Sure, while Rex was coordinator BAL had the second best defense in the NFL, so what? They were just as good under the previous two DCs and also its really Ray Lewis who makes that defense good. And the whole system over there was set up by Marvin Lewis. That's the usual story, is it accurate? I used to not care and payed no attention to who deserved what credit on the BAL team, but now I do care and I've googled up some numbers. I think the numbers are leaning towards the position that Rex was more important to the BAL defense than most are saying. First off, Ray Lewis came to the Ravens in 1996 and Rex came in 1999. It wasn't until 1999 that the Ravens defense became exceptional. And Marvin Lewis also arrived in 1996. Lets look at the yearly rankings for the Raven defense, numbers from http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rav/1996.htm just change the year in the URL to see other years. Year, Defensive Ranking in points allowed 1996 28 1997 18 1998 16 1999 6 2000 1 2001 4 2002 19 2003 6 2004 6 2005 10 2006 1 2007 22 2008 3 I know its often said that BAL never finished lower than 6th in defense with Rex as DC, thats in yardage, not points. If someone wants to list the rankings for yardage go right ahead. Anyway, three years with both Ray and Marvin Lewis and the defense sucks, then Rex gets hired as an assistant coach and the defense takes off. Then there is the issue of Ray Lewis' performance. Ray's stats have been very consistent over the years, including the 96-99 stretch where the defense stunk. If he is really the key to the defense why did they suck for three years until Ray came along? Ray Lewis Stats http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/3542/ I am not claiming that Rex did it all by himself, I'm saying that he may well have had a much larger impact then he is generally given credit for. Maybe the reason Marvin Lewis and Mike Nolan sucked after they left the Ravens was because Rex was the one really making things work. This all speculation of course, next year we find out the truth.
nice facts, good argument. THe only thing I don't buy is that the DL coach could change the performance of an entire D, no matter how good he is. I think the system in Baltimore is the key. I think practicing full speed, I think disguising coverage and playing aggressive are the keys to its success. Most importantly, having one guy to keep everyone on the same page is key. Whether that is Rex or was Ray remains to be seen.
Ray Lewis makes motivates people better than any other LB in the league, maybe better than any other defensive player in the league. Maybe, just maybe, any player in the NFL. Thats one reason why they weren't as good from 96-98... I also wonder about the other 10 guys and their talent during that time as well. It wasn't the same guys year after year, it never is. Rex is another great motivator, better than Nolan or Lewis. That and the personnel on the teams. The talent level went up. they never had an offense to help with the great D, and in 07 it showed. They gave up points because their secondary was hurt 4 deep, and the offense was never on the field... points will be given up that way. The yardage allowed indicates that opposing offenses probably had short fields to march down and score due to offensive turnovers. Its never just one person, but Rex is definitely the biggest cog in the wheel. Thats why he is here. Thats why he's calling the plays on defense from the beginning. Thats why he will bring one BAL FA with him to teach our guys his ways. His TCs will be awesome to watch.
Rex and Ray Lewis are great motivators. But I can't give Marvin Lewis any credit cause he did shit with the Redskins and hasn't built a defense in the years he's been in Cincy
http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/articles/show/2830-dc-mike-pettine-conference-call This interview has a lot of info on how the BAL system was run. Look at this quote: So when Mike "the model" Nolan was DC he had Ryan's boy, Pettine, in the coaches box with him. Hmmm. And it also says that before Mike The Model moved up to the coaches box things didn't work out, kind of like they didn't work out when he went to Frisco. Another quote: Pettine doesn't say if this system was being used under Lewis and Nolan, but what if it was? This is a system where most play calls were predetermined in a coaches meeting during the week, a coaches meeting that Rex would have sat in on. Hmmm.
^ Was Pettine on the CS with Lewis and Nolan?? If he wasn't then he wouldn't know. Ryan was there regardless, so his input has been there since he's been on the staff... hmmmm indeed. But what I like is the fact that these two have been brainstorming for so long that the transition period will be almost zero... This is great news.
