OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens’ top-ranked defense already has 25 sacks this year, compared to 27 all last season.
One reason for the resurgence is the improved play of third-year linebacker Paul Kruger, who has set his sights on Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethisberger this weekend after twice sacking Arizona’s Kevin Kolb last Sunday.
Kruger played for two years at Utah before being drafted by Baltimore in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft. He participated in only nine games as a rookie and 11 last season before finally emerging as a potential bookend to Terrell Suggs, the Ravens’ career sack leader.
The 25-year-old Kruger has three sacks in his last two games, and he hopes to keep the streak going Sunday against the Steelers in an AFC North showdown.
