Ravens' Redding a leader on and off the field By AARON WILSON, Landmark News Service Published 11/30/11 OWINGS MILLS – Inside the Baltimore Ravensʼ locker room, few players inspire as much respect as veteran defensive end Cory Redding. Gail Burton — Associated Press Baltimore Ravens defensive end Cory Redding, right and teammate Lardarius Webb sack San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith in the second half of of their game Thursday in Baltimore. Unflashy and traditionally undemonstrative, Redding leads his teammates through a gritty, hard-working example and his carefully- chosen words. “Heʼs an older guy, heʼs a guy we look up to,” linebacker Dannell Ellerbe said. “He helps us out a lot. I would say he picks his spots.” A franchise player years ago with the Detroit Lions who was once the highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL with a $49 million contract, Redding is the antithesis of the stereotypical spoiled professional athlete. In his ninth NFL season, Redding, 31, toils away without complaint, or excuses. And when he finds it fitting, Redding imparts knowledge and wisdom to his younger teammates. “I am a leader of this team in my own way,” Redding said. “I believe everybody is a leader in their own way. We all know that Ray Lewis is the man, but he canʼt do it by himself. We need strong, silent players like myself, all the guys to step up and do their roles in order to achieve the big goal that Ray is trying to accomplish for this team.” Through strong technique, a blue-collar work ethic and a relentless nature on the football field, Redding has recaptured his old form and is coming off the best game of his tenure with the Ravens in the past two seasons. Recording a career-high 2 ½ sacks of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith during the Ravensʼ 16-6 victory Thursday, Redding provided a boost to the defense as they tied a franchise record with nine sacks. And his contribution, which included five tackles as Baltimore limited the 49ers to 170 yards of total offense, hasnʼt gone unnoticed. “Cory Redding is one of the best leaders that we have and that weʼve had since weʼve been here,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Very serious-minded guy, but likes to have fun and heʼs playing at a really high level. Very talented big man, playing ferocious football right now. He plays in a fury, so I think he fits in real well with our defense.” Up to 3 ½ sacks for the season, itʼs the most for Redding since he registered a career-high eight sacks with the Lions five years ago. Signed to a two-year, $6 million contract last year, Redding has a total of 69 tackles and 6 ½ sacks in 20 starts since arriving in Baltimore after a quiet one-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers game was his biggest since he scored a touchdown on a fumble return during an AFC divisional playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last January. “Just everything fell in place,” Redding said. “I just made the plays when I had the chance. The right blocks were picked up, the right protection was dialed up and I just made the plays. Sometimes, you get your hands on them. “Everybody on the whole defense was dialed in, focused. We all know what we want to do this year. Weʼre looking to make that move in December.” Operating in a more aggressive scheme engineered by defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, Redding has 27 tackles while mentoring rookie defensive end Pernell McPhee. Redding chalked up his improved numbers to how he has upgraded his comfort level in the defense. “Thatʼs being around the guys, understanding the scheme of the defense,” Redding said. “Going out and playing with more confidence each week.” A former Lions third-round draft pick from the University of Texas, Redding has no ambitions of being a star. Not at this stage of his career. Chasing a Super Bowl ring and adding to the play and camaraderie of a winning team is what motivates him. “I know my role: do my part and step in and be the leader when I need to,” Redding said. “Leaders are supposed to be in the back when things are good, be in the back and push guys. When things are bad, leaders step up to the front.” .