Round this time a yr in the past, Ravens outdoors linebacker Odafe Oweh felt the jitters.
As a rookie in his first NFL coaching camp, the first-round draft decide 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 actual fact, Oweh and new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald are assured that the previous Penn State standout can have a dominant yr.
“I believe that’s the imaginative and prescient he has for himself,” Macdonald mentioned Friday. “He must be a man that, after we want 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 finest 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 successful off the primary transfer, I used to be going to win off the second, and even the third transfer. After which as soon as the ball was out [of the quarterback’s hand], I used to be triggering,” Oweh mentioned. “I need to construct on that. I need to be extra full in cross rush, be extra correct, [and] win on the primary transfer much 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 Metropolis Chiefs threatening to take the lead within the ultimate minutes of the Ravens’ Week 2 dwelling opener, Oweh jarred the ball unfastened from operating again Clyde Edwards-Helaire, solidifying a comeback win.
After Oweh drilled receiver Jarvis Landry to pressure a fumble in the course of the Ravens’ win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 11, cornerback Marlon Humphrey mentioned his teammate was a quiet one that may flip right into a monster on the sphere.
“It’s been loopy to type of see him [click] that swap, which I believe all of the greats do,” Humphrey mentioned.
Nonetheless, 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 need to say it held me again, but it surely was one thing that I used to be feeling,” Oweh mentioned of his shoulder damage. “It received progressively worse as I used to be taking part in. However I’m a competitor, I need to compete. I do know as a soccer participant, you’ve received to play via issues like that. Subsequent season, I’m going to be prepared, although.”
Oweh mentioned he’s already seen the work he put in in the course of the offseason paying off. He feels calmer, his legs are stronger and he's studying every thing 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 simply nice to see him on the market transferring round,” Macdonald mentioned. “He’s freaky. I anticipate him to do some nice issues for us.”
Oweh spent a while watching Michigan’s protection since his shut pal and teammate, David Ojabo, starred for the Wolverines final yr. One factor Oweh seen about Macdonald is that he lets his edge rushers have freedom.
“He lets them be who they're,” Oweh mentioned. “I’m trying ahead to how he makes use of me.”
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