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The Baltimore Ravens secondary lacked playmakers during the 2015 season as the Ravens defense ranked dead last in interceptions with six. When it was time to make a late stop in games whether it was against the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers or against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Ravens secondary had a lot of issues holding up which played a big role in the Ravens 5-11 season.
It is safe to assume that every player in the Ravens secondary has a chip on their shoulder and Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith is confident in what he sees from the unit so far in the offseason through OTA's (Organized Team Activities) and minicamp.
"I think we are going to be good, but I always think that," Jimmy Smith noted via Baltimore Sun. "I think putting Webb back there at safety - that whole competition right now is really good. You've got guys coming on really strong. Terrence Brooks, Elam is playing pretty well. Weddle, obviously, he is commanding the defense back there and is making plays as well. Everybody in that room, including our coaches, kind of are putting it in our head to get turnovers."
The signing of safety Eric Weddle may be the move of the offseason in free agency not only for the Ravens but for the entire NFL. Weddle provides stability and leadership that the Ravens have been searching for since the future Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed left the team after the Ravens Super Bowl run in 2012. His leadership will play a big role in the Ravens being able to hold fourth quarter leads which have been a problem for the unit since 2012.
The addition of Jerraud Powers and his willingness to play at nickleback may be just as vital as he allows the Ravens to be more flexible with Lardarius Webb floating around the defense. Powers wants to extend his career in the NFL and the Ravens gave him the right opportunity to do so.
"I knew if I wanted to extend my career, I wanted an opportunity to play nickel," Powers noted via BaltimoreRavens.com. "I think my attributes best fit that position."
To help create more turnovers in the secondary, it certainly won't be all on that unit to do so. It will also be on the Ravens front seven to create an aggressive pass rush to make opposing quarterbacks make rush their throws.