Baltimore Ravens News: Veteran Linebackers Praised For Inspiring Young Teammates

Ahead of their match with the Chicago Bears for Week 11, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh praised outside linebacker Justin Houston for his impact on the team.

“He's a really good pass rusher, sure, but he's also a really good football player. He plays the run well. He's great to be around every day. For the young guys to watch guys like that and say, 'Oh, if I want to be in the league and I want to have that kind of success for a long time, I'll do it like he does it,’” Harbaugh said this past Wednesday.

Houston came to Baltimore at the behest of former Kansas City Chiefs teammate Marcus Peters, and the Ravens gave him a one-year deal worth $4 million, turning down multiple big-money offers in the process.

Since joining the Ravens, Houston has amassed 17 tackles, three of them being tackles for loss of yards, 13 quarterback hits, and one forced fumble.

The 32-year-old is far removed from being the monster on defense that he was back in his prime, but it is his experience that makes him such a valuable piece of the Ravens’ defense.

Alongside veteran defensive end Calais Campbell, the two combine to provide much-needed leadership in a promising defensive group that includes second-year player Patrick Queen and standout rookie Odafe Oweh.

“You think about guys, but I don't think about him too much, other than being appreciative. We were chatting, because he was grabbing dinner, and I was in the cafeteria. I just said, 'Hey, man. I really appreciate you.' He mentors the young guys every day. That's the kind of guy [he is], and I think that'll be his legacy,” Harbaugh added about Campbell.

Oweh echoed his coach’s sentiments regarding Campbell while also telling the media about how the 13-year veteran would correct him in-game and how to handle life as a professional athlete.

In their Week 10 game against the Miami Dolphins, the Ravens defense failed to contain quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Jacoby Brissett who put up a combined 290 yards through the air for the 22-10 victory in favor of the 3-7 Dolphins.

There is hope among Ravens fans that their team will make it back to their winning ways when they face the Chicago Bears on Sunday, November 20 at Soldier Field.

This will be the first time in four years that the Ravens will get to face the Bears, and they have to be aware that the Bears will have multiple cover zero packages throughout the game.

The Ravens' defense will need to prepare for the Bears' offense that is slowly turning the corner.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields rushed for over 103 yards against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8 and threw for 291 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9.

Harbaugh and the Ravens defense have their work cut out for them, and this could turn into a must-watch game in Week 11.