Ravens Rewind Weeks 1-4

[Ravensfan23]

Ok so with this lockout, there isn't much to talk about around here. Many topics are based around the same things and usually leads to the same debates. How bad Cam is, how certain players were misused, how players didn't execute, how the young players should make us better, who'll break out next season, etc.

So I figured I'd try something different. Because we don't know how things will play out with the lockout, I figured last go back and relive the 2010 season game by game.

What were the key plays or moments in each game? What player showed up the biggest? Who needed to play better? Now that the heated emotions of the outcome are gone(for most of us), what are your feelings and thoughts of that game. etc.

So with only 7 weeks until the supposed start of camp, I figured we could do 4 games a week and then the playoff games, if we keep it going that long. Maybe spend a couple days on each game.

So I'll kick it off and see how things go.

[Ravensfan23]

Week 1

[color="#4B0082"][url="http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010091300/2010/REG1/ravens@jets/watch#watch"]Ravens @ Jets Highligths[/url]

[url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/media_library/Shows/2010/1_Winning_Drive/Episode_1_at_NYJ.aspx?id=235663aadbe946d8bdabdb10b856565d"]One Winning Drive.[/url][/color]

Going back over this game, I think Flacco played much better then people gave him credit for. He continually found the best matchups to attack that Jets defense and made some big throws.

I think one of the biggest plays of that game was the Heap dropped TD pass. After getting blasted on the first play of the game, which lead to a fumble and 3 point for the Jets, Flacco bounced back strong. He lead the Ravens on what should have been a 10 play 70 yard TD drive. However Heap dropped a perfect pass and McGahee would eventually fumble, which lead to no points at all.

I think that really set the tone of the game. The Ravens offense could have started fast and really put the game out of reach early with the way the Jets offense played, but we couldn't get out of our own way early.

I think 1 Winning Drive did a good job of showcase just how new the Ravens offense was. Housh only being on the team for 6 days, Q being in his first game. Those guys did a really good job of communicating on the sidelines and finding the matchups.

Defenseively I think people around the NFL started to understand just how tough it is to block Ngata up front. He dominated in so many levels. We all remember the Ray Lewis hit, but I though Jameel McClain played a really strong game as well. It was a really strong performance by the defense.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

Another big play involving Heap was a nothing short of incredible diving catch. Probably the best catch of the season for us, IMO. Despite not throwing a TD and his INT was a poor decision, I thought that Flacco deserved a lot of credit for the win. He and Cam consistently abused Kyle Wilson and the Jets' safeties rather than foolishly trying to test Revis.

And to cap the victory off nicely, a vintage play from Ray Ray, leveling Keller in one of the hits of the season.

What made the win that bit sweeter was also that the Jets thought that they could trash talk us in the build up to the game. Well, like Ray said: "When you challenge a warrior, a warrior responds."

[RavensAllTheWay]

The TD drive at the end of the half was enormous. We were down and really not playing well at all. As you said, we couldn't get out of our own way and as a result gave the Jets confidence. Then right before the half, we found a way to weather the storm and go into the locker room with a lead on the road against a very good team, despite all the mistakes etc...thank you, btw, for the running into the kicker penalty on Braylon. Was it the right call? No. But I have to give credit to Cundiff for selling it beautifully. When we came out in the second half, we were much more settled. We started to control all phases of the game and do just enough for the win. And yes, Flacco made some big time throws in this game and clearly outplayed his stats.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1307983132' post='696369']
Week 1

[color="#4B0082"][url="http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010091300/2010/REG1/ravens@jets/watch#watch"]Ravens @ Jets Highligths[/url]

[url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/media_library/Shows/2010/1_Winning_Drive/Episode_1_at_NYJ.aspx?id=235663aadbe946d8bdabdb10b856565d"]One Winning Drive.[/url][/color]

Going back over this game, I think Flacco played much better then people gave him credit for. He continually found the best matchups to attack that Jets defense and made some big throws.

