The Raven's Season Grade So Far?

[wacko4flacco5]

B+ to A- so far the Ravens have found out that they have a reliable passing game and their always productive running game. Now we have to look passes what has happened with our defense so far, sure they gave a huge amount of yards to the Chargers and blew coverage a couple of times against the Chiefs, but when comparing them to other defenses across the league, they are still close to the top.

[hawk51]

I would give them an solid A, Joe Flacco is amazing, the Run Blocking is pretty good. There are still some things they could do better, the receiving core for the Ravens is pretty strong, but like I said I believe they just have to focus on finishing the play strong, this weekend will only be game 3. The D-Line is doing excellent, so are the Linebackers, for really obvious reasons Ray Lewis he's a BEAST! . The secondary is struggling with the pass, they have to finish those tackles. I see the playoffs for the Ravens this season, especially if everyone can stay healthy.

[Ed_Reed20]

I would give the team a solid B. The red-zone offense(a big problem in the past) has been great so far. Flacco has improved, the offensive line is protecting him and the running backs have made a great three-headed monster. Todd Heap has already looked better in two games than he did all last year. I would like to see consistency from the receiving corps but a new guy has stepped up both weeks which is a good sign. The run defense is just as stout as it has been in the past.

However, the secondary have given big plays in both game and the special teams return and coverage units have been erratic.

[PuRock]

Considering that they are 2-0, and are in everybody's conversation about best team. I grade on a curve.
They get an A.

But they still have plenty of potential to really screw up that curve. Leaving many teams with the likes of D's and F's.

[theFRANCHISE]

I'd say it's a bit early to be giving season grades; traditionally, most people do it in benchmarks by dividing the season up into quarters. I'll withhold my grade until after Week 4.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='24 September 2009 - 11:35 AM' timestamp='1253806523' post='240648']
I'd say it's a bit early to be giving season grades; traditionally, most people do it in benchmarks by dividing the season up into quarters. I'll withhold my grade until after Week 4.
[/quote]

I agree but I chose to give a grade anyway.

[Jhyson]

As of right now in the season I give them a B+.

It seems that they may have fixed some special teams problems but the kickoff coverage has still got to get better.

The defense overall is still a bit shaky but I am very pleased with the stout run defense. The pass defense is dismal but at least it's only Week 2 and there is plenty time for correction.

The offense......WOW. Couldn't be happier. We FINALLY have a balance of solid run and pass. Flacco has developed into a very smart QB. When there is nothing downfield he always has Rice in the backfield to throw to, which I have seen him do several times already this season. Bottom line, Flacco makes plays at times where there seems to be nothing.

Despite some kinks in the machine, we can't complain about 2-0!

[funky141]

I grade a B-..
The offense is excellent and deserves a A+ themselves but defense and special teams brings them down to the B- I gave them.

The defense needs to cause more turnovers, pressure the QB better and keep teams from scoring 20 plus points.

The special teams struggled last week against SD but Sproles does that to every NFL team.

[MagicianCamille]

Offense: A. They've scored over 30 points in both games, and scored when they needed to. What else can we ask for?

Defense: C. I hate to do this just because of how dominant our front seven are, but as long as our secondary serves as an achilles heel, I can't give them an above average grade. I have full confidence our secondary situation will turn around though, just look at the talent and intelligence of the defensive backs we have.

Special Teams: C. Giving up big returns, still not totally sold on Hauschka as a kicker. Sam Koch is brilliant, but he can't do it all himself.

Overall: B. Our offense is carrying us along right now, but I know this is going to change. The rest of our team will improve because we've got the guys and the coaches to do it.

[VA_Fan]

^ agreed B-

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='MagicianCamille' date='24 September 2009 - 01:05 PM' timestamp='1253811946' post='240686']
Offense: A. They've scored over 30 points in both games, and scored when they needed to. What else can we ask for?

Defense: C. I hate to do this just because of how dominant our front seven are, but as long as our secondary serves as an achilles heel, I can't give them an above average grade. I have full confidence our secondary situation will turn around though, just look at the talent and intelligence of the defensive backs we have.

Special Teams: C. Giving up big returns, still not totally sold on Hauschka as a kicker. Sam Koch is brilliant, but he can't do it all himself.

Overall: B. Our offense is carrying us along right now, but I know this is going to change. The rest of our team will improve because we've got the guys and the coaches to do it.
[/quote]
I actually agree with all of that, though I'd be a little more generous to Special Teams and give them a B- just on the basis of Sam Koch and the fact that Chris Carr showed huge improvement in Week 2 over his medicore Week 1 outing.

[hawk51]

[quote name='MagicianCamille' date='24 September 2009 - 01:05 PM' timestamp='1253811946' post='240686']
Offense: A. They've scored over 30 points in both games, and scored when they needed to. What else can we ask for?

Defense: C. I hate to do this just because of how dominant our front seven are, but as long as our secondary serves as an achilles heel, I can't give them an above average grade. I have full confidence our secondary situation will turn around though, just look at the talent and intelligence of the defensive backs we have.

Special Teams: C. Giving up big returns, still not totally sold on Hauschka as a kicker. Sam Koch is brilliant, but he can't do it all himself.

