Ravens Grades Against the Dolphins

[DocMartin]

Good Tough Win On the road. Ravens made progress and we have seen some improvement this week.
QB Joe Flacco B+
269 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT. Joe played well, really good in 2nd half. 3rd down conversion rate improved, also ran for 1st down when nobody was open. The INT was not his fault. Still like to see him finish drive with TD.
O-LINE improved with mixed results
RT Oher best runs on his side, good pass protection B+
RG Yanda gritty nasty performance, good blocks and decent protection B+
C Gradkowski showed improvement, decent game C
LG Shipley held his own, still one bad facemask penalty, but did Okay C
LT McKinnie. was about average in 1st half, but became horrible in 2nd, many bad No Plays including INT, conditioning big problem, its obvious he.can't play at high level entire.game, or full 16 games in the.season D-
RBs running game 1st half 33 yds/ 2nd half 100 yds
Rice good game, 2TDs is nice, but FUMBLE could cost us B
Pierce had good game, like to.see him get.better.yds per carry B
FB Leach above average B
Jusczyk not enough snaps to get grade N/A
WRs despite being shorthanded, had best game of the season
T.Smith outstanding game, clearly the best WR A+
D. Thompson made plays when needed A
T. Doss made tough catches in crucial times, very good A
TEs Dickson finally produced and had good game B
Bajema decent C
Clark invisible? N/A
DEFENSE DOMINATION
D-LINE Great Performance by All A+
OLBs T. Suggs 3 sacks EXCELLENT A+++ Player of the Game
E.Doomervil outstanding A+
C.Upshaw made plays A
ILBs D. Smith another solid.game A
J.Bynes stepped up and had best game of the season A
A.Brown N/A
SAFETIES on 4th down & 22 Dolphins converted into 46yds pass, RIDICULOUS!
Ihedigbo good at times, but gotta contain their TE better C+
Elam was solid, good coverage B
CB's L.Webb played good, but still gave.too much cushion at times to Wallace who dropped a lot of balls B
J.Smith good game, but made mistake on TD play he needs to track the ball better B
C.Graham held his own in this game, slight improvement from last week B
S-TEAM J.Tucker was on the money this time A
S.Koch 2 shanked punts, can't blame the.weather, trying to do too much? C-

[arnie_uk]

a NA for Arthur brown makes me question if you actually watched the game

[Ravensfan23]

You grade far friendlier then I. There is no way Ray Rice gets a B for his performance. The 2 TDs is the only thing that pushes him to a C for my grade. He ran timid at times, gave up sure 2-4 yarders to try and make bigger plays, missed holes and misread blocks. The fumble was terrible, but he did fare well as a pass blocker.

[Ravensfan23]

You grade far friendlier then I. There is no way Ray Rice gets a B for his performance. The 2 TDs is the only thing that pushes him to a C for my grade. He ran timid at times, gave up sure 2-4 yarders to try and make bigger plays, missed holes and misread blocks. The fumble was terrible, but he did fare well as a pass blocker.

[The Raven]

You grade far friendlier then I. There is no way Ray Rice gets a B for his performance. The 2 TDs is the only thing that pushes him to a C for my grade. He ran timid at times, gave up sure 2-4 yarders to try and make bigger plays, missed holes and misread blocks. The fumble was terrible, but he did fare well as a pass blocker.

 

I agree with this. Rice missed missed too many holes and ran scared too much for me to give him higher than a D.  I'm not giving him extra points for the TDs because they weren't impressive on his part. They were rushes of 3 and 2 yards, and the oline blew holes open on each one. Rice just had to jog in.

[poescrows]

Agree with you for the most part, but I give the safeties an automatic E for letting a player get behind them on 4th down. Absolutely unforgiveable, if the Fins make that FG, the blame goes squarely on them.

[DocMartin]

Agree with you for the most part, but I give the safeties an automatic E for letting a player get behind them on 4th down. Absolutely unforgiveable, if the Fins make that FG, the blame goes squarely on them.

At least Ihedigbo was close enough to make a tackle. It looked for one moment the receiver was gonna go all the.way. Thank God he didn't score.

[Ravensfan23]

I agree with this. Rice missed missed too many holes and ran scared too much for me to give him higher than a D.  I'm not giving him extra points for the TDs because they weren't impressive on his part. They were rushes of 3 and 2 yards, and the oline blew holes open on each one. Rice just had to jog in.

