Ravens determined to fix costly dropped interceptions
OWINGS MILLS –The Ravens have spent hours since the beginning of training camp working with the defensive backs on catching the football.
The players line up, run about 15 to 20 yards downfield, and then catch the ball drifting backward as if they were covering a wide receiver.
So, it hasn’t been a lack of practice that has led to dropped interceptions this season. But it has been a lack of execution, and the missed opportunities have been costly.
On Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, the Ravens dropped at least three interceptions, which boosted their season total to eight — the most in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
Coach John Harbaugh is confident the Ravens can fix the problem.
“There’s probably a lot of factors that are pretty hard to measure on that,” Harbaugh said about thre drops. “There’s no doubt. We lead the league in those drops – interception-wise – that’s no secret, and those are huge plays. Those are huge opportunity plays. I’m going to choose to look at it like those plays are going to get made, and that’s [an] upside for us. That’s low-hanging fruit, the way I see it, going forward.
“That’s where you can make a huge difference in your play. How many fewer plays you have to play, how many fewer scoring opportunities they have, the difference in points – it’s massive making those plays.”
Safety Kyle Hamilton had the biggest drop against the Browns. With just over a minute remaining in the game, Hamilton bobbled an easy interception that could have sealed the win. His frustration was evident as he lay on the ground, face-down, after the play.
On the very next play, Browns quarterback Jameis Winston threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Cedric Tillman to give Cleveland a 29-24 victory. Safety Eddie Jackson, who also dropped two interceptions in the game, was beaten badly on the touchdown.
After a season-opening loss to the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens have lost to two 2-6 teams, the Raiders and Browns. The drops could continue to cost the Ravens.
“We’ll make those plays, we’ll work hard at it, and we’ll continue to work even harder at it, because it’s something that we want our guys to have confidence in,” Harbaugh said. “We have guys with good hands; they can catch the ball. I’m very confident that we’re going to do it going forward, but I’d like to see it happen really soon.”