The Ravens lastyear allowed 29.2 yards per kickoff return, which ranked second-worst in theleague. That couldn't have sat well with coach John Harbaugh, who cut his teeth as aspecial teams coach. The Ravens made aconcerted effort in the off-season to bolster special teams play, re-signing de facto specialteams captain Brendon Ayanbadejo as a free agent and bringing in former Bearsdefensive back Corey Graham, who like Ayanbadejo has made the Pro Bowl for hisspecial teams play. We werent asgood (on kick coverage) as we needed to be, Harbaugh said in March after thosesignings were announced. We need to be more explosive, need to cover kicksbetter. .. These are the type of guys who will help us do that.So it must havebeen a bit alarming to see more trouble in the kickoff cover unit againstJacksonville last week. The Jaguars averaged 36.5 yards on four kickoffreturns, including one return of 47 yards -- this on the play that endedEmanuel Cook's season with a broken leg -- and another that went for 42 yards.
Through three preseason games, the Ravens have allowed 25.6 yards per return.
Ravens kickerJustin Tucker suggested that against Jacksonville, the Ravens deliberately putsome kickoffs in play, as opposed to kicking touchbacks, to give the unit somework. Looks like they still need it. Granted, this isstill the preseason, when all the kinks are supposedly being worked out. Butthese long returns occurred against players on the kickoff cover unit such asDanny Gorrer, Damien Berry and Chykie Brown -- bubble players whose spots onthe team are likely linked to special teams play. After here-signed with the Ravens in March, Ayanbadejo stressed there would be arenewed commitment to special teams play. Special teams isone-third of the game, Ayanbadejo said in March, but to some guys, its theonly part of the game and its the most important part of the game. You have todedicate and focus yourself to that part of the game and not to the otherphases.