There are seven Pro Bowl players running in seven different directions.
The linemen shift. The linebackers flop to one side and back again. And a defensive back always seems to be sneaking up to the line of scrimmage.
From the casual fan at training camp to an All-Pro quarterback, it's difficult to decipher whether the Ravens are lining up in a 3-4 defense, a 4-3 one or something they just made up in the huddle.
Despite the steady success of their defense - it has been ranked in the top six for five of the past six years - the Ravens have thrived on their willingness to change, relying as much on their unpredictability as their talent.
This no-holds-barred defense allows everyone to drop into coverage - yes, even 340-pound defensive tackle Haloti Ngata - and everyone to go after the quarterback.
"It's organized chaos," linebacker Bart Scott said.
Much of the Ravens' innovative play comes from the mind of defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who has been referred to as "The Mad Scientist." But his most creative scheme came out of necessity last year.
When the Ravens were thin on safeties with injuries to Ed Reed and Will Demps, they turned to Adalius Thomas to play a linebacker-safety hybrid position.
"If you look at what we did with Adalius Thomas in the secondary [last season], it's as unconventional as anything I've seen on an NFL football field in 17 years," coach Brian Billick said. "That has opened up a package that's exciting to watch. That's still going to be a big package of our defense."
When an offense uses two running backs and two tight ends, look for the Ravens to go into their unique alignment. The scheme - which is called "Steeler" because it originated against Pittsburgh - features three linemen (Kelly Gregg, Ngata and Trevor Pryce), five linebackers (Thomas, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Bart Scott and Jarret Johnson), two cornerbacks (Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle) and one safety (Ed Reed).
The only reason the Ravens can line up like this is because of the versatility of Thomas, who has the size to play close to the line and the speed to chase down receivers.
"He's something else," Ryan said. "If you're limited athletically, you can't play it. If you can't handle [it] mentally, you can't play it. He's a special guy in those aspects."
When Thomas isn't playing safety, it's undetermined who will take over that job. The Ravens never replaced Demps (who signed with the New York Giants in free agency) this offseason and are now in the early stages of the competition for the free safety spot.
The front-runner appears to be Gerome Sapp, who was reacquired in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts on June 19. Others expected to be in the mix are Dawan Landry, B.J. Ward and Jamaine Winborne.
"He's the guy that's stepping up right now," Ryan said. "He plays hard and he runs to the ball all the time. But I'm excited about seeing all those guys compete. Whoever [is] the best out of it will take that job."
Starting in the Ravens' complicated system can be challenging even for the most-seasoned veterans.
Pryce, a four-time Pro Bowl player who signed as a free agent in March, admitted to having a tough transition after one of the last minicamps.
"It's a little confusing; I really don't know where to line up," he said. "We'll be great once I figure out where the heck I'm going. I honestly don't know what position I play."
Ryan admits the defense isn't playing as crisply as he would like. But he also understands that there are 13 days of practices left at McDaniel College for the defense to adjust.
"We have a whole training camp to prepare," Ryan said. "But an opponent has only [one] week to prepare for it."
The Ravens believe they can be the top defense in the NFL for good reason. They finished No. 5 last season despite missing Lewis and Reed - two former NFL Defensive Players of the Year - for a total of 16 games.
Now, with all but four starters having made the Pro Bowl, the expectations have been raised.
"Our defense has already made its mind up to be something special," Lewis said. "And not just talk about it. We want to work to be something special. That's what the training camp days are all about. That's what the excitement is all about."
