Terrence

Cody

It’s a huge accomplishment for a player who has ballooned as high as 400 pounds in the past, and was limited to fewer than 150 snaps as a rookie last season due in part to conditioning issues. Christenend the Ravens’ starting nose tackle during training camp, Cody played the most snaps of any Ravens defender during Sunday’s dismantling of the Steelers. GM Ozzie Newsome’s prediction of a breakout year for his second-year lineman is looking more prescient than ever.

“He looks tremendous,” said John Harbaugh. Cody came out of Alabama in 2010 with a flabby body, but the Ravens have molded him into an emerging star. Now going on age 24, Cody will return as Baltimore’s two-down nose tackle.

Kemoeatu was out of the league last season as he rehabbed from Achilles’ tendon and shoulder injuries. His weight ballooned to 415 pounds, but he’s now in the 330s and is battling with Terrence Cody for snaps. “Kemo is pushing for a starting job. He’s in great shape, and he’s playing extremely well,” coach John Harbaugh said.

It’s an ominous quote out of context from a player who used to tip the scales at 400 pounds, but Cody is working on gaining muscle, not weight. “Losing that weight last year kind of made me a little weak because I lost it a little too fast,” Cody said. "(But) I feel like I am getting a lot stronger. I am feeling good.” Coach John Harbaugh raved in April that Cody looked “tremendous.”

Out of football last year due to weight and injury issues, Kemoeatu dropped nearly 80 pounds this offseason. Cody could reclaim the position once he fully recovers from a preseason hip injury. The Ravens run defense can do better than the 91 yards allowed to BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Cody lost his starting job to Ma’ake Kemoeatu last season, and the Ravens drafted defensive tackle Brandon Williams in the third round. Cody was never expected to rush the passer, but he’s equally poor against the run and graded out as the worst defensive lineman on the 2012 Ravens. He’ll need to show an improved sense of urgency in order to make the final roster.

The Ravens still held the Titans to 2.55 yards per carry, but were gashed by Matt Hasselbeck and the upstart Tennessee passing game. Cody’s status for Week 3 is uncertain. Brandon McKinney is his backup at the nose position.

“I’m playing this week definitely,” said Cody. “I’m back to normal. I had a little setback Wednesday, I had a little headache.” Cody suffered the concussion after hitting Titans TE Craig Stevens last week. He’s passed his baseline tests.

“He dominates in there quite a bit,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He is big, he is athletic, he is moving so well, he stays square. ... I know you put him in there with Haloti, and I think our linebackers appreciate having those two guys in the middle.” The Ravens have done a commendable job of mixing in young defensive talent to go with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

Cody, the 57th overall pick in the 2010 draft, gets pushed around in the run game despite weighing 350-plus pounds and lost his starting job this season to retread veteran Ma’ake Kemoeatu. Cody is under contract for 2013, but he may have to compete for a roster spot in training camp next summer.