Early Season Awards

[MKdave]

Since we've got a Bye week without much to do but feel sorry for ourselves, I figured it'd be a good time for the nearly-midseason awards.

For me, Rice has carried the offense and the team. He's just been incredible. Joe's been great too, but alot of why he's looked so great is his ability to fall back on Rice whenever a play breaks down.

The biggest surprise in my eyes has been Kelley. I thought, back when he was trying out with a couple of scrubs, he'd struggle to wrestle the 4th reciever spot away from Justin Harper. Here we are a couple of months later and he's giving Clayton a run for the 2nd. There have been times when he's looked like our best reciever out there, and contributes on special teams. Great pickup.

As for biggest dissapointment, I'm split between Carr and the last one. I certainly didn't have high hopes for Carr as a corner, but I thought he's really elevate our return game. But no, he got benched in favour of a rook 5 games in, and I believe last game (where he was no longer distracted or fatigued by kickoff returns) returned punts for a grand total of -1 yards. Good job Chris.
However, I could have quite easily put on Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata, Frank Walker, Jameel McClain, Tavares Gooden, Terrel Suggs, Dawan Landry and just about anyone outside of JJ on D.

[J-man]

Joe Flacco is the MVP, but Rice is playing the best.

[Jamal]

Best Raven: Ray Rice

Biggest Surprse: Ray Rice

Biggest dissapointment: Dominique Foxworth

[Alexir]

I put Willis McGahee as biggest surprise, because its a big surprise he isnt getting the ball enough.

Yeah he blew last game but the point is we forced the ball to ray rice when he was struggling. I really want to see a 50 50 share with the ball. No team is really doin that this year hence why the titans offense is struggling and why the panthers offense are struggling.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Alexir' date='24 October 2009 - 02:28 PM' timestamp='1256416081' post='265722']
I put Willis McGahee as biggest surprise, because its a big surprise he isnt getting the ball enough.

Yeah he blew last game but the point is we forced the ball to ray rice when he was struggling. I really want to see a 50 50 share with the ball. No team is really doin that this year hence why the titans offense is struggling and why the panthers offense are struggling.
[/quote]
I dont know about that the two teams you listed have serious QB problems. Titans Oline hasnt played as spectacular and their D is just aweful so they cant run the ball 35 times a game because theyre always behind. Panthers have Delhomme thats why their O is struggling teams stack the box and go safety high on steve smith because they know Delhomme is scared to throw the ball past 15 yards. Williams has 17 carries per game, and Stewart has 10 a game so theyre still distributing the ball well. You cant go exactly 50/50. The league leader in attempts per game is only 21 so its not like teams are riding one guy. I think we're going to need McGahee too down the road, but Rice is hot right now and Joe has alot of trust with him. McGahee will undoubtedly be needed sorely in the later stages of the season.

[Alexir]

Yeah I guess you're right. Just wish Harbaugh wouldnt lie about whoever has the hot hand will get the ball. No matter how Rice plays, he is going to get the ball.

[MKdave]

[quote name='Alexir' date='24 October 2009 - 09:54 PM' timestamp='1256417672' post='265730']
Yeah I guess you're right. Just wish Harbaugh wouldnt lie about whoever has the hot hand will get the ball. No matter how Rice plays, he is going to get the ball.


[/quote]

Maybe that looks to be the case because Ray's been on fire all year?

[52Kia Kaha92]

i think Haloti Ngata should be on that list for dissapointments.
I was sure he was gonna break out this year but he hasnt really taken that next step forward IMO

I voted - Flacco for best
Washington for surprise and Foxworth for dissapointed

[Alexir]

Yeah, I dunno, I just wish we ran the ball more like we did in the first 3 games. Willis had 15 carries vs SD and in the last 3 games combined he only has 15 touches.

[MKdave]

[quote name='52Kia Kaha92' date='24 October 2009 - 10:03 PM' timestamp='1256418195' post='265734']
i think Haloti Ngata should be on that list for dissapointments.
I was sure he was gonna break out this year but he hasnt really taken that next step forward IMO


[/quote]


Totally agree, which is why I listed him in the follow up post. The only reason that I didn't was that it's the pass defense that's really caused the problems on D. Only when the D tried to adjust to help the pass coverage did the run coverage suffer.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Alexir' date='24 October 2009 - 02:54 PM' timestamp='1256417672' post='265730']
Yeah I guess you're right. Just wish Harbaugh wouldnt lie about whoever has the hot hand will get the ball. No matter how Rice plays, he is going to get the ball.
[/quote]
Ya ill attest to that, giving McGahee the ball once in the Pats game was an absolute joke. I know Cam runs the O, but that was a serious blunder. Sustaining drives should have been the gameplan to get Wilfork tired, once Wilfork is out of the game their front 3 is average at best. But we also had a chance to win so his gameplan wasnt so bad.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='MKdave' date='24 October 2009 - 03:06 PM' timestamp='1256418414' post='265738']
Totally agree, which is why I listed him in the follow up post. The only reason that I didn't was that it's the pass defense that's really caused the problems on D. Only when the D tried to adjust to help the pass coverage did the run coverage suffer.
[/quote]
Ive been agitated with Ngata this year too he generates 0 pass rush, or pocket push and he said it himself he stacked the wrong gap on APs like 60 yard run which caused him to backup onto Ray and leave a giant hole that AP could either cut it up field or bounce to the outside. Suggs guessed that he'd cut up field and AP bounced outside. So if you cant rush the passer for dill, you better not get your run assignments wrong. Now I know that was one play, but what about the entire Cincy game, besides Barnes we werent missing tackles, Benson was cutting back because our Dline didnt hold their gaps.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='Alexir' date='24 October 2009 - 04:54 PM' timestamp='1256417672' post='265730']
Yeah I guess you're right. Just wish Harbaugh wouldnt lie about whoever has the hot hand will get the ball. No matter how Rice plays, he is going to get the ball.
[/quote]

He does lead the league in yards from scrimmage...

[K-Dog]

Rice
Webb
Carr.

I really had my hopes set high for Carr. Our return game hs been weak for too long. I thought this was our big opportunity to get a return guy.
Well not so much with Carr, but Webb seesm to have a little mo-jo.

[McBurks]

Ray Rice has been the best player on this team and is a workhorse.

He's also the biggest suprise because I didn't think he'd improve this much from last season.

And Dominique Foxworth is my biggest disappointment because he and the rest of our secondary are letting people pass all over us.He was overpayed IMO.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='Jamal' date='25 October 2009 - 08:25 AM' timestamp='1256415950' post='265720']
Best Raven: Ray Rice

Biggest Surprse: Ray Rice

Biggest dissapointment: Dominique Foxworth
[/quote]
I went with the whole defense for disappointment but agree with you on the first two.