Positives From Week 1

[TonyTone1192]

Although we did get man handled by possibly the best passing attack in week 1, we didn't look too bad. Here are some of the positives that the pessimist either over looked or doesn't care to mention.

1. We looked REALLY good in the first half. Leading at the half and all 3 phases of our team looked very competitive against the AFC pre-season favored Broncos. Honestly, we just looked gassed in the 2nd half, we looked like we were still in pre-season mode and we were not mentally nor physically ready to play 60 minutes of football a MILE high up.

2. Marlon Brown looks like he is ready to make an immediate impact. I think the more comfortable he gets with the speed of the game the better that he will be. He doesn't look like he'll be a long ball threat, which we really don't need, but he gives us that short to intermediate passing game that we desperately need.

3. Say what you want on how we gave up 49 points and our secondary looked awful... But our defense played really well. First game in our teams history with no Reed nor Lewis on the field or sideline. Honestly you can credit 21 of those points to Joe's picks and our lack of offense in the 3rd quarter. Are there some things that we need to improve upon? Sure. But I have no doubt that as the season progresses our guys will only play better. Plus the Broncos will be the toughest offense that our defense will see all season.. What a test that is for a season opener for our newly revamped defense.

There were a lot of positives to take away from week 1 which I believe that we'll build on.

[CalvinSmoke]

Our defense was slow to react to plays. That screen play should not have worked as well as it did. But our pass rush was active. It didn't get to rear it's head as much because Peyton was getting rid of the ball very quickly, but he knew he had to. 

 

Webb looks good, he had a near pick early in the game, and played tight coverage even when giving up a reception. The offensive line looked good in the 1st when the unit was healthy. Had a few nice runs, the offense  was mostly fluid and competitive in the 1st. 

 

If the leadership in the locker room holds steady these guys will be fine, but we may not get one easy game all year. 

[nyc9192]

Marlon BROOWWWNN! B)

[ravens533]

TonyTone1192 - I agree almost completely with all you said. I just do not see Dickson getting better. He does not catch in a game. He does great in practice. I think with him it is one of those things that looks good in theory but no in the real world.

[Bullrush]

- Outside pass rush. It looks like both our elite pass rushers will be able to get around 15 sacks this season. Suggs was on fire, abused Clady a bunch of times. He looks really quick and he has a new stance (extremely low to the ground, with both hands down), he gives 110% effort on every down and doesn't quit. Dumervil looks excellent as well, very quick and hard to handle.

 

- Chris Canty looks like Trevor Pryce out there, he gives us that inside pass rush we were looking for. Excellent pickup. Normally teams would pay 5-10 mil. per year for guys like that.

 

- Brown looks like he can become "that guy" in the receiving game. He gets open, catches everything, the Boldin type receiver. But even if he offers less than that, that's still huge for a guy like him.

 

- Despite the O-Line struggling out there and not having a running game either, Vonta Leach is still a beast and playing like somebody who is blocking for a 3000 yard back, taking out linebackers, making key blocks, and actually scoring now as well.

 

- The only decent guy on that O-Line right now is McKinnie. He's getting old, he was out of shape, but when it's gametime he gets the job done.

 

That's it I think unfortunately from game 1 in terms of positives. BUT there will be more after next week. I'm really looking forward to Art Jones returning, hopefully he'll be back next week. He's an excellent run stopper AND he offers the best pass rush from our inside guys. Ngata along with Canty and Jones, that would be sick. Brandon Williams is another guy.

[TonyTone1192]

Our defense was slow to react to plays. That screen play should not have worked as well as it did. But our pass rush was active. It didn't get to rear it's head as much because Peyton was getting rid of the ball very quickly, but he knew he had to.

Webb looks good, he had a near pick early in the game, and played tight coverage even when giving up a reception. The offensive line looked good in the 1st when the unit was healthy. Had a few nice runs, the offense was mostly fluid and competitive in the 1st.

If the leadership in the locker room holds steady these guys will be fine, but we may not get one easy game all year.

I credit that screen pass to two things..
1. Our guys just looked tired at that point in the game, the defense was on the field most of the second half.
2. The game was pretty much over @ that point, no more motivation to make plays.

[TonyTone1192]

TonyTone1192 - I agree almost completely with all you said. I just do not see Dickson getting better. He does not catch in a game. He does great in practice. I think with him it is one of those things that looks good in theory but no in the real world.

I can see that.. I'm optimistic about Dickson tho. I always feel like players that don't play in the preseason have a rough time getting into game shape. By the New England game if he doesn't have his act together then I'll be right there with you.

[Tank 92]

We did do well in the first half, especially considering the environment. After the missed challenge we just fell into the eye of the perfect storm. You've gotta figure the broncs and Manning were licking their chops ever since this game was announced. They were poised to pounce on any and all opportunities. This loss, in itself, is no reason to worry.

 

Positives include the play of Joe Flacco, Marlon Brown, the D line and Daryl Smith. 

[TonyTone1192]

We did do well in the first half, especially considering the environment. After the missed challenge we just fell into the eye of the perfect storm. You've gotta figure the broncs and Manning were licking their chops ever since this game was announced. They were poised to pounce on any and all opportunities. This loss, in itself, is no reason to worry.

Positives include the play of Joe Flacco, Marlon Brown, the D line and Daryl Smith.