Yea it wasn't a strong game for Ray at all, which is why I'm so puzzled with all the if we run the ball we win the game comments and stats every wants to throw out there this week. I'll never bash Ray Rice because I'm a huge fan but I also call it like I see it and he's struggling right now. It really gets to me when we accept average play and glorify it as strong play. I kept hearing Brad Jackson and the CSN crew speak glowingly about the run game and saying it's our formula to win. What we saw from the running game vs Mia would get us beat against better offenses. If we think we can lean on the running game this week playing the same way we lose imo.

It has to get better and the sad part is, the oline actually opened so decent holes but our pro bowl RB struggled to hit them.

[izvoodoo]

At least Ihedigbo was close enough to make a tackle. It looked for one moment the receiver was gonna go all the.way. Thank God he didn't score.

Yeah, Also that was a really long play.  The secondary can only hold up for so long on broken plays like that.  Digs was running with him for almost 5 full seconds.  

[berad]

Yea it wasn't a strong game for Ray at all, which is why I'm so puzzled with all the if we run the ball we win the game comments and stats every wants to throw out there this week. I'll never bash Ray Rice because I'm a huge fan but I also call it like I see it and he's struggling right now. It really gets to me when we accept average play and glorify it as strong play. I kept hearing Brad Jackson and the CSN crew speak glowingly about the run game and saying it's our formula to win. What we saw from the running game vs Mia would get us beat against better offenses. If we think we can lean on the running game this week playing the same way we lose imo.

It has to get better and the sad part is, the oline actually opened so decent holes but our pro bowl RB struggled to hit them.

 

Ala Jamal 2005-2006. That was a Billick decision I didn't agree with. Jamal had lost it - was running for ~3.5 ypc - and Chester Taylor wasted away on the bench. In 2006, with the Vikings, Taylor ran for 1200+ yards.

[poescrows]

At least Ihedigbo was close enough to make a tackle. It looked for one moment the receiver was gonna go all the.way. Thank God he didn't score.

Yea, for a moment there, I had a flash back to JJ getting behind the Broncos safties in the PO's last year. I thought maybe the football Gods were calling for a payback!

[DocMartin]

Ala Jamal 2005-2006. That was a Billick decision I didn't agree with. Jamal had lost it - was running for ~3.5 ypc - and Chester Taylor wasted away on the bench. In 2006, with the Vikings, Taylor ran for 1200+ yards.

Agreed on that. Billick was stuck on Jamal same as he was stuck on Kyle Boller. Typical Billicks offense: 1st down - run, 2nd down - run, 3rd down - if it's short, then run again. Just to say it was.worst than watching Cam Cameron's offense would be understatement.

I know Rice is not performing up to his standard, but he is still valuable in our offense. But I also say when he fumbled this last Sunday, he should of.been on the bench and Pierce would be the one carrying the.load and scoring 2 touchdowns.

[Ravensfan23]

Ala Jamal 2005-2006. That was a Billick decision I didn't agree with. Jamal had lost it - was running for ~3.5 ypc - and Chester Taylor wasted away on the bench. In 2006, with the Vikings, Taylor ran for 1200+ yards.

Exactly and I'm seeing the same thing from Ray. I'm not saying he's lost it or that BP is better, but Ray is clearly different from the guy we saw over the first 3-4 years his career. Maybe it's a result of so many college touches, but he seems to save himself and maximize his touches by trying to hit the homerun every time instead of taking what's there.

I didn't agree with the overall decision not to run at all the 2nd half of the Bills game, but I did agree with the message. Even though he's not having great success either, I feel BP is more successful in the run game right now because he runs hard and doesn't mind the 2-3 yard run. That eventually opens up the longer runs for him imo.

[berad]

Exactly and I'm seeing the same thing from Ray. I'm not saying he's lost it or that BP is better, but Ray is clearly different from the guy we saw over the first 3-4 years his career. Maybe it's a result of so many college touches, but he seems to save himself and maximize his touches by trying to hit the homerun every time instead of taking what's there.

I didn't agree with the overall decision not to run at all the 2nd half of the Bills game, but I did agree with the message. Even though he's not having great success either, I feel BP is more successful in the run game right now because he runs hard and doesn't mind the 2-3 yard run. That eventually opens up the longer runs for him imo.

 

 

Agreed on that. Billick was stuck on Jamal same as he was stuck on Kyle Boller. Typical Billicks offense: 1st down - run, 2nd down - run, 3rd down - if it's short, then run again. Just to say it was.worst than watching Cam Cameron's offense would be understatement.

I know Rice is not performing up to his standard, but he is still valuable in our offense. But I also say when he fumbled this last Sunday, he should of.been on the bench and Pierce would be the one carrying the.load and scoring 2 touchdowns.

