Ravens DB/LB Anthony Levine is an ‘extra coach’ on the field
Baltimore Ravens special teams ace Anthony Levine’s nickname is ‘Co-Cap’ which in one he earned by not only dominating in the often overlooked and underappreciated third phase of the game but because he is the unquestioned leader of several of its units as well.
If you ask Ravens Special Team Coordinator Chris Horton, having the veteran defensive back/linebacker on the field is like an extension of coaching staff in uniform and pads with the way he mentors, teaches, and leads by example.
“Anthony [Levine Sr.] has done a great job. You know that from just being around him. He’s not only just a good player, but he’s a coach. He’s like having an extra coach out there because he’ll see things.
Since joining the Ravens in 2012 as a former undrafted free agent out of Tennessee State, Levine has been a staple on just about every protection and coverage unit and has been instrumental in the development of young players that work their up the ranks on special teams and eventually into roles on their respective sides of the ball.
“He does a great job of helping those young guys. In the meetings, when they don’t ask questions, he might know what they’re thinking, but they don’t want to ask the question, [and] he’ll bring it up. A young guy might say, ‘I was just thinking that,’ and he’ll tell them, ‘You should have asked that question.’
Levine is right up there with Pro Bowl specialist Justin Tucker (kicker), Sam Koch (punter), and Morgan Cox (long snapper) as one of the main reasons the Ravens rank at or near the top of the league for special teams play.
His copious amounts of film study are a testament to his dedication to his craft and help him be better prepared to communicate and assist his fellow special teamers to get into position and play disciplined football.
“So, he does a great job out there, obviously, communicating to the young guys, making sure that they understand, and really just helping those guys study a little bit; how to prepare for special teams, what you should be looking at, and things like that.”
The versatile defender and special teams extraordinaire has been plagued by a nagging abdominal injury for most of the season thus far that kept him out of the Ravens’ Week Six matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles and has significantly reduced his role on defense.
However, even while dealing with his injury, Levine has still managed to play the majority of the special teams snaps in the six games he has been active with, and despite missing a game has been on the field for 52 percent of the total third phase snaps on the year.
While he has yet to record a tackle or register any other tangible stat outside of a fumble recovery that scooped up in the season opener, Levine’s impact an influence on the team and in the locker room are profound.
He has been integral to the growth and development of many of the young and even more experienced players that the Ravens currently or will look to count on in the future.
Starting safeties Chuck Clark and DeShon Elliott both learned from and shined on special teams alongside Levine before earning larger roles and then blossoming as defensive difference makers.
He’s one of the longest tenured players on the team, truly personifies what it means to be a Raven and will likely have an open invitation to join Baltimore’s coaching staff whenever he decides to turn in his cleats for a clipboard.
