By Rich Campbell
Special to The Washington Post
Friday, December 8, 2006; E05
OWINGS MILLS, Md., Dec. 7 -- Ask Ray Lewis about the most vital component to a dominant run defense, and he stops in his tracks. A smile brightens his fierce countenance. This is a subject dear to Lewis's heart, for it has been a staple of his 10-plus seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
Without hesitation, he responds:
"Togetherness, of course."
Lewis has instilled in his teammates a sense of brotherhood when it comes to stopping the run. It's a camaraderie that transcends X's and O's and also breeds results. Players can take risks and be aggressive trying to make tackles because they trust their teammates will make the play if they do not.
"There is no good run defense if everybody ain't flying to the football," Lewis said. "We take pride in it, like I'm my brother's keeper. You've got to have my back."
That philosophy of brotherhood and accountability, several players said, is why Baltimore has surrendered the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL (75.8 yards per game) and the fewest in the AFC. It's also why the Ravens are eager to face Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, the NFL's second-leading rusher, in a critical road game Sunday.
"I think it's going to be a good challenge, but I think they're going to have to stop us," Lewis said. "We don't really look to stop people. We tell people to stop us."
The fraternal element comprises part of the Ravens' mental approach to run defense, which, they say, supersedes the physical aspect. More than any defensive alignment or scheme, more than size or speed, run defense is about refusing to be bullied.
The passing game relies on "finesse" and strategy to advance the ball, Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs said. Running the ball is about power, strength and toughness. When a team tries to run on the Ravens, they interpret that as an affront to their collective might, and that doesn't sit well.
"We're men, we have pride and ego," Suggs said. "It's personal."
Lewis is the cog, the one who indoctrinates all newcomers with this approach. Accountability and toughness are his lessons, and he leads by example. His 78 tackles are second-most on the team, behind linebacker Bart Scott's 81.
"On our defense, we are so free to take any shot," Lewis said. "I don't care how bad it may look on film. You take that shot because my boy better have my back. I've been doing this for a long time, and that's just carried over. Of course, the nucleus, I would never let that die."
Lewis's younger teammates have embraced this mind-set, realizing the long-term success Baltimore's defense has enjoyed. Since the start of the 2000-01 season, no team has surrendered fewer rushing yards than the Ravens (who have given up 9,860).
"You just better line up and play," said Suggs, who is in his fifth season. "If you get your [butt] kicked, the next guy will be up in there. That's the idea within this defense. Don't let your brother down, and don't let anybody run on you."
Schematically, the Ravens stop the run effectively out of a 3-4 alignment thanks in part to players such as Suggs and Adalius Thomas, who play linebacker and defensive end almost interchangeably during a game.
Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who is in his eighth year with Baltimore, also plays an important role.
"Football is about numbers, angles and things like that," Scott said. "Rex sets us up to be in a position to make the play. Now whether we make it or not is up to us."
The defensive line does its part, too. Lineman Trevor Pryce came to Baltimore as a free agent from Denver last offseason and has an outsider's perspective on the unit. He believes Ravens tackle Kelly Gregg keys the run defense.
Gregg, who is in his sixth season with the Ravens and whose 49 tackles rank fifth on the team, is 310 pounds but stands only 6-0. That's short for most defensive tackles in the league.
Height apparently hasn't detracted from his game, though. On one play against Pittsburgh two games ago, Steelers running back Willie Parker approached the line of scrimmage and tried to scoot past Gregg, who was tied up by one of Pittsburgh's offensive linemen. With only his left hand, Gregg reached out and slammed Parker to the ground.
"When he realizes that a running back is about to hit that hole, he gets off blocks faster than anybody I've ever seen," said Pryce, a nine-year veteran.
Johnson will test the Ravens with his combination of speed and power, several players said. He has rushed for 1,312 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, second only to San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson (1,324 yards, 23 TDs) in both categories.
"He's a big back and he's fast, but he has the patience of a little guy," Scott said. "He trusts his line and he allows the holes to open, and when he sees it, that's when he hits them."
Johnson has rushed for more than 100 yards in eight of 12 games, while the Ravens have allowed only one 100-yard rusher. Stopping him is the kind of challenge for which Lewis and his teammates play.
"Our defense doesn't hide from anybody," Lewis said. "We're going to come play hard, smash-mouth football and see if you can deal with it. Something has to give this Sunday, so we'll find out once we get there."