Preseason Game 1

[Ravensfan23]

Ok so after watching the Ravens' game vs the Skins again, and breaking everything down. This is what i saw.

The offensive line as a whole was very solid, especially in the first half. We have to get better on the screen pass blocking and getting out in space, but all in all good job.

Flacco was claim and seem to be in controll of the offense, which is a great sign for Ravens' fans. He made good decisions and some sharp throws in his limited action.

McClain is more then capable of being a lead blocker. He threw some really good blocks in this game and will only get better once he and the Oline gets more comfortable.

Dawan Landry will have a 100+ tackles this year, Mark it down. He plays so fast and is always around the ball. He will also be much better in coverage this year. Watch out for this guy, don't be surprise to hear his name come Pro Bowl time.

T. Good is as fast and intense as advertised. He was flying around the field, taking on blocking and filling holes. He fits well with the 1st team defense, and i don't see anyone outplaying him for that ILB spot.

J. McClain is not ready to be a ILB, his presuit and gap controll was poor from the ILB position. However he definately has a place on this team. The guy will be a beast rushing from that OLB position. Giving some time and hard work he could be a really good ILB, as he and Gooden played well together after Ray left the game; however OLB is the better spot from him right now. Rushing the passer is what he does best, he just has to break down and make the tackle.

If Rolle isn't ready to by week 1, i think Webb is the guy at Nickle. He is so quick and uses his speed well. He does a good job blitzing off the edge. He also played pyshical on special teams. Can't wait to see him on Monday. He really likes to hit.

Nakamura was good last year, and seems to be even better this year. He seems a lot more comfortable on the field. He is another one of those defenders that just seems to always find the ball. He also does well blitzing from the secondary. Look for either he or Webb to lead the DBs in sacks this year. Just like Webb, he really like to hit.

Derrick Martin is a playmaker, it doesn't matter if he is a CB or S. He's a guy that the Ravens could use in the Dime package as more of a coverage guy. I know many think its a long shot, but i think he not only makes the team, but also has a impact on defense.

Ellerbe is a beast. He only got a handful of plays on the defesive side of the ball, but he was pretty much unblockable on special teams. I counted atleast 4 different times he was involved in a tackle. I look for him to get more time at ILB next Monday.

Edgar Jones, Prescott Burgress, Darnell Ellerbe, Barnes, Zibby, Webb, and J. McClain all played well on Special Team. Of course they will have to do it more then just one game, but if these young guys(LBs especially) continue to play well on Special Teams it will be hard to keep Ayanbadejo around.

Both Kickers kicked well. Gano seemed to have better overall kickoffs then Hauscka, but it's still too close to call.

The WRs did a good job of running the slant patterns, but i want to see more of the route tree next Monday.

Edgar Jones saw a lot of time at FB, and was decent. Jones is a guy that can play offense defense and specail teams. I see him as the 3rd TE, and because he can line up and play FB, i don't see Cook making the team.

With Marcus Smith done for the year, the Ravens need a new gunner. I look for Edgar Jones and LarDarius Webb to step up for that role.

All in all it was a good debut for the Ravens and many of their young players. There was a lot of good, but it was a lot of bad. Hopefully we see improvement next Monday. I think there were some plays that Flacco and the offense left out on the field, but i'm sure we patch that up.

Game 1 is in the books, now we look forward to the Jets next Monday.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='16 August 2009 - 03:48 PM' timestamp='1250455716' post='220116']
With Marcus Smith done for the year, the Ravens need a new gunner. I look for Edgar Jones and LarDarius Webb to step up for that role.
[/quote]

I think Webb would be much more suited than Jones for that, personally. His speed will let him shut down the returner much faster.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='16 August 2009 - 04:56 PM' timestamp='1250456210' post='220119']
I think Webb would be much more suited than Jones for that, personally. His speed will let him shut down the returner much faster.
[/quote]

Yes Webb is the much faster guy, but Jones also does a great job on special teams. Webb was the gunner on the other side of Smith, so he might be a lock for the Gunner position.

While Jones isn't as fast, he is pyshical and could handle the double team as a gunner.

[Noles2011]

i know Kelley Washington is known as a Great ST player... do yall not think he has the speed to be a gunner? i agree though on webb i think he will eventually be the nickel and will definitely be one of the gunners

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Noles2011' date='16 August 2009 - 05:09 PM' timestamp='1250456989' post='220128']
i know Kelley Washington is known as a Great ST player... do yall not think he has the speed to be a gunner? i agree though on webb i think he will eventually be the nickel and will definitely be one of the gunners
[/quote]

Kelley Washington could definately be that gunner.

Oh and it's good to see another Noles fan around. Check your private messages.

[Noles2011]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='16 August 2009 - 05:24 PM' timestamp='1250457872' post='220132']
Kelley Washington could definately be that gunner.

Oh and it's good to see another Noles fan around. Check your private messages.
[/quote]

Hope Kelley and Webb lock down those spots then...
Go noles... i wrote back

[berad]

You're right, the OL does need to become better blocking in space, some of those screens were just downright fugly.

Dawan Landry was a beast, too. On that play where he blew Ladell Betts up in the backfield, you could tell he was fully recovered.

[Alexir]

Good Post. I agree with the Ayanbedjo statement too. I just dont see him being around when it is time to make cuts. You cant make it as a ST player only this year, Brendan. Great Special Teamer, But you arent that good of a LB.

Edgar Jones is a incredible athlete and if we were to cut him I would throw a huge fit over it because he has been working his ****** off all off season.

[T-Sizzle55]

Matt Birk was awesome on Thursday. He is not just strong, but very mobile as well. He dominated his blocks and used great technique to take his guy completely out of the play. I counted two times where a defender tried to bull rush him and ended up dropping to their knee. He's a concrete wall and you're not going to move it. He opened nice holes in the middle, pulled well, and blocked well down field. He was in Pro-Bowl form.

I previously thought Oniel Cousins was our weak link. The 3 holding penalties made it look bad, but after further review he did a decent job for a guy who's fairly new to playing on offense. He was pretty dominant and I counted at least 2 pancakes. He got beat twice, but he was in the majority of snaps at LT and played against some good DEs. 9 out of 10 times he held his assignment. He needs to work on his feet, hand placement, and technique, but he has tremendous power. I hope he can correct these problems and I'm looking forward to watching him next week. A work in progress.

Paul Kruger is everything we thought he was and maybe more. He had great penetration and was always in the backfield. He's extremely quick off the line and has great awareness and anticipation. He needs to work on some small things, but all in all he was very impressive. This guy has a great motor. 1, 2, Kruger's coming for you!

Will Johnson impressed me with his pursuit from behind. He's pretty mobile for a big defensive linemen. He did a nice job setting the edge on a run play that could have easily been a 15+ yard play and 1st down. Our DL is stacked but I hope we can put him on the PS because he has great potential at 6'5" and 285 lbs. He'd make a nice DE in training.

I want to see more Jason Phillips, William VanDeSteeg and Dannell Ellerbe. They all showed glimpses of being great young linebackers. Phillips looks like he wants to murder someone out there and Ellerbe flew to the ball. There was one play where VanDeSteeg was deep in the backfield after the ball was snapped but before it was even in the hands of the QB, wow. 44.5 tackles for a loss in his college career. I definitely saw that explosiveness on Thursday.

Jayson Foster is a playmaker. I hope he gets more time because I think Ozzie may have found our next "Jim Leonhard"!