Earl Thomas knows what it takes to build a Super Bowl-caliber defense. The six-time Pro Bowler was an integral factor to the Seattle Seahawks winning a championship in 2014, teaming with the hallowed Legion of Boom and several other standout performers to lead Seattle to the league's stingiest defense, ranking first in both points and yards allowed.
Does Thomas see similar potential in his new team? During his introductory press conference with the Baltimore Ravens on Friday, he certainly suggested as much.
“I’m here to do what I always do, and that’s ball,” he said, per the team's website. “One thing I knew coming here, I knew I was going to be on a great defense. Defense, we’re gonna win you championships. That was all I needed to know.”
Thomas will also draw inspiration from a pair of former Ravens greats, Hall of Fame middle linebacker Ray Lewis and future Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed, a player to which he's often been compared throughout his career.
“You look at Ed Reed, guys like Ray Lewis, I feel like that’s my style of play,” he said. “I have that type of swagger. It’s a historic franchise, so I have an opportunity to bring my blueprint to the table.”
Baltimore finished first in yards allowed and second in points against last season. The Ravens are hardly guaranteed to reach that esteemed level of play again in 2019, though, even after bringing in Thomas.
The team lost star inside linebacker C.J. Mosley to the New York Jets earlier this week, and will also be without up-and-coming pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith going forward, who signed with the Green Bay Packers.
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