Pre-season Game 1 vent/ compliment thread -- who played well-- who didn't !

[5aiah]

Nothing to vent about really, Everything was as it seemed before:

 

Asa showed his potential for play making and improved coverage ability. I hope that pick boosts his confidence because he actually has the physical talent to be good in this league.

 

Taliaferro looks like he's going to be Arian Foster 2.0(hopefully healthier) and has the leg strength and toughness to fight through tackles and run people over, a bit like Jamal Lewis, though that was against a certain level of competition.

 

Chykie looked like a 4th/5th string CB even after all this time in the league. I believe he is going to play his part on our team when we really need him. I hope he gets more confident as well.

 

Bernard Pierce showed us there is no need to worry about Rice, except for how to get Rice some carries when he's finally allowed back on the team.

 

Forsett just might take Rice's job as 3rd down back and will definitely be the Ravens change of pace guy. Love seeing him split out wide.

 

Arthur Brown looks like a fine insurance policy in case either ILB goes down or needs a break. I knew he couldn't be too far behind CJ being a year ahead experience wise, he didn't disappoint. 

[DomMcRaven]

Loved our offense on the first drive. As long as Kubiak keeps this offense mixed and NOT predictable, I'm feeling more confident for the season going forward.

[CalvinSmoke]

yes he made a couple tackles and had a pressure to set up a sack. he also tossed veteran guard Adam Snyder to the ground like get down to the ground noob, lol.

Lol solid I only got to listen to the game, couldn't watch it

[sflegend89]

Forgot about Kamar Aiken, really had a good showing tonight. Definitely looks like he's positioned himself well to make the team as our #5 wr. Quiet night from Campanaro but he still has plenty of time to make his case, Butler's routes looked good and he had that nice TD catch.

 

Competition at wr is still very intriguing

[pep_meister]

How did tyrod do? Urschel from PSU? Didn't get to catch more then the 2nd half 

[BSHU_Miami]

The best thing is, all our offense has to do is get it across the 40 yard line and we have a almost guaranteed 3 points on the board.

How bout Tuck drawing a face mask. Isn't that incredible. Isn't it weird that I had complete confidence that Tucker was going to make that tackle?

[BSHU_Miami]

One more thing, where was Will Trill?

[AsianRice]

Pissed off! man,

 

Joe didn't throw interception, O-line making holes, Rice shooting through holes, Juice catching balls, Pitta being white TE express, Smith Jr looking strong......

[allblackraven]

Pretty impressive showing for the first preseason game. Kubiak obviously knows what's he doing - feels like anybody can play a RB in his scheme.

 

Seems our RT issue was overblown by not just the media but by some here. The OL held up well, and just maybe this is what the Ravens knew when they were going to go with Wagner at RT.

 

Agree but I am concerned about our depth on the OL. Too early, I know but Jensen, Shipley and Hurst don't look like they can help if someone gets hurt.

[Guest RBates]

Very impressive first preseason game.  We looked prepared for the regular season.  2 things stand out on the negative side for me.  

 

The 2nd string O-line is horrible.  Shipley may be the worst of all.  

 

Asa Jackson no longer has anything to prove.  Get him off special teams. 

 

Where is John Simon? Deonte is still a beast!

[JEEPercreepermd]

Let's put it this way, the starting Offense did what you expect and hope for them to do in the first pre season game, bing bang touchdown..and done. Can't wait to see the boards on their first 3-out drive...the skies will fall

[jazz1988]

Very impressive first preseason game.  We looked prepared for the regular season.  2 things stand out on the negative side for me.  

 

The 2nd string O-line is horrible.  Shipley may be the worst of all.  

 

Asa Jackson no longer has anything to prove.  Get him off special teams. 

 

Where is John Simon? Deonte is still a beast!

 

 

Asa still has lots to prove and he had good night but Blaine Gabbert was playing so bad. The Ravens are going to continue to use him on special teams especially during the regular season.

[PurplePassion824]

Not sure if I ever saw him but where was LaQuan Williams at?  Did he play or was he hurt? I heard he has looked good in training camp I was hoping to see him play.

[Kid87]

I was worried about FB b4 the game. Not anymore. Juice played great

[acranfor]

Random: I like this forum as another way to get news and discuss the Ravens while I live away from the area; but I cannot believe people post in a thread during the game...It is like taking videos during a concert...sorry for the short rant.

 

Thoughts on the Game:

 

1. The short glimpse of the new offense looked good. Joe was decisive and fast. You did not see him dance around in the pocket, it was more methodical. I like someone telling Joe what to do in a black and white manner. I also like the use of TE screens and utilizing the FB as a receiver out of the backfield. Also, more comeback, hitch, slant; shorter/quicker routes. A+ for Gary.

