Lewis, Reed star on built-to-last Ravens defense

“It’s always good not to be a bunch of young guys or a bunch of old guys, or whatever,” Harbaugh said. “It’s good to have a nice mix of experience. Some guys can train some younger guys into a certain way of doing things. It begins to permeate everything that you are. And then those young guys, in turn, teach others. It just becomes a perpetuating type of situation.”

Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch said, “Ray and Ed and Suggs and Ngata have strung along those younger guys and they’ve picked up the speed. So it looks like regardless of who they have out there, a second- or third-year guy looks as if he’s been playing there for eight, nine years with those guys. So you’re playing with the best.”

At the center of it all are Lewis and Reed, who endlessly preach the importance of film study and dedication to the game. The Patriots are certainly aware of the overall ability of the Baltimore defense, but New England’s game plan starts and ends with accounting for those two playmakers.

“They’re great players,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said. “I’ve played against both those guys quite a few times. You always enjoy going up against the best because you can really measure where you’re at. You can’t take plays off against those guys. You can’t take things for granted when you’re out there against them. You have to see where they’re at on every play because they’re guys who change the game.”

Reed has eight interceptions in 10 playoff games, including a key pick in last week’s 20-13 win over Houston.

“Ed Reed is the best weak safety I have seen since I have been in the NFL in my career,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick declared. “He’s outstanding on everything, including blocking punts, returning then for touchdowns, returning interceptions for touchdowns. Pretty much anything he is out there for.”

Lewis and Reed won’t be around forever, but it might a while before the Ravens‘ defense drops from the top 10. When Lewis missed four games this season with a right toe injury, Baltimore went 4-0 with 26-year-old Dannell Ellerbe and rookie Albert McClellan in the middle.

“In my opinion, we’re built to last a long time,” said Kruger, who contributed 5 1/2 sacks. “I think next year we’ll be just as effective.”

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