Cawtious

22 minutes ago, VermontRaven said:

Stanley and Wagner both practicing.  Definitely a good sign that they may be back for this Sunday. 

Jimmy Smith practicing (in non-contact jersey)-Means he is progressing through the concussion protocol to be allowed to practice, so there is hope he will be cleared to play by Sunday.

Stanley - Lewis - Zuttah - Jensen - Wagner sounds pretty good for Sunday.......  Having Jimmy back would be good!  Now, let's see if Joe's little issue is just that and he's back on the field Sunday.

Just now, Moderator 3 said:

I told my sister in the 4th quarter that Joe didn't look "right" and I thought he was hurt.  

I wonder if that late hit Giants got flagged for on Joe was the culprit.....

Cue the meltdown in 3...2....1...

12 hours ago, CorvusMagnus said:

Been afraid to post in the other feeds, a few things to add:

• If last year proved anything it is that this team will fight for Harbaugh to the last second of the last game, we've been in  worse, we can find a way out.
• The majority of penalties on O in the last few games have been OL holding. If you're beat and have to choose between a free shot at the QB or holding, you hold. Health and stability will fix these issues on their own.
• As disappointed as I am with KC so far, I believe he will find a way at OLB by the end of the season. We stunted his growth cross training at ILB, Boise clearly didn't teach him squat, but I think he will develop enough to be serviceable.
• Pierce just makes me smile, he is a young Brandon Williams with pass rush upside we got as an undrafted player, it doesn't get much better then that.
• If the run game continues as it has and the OL protection improves even a little, I think Breshad will explode. He is already beating people regularly at the perimeter, give him a steady diet of unhurried rockets from Flacco and we'll see our own version of the Rothlisberger/Bryant connection

Filmstudy pointed out that Joe has ATS (Adequate Time and Space) about 46% of the time.  If we push that number into the 60% realm, Joe will start lighting people up (or at least hit them in the hands, giving them an opportunity to make a catch).  We're not that far off of getting our offense in a position to put more points on the board.

10 minutes ago, Rav'n Maniac said:

Look at Jensen beasting it out there. This just brings up another question. When we had 4 opportunities at the goal line, how come we ran it to the left side all 4 plays? Jensen obviously broke the long run for West and the dude just road grades but we never tried to run behind him at the goal. Makes no sense unless it was because Wurst was next to him.

Good question.  Hand the ball to Juice and slam it into the gap behind Zuttah/Jensen

23 hours ago, Gtown Purple said:

I liked the direction of the offense on sunday. We scored 23 points while having another 3 taken off the board and multiple drives short circuited by penalties.

Right now, we are not an offensive juggernaut.  But we are in every game and we're not getting blown out.  We are a "play here, no penalty there" from being the victor.  As Harbs has said.......that is fixable.   This Jets game should be interesting.  The key matchup is going to be our OL vs. their DL.  They have a talented front.  I think we win this one on the strength of a great ground attack.  Prediction 28-17  GO RAVENS

Good God.  The writers shouldn't waste their time when we lose.  Just another opportunity to start yet another BP&M thread.....

18 minutes ago, redrum52 said:

OL did its job.  Flacco was missing open guys often and when he wasn't they were dropping passes.  People say the C is suppose to make the calls, but shouldn't the QB make an adjustment when he sees a db ready to blitz?

3 of the 5 top scores for the day were given to the OL.  I'm waiting on Filmstudy before I say much. 

16 hours ago, Obie said:

Tell these prima Donnas to suck it up and, maybe if they actually practiced during the week, they would be in football shape come Sunday and not get Mickey mouse hurt. Stop making excuses.

Ok, Doc.  Why don't you go down there and give them that speech. 

With Stanley listed as a limited participant, I doubt he plays.  I don't think he's in anyone's dog house.  Foot injuries are tricky. 

With us pulling in two OL this week, I don't think Stanley, Wagner, or Yanda will play on Sunday.  I am hopeful that Yanda and Stanley are back after the break.  Don't know about Ricky.  If he's got a thigh/hamstring problem, it may take a little bit to get him back.

1 hour ago, eze17 said:

I'm surprised Hurst is still here. I don't see how the Raven's could even send him out on the field again. Jensen hasn't really looked much better. I think that the Raven's are hoping one of these guys they've brought in can actually play football in the NFL...

