TheBaltimore Ravens know special teams can swing a game in either direction. Anthony Levine Sr. spent part of Thursday explaining what he expects from his unit after a frustrating Week 2 performance. His message centered on two traits he views as essential every time his group takes the field.
Those traits are energy and discipline. In short, it sounds like he's trying to teach his unit to 'play like Ravens.'
Those themes surfaced repeatedly as Levine discussed everything from the Ravens' blocked field goal to the costly kick return allowed before halftime against the New Orleans Saints. While the mistakes differed, Levine suggested the underlying issues did not.
The blocked field goal cost points. A kickoff return before halftime helped New Orleans
generate momentum. Taken together, the mistakes contributed to a frustrating afternoon for a team still searching for consistency.
Speaking with reporters Thursday, Coach Levine repeatedly returned to the themes of 'energy' and 'discipline.' Levine confirmed the Ravens discussed kicking the ball deep for a touchback.
"What we want to do is get as much time off the clock as we can to give our defense a good opportunity to go ahead and stop them."
The problem wasn't necessarily the decision itself. It was what happened afterward. The Saints scorched the Ravens' special teams unit, creating valuable field position for their offense. The first half ended with a successful Saints field-goal try.
"We have to make sure that we stay in our lanes, we stay disciplined, and anytime the ball is kicked, anytime we are out there, we have to go out there, and we have to cover kicks."
Discipline surfaced again when Levine discussed Tyler Loop's blocked field goal. According to the Ravens' special teams coordinator, leverage and technique broke down at a critical moment.
"We have to make sure that we play with leverage. Our leverage was too high, and with our leverage, we have to make sure that we stay low, we stay connected, and we cannot let those guys get up under our pads and get knocked back and get their hands up."
While discipline was one recurring theme, energy may have been the bigger one. Asked whether Baltimore's special teams unit met its standard in that area, Levine didn't hesitate.
"Our energy has to be better. I will say that. I have to make sure it starts with me, that our energy – every single time from here on out – our energy is always up, and energy is always high, because that is what drives us... When we have energy, we play fast, we play physically, and we go out there, and we are able to make plays."
Those messages matter even more this week asthe Ravens prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys in Brazil. Levine described return specialist KaVontae Turpin as one of the NFL's most dangerous playmakers, a player capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. Against a weapon like that, discipline and energy aren't simply coaching buzzwords. They become necessities.
Based on Levine's comments, those are the traits Baltimore believes must define its special teams unit moving forward. After what happened against the Saints, the Ravens cannot afford anything less.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens special teams coach explains costly mistakes against Saints
