Few Things That Stood Out During Steelers Game

[organizedchaos007]

[list]
[*]first thing I noticed before the game even started, was when the Db's were huddling together. Its NICE to see how huge Jimmy, Cary, and even Pollard are. We have needed this size in our secondary for a long time.
[*]Cary williams played a really solid game, minus the one TD which he just got caught looking in the backfield.
[*]Webb TOTALLY stepped up, im loving his physicality and his mindset on sticking his nose in there to make a hit. He plays well up on the line of scrimmage during run plays.
[*]I LOVEEEEEEEEE that pagano is playing virtually everyone. I understand we are taking some of our better players off the field for a down or two. However, out entire defense looked extremely fresh ALL game.
[*]3rd down conversions.... thank you. Will prob be the single most important stat that we needed to improve coming into this year. It was the reason we didnt score enough last year, and more importantly , the reason our defense broke down at the end of games.
[*]Probably the best Oline we have had here in Harbaughs career here. That includes depth. And we will only get better
[*]Pitta/Dickson= NIGHTMARE for defenses all year. I said the entire time after we let Heap go, that we are gonna be fine, and most likely even be better at the position. Dickson is faster, more athletic, learning how to block well, and has hands like Doss.
[*]Leach+Pollard+ a huge McKinnie = win when it comes to a physical pressence.
[/list]
These are just a few key points that stick out after watching the tape. I plan on breaking it down pretty in depth in the next day or two. What stuck out to everyone else?

[Gordo52]

I dont like how mendenhall was running on us before we forced them to have to pass

[berad]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1315955393' post='790330']
I dont like how mendenhall was running on us before we forced them to have to pass
[/quote]

45 yards on 12 carries, less than 4 ypc, and most of that came on a single run.

[SackinU]

I believe we held them to 66 yds... as a team. Not shabby against an AFC North team...

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1315955609' post='790334']

45 yards on 12 carries, less than 4 ypc, and most of that came on a single run.
[/quote]
Your right Berad, think it was a 26 yard run. Mendenhal is actually a good back, he had more yards than Rice did last year. If you take that one run away, he had 19 lol. Im not worried about our run D

[SteelYourThunder]

How opposite the two teams looked. Ravens looked like a Superbowl contender while the Steelers were floundering around like fish out of water. Ray Rice tore us up, the Steelers o-line looked overwhelmed (I'm looking at you Legursky), Flacco looked ready for anything. Now on the flip side I think Pittsburgh is going to remember this in week 9 and (I hope) play with a chip on their shoulder.

[SackinU]

It is hard to balance chips on a shoulder getting smashed by Ngata

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='SteelYourThunder' timestamp='1315956200' post='790350']
How opposite the two teams looked. Ravens looked like a Superbowl contender while the Steelers were floundering around like fish out of water. Ray Rice tore us up, the Steelers o-line looked overwhelmed (I'm looking at you Legursky), Flacco looked ready for anything. Now on the flip side I think Pittsburgh is going to remember this in week 9 and (I hope) play with a chip on their shoulder.
[/quote]
I didnt expect to see that from you all at all. I totally thought we could win, but I thought it would be a tight one. But the more I look at the tape, I honestly think this was just the ONE off=season that we did pretty much EVERYTHING we needed to do, to specifically beat you all. Which is what we needed to do to get a home playoff game. Im not sure, but I kinda feel like this "could" be a repeat of 06' when it comes to steelers games. But who knows, you all have a great team (regardless what happened sunday), and you have a great coaching staff. We will see soon enough lol

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

[quote name='SteelYourThunder' timestamp='1315956200' post='790350']
How opposite the two teams looked. Ravens looked like a Superbowl contender while the Steelers were floundering around like fish out of water. Ray Rice tore us up, the Steelers o-line looked overwhelmed (I'm looking at you Legursky), Flacco looked ready for anything. Now on the flip side I think Pittsburgh is going to remember this in week 9 and (I hope) play with a chip on their shoulder.
[/quote]

I dont know if this was a flash in the pan performance as of yet. What I did notice from the game was your defense has finally hit a wall they are getting slower. Not to say you are not a good defense by any means but harrison and his back thing you guys will be lucky to get him back to full form (if you are going to trust a raven fan on anything it should be back issues we have dealt with that.) And I dont have the confidence in Woodley to provide that pass rush without harrison drawing the attention. So I am not really sure how that D is going to improve but I dont see it being a favorable outcome.

[Gordo52]

Im not worried either. But that was really the only thing I could think of that could concern me a lor bit.

[organizedchaos007]

Its not a concern of mine "from" the steelers game, but one thing I think we need to put emphasis on, when teams come out in no huddle. We have been suspect in the past, especially in our base D. I hope pagano has an answer for it when a team goes into the no huddle, I think with the fact he shuffles players well throughout the game, may play a small role in the freshness of our D, especially in the second half.

[latenighthero]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1315955393' post='790330']
I dont like how mendenhall was running on us before we forced them to have to pass
[/quote]
This was the only thing that worried me as well. It seemed like he was constantly getting good gains on us and I guess looking at the stats it's not so impressive, but it sure seemed like he was doing quite well.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='latenighthero' timestamp='1315959107' post='790404']
This was the only thing that worried me as well. It seemed like he was constantly getting good gains on us and I guess looking at the stats it's not so impressive, but it sure seemed like he was doing quite well.
[/quote]
Just that one long run that I remember and then WHAMMO!! Game over

[K-Dog]

[quote name='SteelYourThunder' timestamp='1315956200' post='790350']
I think Pittsburgh is going to remember this in week 9 and (I hope) play with a chip on their shoulder.
[/quote]


I say there is no question about that. I think week nine will take us back to the slug-fest low scoring game we are used to.

