While the offense in Baltimore is improving the defense has faltered. Last season the unit was the No. 3 defense in the NFL. So far this season they are No. 26. Now that they are without their fearless leader, Ray Lewis, the outlook is not too hot. However, that could all change should they get Terrell Suggs back.
If you ask him, that could happen this Sunday against the Texans.
Suggs, the 2011 Defensive MVP, was believed to be lost for the season when he tore his Achilles tendon during the off-season. It is thought to have happened during a pick-up basketball game, but he claims it was while working on his conditioning.
The prognosis for that type of injury is not a good one. The general consensus is that he would be out for the ’12 season, but Suggs has insisted all along that he would be back by November.
Sure enough, he returned to practice on Wednesday and says he’ll be ready to go when the team takes on the Houston Texans on Sunday. This inference is being drawn by the number of friends and family members that are supposedly making travel plans to be in Houston on Sunday. Suggs, however, is not saying whether he'll play:
"If it didn't come from coach (John) Harbaugh or myself, it's not a credible source. There's no plan in place, take it day by day. We'll decide Sunday what's best for the team. Right now, we're just feeling it out. Come Sunday, I may or may not be out there."
When you consider the long-term ramifications it would be foolish for Suggs to try and make a return this soon. Recovery can be as quick as six months which coincides with a November return. The problem is that the repaired tendon is still weak and could benefit from a few more weeks of conditioning, as could Suggs who has been relatively inactive due to the injury.At the same time, if there was ever a time that the team needed Suggs back it would be now. The unit is not performing anywhere near to its usual standards. For example, the Dallas Cowboys had nearly 500 yards of offense last Sunday. Of that, 227 of it came on the ground—a record high since the Ravens moved to Baltimore in 1996.
Although the Ravens were able to pull out a win over Dallas they suffered a loss that could loom large for the season when linebacker Ray Lewis tore a triceps muscle. While he may not have been the play maker that he once was, he was the unquestioned leader and emotional core of the defense.
If any one player could make up for that loss it would be Terrell Suggs. The nine-year pro and reigning NFL defensive MVP could easily provide an infusion of power and intensity into a unit that is desperate need of both right now. A healthy Suggs could definitely make a difference. However, should he return too soon and get hurt he likely will be done for the season—and so could the Ravens hope of making the Super Bowl.
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