 

For whatever reason - I'm hoping it's just lingering effects from the injury - Ray was not himself that game. He still scored two touchdowns but, let's not kid ourselves, he was ineffective during the game. He hasn't done that well over the beginning part of the season but a lot of that falls on the OL.

 

We'll see where we are in a couple of weeks if the line can improve and Ray can get healthier. Pierce is not someone the coaches should be reluctant to put in if Rice continues to struggle.

[Ravensfanspls]

Holy word wall.

[Ravensfan23]

For whatever reason - I'm hoping it's just lingering effects from the injury - Ray was not himself that game. He still scored two touchdowns but, let's not kid ourselves, he was ineffective during the game. He hasn't done that well over the beginning part of the season but a lot of that falls on the OL.
 
We'll see where we are in a couple of weeks if the line can improve and Ray can get healthier. Pierce is not someone the coaches should be reluctant to put in if Rice continues to struggle.

The oline has definitely been a issue. I think it results from Castillo's new approach, KO, Gino and Yanda just not being comfortable with each other early on and of course the lazy play of Mckinnie. However with that said it's clearly something not right with Ray and I hope it's the injury. There were a few time where Ray just simple tripped over his own feet. One play would have pprobably resulted in a long TD or at the very least a huge play for the offense.

I think Ray Rice really needs the passing game to be working for him to have the success we are used to from him. But I continue to hear people say we gotta run to set up the pass. I think it's the other way around and even Ray himself has mentioned this.

[arnie_uk]

Holy word wall.

ill be stealing this lol

[Ravensfanspls]

ill be stealing this lol

:spacecraft:

[PeRK82]

Yea it wasn't a strong game for Ray at all, which is why I'm so puzzled with all the if we run the ball we win the game comments and stats every wants to throw out there this week. I'll never bash Ray Rice because I'm a huge fan but I also call it like I see it and he's struggling right now. It really gets to me when we accept average play and glorify it as strong play. I kept hearing Brad Jackson and the CSN crew speak glowingly about the run game and saying it's our formula to win. What we saw from the running game vs Mia would get us beat against better offenses. If we think we can lean on the running game this week playing the same way we lose imo.

It has to get better and the sad part is, the oline actually opened so decent holes but our pro bowl RB struggled to hit them.

 

 

Agree 100%,

 

So sick of hearing this b.s. ,  RICE cant run to save his life. And why on the earth is he not catching the ball out the backfield or on a check down. Think i have seen it once this season.  

I have said it many times, If Rice isnt catching the ball, he is worthless.

 

if we are going to run it , then put B.P. in.  Even when he gets only 2 yds, they are 2 yrds more than RICE would get on the same run. Rice studder steps way to much , when all he has to do is Run forward and he will get atleast 4 positive yds. But he is waiting for a break out run that isnt going to happen with the Defenses closing in with his pitter patter running.

 

 

We need to start running it to the sides and maybe some quick tosses. Nothing wrong with some RB Screen either.

Another problem is, the Opposing Defenses know exactly when we are going to run it, Every single time. Its way too obvious.

[codizzle]

Just finally got time to actually watch the game and take time to watch it thoroughly

My confidence is gaining week by week..I don't do grades but I'll give a few things that stood out to me

Daryl Smith is already the best FA signing we have made since Mason... Hands down

McKinnie could honestly be the one thing holding our line back.. So many plays I saw we're the result of him getting beat in pass pro or just non existent in run blocking.

Gino looks like he's learning.. Seems he still has trouble picking up the blitz up the middle but he did a great job getting to the 2nd level cleanly and making a block on some running plays.. Encouraging

If we could get any kind of running game and 4 solid catches from Dickson a game over the middle of the field, our offense would be set.

If we have any kind of lead, our pass rush is best in the league... A Suggs/Canty/various/dumervil line with a lead is doing wonders for us...

Honestly believe Monroe should make an automatic difference for us. Mckiinnie was just so bad

[Tank 92]

For whatever reason - I'm hoping it's just lingering effects from the injury - Ray was not himself that game. He still scored two touchdowns but, let's not kid ourselves, he was ineffective during the game. He hasn't done that well over the beginning part of the season but a lot of that falls on the OL.

 

We'll see where we are in a couple of weeks if the line can improve and Ray can get healthier. Pierce is not someone the coaches should be reluctant to put in if Rice continues to struggle.

Whoops!  Looks like I removed the quote markers!

