| Dannell Ellerbe exceeding expectations at linebacker. (US Presswire) |
Dannell Ellerbe's start to the 2012 NFL season has been a surprise to those outside of the Ravens organization.
Not many people figured he'd play 62 percent of the defense's snaps to this point. No one figured he'd be leading the Ravens in sacks with 2.5 or be sitting at second on the team in tackles with 23 (behind only Ray Lewis, who has 33).
But Ellerbe has been confident in his abilities as an every-down linebacker. After starting five total games as a rookie in 2009, he has been used in substitution packages the past two seasons, usually to defend the pass.
While Ellerbe isn't listed as a starting inside linebacker, his snap counts would indicate he's playing an important role on defense this year.
"I've always felt I was a balanced linebacker," Ellerbe said. "My rookie year I was in run situations and I was an every-down linebacker. I've showed I can do it all and they can put me in for whatever they needed."
Ellerbe is off to his best start since signing with the Ravens in 2009. He was undrafted out of the University of Georgia, where he was a regular contributor to a defense that defeated Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl following the 2007 regular season.
Ellerbe fought through a hamstring injury early this preseason but rehabbed it and bounced back.
Maturity has also played a big role in Ellerbe's game. Two years ago, coach John Harbaugh chewed out Ellerbe on the sideline for prematurely celebrating an interception returned for a touchdown in a preseason game against St. Louis. At halftime of the game, Harbaugh told a local television reporter that Ellerbe's celebration was "classless."
Now that he's in his fourth NFL season, you don't see that side of Ellerbe much anymore.
"Once you get into the league and understand that your role is starting to increase, then you understand that you've got to take the business way more serious than he probably did in his younger days," Lewis said. "And what you're seeing now is his study habits and the way he approaches the game now. Now you know that he's really turning into a real veteran to understand the business side of it."
Safety Ed Reed backs Lewis' claim, saying Ellerbe is constantly asking questions to improve his film study.
"He always comes to me, picking my brain on stuff," Reed said. "He fought through some injuries early and is doing great now."
Against the Chiefs this Sunday, the Ravens defense will need to defend the run first. Kansas City ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards, getting an average of 173.5 yards on the ground per game.
The Ravens are giving up an average of just over three yards per carry per game and hope to continue that against the Chiefs. But the combination of Jamaal Charles, Shaun Draughn and Peyton Hillis (if healthy) could provide a test for the Ravens' front seven.
With an increased focus on stopping the run, Ellerbe could see his snaps reduced. He plays mostly against the pass, and Jameel McClain plays more against the run. But with Ellerbe as well as he is, he could see more snaps in the base package. And he's studying Kansas City's running backs as if he will be.
"It's just playing fundamentals, playing square and using your hands and shedding blocks," Ellerbe said. "They run a zone, got a couple of gap schemes. It seems they've got a scheme to fit every running back. It's going to be a true test, but I feel we're up to it."
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