The two of them had a rough outing vs. Raiders.  I hope they have a better game on Sunday.  Jensen rated 30th out of 61 guards last week.  He's not the bottom of the barrel.  Hurst is going to have to pick it up and fast.  Jensen has been bouncing around from position to position.  I don't think that helps with consistency. 

1 hour ago, runcontrol said:

Stanley practiced today, With Wagner and Yanda both unlikely to play I doubt they sit Stanley

I hope that I am wrong, but it won't surprise me. 

I'll reserve judgment until after the bye week.  I am intrigued by what adjustments will be made, and how we play with our OL jumbled up again (more).

Someone clean Eli's plow this week........please!

2 hours ago, steelcityraven said:

Hold on.... We have Zuttah at C.... we can play both Urschel and Jensen at G... (all three started games last year) We have Alex Lewis back and he actually is a T... We have Hurst who has started way too many games over the past 2 season (but can go) ... it sounds like Stanley will be a go). Ducasse is a quality back up if needed. (I would be shocked if both Yanda and Wagner missed- they are both some pretty tough dudes)....

Yes we are banged up and nicked up but I really do not believe that the OL is that bad. (in fact... I am going to say that I expect 3 of our 5 starters to play Sunday at minimum) the insurance policy is for two reasons:
1. Practice dummies
2. In case those bumps and nicks get worse through the game or through the season.
 

Jensen started either five or six last year.

Doubt Stanley is a go this week.  If he returned to practice, I would guess he's next week at the earliest, or maybe after the bye week.  I don't think we pick up another guard if Yanda was going to play.  Same with Wagner.....

4 hours ago, Rav'n Maniac said:

This move I just don't understand. We're now going to carry 6 guards on the active roster and virtually no backups at ILB with Mosley hurt. Turner hasn't been good at all since drafted, maybe they think they can fix him.

Possibly they'll slide Albert to the inside and activate Judon in his place. Albert is good against the run but not the pass. I guess we'll see soon enough

Stop gap measure.  Two out of the three injured lineman may be a week or two out, with one perhaps longer.  These two signings aren't going be here long, or two of our existing lineman are headed to the IR soon, or getting their papers.  I am in the camp of temporary signing of these two. 

1 hour ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Well yea... but thats why i limited it to the 3-0 start. Weddles been awesome through all 5. Wallace was big in the first 3 for sure, last 2 not so much. Still making plays but he was a game changer the first couple weeks.

KO would be awesome. But he was always a luxury we couldnt afford. We're minus our LT and RT at least which means everyone except the Center was in a new position. And this coming week we may be down our LT, RT and all pro RG which could make it even worse. Even with KO this line would still be in shambles.

If Stanley at least plays I'll feel ok. Stanley and Lewis as book ends will be fine, especially giving Joe time to throw. No Yanda hurts of course, but I honestly think not having Stanley right now hurts worse just bc of the huge domino effect him not being in there has.

 

But I have a gut feeling Stanley and Yanda both end up playing. Wagner i doubt. Looking forward to a Stanley/Lewis rookie bookend.

I have my doubts about either.  Looking at the roster moves we made this week, it indicates to me that Wags, Stanley, and Yanda will be sidelined.  Stanley returning to practice is a good sign, but I don't think that they'll put him in the mix on Sunday.  I would almost bet we don't see him until next week, or even after the bye week.  We need him 100% ready for Pittsburgh.

I would guess we see:   Lewis - Urschel - Zuttah - Jensen - Hurst on Sunday. 

35 minutes ago, VermontRaven said:

Stanley practicing is definitely very good news.  I think our OL can make due if we have him starting at LT!

I doubt he'll return as a starter on Sunday.  Maybe by next week if he is back today......I'd like to be wrong, that being said.

6 hours ago, Sami84 said:

thing is too, some QBs can deal with being rattled while joe gets worse and worse.. anyone who thinks we can win this game is deluded. welcome to the 3 and 3 club.

Yeah, we should just call the NFL and the Giants and say we're not showing up.  .  I think our substitute line rises to the occasion.  I think some new game planning around the fact we have much of our starting line out will attempt to play to their strengths.  I would rather approach the game with that attitude instead of whining like you are right now. 

