Lardarius Webb confident secondary will resolve preseason issues

By Edward Lee

Sports Football Lardarius Webb Time (magazine)Justin Blackmon Jacksonville Jaguars Cary Williams

Time and weak opponents over the latter half of the preseason have quelled the concern over the play of the Ravens secondary in the first half.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones caught six passes for 109 yards and one touchdown in a quarter on Aug. 9, and Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson finished with five receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown in about a quarter-and-a-half on Aug. 17.

Even Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Justin Blackmon had four catches for 72 yards on Aug. 23. But the defense’s schemes have been vanilla, and cornerback Lardarius Webb said he is confident that the secondary is progressing towards settling the issues that plagued the unit in the preseason.

“We’re coming along,” Webb said after Friday’s practice at the team’s training facility in Owings Mills. “We know where we want to be at, and we know where we’re at right now. So we’re trying to get there.”

The upcoming season could be potentially difficult for the pass defense. Eleven Pro Bowl quarterbacks and eight of last year’s top 17 receivers and tight ends (with regards to receiving yards) are on the schedule.

There is still some lingering uncertainty over whether Cary Williams or Jimmy Smith will start opposite Webb, but he said he is confident that the secondary has the players to fill the role.

“I just know that all the guys we’ve got are starting-caliber corners,” Webb said. “That’s Danny Gorrer, Corey Graham, Jimmy or Cary. All of them are great corners. I’m just privileged to be on that left side.”