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          NFL Nation

          Ravens Mail: Does Timmy Jernigan push out Haloti Ngata?

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterDec 20, 2014, 01:00 PM ET
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          It's time to click open our weekly Baltimore Ravens' Twitter mailbag ...

          @jamisonhensley: Rookie defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan has certainly filled the void left by suspended Haloti Ngata in the pass rush. Jernigan recorded two sacks last Sunday and has three quarterback hits in each of the past two games. Where Jernigan has fell short is in run defense. Even though the Ravens stopped the running games for Miami and Jacksonville, Jernigan hasn't been a major factor like Ngata. The knock on Jernigan is he tends to freelance, which can put the defense in some bad situations. How Jernigan finishes out the regular season will weigh into the Ravens' decision with Ngata. The Ravens can free up $8.5 million by cutting the five-time Pro Bowl lineman. That extra cap space will be very tempting for the Ravens.

          @jamisonhensley: The Ravens are going to give their seventh-round pick for the Cowboys' sixth-rounder based on Rolando McClain's playing time. Under the condition of the trade, this would only happen if McClain plays in at least 50 percent of the Cowboys' defensive snaps. With two games remaining, McClain has been on the field for 67.9 percent of the Cowboys' snaps. The only way he wouldn't play 50 percent of the snaps is if the Cowboys' defense played about 300 snaps without him. That is not possible with two weeks remaining in the regular season. It's a win-win for both teams. With the way McClain has played this season, the Cowboys are more than happy about this deal. He is second on the team with 62 tackles and leads Dallas with eight tackles for loss. The Ravens, meanwhile, got something for a player who never suited up for them. They ended up not needing McClain after drafting C.J. Mosley in the first round.

          @jamisonhensley: Rashaan Melvin was a pleasant surprise last Sunday, when he provided tight coverage for about a quarter and a half. It's not what you would expect from someone who was making his NFL debut and was pushed into action after starting cornerback Asa Jackson went down with a season-ending knee injury. If anything, Melvin certainly proved that he has potential. But let's not start talking about Melvin Island. It was only a month ago when safety-turned-corner Anthony Levine had a strong first game before struggling. Melvin exceeded expectations in his first appearance, and the Ravens would be helped tremendously if he can repeat such a performance for an entire game. You just can't bank on that happening because of Melvin's inexperience.

          @jamisonhensley: You would have to think so. General manager Ozzie Newsome does stick to the saying of "best player available" but he also isn't blind to the fact that the Ravens desperately need cornerbacks. The general principle is to draft the highest rated player regardless of position. But, if the players available have the same general grade, Newsome is going to take the one who addresses the biggest need. And history has shown that you can't wait to draft an impact cornerback. Landing a Richard Sherman in the fifth round is the exception to the rule. The Ravens know that first hand by how Chykie Brown (2011 fifth round), Asa Jackson (2012 fifth round) and Marc Anthony (2013 seventh round) have turned out.

          @jamisonhensley: Harbaugh deserves to be in this conversation for NFL Coach of the Year after all of the distractions and injuries that the Ravens have endured. The players point to Harbaugh when asked how they have remained focused through the Ray Rice scandal, the Jimmy Smith season-ending injury and the suspension of Ngata. He sets the tone in team meetings and at practices. The fact that the Ravens are in the playoff hunt speaks volumes about his ability to get the most out of his players. His decision to go for it on fourth down in his own territory in Miami might be the play of the year. But the chances of Harbaugh winning aren't great. Arizona's Bruce Arians is the heavy favorite in leading the Cardinals to a surprising 11-3 record. Chip Kelly, Jason Garrett and Jim Caldwell will also receive votes.

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