 

 

RR is definitely not himself so far this year. Last week he seemed tentative and just didn't have his foot work together. I hope like you it was some lingering effects of the hip injury that work themselves out. Just a thought.......... He also may sub consciously be missing Daddy Ray's support and should eventually get past this as well. Whatever it is, I in no way do I think he is washed up in his 6th season. He's been comparatively healthy throughout his career and has always had a partner to share the load. I'm confident he'll find his mojo soon and get back to being the dependable offensive threat we know and love.

 

I'm actually more concerned with BP and his durability. It just seems he's always nicked in some way and since his initial appearances is hardly ever at full speed. When this first started early on, there was talk that it was a product of his "upright" running style and the thought was that Wilbert would coach him up to avoid the damaging hits to his legs. Pierce is a punishing runner when right and I hope he can get and remain healthy.

[Tank 92]

Daryl Smith is already the best FA signing we have made since Mason... Hands down
 

 

 

The importance of signing Daryl Smith cannot be stressed enough. He has been a rock in solidifying the middle and is constantly pursuing in a relentless manner. What a pro and what a steal!

 

Maybe the jags are becoming our new farm team like the texans were for a couple of years.

Is the jags TE any good?  :D

[izvoodoo]

The importance of signing Daryl Smith cannot be stressed enough. He has been a rock in solidifying the middle and is constantly pursuing in a relentless manner. What a pro and what a steal!

 

Maybe the jags are becoming our new farm team like the texans were for a couple of years.

Is the jags TE any good?  :D

People forget Corey Redding already?  :P

[Poes Crows]

Yea it wasn't a strong game for Ray at all, which is why I'm so puzzled with all the if we run the ball we win the game comments and stats every wants to throw out there this week. I'll never bash Ray Rice because I'm a huge fan but I also call it like I see it and he's struggling right now. It really gets to me when we accept average play and glorify it as strong play. I kept hearing Brad Jackson and the CSN crew speak glowingly about the run game and saying it's our formula to win. What we saw from the running game vs Mia would get us beat against better offenses. If we think we can lean on the running game this week playing the same way we lose imo.

It has to get better and the sad part is, the oline actually opened so decent holes but our pro bowl RB struggled to hit them.

 

I don't see the holes.

 

Someone here spent the time to go through an elaborate statistical "yards per attempt" calculation after 2 games and it essentially had Rice and Pierce dead heated with 2.8 yards per carry. Well, now, they both stand at 2.9 is my recollection.

 

Hey that's an improvement!!!...........The point being any kind of formula isn't worth the time when the line isn't opening legitimate lanes.  Miami was our best running game of the season, so one has to hope we've turned the corner because we will not get to the Playoffs, let alone have a chance to repeat trying to develop passing chemistry with the crew we currently have. The old guys are too slow and "no dimensional" and the young guys don't know where to go.  We must run.

 

There's video out their of our Oline charades. It better get better quick. The Packers game is key.

 

Pound it in there. Pound it up in there.

[Ravensfan23]

I don't see the holes.

Someone here spent the time to go through an elaborate statistical "yards per attempt" calculation after 2 games and it essentially had Rice and Pierce dead heated with 2.8 yards per carry. Well, now, they both stand at 2.9 is my recollection.

Hey that's an improvement!!!...........The point being any kind of formula isn't worth the time when the line isn't opening legitimate lanes. Miami was our best running game of the season, so one has to hope we've turned the corner because we will not get to the Playoffs, let alone have a chance to repeat trying to develop passing chemistry with the crew we currently have. The old guys are too slow and "no dimensional" and the young guys don't know where to go. We must run.

There's video out their of our Oline charades. It better get better quick. The Packers game is key.

Pound it in there. Pound it up in there.

Are "you" not seeing holes or is it that someone posted how we are only getting 2.9 ypa and there is no way that if Ray Rice had good blocking he wouldn't be productive?

I ask because I acknowlege most people I've seen this week seem to say how much better the running game was but only because it produced over 100yds and 2Tds. The oline still had their struggles in the Dolphins game and there weren't many huge holes, but the point is that even the small creases that could produce 2-3yds often resulted in no yards with Ray Rice. He rarely seems to just hit a hole, he's either jump cutting at the wrong time or looking for a unecessary cutback. This hurts the team more then people realize.

Example: if you can go back and watch that game. With 2:53 left in the second quarter Flacco checks into the perfect run play to beat the Dolphins defense who were shaded heavy to the right side with a likely blitz. Rice gets the ball with a huge hole to the left but gets stopped for a 2yd loss. Looking live it just looks like the oline screwed up with a free runner hitting Ray behind the LOS. But when you watch the replay reverse angle it's all Rice's fault imo. He simply misread his blocks and didn't feel the backside defender. So instead of making one cut and following Leach through a huge hole that would have left only the safety to beat, he makes a jump cut and is looking for the cut back before getting hit.

