The Ravens’ gritty Week 4 win over the Titans gave us another opportunity to evaluate several players in the trenches on both sides of the football. Mike Green stepped into a larger role as Baltimore’s primary edge rusher on passing downs, Nnamdi Madubuike continued to show that he has returned to form, and rookie first-round pick Vega Ioane provided some much-needed stability along the interior offensive line in his first start at center.
OLB Mike Green
40 snaps | 26 pass rush | 13 run defense | 1 coverage | 5
pressures
With Trey Hendrickson out, Mike Green was expected to take on a larger role as a pass rusher, and he delivered. Green finished with five pressures while posting a 29.4% win rate on true pass sets, but one of the more interesting developments was the power he flashed throughout the game.
On one rep, Green held a firm edge before using a rip move to work around the offensive tackle and make the tackle. On another, he struck the tackle with heavy hands, stood him up at the point of attack and worked off the block to make the play. Those reps were encouraging because Green’s game has largely been built around his quickness, hand usage and ability to win around the edge.
As a pass rusher, Green continued to flash the cross chop that has become one of his most dependable moves. The timing of that move has gotten close to automatic, but he also showed some development within his pass-rush plan. On one rep, Green used a hesitation into a cross chop to open the offensive tackle’s hips before countering with an inside spin and generating pressure on the quarterback. On another, he converted speed to power, got inside the tackle’s chest and drove him backward into the quarterback’s lap.
The encouraging part of Green’s performance was the variety. We already knew he could win with quickness and his cross chop, but adding legitimate power and counters gives tackles more to think about when trying to protect against him. As the season progresses, Green becoming a dependable pass-rush option will be important if the Ravens want to consistently generate pressure without Trey Hendrickson on the field.
DT Nnamdi Madubuike
46 snaps | 16 run defense | 30 pass rush | 6 pressures
Nnamdi Madubuike has started to pick things up over the last few weeks, and considering where he was physically a year ago, his return to form has been impressive. For a player who was facing the possibility of medical retirement, Madubuike looks as strong and explosive as he has at any point in his career.
He finished the game with six pressures and recorded a 20% win rate on true pass sets. His ability to convert speed to power remains one of the most dangerous parts of his game. Madubuike has the athleticism to threaten offensive linemen off the snap before turning that momentum into power and collapsing the interior of the pocket.
That strength also showed up against the run. One of the more important aspects of Madubuike’s game has always been his ability to handle combination blocks, engage double teams and find ways to split offensive linemen. On one rep, he established inside leverage against the blocker before working his way into the backfield and helping force the running back into a minimal gain.
Madubuike’s return has been great to see, but more importantly, his presence changes what Baltimore can do up front. Interior pressure forces quarterbacks off their spot and prevents them from simply stepping up when Baltimore’s edge rushers win around the corner. If Madubuike continues playing at this level, he will be a major piece of the Ravens developing a more consistent pass rush as the season progresses.
C Vega Ioane
64 snaps | 30 run blocking | 34 pass blocking | 0 pressures allowed
Vega Ioane made his first start at center this season, and there was a lot to like about what he showed. Ioane played all 64 offensive snaps and did not allow a pressure despite matching up with Jeffery Simmons multiple times throughout the game.
One of Ioane’s biggest strengths is his ability to operate in close quarters. He does a good job preventing defensive linemen from getting clean access to his chest, while his punch timing and hand fighting allow him to maintain leverage and keep defenders at length. That showed up repeatedly against Simmons, where Ioane was able to absorb contact without surrendering significant ground in pass protection.
His ability to quickly flip his hips also translates well to center. Ioane has the core strength to absorb power while maintaining his balance, and his movement skills allow him to redirect defenders once he establishes contact.
One rep in particular highlighted the combination of technique and athleticism that makes Ioane intriguing inside. Ioane used a snatch technique to throw the defensive lineman to the ground before immediately working downfield on a screen. It was a good example of his ability to win the initial engagement and then transition into his next assignment.
The biggest takeaway from Ioane’s first start at center was stability. Baltimore’s interior offensive line has desperately needed reliable play, and allowing zero pressures over 34 pass-blocking snaps against a defensive front featuring Jeffery Simmons is an encouraging start. If Ioane can continue providing that level of pass protection while developing the finer details of playing center, the Ravens may have found an answer at a position that entered the season with plenty of uncertainty.
Snap distribution and advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.
