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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kevin Oestreicher

Michael Pierce on how practicing against QB Lamar Jackson helps Ravens defense prepare

The Baltimore Ravens have played exceptionally well throughout the 2023 season, with many things going their way. Plenty has gone into their success, but one underrated part of why they’re playing so well might fly under the radar.

“It certainly helps a lot because those plays get extended in practice. When guys tend to come open, that is when your secondary has to plaster. D-Line has to make sure we are on our keys, make sure as much as we can to keep him in the pocket. You always have to be aware of Lamar [Jackson] running out of the B-gap, as well as [Patrick] Mahomes. They do a good job in Kansas City of setting the pocket, and he finds those spaces. That is something we have [practiced] with ‘Snoop’ [Tyler Huntley] and Josh Johnson as well. You have to be mindful of those things. Rushing him, playing defense in general, DBs plastering against receivers. We definitely have our work cut out for us every day [in practice], but it definitely helps in this case.”

Baltimore has talent on both sides of the football, and they get to go up against that talent in practice every day. Defensive tackle Michael Pierce talked about how facing off against quarterback Lamar Jackson in practice helps the team prepare, especially when facing a player like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the AFC Championship.

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