Elvis Dumervil stepped to the post-game podium after Sunday's victory over the Tennessee Titans, and a handful of reporters quickly shuffled out the door to hear from other players in the locker room.
Even on a day where he racked up 2.5 sacks in a dominant defensive performance, Dumervil still somehow manages to fly under the radar.
"It's always been that way with me," he said with a laugh. "All I can do is just do my part and try to help the team win. I guess I don't celebrate enough."
Regardless of how much he celebrates, Dumervil has given Ravens fans plenty to cheer about this season. He's thriving as a pass rusher in his second season in Baltimore.
Not only is Dumervil leading the Ravens' sack race with 10.5 – Terrell Suggs is a distant second with five – but he has the second-most QB takedowns in entire league.
Only Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston has more with a total of 12 sacks on the season.
Dumervil has been one of the best pass rushers in the NFL this year, and he's playing at the level the Ravens expected when they signed him to a five-year contract reportedly worth $26 million.
"That's what they pay me to do, so I just some out and do my job to the best of my God-given ability," Dumervil said. "I'm just really working hard."
In Sunday's victory over the Titans, Dumervil was one of Baltimore's best defenders. He was regularly matched up against former Ravens right tackle Michael Oher, who was a high-priced free agent acquisition this offseason.
"I'm sore. It was hard," Dumervil said. "Michael Oher is a good tackle, and he competed every play, so it wasn't easy. Sacks don't come easy. You need everybody to do their job, good pressure inside, good coverage, and obviously the offense is giving us the opportunity to rush the passer with the lead. So many things have to go into place for a sack, and that's why they're always so sacred."
Dumervil's impressive performance through 10 games shows how he has grown more comfortable in Baltimore after spending the first seven of his career in Denver. He's talked before about feeling more settled this year after a sudden change in scenery last offseason, and that comfort is paying dividends.
He has a better grasp of the defense and his position, and the Ravens are putting him in good situations to chase after quarterbacks.
"I think I'm being utilized correct here," Dumervil said. "Obviously when you're playing opposite a guy like Terrell Suggs, it really helps."
Dumervil also has a better understanding of the division and the style of play in the AFC North. He spent this offseason bulking up so he could withstand the physical style of play in the division, and the approach is paying dividends.
"This league is different than the AFC West and I had to make an adjustment," Dumervil said. "I worked in the area where I thought I needed to work on – my power rushes – and it's been good."
The focus for Dummervil now is to keep up his pace down the stretch. He started last season on a tear, but then faded down after suffering an ankle injury in the second half of the season.
If Dumervil can sustain this production through the final six games of the regular season, then he should help the Ravens get in good position to compete for a spot back in the postseason.
"I may not get the notoriety, but we're 6-4 and trying to get to the playoffs," Dumervil said. "That's my No. 1 concern. I came here to win a ring. We have a long way to go, but I think we're headed in the right direction."
