Ravens revamp secondary by adding Leslie Frazier to the team

There's no doubt that the Ravens need some retooling in the secondary. After a handful of seasons of mediocrity and instability, something had to be done.

It appears as if that something is the hiring of Leslie Frazier. Frazier is a well-respected defensive mind who was rumored to be the candidate for multiple defensive coordinator vacancies, including the one in Cleveland. Frazier instead decided to opt for a more low key job in Baltimore. Frazier will now take over the secondary from Matt Weiss as the defensive backs coach. Weiss has been moved to coach linebackers with Don Martindale.

The hiring of Frazier brings decades of secondary experience to the table, the former cornerback has held a defensive coaching position in the league since 1999. While Frazier is mostly known for a failed stint as the Vikings' head coach a few years ago, he is actually a very good coordinator. As our own Chris Brown astutely pointed out, Frazier has consistently improved the defenses he coaches.

table by Chris Brown

Most notable was his turn around of the Buccaneers' defense, when he made Greg Schiano leftovers into one of the best defenses in the league. Baltimore also doubled down on Buccaneers' coordinators by bringing in Joe Cullen, the team's defensive line coach.

For the secondary, the journey back to success begins now, and it starts with building around one of the league's most respected defensive minds.

Ravens PR:

Leslie Frazier

Frazier, 56, enters his 18^th NFL coaching season after spending the 2014-15 campaigns as Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator. Prior to that, he was head coach of the Vikings from 2010-13 (interim for part of ’10) and their defensive coordinator from 2007-10.

This past season, Frazier guided the Buccaneers to a No. 10 ranking in total yards allowed (340.4 ypg). His defensive unit also posted the NFL’s 11^th-ranked run defense (100.4 ypg).

Before his Minnesota arrival, Frazier spent time in Indianapolis as a defensive assistant (2005) and an assistant to the head coach/defensive backs coach (2006). He was a part of the Colts’ 2006 Super Bowl Championship team and coached Pro Bowler S Bob Sanders.

Frazier also served as the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator from 2003-04. He originally entered the NFL as a coach in 1999, working with defensive backs for the Philadelphia Eagles. For four seasons, Frazier was on an Eagles staff that included John Harbaugh (special teams coordinator). During his time with Philadelphia, Frazier helped CB Troy Vincent (four) and S Brian Dawkins (three) earn multiple Pro Bowl honors.

An All-American defensive back at Alcorn State, Frazier played six seasons for the Chicago Bears (1981-86) and started on the 1985 Super Bowl Championship team. He led Chicago in interceptions three-consecutive seasons (1983-85), finishing his pro career with 20 thefts.