Ravens Week

[flynismo]

Welcome to the board Ravens fans.



Belichick lined up Wilfork at tackle (Wright at nose) against Miami to "direct" the run to a certain side. It actually worked fairly well, and Miami's running backs are decent. I believe the Pats tried a 4-man front in the playoffs, and that was a mess. The faces have changed on the D-line, so it might be interesting to see that again with the new cast. I tend to think they will stick with the 3-4.

As Edelman was the only bright spot in the playoff game, and Welker did fairly well in that role in the first game, I would suspect an emphasis on short, quick passes to move the chains and avoid Brady taking damage (with Faulk out, I am not sure how the Pats will do in terms of blitz pick-up). If Branch is ready, he was good for intermediate timing routes so there may be some plays designed to test the Ravens secondary using his skills. As the Broncos were able to get one past the deep secondary of the Ravens, Tate may be used to spread the field as he is now the burner without Moss.

Flacco has not killed the Pats, so you have to believe the running game is the primary concern. The Miami game may have been something of a test case, but most QBs with 300 yards tend to put more points on the board so I do not expect the Pats would hope for 3 more interceptions from Flacco.

The one thing you can predict with Belichick is he is difficult to predict. You expect him to go one way, and he takes his game plan in a different direction. The expectation would be to take Rice out of the game (take away the strength of the offense) with a run defense emphasis and invite Flacco to win the game, but he might offer something a little more balanced.

Thats kind of what I was expecting...force flacco to try to win the game. And that should be the game plan, if i were playing against baltimore.

Hopefully this doesn't come off as too homerish, but my thoughts on that...

The steelers and new york ravens (yes, I know its childish to call the jets that, but I imagine NE fans will let it slide haha) employed the same strategy against us - they threw everything in the playbook at Rice, forcing Flacco to have to move the ball and win the game for us. Which is exactly what flacco did...he moved the ball, was absolutely clutch for us, including the game winning TD toss in Pitts. Very impressive, considering it was in their house, against two of the best defenses in the league.
So I am hoping, praying even, that NE overlooks the passing game we will try to establish..unfortunately Belicheck is far too smart to do that.
Will be real interesting to watch this game unfold!

 

[bucky]

I'm surprised at how statistically unspectacular the Baltimore D has been thus far. They have good total point and yards statistics. But in 5 games, they only have 8 sacks, 1 INT, and 2 FR. They're giving up 4.2 yds/carry and over 100 rush yds/game. Numbers not typical for a Baltimore defense. And they've played against very pedestrian QBs - Charlie Batch, Carson Palmer, Seneca Wallace, Mark Sanchez, and Kyle Orton.

I think this will be a high scoring game. The Pats will keep it balanced and run about 25 times.

 

[MustaphaM0nd]

I'm surprised at how statistically unspectacular the Baltimore D has been thus far. They have good total point and yards statistics. But in 5 games, they only have 8 sacks, 1 INT, and 2 FR. They're giving up 4.2 yds/carry and over 100 rush yds/game. Numbers not typical for a Baltimore defense. And they've played against very pedestrian QBs - Charlie Batch, Carson Palmer, Seneca Wallace, Mark Sanchez, and Kyle Orton.

I think this will be a high scoring game. The Pats will keep it balanced and run about 25 times.

in my mind...

keys to a Pats victory
-long, sustained drives
-hold down the LOS
-don't give up the big play

keys to a Ravens victory
-avoid 2nd and long
-give Flacco time in the pocket
-defend against the intermediate passing game

General thoughts on Baltimore:
- Flacco, contrary to what some Ravens fans will tell you, is still a work in progress. Some of his throws are fantastic, and theres no denying his arm. To my untrained eyes, it seems like he struggles when plays break down, or when his primary reads aren't open. It makes him play tentatively, and make bad decisions. Ravens fans call him "Joe Cool", but I don't see it right now. I still think he can and will be a star in this league. The final drive against the Steelers was promising, and experience should round out his game.
- Ladarius Webb is a BEAST. Tate's not catching any deep balls on sunday.

The Ravens are an extremely strong squad, and we know they'll bring it. Lets hope BOB finds a way to mitigate their strength up front with interesting and superior playcalling.

 

[Patspsycho]

I just got done reading "The Blind Side" which tells the amazing story of Oher, and his unbelievably difficult childhood up to his transition into a NFL player (and no I won't watch the movie).

The one thing I did get was that Michael Lewis was somehow building Oher into the next coming- the one hit wonder, and some super freak. I did not get that impression when watching the Ravens game.