I think one of the biggest plays of that game was the Heap dropped TD pass. After getting blasted on the first play of the game, which lead to a fumble and 3 point for the Jets, Flacco bounced back strong. He lead the Ravens on what should have been a 10 play 70 yard TD drive. However Heap dropped a perfect pass and McGahee would eventually fumble, which lead to no points at all.

I think that really set the tone of the game. The Ravens offense could have started fast and really put the game out of reach early with the way the Jets offense played, but we couldn't get out of our own way early.

I think 1 Winning Drive did a good job of showcase just how new the Ravens offense was. Housh only being on the team for 6 days, Q being in his first game. Those guys did a really good job of communicating on the sidelines and finding the matchups.

Defenseively [b]I think people around the NFL started to understand just how tough it is to block Ngata up front. He dominated in so many levels.[/b] We all remember the Ray Lewis hit, but I though Jameel McClain played a really strong game as well. It was a really strong performance by the defense.
[/quote]
I still won't forget the play in the fourth quarter where he just tossed and threw Matt Slausen aside for the third down sack. Even Tirico reacted to it.

[RivenHale]

Great idea for a thread. This game had me pinned to the edge of my seat the whole time - great old-school defensive football. (And, of course, we all remember that sinking feeling we had on our first play of the game.)

To me, that fumble to start it out was huge. Or, more specifically, the way Joe never blinked. He just picked himself up, spat on his hands and did what we had to do to win. That's what I love seeing in him, and that's why I was psyched when we drafted him.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='RivenHale' timestamp='1307988718' post='696399']
(And, of course, we all remember that sinking feeling we had on our first play of the game.)
[/quote]

I was at that game and let me tell you, the fans had a field day with me after that first play. I laughed last, though.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1307988632' post='696398']
I still won't forget the play in the fourth quarter where he just tossed and threw Matt Slausen aside for the third down sack. Even Tirico reacted to it.
[/quote]

Yea Ngata jacked Slausen up on the Green fumble as well. I think Slausen will have nightmare about Ngata the week before we play them this year.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1307987447' post='696390']
[b]Another big play involving Heap was a nothing short of incredible diving catch. Probably the best catch of the season for us, IMO. [/b]Despite not throwing a TD and his INT was a poor decision, I thought that Flacco deserved a lot of credit for the win. He and Cam consistently abused Kyle Wilson and the Jets' safeties rather than foolishly trying to test Revis.

And to cap the victory off nicely, a vintage play from Ray Ray, leveling Keller in one of the hits of the season.

What made the win that bit sweeter was also that the Jets thought that they could trash talk us in the build up to the game. Well, like Ray said: "When you challenge a warrior, a warrior responds."
[/quote]

I think that is the kind of play that symbolizes the type of OC Cam is, and the identity of this offense.

It's the first play after the big Ngata sack. With only 4:27 on the clock and the Ravens holding a 1 point lead, it's clear to everyone that the Ravens will be in 4 minute mode. Time to pound the ball and work the clock right? Normally, but Cam wanted to break the Jets defense and seal the game, and if Heap didn't have to dive for the ball, he might have just ran straight to the end zone and did just that.

Joe came out and the Ravens were in a 2TE 2RB 1WR set and it was clear we were about to pound the ball with this heavy formation. The Jets stack the box with 9 defenders and one being a extra LB.

Joe gives a nice ball fake to Rice, Dickson, and Heap attack the safeties down the seams and Boldin holds the DB on the outside. Heap is matched up on the smaller Leonhard, and at the top of his route he gives Jim a little stick nod to create that separation.

The oline does a great job of giving Flacco the time needed, Joe delivers a great pass, and Heap made what might have been the catch of the season for the Ravens.

As I said before, If Heap was able to continue to run after the catch, it would have been a back breaking 74 yard TD. Just a great play call and execution in my opinion.