Fan like a Raven........bemoan the loss after it happens instead of being so negative before they've played a snap.  It might make this more fun!

2 hours ago, Sami84 said:

 

yup.we win..im out for a full month with a signature '' Im wrong'' ...we lose and every post by me on this board gets a  thumbs up  by every single person here until after the bye week.

Uh, no.  When you're wrong, your just wrong based upon the merits of the argument.  Just because you'd be gone for a month doesn't make everything you say right or worth a thumbs up!

3 minutes ago, Sami84 said:

Basically,

look guys..eventually people are going to realize that even the homers ( such as rmcjacket23) are just kidding themselves. The writing has been on the wall for a while now. taking out the kool aid juice which all homers live on its clear that the ravens situation is approaching that of the bears and cutler. It hasn't reached that level yet BUT that's the trajectory of this franchise. Joe flacco is not a good quarterback. He's an average QB whos capable of a few big moments and if you are lucky, like we were in post season 2012, he can have a streak. overall, if he were playing for the browns they still wouldn't have sniffed the playoffs. He isnt worth our long term investment.

 

 

 

There is more to Joe's struggles right now than Joe.  Get him making play calls and having more input into the game planning.  Use his abilities fully and I think you'll see a different result.

13 hours ago, redlobster said:

Surprised they didn't give former Raven and a draft pick Robert Myers a call, he's on seattles practice squad

Derp......no.  He's a train wreck.  There's a reason he's bouncing around.

Too much turmoil in the roster.  The injuries haven't helped.  A good OL needs time to gel and become a solid unit.  I disagree that Juan is a bad coach.  I disagree that we don't have the talent to have a great OL.  I think a healthier mix of run vs. pass will help the line.  The predictability of our offense lent itself to DL and LB's to pin their ears and come after us.  We have to get them to respect play action.  We need to get Joe back under center more. 

I also believe it is more about chemistry than ability right now........not with every player we have now.......we have the ability on the roster.  We just need to find the right mix and settle people into positions.  Game to game changes in position isn't helping this situation.  With injuries, it just cannot be helped all that much. 

If we don't trust Hurst to play Tackle (ergo last week) he needs to be let go and another backup Tackle brought in.  If a guy throws a bad game, and you put him back on the bench, it doesn't help with keeping a player/unit consistency present.  Analyze the struggle and see if a change in scheme might help the situation (receivers/TE chip blocking).  Sometimes its all about matchups!  You get faced with a pro bowl caliber edge rusher or DT, you need to address how you deal with them more effectively.

If you cannot handle standard NFL talent after you've EARNED (don't want to say "Given" or someone will go off on me again :-) ) a shot at it and proven that you are not improving or simply cannot handle it (by more than just a handful of games here and there), then to the bench or even to the trade block/cut. 

Combat the pass rush by making it a risk to sell out on doing it by defenses.  The more 2nd, 3rd and short situations our offense is by running the ball effectively, I believe we'll see better results from the OL's ability to protect Joe.

22 hours ago, dirtybird66 said:

i'd lik to know why the players are off monday,if you lose you practice,they'l focus if they have to work after a loss.

Recovery.  As the season wears on, those recovery days are important.  Guys are getting therapy, and dealing with the soreness.  Got to give the body a chance to recover and prepare for the next week.  Overworking tired muscles won't make them better or help with focus.........

5 hours ago, Bat-mite said:

So I guess the whole world will know that we're planning to run the ball more and pass down the field on Sunday.

If Flacco can't stay in the pocket because of our pitiful O-line, how are the receivers going to have time to get down the field? And what's going to guarantee that they catch the ball once they do?

Make the linebackers respect our threat to run the ball and then use some play action to open up the field 10+ yards.  Throw the ball over the top a few times and stop the cover three choking off the shorter routes.  People are just pinning their ears back and coming after us because we abandon the run game.  All this should help Joe with time.  And yes, some better pass pro will also help!!

Lewis had a part of 8 pressure events in the game.  I would guess his grades from the game won't be what you might think.  He is a beast in the running game.  Put him and Jensen on that left side and let them plow the road.