Baltimore Ravens Elvis Dumervil should have huge day against Michael Oher
The Baltimore Ravens have some of the most impressive pass rushers in the NFL, though I have a difficult time picking between them and the Buffalo Bills elite front seven when it comes to pass rushing prowess. There’s no doubt that the Ravens are doing an even better job of getting back to the quarterback this season, because not only is the elite duo of Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil still going strong, but Pernell McPhee is racking up pressure at a blistering pace. McPhee first jumped on my radar a few years ago (I think it was around 2011), and he’s been one of the unsung defensive heroes of the 2014 season thus far.
Elvis Dumervil is anything but unsung, because just about everyone who follows the NFL understands that he is one of the game’s best at terrorizing quarterbacks. But sometimes I wonder if we don’t talk about him enough, because he’s one of those players who is so consistent that we don’t realize how effective he is until we decided to specifically look at his numbers.
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After taking down the opposing quarterback 9.5 times last season in his first year in Baltimore, Dumervil added ten pounds in the offseason, and it looks like the added strength has made him even more dangerous. He already has eight sacks on the year, so he’s tied for fifth with Denver Broncos offseason signing DeMarcus Ware. And yet, guys like Ware get more credit than Dumervil, even though Dumervil has probably put pressure on the quarterback at a more consistent pace.
I think Dumervil could have a game to remember this week against the Tennessee Titans, because all the ingredients are there for the supremely gifted veteran pass rusher. Michael Oher was a terrible signing this offseason for the Titans, and he really wasn’t money well spent on their part. The Ravens have received much better play at right tackle out of youngster Ricky Wagner, who has been a massive surprise this season. Those who watched Oher last season in Baltimore likely predicted that he would struggle with the Titans, and he’s done nothing to prove those doubters wrong.
Not only is Dumervil familiar with Oher from their days facing off against each other at practice in Baltimore, but, more importantly, he’s also a much better player than the former first-round pick at Dumervil. Again, Dumervil has eight sacks this season, and that’s not even taking into account the fact that he is the Pro Football Focus’s fifth-highest PRP (Pass Rushing Productivity). For those of you who aren’t familiar with the statistic, it essentially means that Dumervil has been one of the five most efficient pass rushers in the NFL this season, and this is also reflected in his sixth-highest total pressures created.
Oher is in for a crazy Sunday, but he isn’t the only player whose struggles will be conducive to a big performance from Dumervil. Rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger could struggle in the face of pressure from Oher, especially since he is known for being a statue in the pocket and does not have consistent decision-making. He’ll have a tough time getting away from the explosive Dumervil, so those pressures have a greater chance of becoming sacks for the 30-year-old Louisville product and the Ravens defense. With McPhee and Suggs trying to beat standout rookie Taylor Lewan on the other side, Dumervil has plenty of help around him, and that’s not even talking about the big men up front on the defensive line.
With 4.5 sacks in his past four games, Elvis Dumervil is on a tear, and the Baltimore Ravens could get a third multi-sack performance this season out of the former Broncos star. He should be able to expose Michael Oher, and the fact that the Ravens allow him to focus on getting after the quarterback helps him even more. The Titans will likely be behind early, which gives Dumervil more times to take advantage of the number of times Mettenberger will drop back.