Ravens safety Eric Weddle knows much is expected of a Ravens secondary that has received a heavy dose of investment this offseason. But, he said, he welcomes the pressure that comes with that.
"We feel ... we can be one of the best units in this league, and we have to be," Weddle said after practice Aug. 24. "We feel if we play great week in and week out, we'll have a great chance to win. If not, if we have a slip-up, then we'll probably lose. That's our mindset, and we love the pressure. ... We want all that. We want to be on the field to win the games."
The Ravens' defense faltered down the stretch last season and is still smarting from a 31-27 Christmas Day loss at Pittsburgh, when Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown lunged the ball over the goal line for the game-winning score with nine seconds remaining as Weddle and others fought to hold him out. That touchdown capped a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive that not only won the game but knocked the Ravens out of playoff contention.
