<
>

Fingers crossed, Ravens want to stay off Von Miller's list

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Looking to continue their success against Von Miller, the Baltimore Ravens believe it will take a team effort as well as the occasional gesture of good luck to slow down the NFL's sacks leader.

"We have a plan," said Harbaugh, lifting up both hands and crossing his fingers, "and I trust our guys. I think our guys are going to be ready."

The Ravens have been effective in defending Miller in two regular-season meetings, holding him to three tackles and no sacks. Baltimore is one of four teams not to give up a full sack to Miller in the regular season (Detroit, Houston and New Orleans are the others).

This time, the Ravens will look to slow down Miller with left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who is wearing a brace on his right arm, and right tackle James Hurst, who played the entire preseason at guard. Hurst has been studying as much film as he can to understand Miller's movement and timing.

"Obviously, he’s an elite pass-rusher, the best in the biz," Hurst said. "I think what makes him so great. He’s just a really balanced player. He’s not going to pick before the play what he’s going to do. He’s going to play the play and can beat you in several ways. That’s why he’s so good. As a lineman, you can’t just predict his moves or sit on one move."

Harbaugh referred to Miller as Denver's "bell cow" and "the straw that stirs the drink" for the Broncos' defense.

Miller, a six-time Pro Bowl player, has been the NFL's most dominating pass-rusher since being the No. 2 overall pick in 2011. He has recorded 87.5 sacks, which are 11.5 more than any other defender over that span. In two games this season, Miller has produced a league-high four sacks.

His disruption on defense is nearing historic proportions. He is averaging 0.83 sacks per game, which is second only to Reggie White (0.84).

"He's a physical freak," Broncos coach Vance Joseph told Baltimore reporters. "He's a guy that has defensive back movement and he's got defensive end and outside backer explosion."

Miller is going against a Ravens offensive line that is not playing at its best. Baltimore got pushed back against a talented Bengals front four last Thursday night and played on its heels.

Stanley and Hurst have yet to give up a sack this season, but they've combined for nine quarterback hurries allowed, according to Pro Football Focus.

Quarterback Joe Flacco said he won't be looking to find where Miller is lined up as part of his pre-snap read.

"There are good players all across this league, and he's one of them," Flacco said. "He's very disruptive, but that's going to be taken care of by the guys up front, our backs, everybody. It's all hands on deck, and we'll have a plan for it. We don't have to worry about it too, too much every single play we get up to the line."

Unlike last season when Miller exclusively went against the right tackle, he has moved around more in the first two weeks of the season. Harbaugh pointed at four different spots when asked where Miller has lined up this season.

That makes it tougher for offenses to know where to chip a running back or double team him.

"We know he's over there [over right tackle], but sometimes he's in there over guard, sometimes he's over center," Harbaugh said. "So, we always have to know where '58' is."

Miller sees it as the ultimate compliment to be the focus of the opposing offense's game plan, although he wished it didn't always have to be that way.

"I take pride in making plays. If I can do it without having the whole 53-man roster's attention, I would like to do it that way," Miller said in a conference call with Baltimore reporters. "Once you get double-digit sacks, that's just how it is."