[color="#4B0082"][url="http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010091300/2010/REG1/ravens@jets/analyze#tab:watch"]Heap's Catch[/url][/color]

[Dubs]

Great Idea

I remember coming away from this game sooo happy we didnt draft Kyle Wilson, Flacco really worked him, I also liked how well we stretched the middle of the field down the seams..This was just a great game overall..and ditto on the great catch by heap.

Also that was a great game defensively we were extremely stout..I think we match up very well against the Jets..however Holmes was not there, thats a different story

[big hits and ball hawks]

Everyone has pretty much pointed out the great and not so great plays of the game: our first offensive play, Heap's catch, and Mcgahee's TD. There's also Ray's hit at the end on Keller. On McGahee's touchdown, Ed Dickson made a huge block that led the way for McGahee to get that TD. Just wanted to point that out.

I've also never seen a QB seem more frightened before a game than Sanchez was. Maybe he wasn't really but the face he was making sure made it seem like it.

[Ed_Reed20]

One of my favorite plays from the Jets game was Ray detonating Tony Richardson on a run blitz and causing him to fall backwards into LT.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1308006337' post='696559']
One of my favorite plays from the Jets game was Ray detonating Tony Richardson on a run blitz and causing him to fall backwards into LT.
[/quote]

yea although Ray doesn't need much help in that area, I think Rex Ryan really got Ray Ray going for this game with his comments.

It'll be interesting to see what approach the Jets take this season, the week leading up to the Jets @ Ravens matchup.

[RivenHale]

Really? "Interesting"? You think Rex Ryan has a setting OTHER than "ridiculous trash talk"?

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='RivenHale' timestamp='1308007588' post='696570']
Really? "Interesting"? You think Rex Ryan has a setting OTHER than "ridiculous trash talk"?
[/quote]

I don't think Rex will trash talk Ray and the defense nearly as much as other teams. I think he'll take the road of, oh I have nothing but respect for those guys and that organization. But we're going to win the game just like every other week. Or something like that.

Now Bart Scott that's a different story. I expect him to make comments about how every player on the Ravens defense wishes they could play for the Jets under Rex. OR how the defense isn't the same since Rex left, or something like that.

But other then Ray and Suggs, I don't see much talking if any from the Ravens.

[berad]

Flacco did play pretty well in the Jets game. In addition to what others have said, a lot of yardage/possible scores were wiped out because of multiple DPIs by the Jets.

The Defense was outstanding, though, Ray Lewis and Haloti Ngata in particular. Ray destroying Dustin Keller became an instant classic and Haloti brushing through the Jet OG is about the prettiest thing in the world.

[Ravensfan23]

Ok so week 1 was a pretty good week for the Ravens. Pretty much the same plays stood out to all of us. Everyone seemed to enjoy the Thread so I'll keep it going.

On to Week 2.

Man after this game you would have thought that Joe Flacco was the second coming to Kyle Boller. I never knew so many Ravens fans were Marc Bulger fans.

The Bengals seem to really have a good idea of what they need to do defensively to contain the Ravens offense and nothing was different in this week 2 match up.

Tough game for Ravens and tough week for the fans.

[Ravensfan23]

[color="#4B0082"][url="http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010091912/2010/REG2/ravens@bengals#tab:watch"]Ravens@Bengals Highlights[/url]

[url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/media_library/Shows/2010/1_Winning_Drive/Episode_2_at_CIN.aspx?id=896db32f2e5f441aa39e73de69c9e228"]1 Winning Drive[/url][/color]

As bad as this game seemed, I think the biggest play was the terrible tripping call on Ray Lewis. The Ravens scored to take the lead to start the 3rd quarter, and the defense was shutting down their offense. On 3rd and 12 Ray sacks Palmer but is called for tripping. That really changed things imo.

I think the way to sum this game up was missed opportunities. Dropped INTs, Dropped passes, and just failing to put the Bengals away when we had the chance.