Agreed. Once the schedule was announced I thought to myself that it will be a tough game with all of our losses and I won't be surprised if we take the L.
Sad we had an opening day loss but not surprising at all.

[RobFuseRaven]

If guys didn't drop the balls and stall drives, I think the game would've been competitive for all 4 quarters. With some stuff tightened up and a slight change of personnel, this team could reasonably beat any team.

[berad]

Marlon Brown came to play. Even though he had the 'wide eyes' and a back-shoulder pass (which would have been tough) bounced off his hands, he looked legit.

Torrey Smith was productive until the Broncos figured out that he was the only downfield threat Flacco had. They blanketed him then sat on the short routes.

Lardarius came back strong and was making plays. He was our best corner last night.

Suggs, Dumervil, and Canty all notched sacks - they applied pressure throughout the night.

Tucker and Koch looked good. Koch's block was due to bad blocking execution.

[berad]

If guys didn't drop the balls and stall drives, I think the game would've been competitive for all 4 quarters. With some stuff tightened up and a slight change of personnel, this team could reasonably beat any team.

I agree. The drops killed drives - looking at Dallas Clark and Ed Dickson.

[TonyTone1192]

Marlon Brown came to play. Even though he had the 'wide eyes' and a back-shoulder pass (which would have been tough) bounced off his hands, he looked legit.

Torrey Smith was productive until the Broncos figured out that he was the only downfield threat Flacco had. They blanketed him then sat on the short routes.

Lardarius came back strong and was making plays. He was our best corner last night.

Suggs, Dumervil, and Canty all notched sacks - they applied pressure throughout the night.

Tucker and Koch looked good. Koch's block was due to bad blocking execution.

Koch's blocked punt was 50-50. Bad blocking and holding on to the ball entirely too long.

[TonyTone1192]

If guys didn't drop the balls and stall drives, I think the game would've been competitive for all 4 quarters. With some stuff tightened up and a slight change of personnel, this team could reasonably beat any team.

Exactly. Too many people are looking at the final score and deriving their opinions based off of that.

[Sami84]

arthur jones would have allowed us 2 more sacks . spears has no pass rush. it was the details. against peyton you gotta be perfect. i think he D wil be fine. im not positive at all about the offense. 

[Juviebest]

I'll throw a couple non-game positives here...one week closer to getting Asa, Art, Jameel & Deonte back. All could be factors going forward. Not to mention if we make the playoffs that Pitta could play. This team will only continue to get better.

[Sami84]

jameel not being back yet is just odd. 

[TonyTone1192]

I'll throw a couple non-game positives here...one week closer to getting Asa, Art, Jameel & Deonte back. All could be factors going forward. Not to mention if we make the playoffs that Pitta could play. This team will only continue to get better.

Do you have an idea of when Deonte will be back?

[Irish Raven]

Marlon Brown was a positive

 

And Leach continues to be a beast

[TonyTone1192]

arthur jones would have allowed us 2 more sacks . spears has no pass rush. it was the details. against peyton you gotta be perfect. i think he D wil be fine. im not positive at all about the offense.

Yeah Spears is more of a run plugger where Art can play the run and the pass.
I agree with you especially now that we only have 3 healthy active receivers. If we can't run block it's going to be a long day for our defense. Joe doesn't need to throw the ball 35+ times a game when we have a healthy Pierce and Rice

[RobFuseRaven]

I'll throw a couple non-game positives here...one week closer to getting Asa, Art, Jameel & Deonte back. All could be factors going forward. Not to mention if we make the playoffs that Pitta could play. This team will only continue to get better.

 

I think Brandon Williams could be a factor too. There is so much upside with this team.

[RobFuseRaven]

Do you have an idea of when Deonte will be back?

 

A foot sprain takes 3 to 6 weeks depending on the severity. So as soon as next Sunday.

[NaveSenrag]

Koch's blocked punt was 50-50. Bad blocking and holding on to the ball entirely too long.

There was another one earlier in the game where Ihedigbo had to pile drive a rusher to keep him from blocking the punt.

[display name]

A foot sprain takes 3 to 6 weeks depending on the severity. So as soon as next Sunday.

I like him too

[TonyTone1192]

Marlon Brown was a positive

And Leach continues to be a beast

LEACHHH!!
Boy was I happy to see him back with us this past weekend. A TRUE Raven

[Sami84]

leach was good in the first half. we basicaly had a meltdown in the 3 rd where everything went wrong. i truly feel the welker no call messed everythi g up. we gave them 3 free touchdowns. the score could have easily been closer. listening to skip bayless rip us and with sheer pleasure which gets me angry.

[TonyTone1192]

There was another one earlier in the game where Ihedigbo had to pile drive a rusher to keep him from blocking the punt.

Which was a bad call IMHO he just put him on his butt

[Irish Raven]

Oh don't like Skip wind you up Sami84

 

He's a professional troll.

 

Getting controversy is what he wants!

 

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about

- Oscar Wilde

[Juviebest]

I think Brandon Williams could be a factor too. There is so much upside with this team.

I really don't know why I keep over looking him, haha. But I agree 100%. The depth of the d-line will be a strength against teams that don't run no huddle. And with these guys missing games they might actually be a little more fresh toward the end of the season.

I'm just hoping McClain comes back and starts next to Smith. That way Bynes can go back to a situational ILB and playing solid special teams.

[BloodRaven]

Everyone is quick to forget that we were ahead at halftime. This team will come together, we always do.