Defensive lineman DeAngelo Tyson may be the quietest Raven. On a defense full of personalities, he tends to fly under the radar.
But while Tyson may not be the most outgoing, the third-year lineman will have an important role in the 2014 season.
"He's a quiet guy that doesn't say a whole lot, but he's just hard a worker and the kind of guy we like," Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees said. "He's come a long way. That guy has worked his butt off."
Tyson, a former seventh-round pick, is a versatile lineman who can play multiple positions along the front. He was listed as the second-string nose tackle on the depth chart before season-ending injuries to defensive ends Kapron Lewis-Moore (Achilles) and Brent Urban (knee), but now the Ravens will likely slide him outside to offset the losses.
"You see those guys work so hard and to see them get injured, you feel sorry because you know they could have helped on this defensive line, and they're great players that work hard," Tyson said. "Now you have to step up."
The 6-foot-2, 315-pound defender is a good fit as a versatile player because of his combination of size and quickness. He has the speed to beat interior blockers off the line of scrimmage, and he can also hold his own against much bigger offensive tackles.
He already showed he can excel at defensive end in training camp. The day after the Ravens lost Lewis-Moore, Tyson jumped in and deflected a pass from 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick at the line of scrimmage after shedding a blocker.
Last year he played in 13 games, registering 10 tackles, two sacks and an interception.
"He knows every position up front," Pees said. "And he's played it well. It's one thing to know it, but it's another to go out there and actually be able to perform and have success at it. He's really done a great job."
Tyson stressed that he'll go wherever the coaches need him.
"I like being on the field, so whether that's at the five-technique, three-technique or nose tackle, I just want to help the defense," Tyson said. "Whatever I can do to help the team be better defense, that's what I'm willing to play."