Flacco's second INT was just horrible. I can look at the video 100 times, and still can't see who Flacco was throwing to or why he even threw it at all. It's 3rd down, just throw it away and punt.

I think the secondary played really well without Ed in this game, and really played well enough to win.

[Ed_Reed20]

From Joe's play, the o-line's issue in pass protection, WRs struggling all around(Houshmandzadeh dropped three passes), the D getting hit with two bogus penalties and Zibby and Landry dropping would-be interceptions, Week 2 was a painful loss.

I still feel the Ravens would have won had Cam ran the ball more(Rice had 16 carries while Willis and Le'Ron combined for 4). It seemed like the entire line struggled in pass protection but they were actually generating movement in the run game and Rice got into a mini-groove but play-calling put an end to that.

[K-Dog]

I like this, but lets not switch gears quite so fast. Give it a day or two between games.

Week 1: One of the best games of the season no question. As much passion as any Pitts-burgh game. Hard hitting smart play. It was great.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1308091781' post='696996']
I like this, but lets not switch gears quite so fast. Give it a day or two between games.

Week 1: One of the best games of the season no question. As much passion as any Pitts-burgh game. Hard hitting [b]smart play[/b]. It was great.
[/quote]

Minus Zibby's cross-field punt return adventure.

[hawkprey]

I think the Jets were missing Pool and Pace, while our defense was missing Webb, Kruger, Cody, Ed Reed, Josh Wilson (for being new to the team), and Cary Williams too. And, if they count, season inactives Kindle and Foxworth. And the Jets still did NOTHING on our defense.

Think of how different the rematch will be with Webb, Cody, Wilson/Foxworth, Reed and Kindle possibly being on the starting roster.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1308091781' post='696996']
I like this, but lets not switch gears quite so fast. Give it a day or two between games.

Week 1: One of the best games of the season no question. As much passion as any Pitts-burgh game. Hard hitting smart play. It was great.
[/quote]

Yea the only reason why i moved on from week 1 so quick was because for the most part, everyone had the same views.

With the way week 2 played out, I figured opinions would vary, from the blame game, who played well, what ref calls were bogus, and just the overall performance.

However what i really wanted to account for was the whole Flacco thing. After that game, there was as much Flacco bashing as you could imagine. At that point in time, i can remember most people thinking Flacco just wasn't ready, then as the season went on, most people thought Cam was holding Joe back.

So I figured maybe some opinions of exactly how Flacco performed might chance, now that it's proven that Flacco isn't a bad as that single game proved.

So that's why i moved on from the Jets game so quickly, my plan for these threads is to spend one week on each quarter of the season(Weeks 1-4, 4-8 etc). So ideally we'd spend about 1-2 days on each game, but some games will garner more attention then others.

[K-Dog]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1308092970' post='697011']
Minus Zibby's cross-field punt return adventure.
[/quote]
yeah there is that.

Repressed memory, I had that one buried pretty deep.

[RivenHale]

Shhh, we're pretending Zibby's thing didn't happen. I nearly had a heart attack.

[RavensAllTheWay]

I can only imagine how different the game would have been had they ruled that a fumble and Jets recovery for the score.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1308195932' post='697548']
I can only imagine how different the game would have been had they ruled that a fumble and Jets recovery for the score.
[/quote]

Unfortunately it's plays like that, that the Ravens are becoming accustom to having in big time games.

It seems like in some cases the bigger the game, or the moment gets, our players tend to have a brief mental lapse and it usually cost us big time.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1308252478' post='697713']
Unfortunately it's plays like that, that the Ravens are becoming accustom to having in big time games.

It seems like in some cases the bigger the game, or the moment gets, our players tend to have a brief mental lapse and it usually cost us big time.
[/quote]
Not many people have put it like that, but I think you're completely right.

[RavensAllTheWay]

I think that leads us right into week 2, lol.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1308252885' post='697718']
I think that leads us right into week 2, lol.
[/quote]

Oh week 2 had many mental lapses. where do u wanna start lol