But I am sure the Ravens fans have a lot more insight into this than I do. What is your take on the story of Oher?

 

[MustaphaM0nd]

I'm surprised at how statistically unspectacular the Baltimore D has been thus far. They have good total point and yards statistics. But in 5 games, they only have 8 sacks, 1 INT, and 2 FR. They're giving up 4.2 yds/carry and over 100 rush yds/game. Numbers not typical for a Baltimore defense. And they've played against very pedestrian QBs - Charlie Batch, Carson Palmer, Seneca Wallace, Mark Sanchez, and Kyle Orton.

I think this will be a high scoring game. The Pats will keep it balanced and run about 25 times.

This year Kyle Orton has been far from pedestrian. They're the only team so far that has been able to contain the Broncos passing game.

 

[BSR]

This year Kyle Orton has been far from pedestrian. They're the only team so far that has been able to contain the Broncos passing game.

Actually, his second best passer rating came against Baltimore.

 

[SVN]

seems ngata didnt practice today....if he is a 100 % can our o-line actually block Ravens front ? iam nervous about light vs suggs ..i think our offensive production comes down to this

 

[HKusp]

I have yet to see a Ravens fan come here to be a douchebag. Bravo.

Just come and hang around our boards there are plenty

Actually, his second best passer rating came against Baltimore.

That is true but it isn't because he looked good against the Ravens. They never got into the red zone the whole game. His stats were good but he never really could get them back into the game. In fact they were down by 2 scores and with under 5 minutes left in the 4th, the Broncos punted, basically conceding the game. Then they came back out and threw the ball around on a "prevent" 3 man rush to pad some of Cutlers stats.

 

[ravensgamer]

I'm surprised at how statistically unspectacular the Baltimore D has been thus far. They have good total point and yards statistics. But in 5 games, they only have 8 sacks, 1 INT, and 2 FR. They're giving up 4.2 yds/carry and over 100 rush yds/game. Numbers not typical for a Baltimore defense.

A little perspective: they held the Jets and Steelers to their lowest rushing totals of the season; they kept Benson of Cincy under 80 yards, after he scorched them twice last year for over 100; and they gave up only 40 to Denver. They got caught completely unprepared for Hillis after sitting a bunch of D-linemen in favor of DB's he could steamroll, but aside from that anomaly, they've been solid against the run, just not as spectacular as previous years.

The D has also been dropping seven into coverage more often than I can remember in the last 10 years, which is why the sack total is low. The lack of picks is a concern, but they've proved they can lose the turnover battle and still win the game.

The Pats' edge in the kick return game was mentioned, but that may not be a big factor. Cundiff has been bombing his kickoffs for touchbacks, and Koch is a very good directional punter and gets good hang time. OTOH, the Ravens' kick/punt returners have been disappointing (especially "wrong-way Zbikowski" on punts).

 

[MustaphaM0nd]

A little perspective: they held the Jets and Steelers to their lowest rushing totals of the season; they kept Benson of Cincy under 80 yards, after he scorched them twice last year for over 100; and they gave up only 40 to Denver. They got caught completely unprepared for Hillis after sitting a bunch of D-linemen in favor of DB's he could steamroll, but aside from that anomaly, they've been solid against the run, just not as spectacular as previous years.

The D has also been dropping seven into coverage more often than I can remember in the last 10 years, which is why the sack total is low. The lack of picks is a concern, but they've proved they can lose the turnover battle and still win the game.

The Pats' edge in the kick return game was mentioned, but that may not be a big factor. Cundiff has been bombing his kickoffs for touchbacks, and Koch is a very good directional punter and gets good hang time. OTOH, the Ravens' kick/punt returners have been disappointing (especially "wrong-way Zbikowski" on punts).

At least Zbikowski gets great displacement on his punt returns :bricks:

How is Dannell Ellerbe playing so far this year? I liked him a lot to break out last year as a coverage linebacker. It didn't really happen though.

 

[Ron Sellers]

I'm surprised at how statistically unspectacular the Baltimore D has been thus far. They have good total point and yards statistics. But in 5 games, they only have 8 sacks, 1 INT, and 2 FR. They're giving up 4.2 yds/carry and over 100 rush yds/game. Numbers not typical for a Baltimore defense. And they've played against very pedestrian QBs - Charlie Batch, Carson Palmer, Seneca Wallace, Mark Sanchez, and Kyle Orton.

I think this will be a high scoring game. The Pats will keep it balanced and run about 25 times.

