Colts vs. Ravens: Defense Postgame Grades

The Colts played in their second preseason game last night against the Ravens. They lost 20-19 in an ugly played game. Here is how the different defensive units fared.

The Colts had plenty to prove defensively last night. They needed to show that they could improve on a dismal performance in the first preseason game, at least as far as the starting unit is concerned. Here is how some of the units graded out.

John Simon continues to show that he is a really good football player. He had an effort sack against Flacco, and kept putting pressure all night. Hassan Ridgeway also had a sack and continued his impressive preseason. Everyone else was just okay. They struggled to get consistent pressure on the quarterback, and couldn’t keep running backs from gashing them.

The linebackers weren’t great last night, but they weren’t awful either. Darius Leonard continued his progress and showed why he deserves to be a starter. Everyone else was nondescript. The defense had some issues stopping the run and allowed some gaps in coverage.

Clayton Geathers made his preseason debut and he made an impact early, forcing a fumble on special teams. The starting safety also made some good plays on passes as well. The corners still need work and we don’t know who is going to start at those positions yet either. Baltimore had some big pass plays early in the second half, but the Colts did a decent job of bending and not breaking in the secondary.

The Colts play again on Saturday, and it looks like Malik Hooker will make his debut then. It will be good to have both starting safeties out there are the same time.