Ravens-'skins: Thoughts & Observations

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Corvus Corax' date='14 August 2009 - 02:32 PM' timestamp='1250274734' post='219514']
Kelly Washington brought something new to Baltimore this year, the swagger and attitude on the WR side of the ball. I hope he spreads that culture among the young inexperienced WRs that we have right now.
[/quote]
Kelly Washington was an extremely pleasant surprise. Granted, I thought he was a great pick-up by the Patriots two years ago right before they got Randy Moss, but I assumed there was a reason he couldn't beat out Stallworth and crack the starting lineup. I guess maybe those fears might be unfounded. Time will tell, but if K.Washington plays as well as he did last night, we may have found our #2 or #3 receiver.

[jfc13]

I think if their primary goal was to work on field goal kicks, they would have kicked instead of going for it at 4th and 1, where the kick was longer and a better test. I was actually surprised when they didn't kick because I had heard the same thing from Sandusky.

I think it was like Ravensfan23 said, they weren't going to force field goals, but if they happened, that was okay since they needed to test the kickers anyway.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

[quote name='1/28/01' date='14 August 2009 - 12:44 AM' timestamp='1250225061' post='219260']
Didn't mean to piss in your cereal, but it was really tough to read your post. Just helping you out and letting you know that your points probably weren't projected due to some incomplete thoughts and run ons.

Cheer up
[/quote]
aye lad tis ok tis ok what's done is done , today is not yesterday

[quote name='tweety' date='14 August 2009 - 04:33 AM' timestamp='1250238792' post='219305']
I would like to see Flacco use more of a variety when throwing the ball. Troy Smith was able to spread the ball to TE, WR, and RBs pretty equal. Flacco seemed to be very bias to dump-offs and Washington. Flacco didn't seem as confident with his throws like last year. Where are the bombs he use to throw against the Bengals and Jags. I want to see that trend again. Hopefully Flacco gets more snaps next game, so he can be better accessed. I'm sure after this poor performance he will break out next game.
[/quote]


ok actualy I liked what I saw with flacco willingness to see his checkdown when needed , once rice generated about 40 on a checkdown pass from joe so I am not upset I am happy with it. That means he is learining to see defensive holes , now lets the see joe start some audibles

[itscbm5042]

One thing is clear, at least to this point and that is that few teams can match the Ravens depth on defense. I would put our 2nd string LB's against most starting units and the D Line looks great. Flacco was smart and vanilla but he made smart decisions and spread the ball to six receivers. Harper has good speed and size but looked a little scared going over the middle, but he should be fine. Kelly Washington could be a big time producer this season, more so then we thought. I don't know of any teams that keep 6 RB's on the roster but all of them are good enough to play in the NFL... Rice, McGahee, McClain, Parmele, Lawrence, and Peerman WOW. Flacco might have some SERIOUS new weapons this season if LJ Smith, Wheelright, Harper, and Figurs step up, and Rice is now a legitimate receiving threat as well. I really like that mix. The secondary looks to be the only cause for concern on this team and they have plenty of time to improve. I feel really good about this team so far.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='14 August 2009 - 04:44 PM' timestamp='1250282688' post='219589']
Kelly Washington was an extremely pleasant surprise. Granted, I thought he was a great pick-up by the Patriots two years ago right before they got Randy Moss, but I assumed there was a reason he couldn't beat out Stallworth and crack the starting lineup. I guess maybe those fears might be unfounded. Time will tell, but if K.Washington plays as well as he did last night, we may have found our #2 or #3 receiver.
[/quote]

I agree. He's probably the biggest receiver on the team and he definitely has the attitude of most #1 receivers. Even though Washington is older than him, he reminds me a bit of Antonio Bryant.

But, the biggest thing with this receiving corps is consistency. We'll see what Washington does against the Jets who have better corners.

[RoflDogs]

Here some thoughts I had while watching the game

Also, Jameel had PLENTY opportunities to finish the sacks on Colt Brennan

I really like the way Kruger bull rushed, he was showing some motor there, like advertised.

