Minter views Hendrickson as a chess piece who will help the Ravens’ defense be versatile and violent. His ability to win one-on-one matchups can force an offense to shift pass protection his way. That creates opportunities for other defenders to make plays. It allows Minter and Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver opportunities to scheme up packages that can take advantage of other mismatches.
With 81 career sacks, Hendrickson has made a living getting to quarterbacks, and his pass-rushing prowess will help the entire defense.
“It gives you a lot of flexibility,” said Minter, who will be Baltimore’s defensive play-caller. “The whole idea on defense is to not be predictable and know that you can at times get pressure rushing four, rushing five, rushing six. The threat of all those different things.
“It’s a major blessing to be a guy designing defenses to know you’ve got a guy like that that can win with four.”
Hendrickson relishes his reputation as a fourth-quarter finisher, and it’s part of his mentality. More than stacking stats, Hendrickson wants to stack wins. Helping the Ravens close out games on defense is a role that he relishes.
“I want the other 10 guys to count on me,” Hendrickson said. “If we’re in a place and it’s a pinch, you’ve got to have gas in the tank. You’ve got to be able to push when everybody else doesn’t want to.
“It’s instilled in OTAs and training camp. I plan on continuing to push myself to be the best I can be.”