Ravens like progress of their defense

Aug 20, 2017 - 5:26 PM OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The middle of the Baltimore Ravens defense is already showing the potential to be one of the best in franchise history.

During the opening two preseason games against the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins, Baltimore has allowed 2.3 yards per carry and just 10 total points.

Nose tackle Brandon Williams signed a five-year, $54 million deal in the offseason and is showing the Ravens they made a wise investment. Williams has been supported by defensive tackle Michael Pierce, a second-year player primed for a breakout season.

The Ravens are also getting production from their young pass rushers, who have managed six sacks in the two games. Despite the early success, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh sees room for improvement.

"There are some plays that we are going to build off of, and we are going to stack and stand on and improve from," Harbaugh said. "There are going to be some other plays that we are going to look at, and we are going to not be happy with, we are going to be kind of ticked at ourselves for, and that we are going to want to look at really closely and make sure they don't happen again.

"If you are chasing something really, really good, that is the way you have to look at it - with a real critical eye - and that is what we will do."

While the front of the defense is already hitting its stride, the secondary is also showing signs of becoming a dominant group. Veteran safeties Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson have been effective directing traffic.

Cornerback Jimmy Smith has been solid, but must show he can stay healthy through 16 games. Rookie Marlon Humphrey, the team's first-round pick in this year's draft, made his preseason debut against the Dolphins and is pushing for the starting job opposite Smith.

Baltimore held the Dolphins' starters to just 44 yards in their three drives and limited them to just one third-down conversion on four opportunities.

"You have to be addicted to making plays especially on this defense," linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "It's a good start, but we are not satisfied at all. We are just getting better. We work every week. Work every week to get better."

The Ravens are going to need to have their defense come up big, especially in the early part of the season while quarterback Joe Flacco finds his footing. Flacco will not take a snap in the preseason so he can be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Harbaugh said the team does have a specific date for when Flacco will be back in practice, but he did not reveal it to the media.

"I don't think that time frame is this week," he said. "We'll stick with the plan with that. It's a pretty straightforward date the doctors and back specialists have given us, so we're going to stick with that."

Baltimore's offensive line is also a work in progress because of injuries. Starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley was out with an undisclosed injury, six-time Pro-Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda is being eased back into the lineup from offseason shoulder surgery. Left guard Alex Lewis is already lost for the season because of shoulder surgery, so the Ravens were again forced to start a makeshift offensive line.

Baltimore was forced to scramble against Miami and used four starters who entered the league as undrafted rookies. The line should be much more experienced by the regular-season opener once Yanda and newly signed veteran Austin Howard get up to full speed.

"We've been hit in the offensive line especially hard and it wasn't a real deep position for us anyway," Harbaugh said. "All you can do is just manage what you have and make the best of it and see where you get. Sometimes I think it makes you tougher and stronger and all of those kinds of things. I'm really proud of the way they're working and we'll make of it what we can.

"I think we're going to be a good offensive line before it's all said and done. But you know, we can add some players still. That's still part of the plan and see where we get."

Notes: Defensive end Patrick Ricard was used at fullback on a couple of plays against the Dolphins. He has some experience at that position and the Ravens like his toughness. "They just pretty much said, 'Hey we're going to try you at fullback' and they just tell me what I do and I go out there and just do it," Ricard said. "I did it in high school, so it feels a little natural to me so it's not like I've never done it before but it felt great." Ricard's opportunity at fullback does not bode well for either Lorenzo Taliaferro or Ricky Ortiz making the team. ... Tight end Maxx Williams is showing he can produce when he stays healthy. He had a pair of catches for 48 yards against the Dolphins and did well eluding tacklers. Williams, a second-round pick in 2015, appears to be fully healthy from a knee injury that ended his 2016 season. "He's a sneaky athlete," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. "You want to think that he's not athletic and all of a sudden he starts running people over and breaking tackles. That's what we've been looking for from him since we drafted him. That was really fun to watch." Williams has shown potential and set Ravens rookie franchise records for a tight end with 32 catches for 268 yards and a touchdown.

Tight end Larry Donnell is showing he can be a viable target, especially in the red zone. He caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Mallett and converted a two-point conversion in the second preseason game against the Dolphins. Donnell was signed July 30 after Dennis Pitta and Crockett Gillmore each went down with season-ending injuries. Donnell provides a veteran presence and started six games for the New York Giants last season. "It felt good to get out there and run around a little bit and just have fun again," Donnell said. ... Offensive lineman Matt Skura has impressed coaches with his versatility. With injuries on the offensive line, Skura got the start at right guard in the second preseason game against the Dolphins. However, the second-year player from Duke had an uneven performance and was called for two penalties. Skura has also spent time at center.