Ravens Martindale takes pride in running NFL's top defence

OWINGS MILLS, Md (AP):

Making the most of a second chance, Don Martindale has done an impressive job assembling and directing the top-ranked defence in the NFL.

Combining an aggressive array of blitzes with bold coverage in the backfield, Martindale has added his name to the long list of accomplished Ravens defensive coordinators that includes Marvin Lewis, Rex Ryan, Chuck Pagano, and Dean Pees.

Baltimore (10-6) head into Sunday's playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers (12-4) with a unit that allowed the fewest yards per game (292.9) and second-fewest points (17.9). The Ravens yielded an NFL-low 58 points in the fourth quarter, notched a team-record 11 sacks in a win at Tennessee, and had three interceptions in last week's must-win game against Cleveland.

A year ago, Baltimore lost its finale against Cincinnati to miss the postseason. After the Ravens snuffed the Browns' final drive on Sunday, linebacker Terrell Suggs was asked the difference between this season and last.

"Don Martindale," he replied. "It wasn't perfect. It hardly ever is. It wasn't pretty, but it was The Raven Way. It was a good finish and a way to punch our ticket."

After serving for seven years as Baltimore's linebackers coach, Martindale was promoted by head coach John Harbaugh in January after Pees bowed out.

Obviously, Harbaugh has no regrets.

"Don Martindale did a great job. Not at all unexpected in any way," Harbaugh said. "I just think the world of him, always have."

This marks Martindale's second stint as a defensive coordinator. The first time, at Denver in 2010, was a disaster. The Broncos went 4-12 that season and gave up more points (29.4 per game) and yards (390.8) than any team in the league.

Martindale was fired after that season. He wasn't sure if he would ever get another shot at it, but Harbaugh made it happen.

Asked if Baltimore's performance this season served as vindication, Martindale responded: "I haven't sat back and reflected on that. We're just looking forward to this game on Sunday and keeping it rolling. But

since you ask me, yeah, it feels a lot better."

Martindale is known around the team complex as "Wink," a nod to former game show host Wink Martindale. In his role as defensive coordinator, Martindale has found that treating the players as individuals is the best way to get optimum production from the entire unit.

"I love 'Wink,' man. He's a great dude," linebacker Matthew Judon said. "He believes in all of his players, and he knows how to speak to us in different ways. He doesn't speak to me like he speaks to (linebacker) C.J. (Mosley). He knows how to reach us in our own different spaces. I think that's why we work so hard for 'Wink' and play so hard for him."