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New Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver during his playing days.
The Baltimore Ravens want to forget the last two weeks. After losing both games, they shut out their opponents in the first half; now they are back to the drawing board on how to end games.
The air was sucked out of M&T Bank Stadium when the Cincinnati Bengals scored 35 unanswered points, and the Ravens’ defense offered little resistance.
Ravens defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver wasn’t happy with the players’ performance on the field, but neither was he is not happy with the fan participation in the stands.
Pumping The Team Up
The last two weeks have offered little for Ravens fans to cheer about, especially in the second half of games; however, Ravens defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver was disappointed by the silence he heard from Ravens fans in the second half against the Bengals. Weaver spoke to reporters Thursday about the energy from the crowd and the players.
“Not just sidelines, stadiums,” Weaver said. “There was a time there that was like a funeral, and it was just a one-point game. I think the collective of not just our sideline, but the fans need to understand sometimes we need you to pump life into us too. i am also doing my best on the side. i am m’fing guys, let’s just play. we will go there”
Weaver then identified the of the team role in giving fans a reason to get excited about a game.
“Ultimately, we know we control the vibe, but we can help the fans by going out there and playing,” Weaver continued. “We are thinking about it because we have 11, but we also need a 12th person. So, all of us, we can do better.”
Weaver and the Ravens know they must play better, but some former Ravens personnel are skeptical of the leadership taking place in the locker room.
Football Character
Wink Martindale was with the Ravens from 2012 to 2021 and was the defensive coordinator from 2018-2021, so he is well versed in Ravens’ culture. however, he is doubt the culture is still in place under first-year head coach Jesse Minter.
In the October 28 edition of “speaking Ball with Pat Leonard,” Martindale discussed what he feels is a lack of leadership on the Ravens and how he thinks trouble may lie ahead for the team.
“They need to find some football characters in that locker room,” Martindale said.
He also believes that the current leadership is not represent the Ravens’ way.
“The leaders did not represent the Ravens of old. to Jesse a great coach. But Jesse needs to have some honest conversations, and I think Steve Bisciotti needs to have a serious conversation with Eric DeCosta,” Martindale continued.
The Ravens’ defense faces a tough task Sunday against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills’ top five offense. If the Ravens want to prove themselves a serious contender this season, Sunday is the perfect opportunity to make that statement.
Chad Gelfand Chad Gelfand is a reporter who covers the NFL focusing on the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers for Heavy.com. Gelfand has over six years of writing experience. Gelfand previously covered the Philadelphia Eagles for Last Word On Sports. He also has experience writing in the world of entertainment and wrestling. Gelfand is an Entertainment writer for List.com, and a contributor for Fansided wrestling websites Daily DDT and The Wrestling Estate. Gelfand has also appeared several times as a guest on POST Wrestling’s “Bushby and Thompson’s Wrestling Adventure” podcast. More about Chad Gelfand