Defensive coordinator Dean Pees is taking a hard, honest look at the limitations of his defensive personnel. (US Presswire)

Dean Pees was brutally honest about his defense on Thursday.

After allowing a combined 622 rushing yards the past three games, the bye couldn't have come at a better time for the defense. At the same time, Pees has a lot of decisions to make while trying to correct what's been a suspect defense through seven games.

"We really had to sit down as a staff during that bye week and say, ‘This is what we can (do),'" Pees said. "This is what we are -- whether we like it, whether if it’s exactly what we want to do is irrelevant. If you don’t have corners that can play man coverage, you are crazy to play man coverage, right? If you have guys that can’t play zone, then you’re crazy to play zone.

"I’m using those guys as examples, but it’s the same thing up front. If a guy can’t play a shade, then don’t put him in a shade. If a guy can’t play a two-gap, then don’t put him in a two-gap. And what we have to do and what we’ve done or tried to do is say, ‘OK, this is what we can do.’"

The Ravens have had lapses in pass coverage and against the run. After Week 1's blowout win against Cincinnati, the Ravens' pass defense saw three consecutive quarterbacks -- Michael Vick, Tom Brady, Brandon Weeden -- throw for more than 300 yards in three consecutive games.

After it appeared the Ravens were susceptible against the pass, Kansas City rushed for 214 yards. Then the Cowboys, one of the NFL's worst rushing teams, ran for 227 yards, setting a Baltimore record for most rushing yards allowed in a game.

Changes in playing time for the defensive line may be made this week after it has been routinely dominated. DE Bryan Hall and rookie DE DeAngelo Tyson could get time.  Terrence Cody, Pernell McPhee, Ma'ake Kemoeatu and Arthur Jones  have combined for just 54 tackles this year and haven't taken many double teams to free up linebackers.

But all the adjustments Pees and his coaching staff make may not make up for gaps in talent. If not, the Ravens, long considered a defensive power, may have to come up with more offense than in the past to stay competitive with the elite teams.

For now, Pees and his coaches will continue to evaluate what their defense can and can not do.

"Same thing with the blitzes, same way with the pressures -- can this guy do it?" Pees said. "(Lardarius Webb ) is not there, can this guy do it? Is it going to be the same? Is it going to have the same effect? All those things that you look at and you say, ‘Here’s what we can do going forward. This is what we need to do to win.’”

Follow Ravens reporter Jason Butt on Twitter: @CBSRavens and @JasonButtCBS.