 

2. The running game looked improved, although against a 49ers team mixed with starters and backups. The backs looked quick and the O line looked like they were able to stretch the defense horizontally allowing for seams to open. The 2nd team O line was pretty bad. They may be serviceable mixed in to the starters, but we need to stay healthy on the line. Reid may be the only decent backup - Hurst, AQ, and Jensen were not good.

 

3. Aiken seems to still impress. Originally had Camp as the 5th receiver. Then I decided to go with 6 receivers with Camp and Aiken. Now I am thinking more and more that it may be Aiken and Butler if we keep 6 - Camp to PS. This is an unknown for me.

 

4. Defense was a little shaky to start out. It is critical that we stop the run this year. Mosley over-ran a couple plays at the beginning but really cleaned it up as the 1st half went on. The front 3 rotation could really be a force for us this year, but we need our ILBs to take advantage of this and contain the run. Mosley looks like he can be a type of player that can do this. Smith struggled with this last year. I hope between Smith, Brown and Bynes; we can find a ILB core that can not only cover but stop the runs up the middle and contain the outside.

 

5. There was not much to see with the first team secondary, as the 49ers did not really open it up; so I will go straight to the backups. Asa looked good, but his real challenge will be once he has to go against a bigger starting receiver on the outside. This is assuming that Webb will be moved to the inside in Nickel situations. Chykie showed more of the same. Not much discipline and does not locate the ball well. He is like a less disciplined Cary Williams. I think Asa has the job right now.

 

That is all for now. Small sample size to make observations in this game.

[1/28/01]

Well stated /\

[arnie_uk]

Random: I like this forum as another way to get news and discuss the Ravens while I live away from the area; but I cannot believe people post in a thread during the game...It is like taking videos during a concert...sorry for the short rant.

go to any sporting teams forum in the world and they all have game threads

[RobFuseRaven]

Random: I like this forum as another way to get news and discuss the Ravens while I live away from the area; but I cannot believe people post in a thread during the game...It is like taking videos during a concert...sorry for the short rant.

 

While filming a concert takes away from the experience, I can easily focus on a football game while offering my opinions in the football thread. It's just nice to see other peoples' reactions during a good or bad play. That's just me.

 

Good analysis, by the way.

[757RavensFan]

The fact that the first team offense was VERY effective without anyone mentioning Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones, or Marlon Brown says a lot about the potential of this offense.  Gotta love it. 

[rmw10]

Jeromy Miles was my standout backup player on D last night.  The guy was consistently in the backfield making plays.  I always try to pick out one of those unknowns as the standout though and Miles definitely takes the title on D.  It obviously has to go to Taliaferro on O.

[Corvus]

Just wanted to give some big props to my man Rick Wagner for a great first step in proving all of the media and fan haters wrong. I've never doubted you could handle the job since you became the lead candidate for RT way back in February/March. He was very strong in the run game and did a solid job in pass protection too.

[acranfor]

While filming a concert takes away from the experience, I can easily focus on a football game while offering my opinions in the football thread. It's just nice to see other peoples' reactions during a good or bad play. That's just me.

 

Good analysis, by the way.

Maybe I am just old (27). I understand, as I use this forum to talk Ravens football in a cloud of Jets and Giants fans up here in NYC.

[PolishRifle]

Our second string OL was so bad. I can't believe some of those guys were pass protecting our 100 million $ QB against starting defenses last year. This could've ended so much worse than just an 8-8 season.

[rmw10]

Maybe I am just old (27). I understand, as I use this forum to talk Ravens football in a cloud of Jets and Giants fans up here in NYC.

I type quickly and during down time only. If a play is about to be run, my fingers freeze. I only join in the game threads for the preseason as well.

One other thought I had...

How happy are you to see the starting O only play 1 drive? I wanted to see more, but it's actually a good thing we didn't. Usually they're forced to go back out there because the first drive had always been such a disaster, but last night's worked almost to perfection so there was no need for another drive.

[dirtybird10]

Where the heck was marlon brown today? All I've been hearing about him is dropped balls in camp and now a no show in game 1. I wouldn't be mad if we keep butler or Aiken over him. I kind of hope so.

 

Marlon was wide open on an underneath pattern that was right in front of Tyrod as he was rolling out of the pocket. Tyrod proceeded to attempt to throw to a somewhat covered receiver 20 yards down the field, on the other side of the field, across his body... it didn't work out. Other than that, I didn't see a whole lot from Marlon, but its only one preseason game.

[berad]

Love the return of the running game, all of the RBs looked good which is a credit to them and the run blocking.

 

Juszczyk looked great as a receiver and held up as a blocker. A lot different than 2013 when they brought in Leach after a day of seeing him block. Wasn't Leach blowing up Patrick Willis but wasn't Ray Rice ducking James Harrison, either. Good look from him.

 

Owen Daniels is slower than Dennis Pitta but he's not Dallas Clark. A play that impressed me was not a catch but on a Tyrod scramble, he took off after Tyrod acting as a personal blocker. Kept a defender from the QB as he ducked out of bounds.