The Raven fans here can correct me if I am wrong, but it seemed like the Baltimore defense went away from a high risk/high reward (lots of sacks and turnovers) style to more of a bend don't break, avoid the big play (sound familiar Pats fans?) style last year after Rex Ryan left.

 

[flynismo]

At least Zbikowski gets great displacement on his punt returns :bricks:

How is Dannell Ellerbe playing so far this year? I liked him a lot to break out last year as a coverage linebacker. It didn't really happen though.

when he sees the field, he has been playing quite well, no complaints here; we rotate him and McClain inside. Looking like McClain is on verge of taking over full time though.

 

[Trey]

I read "if Flacco is on" like ten different times. He won't "get on" if you pressure him correctly. That's the key to any game, really.

 

[ravinmanniac]

Flacco can make any throw on the field. He's just like most QB's if you pressure him he makes mistakes. He's only in his 3rd season out of a division 2 school so he's still learning. I would worry if you can't get pressure on him because he will find the open receiver. If Ray Rice gets going and Joe has play action opportunities it will be a long day for the Pats. The Ravens usually sustain long drives which will keep Brady on the sidelines. The Patriots have to win the turnover battle and special teams play to win the game.

 

[Kontradiction]

Yeah, as I recall from last year the two best weeks of pre-game back and forth discussion with opposing fans were before the regular season games with the Ravens and the Falcons.

Also the Saints too. Ravens fans are a classy bunch though. As I recall only a couple of them came back and talked crap about Brady after the regular season game. Most of them were classy before and after the playoff debacle too.

 

[Betterthanmost]

The good thing for me is that I never really saw that playoff game. I came home from church late and had to rob my eyes to believe the score, then I had to make sure my Tv screen was not mirrored in some way. Then it looked like we had just caught a break in either a muffed PR or KR, don't remember which is which and ....
Anyway, new year. Lets just start with no silly sacks and penalties on the offensive side. I will prefer the Ravens offense to just beat us and not both the defense and offense.

 

[Sciz]

There's one Ravens fan on another more general NFL forum that kinda ruins my opinion of all Ravens fans. Sample quotes:

The Patriots aren't special. Get over yourselves.

This game is a fluke. Patriots aren't legit contenders. They are going to get turned out in 2 weeks.

Their defense is horrendous. Can't wait to see their dink and dunk offense fail now that defenses won't be worried about Moss beating them deep.

Patriots defense has absolutely no chance of stopping us.

Flacco is a good QB. We are still one of the best teams in the league.

And, the winner here, in his rankings of NFL QBs:

7. Tom Brady

So sorry Ravens fans. I hate you all just because of this one.

 

[Ron Sellers]

There's one Ravens fan on another more general NFL forum that kinda ruins my opinion of all Ravens fans. Sample quotes:

And, the winner here, in his rankings of NFL QBs:

So sorry Ravens fans. I hate you all just because of this one.

And that is why it is a good idea to avoid the comment sections of bigger, more well known national sites. The signal to noise ratio makes those comment sections worthless. Pretty much all smack talk and nearly zero intelligent football conversation on most of those sites.

 

[bucky]

A little perspective: they held the Jets and Steelers to their lowest rushing totals of the season; they kept Benson of Cincy under 80 yards, after he scorched them twice last year for over 100; and they gave up only 40 to Denver. They got caught completely unprepared for Hillis after sitting a bunch of D-linemen in favor of DB's he could steamroll, but aside from that anomaly, they've been solid against the run, just not as spectacular as previous years.

The D has also been dropping seven into coverage more often than I can remember in the last 10 years, which is why the sack total is low. The lack of picks is a concern, but they've proved they can lose the turnover battle and still win the game.

So it sounds like they can stop the run if they concentrate on doing that. Against the Pats, you have to believe they'll be trying to stop Brady. The lack of sacks and INTs is indeed a concern though if I'm a Raven fan. Last year, Suggs had a major impact on both games. IMO, if the Pats can neutralize him and keep the offense balanced, Brady will have a great day.

 

[Ron Sellers]

http://www.patriotsdaily.com/2010/10/from-the506-com-where-patriotsravens-will-be-shown/

For a game that features CBS’ Top announcing team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, this Sunday’s Patriots/Ravens game doesn’t get a very wide viewing area. This is mostly because of the 1:00pm start, resulting in a lot of games going on at the same time around the country.

I got a laugh out of the final line, based on one lone patch of red in the western part of the map:

Apparently Las Vegas needs to keep an eye on this one.