Gooden was really side line to side line and was showing great speed.

Kelly Talavou was very impressive, he was consistently in the backfield.

If Harper avoids dropping balls and being more consistent, I think he is going to be special...




and
[size="7"]1000th POST!!!!![/size]


Lol, sorry about that

[macbrak]

every team keeps three QBs, the third is hardly ever active gameday as there is a special rule that lets you dress an emergency QB (if they go in the top two can't come back until the 4th).

[JoeFlax]

the depth in D-Line was the most impressive. Bannan, Ngata, Kelly, Talavou rotation should keep each guy fresh and going all the way. The middle of the line should dominate all of its game.

[K-Dog]

First and foremost I have to tip my hat to Troy Smith.
He looked FANTASTIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our secondary looked a bit thin at first. Other than that they looked amazing.
Our second string guys were awesome.
We have some fantastic depth.

Okay, lets get on with the REAL games.

Oh, one other thing.
I was real disapointed to see one one else wearing Stovers number.

I know I need to get over it and let it go but I am not ready.

[T-Sizzle55]

I was very impressed with the level of intensity we had out there. We were definately on a much higher level than the Skins and they could not keep up with us. It just shows how hard they've been practicing and that John Harbaugh is coninuing to do a great job in getting them ready. We owned the energy of that game.

I was impressed with a lot of out players. I believe Michael Oher sold everyone that he isn't just worthy to play in the NFL, but worthy of being a starter day 1. He actually looked like a veteran and just dominated in his blocks. WR Kelley Washington looked fantastic. I'd put him ahead of Harper just because his hands are more sound. I think he got us all pumped up after making that 1st down. L.J Smith looked great with a nice 35 yard grab. Our 2 TE formations could be devastating to a defense. Troy Smith showed he can step in and get it done. He has great pocket awareness. I like how he kept trying to get Harper involed and Harper stepped up when it really counted. I was very happy to see Paul Kruger get a sack that is why we drafted him! Joe was solid and that pass he threw to Marcus Smith was amazing, he continues to prove he is a special athlete.

My gold stars for outstanding performance goes to:

- Jayson Foster 78 yards receiving and a 21 yard punt return
(Did we find our next Jim Leonhard?)

-Matt Lawrence 36 yards rushing 38 yards receiving.
(He made great cuts)

-Tom Zbikowski 4 tackles 1 sack 1 forced fumble
(Proved he is a heavyweight hitting playmaker)

-Dannell Ellerbe
(He's a special teams ace and looks to have good awareness. I'd really like to see him get more time)

[T-Sizzle55]

Our running backs looked really good, which is a testament to how good the offensive line played. Ray Rice was very impressive. This guy showed how hard he has worked and looks even better than last year. He showed great hands, tremendous awareness, and he's deadly in space. Willis McGahee really impressed me. He looked like a seasoned veteran who is in fantastic shape. He hit the holes hard and fast and showed power. Our 1-2 punch is going to absolutely rediculous!

First McGahee, then McClain...now...it's Ray Rice's turn to go to the Pro-Bowl.

[theFRANCHISE]

Normally, the preseason doesn't interest me anymore after the 1st game is over and done with, but I'm really pumped for this 2nd game now -- aside from the Jets being our opponents, of course. I'm anxious to see if Kelly Washington is the real deal, and whether the backups continue to impress.

I swear, they could bench most of the defensive starters, and I'd probably still be excited. But seeing that first-team offense move the ball at will was impressive, and seeing how well the backups fared was even more exciting. Starters will go for up to a full half next week, so it'll be interesting to see if Cam Cameron continues to let Flacco air it out, or goes to the ground. I'm guessing we'll see more passing, so as to save the running backs for the regular season.

