robert Griffin III isn’t just another rookie appetizer waiting to get gobbled up. Instead of forecasting doom for Griffin, many experts envision a reversal unfolding Sunday, with Griffin getting the best of the Ravens’ banged-up defense. Nine of the 14 members of ESPN’s pick-it panel went with the Redskins, who are favored by one to three points.
Griffin certainly presents a major challenge in the “pistol” offense the Redskins have installed for him; in his last three games, all wins, he has thrown for 667 yards, rushed for 185 and produced eight touchdowns to just one turnover.
Coming off a game in which it let ancient Charlie Batch dominate, the Ravens defense seemingly doesn’t have the speed to contain such a quarterback, especially with so many of its linebackers injured.
But dismissing the Ravens’ signature unit might be a mistake. Even in a down year, it is ranked No. 8 in the league in fewest points allowed. And few defenses, if any, hit harder. You can be sure safety Bernard Pollard
and others will introduce themselves to Griffin. We’ll see how that plays out.
The Ravens’ best antidote for RGIII, however, might not occur when Griffin is on the field. Keeping him off the field, period, could be the key to the Ravens gaining an upper hand in a game they badly need in the race for a high playoff seed.
Of course, the Ravens are also struggling in that department, as only two losing teams, Jacksonville and Tennessee, have controlled the ball for less time than Baltimore this season. The Ravens are averaging 27 minutes and 44 seconds of possession per game.