We are looking at a game changing play as that could have been a TD or atleast a huge play that kept momentum on the Ravens side. Instead we place Flacco in long distance passing downs behind a average pass pro oline. Result 2 incomplete passes by Flacco because of quick pressure, a shanked punt by Kock, followed by a 60yd TD drive for the Dolphins to take the lead.

I don't know about you but I expect my pro bowl RB, who everyone swears is the "engine" of this offense to make that play. People wanna say just keep pounding the rock, but it's plays like this that make it tough.

[SecretAgentMan]

The importance of signing Daryl Smith cannot be stressed enough. He has been a rock in solidifying the middle and is constantly pursuing in a relentless manner. What a pro and what a steal!

Maybe the jags are becoming our new farm team like the texans were for a couple of years.
Is the jags TE any good? :D

Lewis would be a stud if he had a QB

[Tank 92]

Lewis would be a stud if he had a QB

 

 

Well alrighty then..........

[arnie_uk]

Are "you" not seeing holes or is it that someone posted how we are only getting 2.9 ypa and there is no way that if Ray Rice had good blocking he wouldn't be productive?

I ask because I acknowlege most people I've seen this week seem to say how much better the running game was but only because it produced over 100yds and 2Tds. The oline still had their struggles in the Dolphins game and there weren't many huge holes, but the point is that even the small creases that could produce 2-3yds often resulted in no yards with Ray Rice. He rarely seems to just hit a hole, he's either jump cutting at the wrong time or looking for a unecessary cutback. This hurts the team more then people realize.

Example: if you can go back and watch that game. With 2:53 left in the second quarter Flacco checks into the perfect run play to beat the Dolphins defense who were shaded heavy to the right side with a likely blitz. Rice gets the ball with a huge hole to the left but gets stopped for a 2yd loss. Looking live it just looks like the oline screwed up with a free runner hitting Ray behind the LOS. But when you watch the replay reverse angle it's all Rice's fault imo. He simply misread his blocks and didn't feel the backside defender. So instead of making one cut and following Leach through a huge hole that would have left only the safety to beat, he makes a jump cut and is looking for the cut back before getting hit.

We are looking at a game changing play as that could have been a TD or atleast a huge play that kept momentum on the Ravens side. Instead we place Flacco in long distance passing downs behind a average pass pro oline. Result 2 incomplete passes by Flacco because of quick pressure, a shanked punt by Kock, followed by a 60yd TD drive for the Dolphins to take the lead.

I don't know about you but I expect my pro bowl RB, who everyone swears is the "engine" of this offense to make that play. People wanna say just keep pounding the rock, but it's plays like this that make it tough.

there was another one to the right side where yanda and oher created a hole leach burst through it but was just had no burst or explosion to hit the hole and by the time he did it was gone. Actually a wrote up on it on russellstreetreport.com

Rice has lost burst and explosion no doubt about it, no one could deny it. Lets all just hope its a injury and not that wall that running backs hit that a few of us cited as the reason to not sign him.

He had almost 1000 touches in college and minus his rookie year and last season hes been well worked in the pros. I wouldn't be surprised if this is more or less as good as we will get from now on

[Ravensfan23]

there was another one to the right side where yanda and oher created a hole leach burst through it but was just had no burst or explosion to hit the hole and by the time he did it was gone. Actually a wrote up on it on russellstreetreport.com
Rice has lost burst and explosion no doubt about it, no one could deny it. Lets all just hope its a injury and not that wall that running backs hit that a few of us cited as the reason to not sign him.
He had almost 1000 touches in college and minus his rookie year and last season hes been well worked in the pros. I wouldn't be surprised if this is more or less as good as we will get from now on

Yea I remember that play, even the announcer mentioned how Rice just couldn't excelerate on thee play. I also noticed how BP's 30+ run was basically the same play. BP just did a great job of setting up his blocks and hitting the hole. Even as a kid you are taught as a RB, slow to and fast through. I'm not seeing that from Ray as of late and it's not just this past game. This shows up especially when following Leach's lead blocks.

I too am not ready to say Ray has hit that wall, but I will say I'm very happy BP is here. The Ravens have already started to adjust to life after Rice sotospeak. Not saying they are phasing him out because they aren't but they aren't as dependent on him as many think.