Terrell Suggs has what he's always wanted.
With Elvis Dumervil on the opposite side of him, Suggs has a pass-rushing counterpart that gives the Ravens a dynamic one-two punch.
"The kid is explosive," Suggs said about Dumervil. "It's good to see another guy that wants to get after the quarterback. We've always had guys around here that want to do it, but we've never had such a phenomenal talent on the opposite side of me."
In a small sample size from training camp and the first two weeks of the preseason, Suggs and Dumervil have shown the potential to become the dangerous pass-rushing tandem that the Ravens envisioned when they signed Dumervil this offseason.
The two veterans have played sparingly in the preseason – just a little more than a total quarter of action – but they have played at a high level in that time. Both have put pressure on the quarterbacks, and Dumervil had a pair of quarterback hurries last week against the Falcons.
"They're both the real deal," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "I think Suggs is rushing the passer better than I've seen in the time I've been here. Obviously Elvis Dumervil is as good as advertised, but to me he looks the best that we've seen him look from afar. He's just doing a great job every day."
Suggs has been at the top of his game all offseason. He came into training camp noticeably leaner and motivated to have a big season after dealing with serious injuries last year.
Dumervil has also impressed since arriving in Baltimore. He participated in the entire voluntary offseason program and has already become a leader of the defense.
They each look poised for big season, but Harbaugh held off on celebrating them too soon.
"As far as making some broad statement about what it means, we'll find out when the games start to get played, for real," Harbaugh said. "That's when we'll find out if it's what we hoped for."