[Ravensfan23]

The biggest thing that will have the longer impact to me is Flacco actually running the offense.

I can't be certain because I wasn't involved in the play calling, bit there were several times I saw what appeared to be Flacco checking in and out of plays, switching play sides, and just putting the offense in great position all day.

The biggest thing that speaks to Flacco being in control is the breakdown Dickson gave in the TD play on 1 Winning Drive.

Dickson said he and Flacco noticed Polomalu cheating on the bootleg the last time they ran it. So Flacco told Dickson, if he cheats it again just take ur route to deep.

It worked out just as Flacco planned.

Bow the Nation Media won't talk about this, but that was Flacco attacking the best player on that Steelers defense. Everyone wants to talk about what's wrong with the Steelers, nothing we just out played them period.

Also that's a play that us fans will pat Cam on his back and say good job, but watching programs like 1 Winning Drive and others that break down the All 22 look with player/coaches comments, shows just how little we fans really know.

A play like that is exactly why stellar play from our o line is a must.

Cam gives the WRs/TEs the freedom to change their routes on the fly. Because of this both Flacco and his weapons have to be locked in together and making sure they see the same things.

Some times things take longer to develop as a result of that and that's why Flacco's offense is tougher then a guy like Matt Ryan's.

On that play if Flacco and Dickson down make that adjustment, or they aren't on the same page, Flacco would probably have dumped the ball off to Pitta for a 2-3 yard gain.

But because Flacco had the confidences and total command of this offense, he was able to play chest with Polonalu and win.

Great job, Joe and the rest of the offense.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='SteelYourThunder' timestamp='1315956200' post='790350']
How opposite the two teams looked. Ravens looked like a Superbowl contender while the Steelers were floundering around like fish out of water. Ray Rice tore us up, the Steelers o-line looked overwhelmed (I'm looking at you Legursky), Flacco looked ready for anything. Now on the flip side I think Pittsburgh is going to remember this in week 9 and (I hope) play with a chip on their shoulder.
[/quote]

I think there is a reason why the 2 teams looked the way they did and it not because the Steelers didn't show up like the media would lead you to believe.

I think the Steelers have had some issues and were exposed over the last 2 seasons (09 and (10) against the Ravens, but the Ravens weren't able to consistently take advantage of them.
If we all step back and objectively look at the last 5 games, not counting this one, the Ravens have outplayed the Steelers. However because the Ravens couldn't execute up front late in games, the door was open for the Steelers to make key plays late in games.

If you look at this game, all 3 passing TDs were well defended, but Flacco showed why we fans rave about him so much, by making great throws and decisions.

It wasn't like the Steelers blew coverages or assignments, the Ravens were just able to take full advantage of your weaknesses.

I'm sure the Steelers will be up and ready to play in Week 9, and although the game won't be so lopsided, I expect much of the same offensively.

[rezarxt]

It was a pleasure to be at the game. The tickets were $175 but well worth it lol

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='rezarxt' timestamp='1315962092' post='790469']
It was a pleasure to be at the game. The tickets were $175 but well worth it lol
[/quote]
tickets : $175
food for 2 people: $36.50
parking: $20
seeing 7 turnovers against the team that has knocked us out of the playoffs 2 out of the last 3 seasons: PRICELESS

[TheRavenouseD2008]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1315955393' post='790330']
I dont like how mendenhall was running on us before we forced them to have to pass
[/quote]
look at what suggs said about pagano, he baited them in with it . that was planned

[BloodRaven]

Ed Dickson is faster than Boldin
Bryant McFadden dropped into a fetal position before he got hit by Leach
Leach pancaked Harrison too
Ray was slipping blocks like Ngata
Mendenhall started looking more and more tentative as the game went on
Aaron Smith was getting manhandled and was pancaked a few times
Ngata looks half the size he was last year
Zibby struggles to stop ball carriers
Hines Ward was smiling when Ed Reed picked the ball in front of him
Evans didn't look too happy at one point
Polamalu and Reed are both slower than last season
JJ looks quicker

[Gordo52]

[quote name='rezarxt' timestamp='1315962092' post='790469']
It was a pleasure to be at the game. The tickets were $175 but well worth it lol
[/quote]
Love your signature

[K-Dog]

$36.50 to feed two people? Musta been one hot dog and two beers.

[Shammy]

noticed ben wasnt as elusive and able to extend the play as he usually is ..

[Ravensfan23]

Ellerbe appears to be out of the dog house and that only means great things for our defense.

Pagano didn't just use him, he used him very well.

I think Ellerbe rushed the passer from the outside more in this game then all of last year. He was flying arounf the field and looked so quick at times I thought he was Webb with the dreads.

I also noticed how young guys stepped up.Ellber Kurger, Jones, McPhee, Cary, Webb and Nakamura.

Everybody knows Ray anx all the guys who are "long in the tooth" but I'm so excited to see which young guys will start to step up and earn the right to be called a Great Ravens defender.

Who will step up and help the "Next King"(Suggs) and the Beast(Ngata) carry this team into the new era?

Can't wait to see the answer play out.

[757RavensFan]

We need to cover better on kick-offs. I think I saw at least 2 returns come out past the 30 after being kicked 5-8 yds deep. I also noticed Koch's punts were off. That's the ONLY thing negative I can say about game 1.