 

Zuttah did an excellent job at center. Obvious difference between he and Gradkowski. On the TD run, he bulldozed some 49ers a few yards.

 

ST needs some improvements. Most of that is probably new guys on the unit but I'm used to seeing us better in all phases of it (punt/kick return and coverage).

 

Jeremy Butler made a couple of strong possession plays. Stopped his route and caught a pass from Tyrod with a DB contending on his back. The TD, which everyone saw, was one of the best plays of the night.

 

Deonte Thompson had that one excellent grab on the sideline and would have had a long TD with a more accurate pass but also misplayed the fade route that he wasn't even close on.

 

Kamar Aiken looked good on a number of situations, he's one to watch.

 

Tyrod Taylor had a mixed night. Always fun to see him run and he did some nice things passing but he took off scrambling when he didn't need to and some of his passes were off the mark. In my mind, his main motivations out there should be about helping us evaluate our players (WRs) and auditioning for a job. Everyone knows he can run, he needs to show off his passing - that's what other teams will be looking for when his contract is up and he wants to start. That said, as he showed last night, he is worlds better than other backups.

 

Mosley, what needs to be said. He can play, he's fast, and he knew where he was going after some first drive mistakes.

 

Brandon Williams looked good last night and got extended play because he's still young and we're thin at NT depth

 

Kapron Lewis-Moore looked strong against the run and was active. First football he's played in a year and a half basically.

 

When the 49ers were hurting us running, they went towards Terrell Suggs. Suggs gunned towards the QB but that left a huge gap in the defense that the 49ers could skate through on those outside runs. On the play they ran towards Courtney Upshaw, he held the edge, causing the RB to go horizontal and Elam sicked him lol.

 

Chykie Brown got some inoppourtune calls against him but, even if he hadn't, still struggled. No big plays but if you were keeping score, you'd say his opposition got the better of him more often that not when the ball was coming his way.

 

Asa Jackson made a strong case to be the 3rd CB. He's supposedly a slot guy but his interception was on the outside against a bigger receiver, either a TE or FB. Guess he took his Adderall

[rmw10]

 

Owen Daniels is slower than Dennis Pitta but he's not Dallas Clark. A play that impressed me was not a catch but on a Tyrod scramble, he took off after Tyrod acting as a personal blocker. Kept a defender from the QB as he ducked out of bounds.

 

 

Owen Daniels is definitely on the slow end of his career.  However, I'm not sure that's going to matter much in his role.  With him being the 2nd TE, there won't be much focus on him.  The coverage will be focused on the dynamic guys - Smith, Smith, Pitta, Juice, etc.  While the focus is there, I feel like Daniels can use his veteran savvy to find some soft spots in coverage and move the chains.  I don't see him having any "big" plays this year, but I think he'll be a good chains mover because he's probably the last passing option in most cases when he's on the field.

[poescrows]

Watched the game here in Freeport grand Bahamas. Even on vacation we rep ravens nation! Overall it was a great game. Offense and defense much improved from last season. Keep adding bricks to that wall boys!!!!

[beanfigger]

Maybe I am just old (27). I understand, as I use this forum to talk Ravens football in a cloud of Jets and Giants fans up here in NYC.

 

Considering the game was blacked out in Philadelphia for some reason, and it wasn't on any of my local channels, either, I have to say that, for once, I really appreciated that others were documenting the plays as they happened for this game.

[JoeyFlex5]

after hyde abused our edges early, did anyone pay attention to upshaw? i though he looked pretty good, played very tough and very physical, used good technique to stay in the right places and then used some serious brute strength to make children out of blockers when the time was right. i was pretty drunk last night so i couldnt tell you if he was consistent with it or anything, but i was very impressed with what i saw from him. 

 

my marlon brown predictions seem to be coming true, although it may be too early for that, i thought he may have hit his ceiling last year and will either regress or just stay the same, he just doesnt seem to know how to use his size, lacks body control and gets t-rex arms in traffic, bad traits for a redzone/jumpball guy, and with his reports of constant drops in TC and a complete no show from him last night, its a bit concerning. 

 

cj mosley is my man crush. he is a future first team all pro as long as he stays healthy. 

 

i wished i couldve seen talliaferro but i had to leave early, loving what im hearing about him. 

 

juszczyk is the real deal, owen daniels might see next to no time this year because of him, much better option, good hands, good routes, tough as nails, and DB's forced to tackle him in the open field are going to need some advil and a tub of ice afterwards. 

 

brandon williams looked like a BEAST. 

 

saw nothing from KLM, total bummer, maybe i just wasnt paying enough attention 

 

didnt notice much from arthur brown 

 

elam did a good job shooting in like a missile to prevent big plays, but didnt seem to be near the LOS like i would expect 

 

mcphee and chykie had rough games, while asa pulled ahead. 

 

didnt notice deangelo tyson or jernigan, which was shocking to me.