And I know this sounds like an exaggeration, but the kicker competition is legitimately compelling to me. I'm on pins-and-needles, watching these guys go for routine kicks that we know Stover could've made in his prime. I'm anxious to see someone pull ahead in the race, because I'd rather know who our kicker is NOW than find out too late in the season that we made the wrong choice.

[AlaskanRavensFan]

Yea, i'm curious to see if Sanchez does as well against our D, although probably backups, as he did against the Rams.

I don't know if anyone said this or not, but I was impressed with Kelly Tolovau. He was really stout inside and has apparently beaten out McKinney and Divens on the depth chart, if I'm not mistaken. It was nice to see Barnes and Kruger get some pass rush, although it wasn't as consistent with Kruger.

I thought the offense was alright. Really liked the play at RB all around and thought that Foster at WR showed some playmaking ability.

Looking forward to the jets!

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='AlaskanRavensFan' date='14 August 2009 - 11:53 PM' timestamp='1250308415' post='219706']
Yea, i'm curious to see if Sanchez does as well against our D, although probably backups, as he did against the Rams.

I don't know if anyone said this or not, but I was impressed with Kelly Tolovau. He was really stout inside and has apparently beaten out McKinney and Divens on the depth chart, if I'm not mistaken. It was nice to see Barnes and Kruger get some pass rush, although it wasn't as consistent with Kruger.

I thought the offense was alright. Really liked the play at RB all around and thought that Foster at WR showed some playmaking ability.

Looking forward to the jets!
[/quote]
I agree, Tolovau looked pretty good. He's a mammoth. It's great to have so much depth on the d-line,we have 2nd string guys who would be starters on most other defenses. This will keep our guys fresh late in the season. Other than that, Oher was a monster. Just think about how dominant this O-line will be when we get Yanda back at RG beside Oher, Birk in the middle and Gaither and Grubbs on the left side..wow. I think Mcgahee looked great. It seemed like he could finally hit that second gear again unlike last year. It sucks that Marcus Smith is out for the year but I'm hoping that maybe Harper can be more consistent catching the ball, he showed that he can get open but he has to get better catching passes. All in all nobody really disappointed me

[Ravnet]

I just have to say, Chris Carr is freakin' terrible in coverage.

I knew we signed him as a KR/CB, but I hope we never have to see the CB unless we're down to third string like in AFCCG; Carr is as bad as Corey Ivy was.

Like, he better return punts well, even though I don't think Webb is that good anyway, but Carr is so terrible on defense that he'll need to be a great punt returner to be worth his roster spot.

[Alexir]

[quote name='Ravnet' date='15 August 2009 - 11:16 AM' timestamp='1250349388' post='219806']
I just have to say, Chris Carr is freakin' terrible in coverage.

I knew we signed him as a KR/CB, but I hope we never have to see the CB unless we're down to third string like in AFCCG; Carr is as bad as Corey Ivy was.

Like, he better return punts well, even though I don't think Webb is that good anyway, but Carr is so terrible on defense that he'll need to be a great punt returner to be worth his roster spot.
[/quote]

Rolle will deft be our nickel. I dont think we will see Carr at all on defense. I think it is funny how everyone wrote Walker off saying Carr was better but after the display thursday night I can safely say Walker is definitely 100% making the team barring injury of course.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='Alexir' date='15 August 2009 - 12:53 PM' timestamp='1250355235' post='219825']
Rolle will deft be our nickel. I dont think we will see Carr at all on defense. I think it is funny how everyone wrote Walker off saying Carr was better but after the display thursday night I can safely say Walker is definitely 100% making the team barring injury of course.
[/quote]

Yeah, Walker isn't great, but he's serviceable considering that Carr is the other option.

[ROH522155]

Another thing I liked was the exceptional kick coverage

[berad]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' date='15 August 2009 - 08:13 PM' timestamp='1250381598' post='219942']
Another thing I liked was the exceptional kick coverage
[/quote]

YES! That was great, too, none of their drives started past their own 26 after we scored. [i](Except the squib)[/i]