Around this time a 12 months in the past, Ravens outdoors linebacker Odafe Oweh felt the jitters.
As a rookie in his first NFL coaching camp, the first-round draft choose wished to make a superb impression, forcing himself to make each play.
After getting 15 video games of expertise and having offseason shoulder surgical procedure, he enters his second season wiser — and more healthy. In reality, Oweh and new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald are assured that the previous Penn State standout can have a dominant 12 months.
“I think that’s the vision he has for himself,” Macdonald mentioned Friday. “He should be a guy that, when we need him, he can get to the quarterback.”
Oweh showcased his potential to be a defensive cornerstone final season, totaling 33 tackles (5 for loss), 5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits whereas contributing to the league’s greatest run protection.
As Oweh regarded again at his rookie marketing campaign, he mentioned he favored how he was an energetic participant who didn’t miss loads of tackles.
“If I wasn’t winning off the first move, I was going to win off the second, or even the third move. And then once the ball was out [of the quarterback’s hand], I was triggering,” Oweh mentioned. “I want to build on that. I want to be more complete in pass rush, be more accurate, [and] win on the first move a lot more.”
Oweh proved he may make performs when it mattered most, as his team-best three pressured fumbles all got here in prime-time. With the Kansas City Chiefs threatening to take the lead within the ultimate minutes of the Ravens’ Week 2 dwelling opener, Oweh jarred the ball free from operating again Clyde Edwards-Helaire, solidifying a comeback win.
After Oweh drilled receiver Jarvis Landry to drive a fumble through the Ravens’ win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 11, cornerback Marlon Humphrey mentioned his teammate was a quiet one who may flip right into a monster on the sphere.
“It’s been crazy to kind of see him [click] that switch, which I think all the greats do,” Humphrey mentioned.
However, because the season progressed, the damage bug that decimated the Ravens’ roster caught as much as Oweh, as he missed the ultimate two video games with a foot damage. Then a lingering shoulder damage required offseason surgical procedure.
“I don’t want to say it held me back, but it was something that I was feeling,” Oweh mentioned of his shoulder damage. “It got progressively worse as I was playing. But I’m a competitor, I want to compete. I know as a football player, you’ve got to play through things like that. Next season, I’m going to be ready, though.”
Oweh mentioned he’s already seen the work he put in through the offseason paying off. He feels calmer, his legs are stronger and he’s studying all the things on the sphere.
Macdonald, the defensive coordinator at Michigan final season, in contrast Oweh to a dominant pitcher: “When he throws his fastball, it’s up there. It’s 100-plus [mph].”
“It’s just great to see him out there moving around,” Macdonald mentioned. “He’s freaky. I expect him to do some great things for us.”
Oweh spent a while watching Michigan’s protection since his shut good friend and teammate, David Ojabo, starred for the Wolverines final 12 months. One factor Oweh observed about Macdonald is that he lets his edge rushers have freedom.
“He lets them be who they are,” Oweh mentioned. “I’m looking forward to how he uses me.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com