The Baltimore Ravens’ defense has given fans more stress than confidence this season. After starting 1-5, head coach John Harbaugh and his team have put up two straight wins with strong defensive outings. But can two good games really erase all the early struggles in Baltimore? Ravens legend Terrell Suggs suggests that the HC remove some dead weight.

On the latest episode of Kevin Clarke’s This Is Football podcast, Terrell Suggs had a demand for John Harbaugh. When asked what he says to his TV now while watching the Ravens, Suggs made one thing clear – the coaches aren’t the problem. The players are. As such, Suggs wouldn’t blame Harbaugh for cutting ties with some of those struggling players. 

“We gotta have guys like, grow up,” said Terrell Suggs. “And I hate how everybody is blaming the coaches. Look, when the players cross that line, there is no perfect call. Only we can save us,” Suggs said.

That’s a strong message coming from someone who knows what it takes to win in Baltimore. Terrell Suggs spent his career on John Harbaugh’s best defensive units, and he’s earned the right to speak his mind. So, what’s his solution? One simple thing: accountability.

“I know we’ve got a couple of young corners, a couple of young guys in the deep, in the secondary,” said Suggs. “But you know what? You’re trying to do something special. So, you gotta grow up… You’re only a rookie when you show up to the building during training camp. Once you play in games and you are starting, you’re in a key role, you’ve got to show up, man.” 

His biggest issue with the team is that the players need to take accountability for their actions.

Terrell Suggs blasts John Harbaugh’s defense for not stepping up

But Terrell Suggs didn’t stop there. He called on players to do their homework and study the game like professionals. “I would like to see who’s gonna step up,” he said ultimately. And honestly, he’s got a point. 

The Ravens’ defense has looked out of rhythm for most of the season. Yes, there have been a few standout players on the defense. In the Ravens’ 28-6 win over the Miami Dolphins, safety Kyle Hamilton was everywhere. He played the run, locked down receivers, and made it all really difficult for Miami’s offense. But as Terrell Suggs also pointed out, John Harbaugh’s team can’t rely on one man to fix everything.

“We need somebody, you know, can’t just have our [Kyle] Hamilton up helping, playing the run and in the back in coverage… There’s only one safety in history who can do that, and he is in the Hall of Fame – he’s retired.”

That’s not exactly subtle. Terrell Suggs wants other defenders to step up. And he’s right – the Ravens’ defense hasn’t looked dominant in most of their first 8 games. Remember the Detroit Lions game in Week 3? Baltimore gave up 426 yards, including two drives of over 95 yards. That’s not what you expect from John Harbaugh’s team, which once prided itself on its solid defense.

The Ravens’ defense took a hard hit after some of their key players joined the injury list. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey is now on the latest injury report with a finger issue. Losing him before facing the Minnesota Vikings’ JJ McCarthy-led offense is a big challenge for John Harbaugh. But the team is also missing defensive tackle Justin Madubuike for the season with a neck injury, along with Ar’Darius Washington, Broderick, and Tavius Robinson.

Moreover, John Harbaugh’s team has recently shown flashes of the old purple dominance. But Terrell Suggs isn’t satisfied with flashes. The message from one of the franchise’s greatest defenders is loud and clear: stop talking, start performing. Do you agree with the Ravens’ Legend?