Overall: B. Our offense is carrying us along right now, but I know this is going to change. The rest of our team will improve because we've got the guys and the coaches to do it.
[/quote]


I agree totally.

[Wacco4Flacco]

QB- A
RB- B
WR- A
O Line- A

Defensive Line- A
Linbackers- B
Secondary- D

Kicking Game- C
Coaching- A

[FerrariFan87]

If we are 3-1 after New England next week, and our D markedly improves, I can't give us anything less than an A.

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='24 September 2009 - 01:58 PM' timestamp='1253815083' post='240713']
If we are 3-1 after New England next week, and our D markedly improves, I can't give us anything less than an A.
[/quote]
I can't think of many reasons why this team can't be 4-0 after New England next week

[YYZ66]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' date='24 September 2009 - 03:08 PM' timestamp='1253815720' post='240714']
I can't think of many reasons why this team can't be 4-0 after New England next week
[/quote]

No doubt. The Cheatriots can't stop the run, and their O line hasn't been protecting Tom Terrific very well.

[Steelerkillers]

Anytime your Defense dont allow 6 points in 5 redzone attempts from an opponent, you have to feel proud of that. In addition, the Chargers had good field position just about the whole game and couldn't score. As a result, we still won the game with poor field position on the defensive and Offensive sides of the ball. That says alot about a Defense. Oh, the Offense as well!

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='YYZ66' date='24 September 2009 - 04:44 PM' timestamp='1253825074' post='240811']
No doubt. The Cheatriots can't stop the run, and their O line hasn't been protecting Tom Terrific very well.
[/quote]
This is why we should leave New England with a win. I dont see us losing unless we have a bad day, or if the game is close and Tom Shady has the ball with 2:00 or less on the clock. I'd rather lose the game from bein outplayed instead of givin the game away at the last minute. So, I hope Tom doesnt have a Big Ben moment.

[flynismo]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' date='24 September 2009 - 02:08 PM' timestamp='1253815720' post='240714']
I can't think of many reasons why this team can't be 4-0 after New England next week
[/quote]

I expect a 4-0 start. The torch has been passed, IMO....NE, PIT and Indy are yesterday's news. We're what's happening now.

[ravens world]

offense b- could be alot better if they start kelly as number 1 and bench clayton
deffense c+ not doing to good got to get more pressure and get to the qb and not allow the big passes
special teams d+ got to get better there

So overall i say we are doing good with winning but we got to get going on deffense and special teams needs to step up and offense has keep mixing up the run and pass to keep deffenses of guard. ( OH and sitting clayton on the bench and putting kelly as number 1 wideout and mason ad number 2 wont hurt our offense in my op)

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

I agree that we should be 4 - 0 after the Pats game. Brady is a pocket passer and I think we can put enough pressure on him to make bad plays, same as the Jets did last week. Our secondary will improve this sunday, they are embarassed by their play last week and will improve. OLine is great, Flacco is the man and our defense is stellar, as always. Like Ray said, stats are cute - but wins are what counts. Had our secondary played better last sunday I would give us an A, but probably a B+ is more realistic. Hope ST comes out stronger this week too.

[William Murderface]

[quote name='Wacco4Flacco' date='24 September 2009 - 12:48 PM' timestamp='1253814487' post='240709']
QB- A
RB- B
WR- A
O Line- A

Defensive Line- A
Linbackers- B
Secondary- D

Kicking Game- C
Coaching- A
[/quote]

No way the D-line gets an A. The front four have gotten virtually no pressure on the QB at all this year which is something we were going to ask them to do more this year. I would also say to raise the secondaries grade up a little because of this. No secondary can cover everyone for 6 seconds or so.

[flynismo]

[quote name='William Murderface' date='24 September 2009 - 08:34 PM' timestamp='1253838893' post='240895']
No way the D-line gets an A. The front four have gotten virtually no pressure on the QB at all this year
[/quote]

err....I take it you didn't watch the SD game?
Also, #1 in run defense has to count for something.

[hawk51]

I believe the defense is starting the season smoothly, if they let everything out of the box where will they be in Week 9?

For week two, I believe the Ravens D are doing great, the challenge will be the offense. Can they keep up the red zone percentage? I'm not disagreeing with the fact that the defense needs to get a little more pressure, but I believe the defense realizes that blitzing can leave holes open in the zone, and the Ravens D lacks some of the speed it used to have in the holes. The Ravens get at least ONE SACK every game. They need to get the kinks out...the secondary just needs to buckle down a little, I believe team know how to create mismatches against it...thats a problem, but they're disciplined and that will help.

With the Ravens O being one of the most talked about offenses right now, the film sessionS will be more progressive, expect the Ravens offense to slow down a little. That's my opinion.

[CorvusCorax]

It's too early in the season to really grade anything. I like to wait until after week 4 to say anything. However, I do like how the team is gelling overall. Offense is pretty well in sync with each other. There doesn't seem to be any hostility or unease/drama with any players. Also, we are making progress offensively!

Defense, I think the front seven are in sync well, the secondary has some work to do but overall they are doing well. I have faith that Ed Reed and Ray Lewis will get the Defense where it has been. Let's see how things turn out against the Browns. I think the Week 3 game against the Browns will be a great ST test as well as a chance to sync the Defense as well.