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Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker competition needs to be decisive

Once the pick is made, there cannot be any looking back.

Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Orr and Arthur Brown face off for the chance at a breakout season. Some will give Brown the edge, as he is the most talented player. The wiser course of action would be to give Orr the edge, as he has more game experience. Both ran with the number one defense, with Orr getting most of the snaps. However, Brown was singled out by defensive coordinator Dean Pees for having a good camp.

I think Arthur Brown's having a heck of a camp.

In any case, the winner of the competition needs to win it decisively. Splash plays will have to be made in training camp. Solid play will not be enough. For the Ravens to ascend in the upper echelons of defenses, the linebacker besides C.J Mosley needs to be the Bart Scott to Mosley's Ray Lewis.

Orr is probably the more assignment sound of the two, which is likely why he has been favored by Dean Pees. Brown, however, brings the speed to make tackles behind the line of scrimmage. His speed will also allow him to be used as a spy and as a blitzer. Orr is pointed towards the safe, read and react linebacker. Brown is more of the explosive run-and-chase kind.

It could come down to a matter of preference. But the winner of the competition needs to be an every down, every game linebacker. Where inside linebackers and defensive backs are concerned, the Ravens need to find 5 players who will stick and grow together.