Props to Pees

[OriginalColtsFan]

Lost amidst all the excitement over Joe Flacco's accomplishments in the Denver and N.E. victories is the success of the defense. They came up huge in the N.E. victory, and played well enough to give Joe a fighting chance in Denver. So credit must be given to Dean Pees for overcoming injuries to key players and dialing up good enough schemes to do what was needed to win. He'll face a definite challenge against the Niners, but there's no reason now to believe he's not up to that challenge. I was wrong in my assessment of Pees towards the middle of the season. I did not think he had what it takes, but he does.

[kronusthebonus]

Yes, absolutely props to Pees. However, think about what the defense has done in the past 3 years. 3 different defensive coordinators. To go from Pops Mattison, to fiery Chuck Pagano, and then to Dean Pees, it's not only rough on the coordinator but the defense.

I always thought the defense would get better as the season progressed and Pees and the defense could gel. I think Dean knows exactly what he has in his players now, their intricate strengths and weaknesses and he's implementing game plans that play to those strengths.

It is not going to be easy in the SB, the 49ers have some great weapons. However, we have some of the best defensive playmakers in the NFL, and they're focused and hungry, I gotta imagine we can slow them down somehow.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Yes, absolutely props to Pees. However, think about what the defense has done in the past 3 years. 3 different defensive coordinators. To go from Pops Mattison, to fiery Chuck Pagano, and then to Dean Pees, it's not only rough on the coordinator but the defense.

I always thought the defense would get better as the season progressed and Pees and the defense could gel. I think Dean knows exactly what he has in his players now, their intricate strengths and weaknesses and he's implementing game plans that play to those strengths.

It is not going to be easy in the SB, the 49ers have some great weapons. However, we have some of the best defensive playmakers in the NFL, and they're focused and hungry, I gotta imagine we can slow them down somehow.

All true. But unlike past seasons, the loss of arguably one of the best CBs in the NFL, Suggs not starting until late in the year, the injuries to Ngata and Ray Lewis...I mean, C'MON MAN...it was like a nightmare. And Pees just kept plugging away. It's amazing, really.

[cprenegade]

I have to agree. A lot of people were quick to jump on Pees earlier. I said he can only do what he can with the talent on the field. I think he has gotten the most out of a defense with a weaker secondary and average DL. He's actually turned them into a better defense than the talent would indicate.

[OriginalColtsFan]

I have to agree. A lot of people were quick to jump on Pees earlier. I said he can only do what he can with the talent on the field. I think he has gotten the most out of a defense with a weaker secondary and average DL. He's actually turned them into a better defense than the talent would indicate.

My point(s) exactly.

(Plus I'm manning up and admitting that I was one of those who openly criticized Pees through at least half of the season.)

[Steveg85321]

I think that holding the Patriots to Zip Nil Nada in the second half was nothing short of miraculous. The most productive offense in the NFL did not even get into field goal range. Clearly, with the exception of Webb and McClain out for the season, the defense is more healthy and whole now than all season, but I believe that Pees' strength is getting to know the limitations of his guys and putting them into positions to succeed, and it sure was not all in place early in the season.

This is another instance where we can see the Ravens peaking at just the right time of year, which is the key to post-season success.

[OriginalColtsFan]

I think that holding the Patriots to Zip Nil Nada in the second half was nothing short of miraculous. The most productive offense in the NFL did not even get into field goal range. Clearly, with the exception of Webb and McClain out for the season, the defense is more healthy and whole now than all season, but I believe that Pees' strength is getting to know the limitations of his guys and putting them into positions to succeed, and it sure was not all in place early in the season.

This is another instance where we can see the Ravens peaking at just the right time of year, which is the key to post-season success.

Spot on.

[Rintrah]

Do you guys think that being a former Patriots defensive coordinator helped Pees with his game plan this past Sunday?

[Peej7245]

Spot on.

There is a longer-term implication too.

With the rash of major and minor injuries, the coaching staff has gotten good looks at the younger players and has a pretty good idea as to where any holes will be in the D after the SB.

This game film experience (not just practice) will help the coaches and FO decide how to fill any holes.

For the players, look at how many stepped up and showed their stuff!

I suspect that this Ravens team will be more than competitive for years to come!

[OriginalColtsFan]

There is a longer-term implication too.

With the rash of major and minor injuries, the coaching staff has gotten good looks at the younger players and has a pretty good idea as to where any holes will be in the D after the SB.

This game film experience (not just practice) will help the coaches and FO decide how to fill any holes.

For the players, look at how many stepped up and showed their stuff!

I suspect that this Ravens team will be more than competitive for years to come!

No doubt about it. And the fact that everything was able to come together at just the right time is a huge bonus.

(I will also blow my own horn a bit because I said, heading into the Denver game, that things were coming together at just the right time, and that teams that go on to win the Super Bowl are the ones that peak at the right time, just like the Ravens. I also said that firing Cameron, even though it was close to the end of the season, was still a good decision because it would free up the offense heading into the most important part of the season.)

[OriginalColtsFan]

Do you guys think that being a former Patriots defensive coordinator helped Pees with his game plan this past Sunday?

It's certainly a possibility. And the fact that the Ravens had already beaten the Pats earlier in the year didn't hurt either.

[Ravens2006]

Yeah, I really wasn't thrilled with his schemes early on in the year. Looks like everything is starting to click more now. Great job all around on the defensive staff.

Still think Teryl Austin deserves some big credit too, with the DBs playing as well as they have lately against some good, very good, and great QBs. The fact that they've had the kind of success limiting damage with guys like Chykie Brown and Corey Graham playing so much is almost shocking to me. Williams' poor play early on surprised me, since he played so well overall last year.

I still think if you had told me early on that Webb would go on IR and Jimmy Smith wouldn't suddenly turn in to a shut-down physical CB... I'd have expected the secondary play to go the way of the '07 squad.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Yeah, I really wasn't thrilled with his schemes early on in the year. Looks like everything is starting to click more now. Great job all around on the defensive staff.

Still think Teryl Austin deserves some big credit too, with the DBs playing as well as they have lately against some good, very good, and great QBs. The fact that they've had the kind of success limiting damage with guys like Chykie Brown and Corey Graham playing so much is almost shocking to me. Williams' poor play early on surprised me, since he played so well overall last year.

I still think if you had told me early on that Webb would go on IR and Jimmy Smith wouldn't suddenly turn in to a shut-down physical CB... I'd have expected the secondary play to go the way of the '07 squad.

OUCH! That 2007 secondary was a nightmare. Martin, et. al. Wow.

[NYCRavenFAN]

Well we are about to face Grandpa Matti light AKA Vic Fangio.........remember him?
Worked for us when Grandpa Matti was our defensive coordinator.

I'd take Pees over Grandpa Matti light in a heartbeat.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Well we are about to face Grandpa Matti light AKA Vic Fangio.........remember him?
Worked for us when Grandpa Matti was our defensive coordinator.

I'd take Pees over Grandpa Matti light in a heartbeat.

I remember a lot of Ravens fans were opposed to Fangio when Pagano was hired. But he seems to have done a great job with San Fran. They have the #3 ranked D, so I don't see how anyone can find fault with the job he's done out there.