Baltimore wants more takeaways without allowing explosive plays

Preventing explosive passes and forcing turnovers can seem to require conflicting approaches for an NFL secondary.

>Defensive backs who become too cautious may surrender a series of easy completions. Players who aggressively chase interceptions can abandon assignments and expose the defense to game-changing plays. Baltimore Ravens secondary coach Mike Mickens believes his players can protect the defense without becoming passive.

“We’re going to keep a cap on the defense, but that doesn’t mean be soft,” Mickens said on The Ravens Lounge.

The Ravens want their defensive backs in the proper position before attacking the football. Mickens’ “Deny My Man” philosophy applies whether Baltimore is playing man or zone coverage, but discipline must come before aggression.

>Once a defender establishes leverage and understands his help, the focus can shift toward the football.

“It’s about the ball,” Mickens said. “The more times we can get the ball back for our offense, great things are going to happen.”

Takeaways become particularly valuable for a team led by Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and an offense capable of turning additional possessions into points. Ending an opponent’s drive also reduces the number of snaps Baltimore’s defense must play. The Ravens, however, cannot create those opportunities by allowing receivers to run freely through the secondary. Eliminating explosive plays requires communication between Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey and every defender involved in coverage.

>Mickens’ teaching places responsibility on players to understand when they can attack. A safety with proper depth can drive on an underneath throw. A cornerback without help must remain disciplined enough to prevent the receiver from getting behind him. Baltimore struggled to consistently close games last season, making situational discipline one of the defense’s priorities under Jesse Minter.

>Mickens is not asking the Ravens to choose between caution and playmaking. He wants a secondary capable of controlling the deep field, challenging every catch and attacking the football when its positioning creates the opportunity.

>This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Baltimore wants more takeaways without allowing explosive plays