Next Up : Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[rmcjacket23]

i agree, he's possessional WR that defenses sleeps on. i think we have talented players , its just they're been underutilized. 

But keep in mind... if somebody like Aiken or Marlon comes in, somebody has to come out. That would generally be in the form of Torrey or Steve Smith.

 

As unproductive as Torrey has been, there is literally no skill set that guys like Aiken and Marlon have that Torrey doesn't. I'm completely fine with giving somebody like Marlon more reps as the third receiver, but there just aren't a ton of scenarios in this offense where a third WR is useful or even on the field that much.

 

Basically, if we are seeing a lot of Aiken/Marlon, we are either in a hurry-up, 100% passing offense late in the half, or we are behind significantly on the scoreboard and we are just throwing the ball all over the field. The latter means that something has likely gone wrong with the offense.

[Minionhunter]

I think Torrey will break out this week. Not that it means much but for Fantasy football, the bucs are number 2 vs rb, 3 vs wr, 6 vs TE, and 7 vs qb. That means the 3rd best to start your opposing wr against and 7th best to start your qb against. This bodes well for flacco and wr and TE core in fantasy football, couple that with they are second best to start your rb against and that improves things for the ravens offense. I'm thinking that Torrey should have a good day along with everyone else on the offense. 

[Minionhunter]

I'm not supposed to have optimism? Do you see something different, I see the bucs down a corner and Smith Sr get the best one, they will have to pick their poison, and I think Torrey benefits. 

[PurplePassion824]

Looks like Mike Evans is trying to come back for our game after saying he would miss at least 2 weeks.  However, Vincent Jackson did not practice yesterday and today.  It will be tough guarding both if they do play seeing how depleted our secondary is.

[rmcjacket23]

Looks like Mike Evans is trying to come back for our game after saying he would miss at least 2 weeks.  However, Vincent Jackson did not practice yesterday and today.  It will be tough guarding both if they do play seeing how depleted our secondary is.

Yeah, I'm not sure what is up with VJAX. I think it may just be TB giving him some rest and monitoring his reps. Haven't gotten a real feel from any of the news reports that his injury is serious enough that he would sit.

[stampedehero]

No, actually I don't approve of Juice at TE at all. I think he's just fine in the exact role he's in right now. I 100% support giving Gilmore more snaps as an in-line blocker, mostly helping Hurst out.

 

Keep in mind though that simply having six blockers in for six rushers does in no way guarantee that Flacco doesn't get hit or sacked. Generally speaking, if there are as many rushers as their are protectors, that's an advantage for the defense, not the offense. The Colts were getting to Joe with even five man rushes last week, and we always had at least five in for protection. If they are bringing six, in all likelihood, the RB is going to have to stay in to help chip anyway.

Gilmore should have his day  I think the Ryan acquisition is meaningless, unless his work proves me wrong. I still want Jus for TE.  Check out his work at Harvard on the Utube.  At least you must admit he should be utilized more.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Anyone think Hurst can stand strong out there at LT?

[GrimCoconut]

Anyone think Hurst can stand strong out there at LT?

He is probably in a similar situation as Wagner was last year. He needs to add more strength. Right now, Hurst does not have the lower body strength to excel at LT. Maybe he'll be OK next year, but he needs development and an off-season in an NFL weight room. I'm hoping we put Gilmore over there at TE next to him at LT to give him help, with guys chipping to give him time. 

[ravensdan]

So there are some good things for the ravens in this match up. McCoy has been the only Buc creating any pressure thus far this year. I don't think they will be able to take advantage of the weakness at LT. Doubtful we don't give him help after last week. I expect the ravens to run early and often to the right side. The Bucs I believe will try to take Steve away and with the success in the run game Torrey comes down with two big plays.

On D the pass rush should terrorize glennon. Their entire line has been poor particularly at pass pro. Smith should have success against Jackson who glen non has great chemistry with however I believe the bucs will scheme him open to find success. ASJ had several key drops last week if he can't improve there the bucs won't be able to take advantage of the ravens weakness vs tight ends.

Overall I see a low scoring grinding game.

23-16 ravens.

[omar586]

the ravens just need to go back their roots: running the ball. if we run it 40 times, we will be fine.

[omar586]

glennon is very similar to Joe Cool, so the ravens secondary needs b aware of the deep ball.

[omar586]

Anyone think Hurst can stand strong out there at LT?

just needs to help from play calling and extra blockers to his side.

[HoldingCall]

the ravens just need to go back their roots: running the ball. if we run it 40 times, we will be fine.

Too much of anything isn't good, a close balance works best because it keeps the D from gaining the anticipation advantage. They also hopefully will mix their pass play targets enough to not be predictable.  

[Dewy101]

According to PFF After the first 5 weeks the Ravens have the best run blocking line in the NFL so Kubiak run the ball more than 15 times its really that simple.

[MrPlankton]

I am hoping Osemele's injury is minor because I won't feel comfortable at all with Gradkowksi getting the start at LG if he were to miss the game on Sunday.

[BmoreBird22]

I am hoping Osemele's injury is minor because I won't feel comfortable at all with Gradkowksi getting the start at LG if he were to miss the game on Sunday.

He did come back into the game Sunday very quickly, so I'm optimistic, but I was about to post the same thing

[omar586]

just run it.

[Underdogsontop!]

the ravens just need to go back their roots: running the ball. if we run it 40 times, we will be fine.

totally agree..... Wish Kubiak would stick to what's on his Résumé

[Underdogsontop!]

Anyone think Hurst can stand strong out there at LT?

We don't have much options, I do believe he's doing ok. Also he should get better with more reps. He possibly could be a good back up tackle for us in the near future. He could push Jah Reid of the 53 man roster...

[monkeycatt]

There always is. I'm bringing a gang with me.

me too.  we should drape the redshirts with some purple.

[monkeycatt]

Bucs fan here.

 

I wonder why a good number of you think it will be a walk in the park with my Bucs. I guess the beatdown on thursday night against the Falcons is making you say so, but we had several key players injured that game, particularly Gerald McCoy and Michael Johnson who are the only factors on D-line and everyone else is just plain trash. That game was just a slew of all things negative, like fumbles, interception followed by more fumbles, STs screw ups, penalties etc and the team just gave up midway in the 2nd. The Vikes were blown out the same way against the Pack on TNF and they are the same team that won against Falcons by 2 TDs. And then the Pats who were blownout by Chiefs and scored a garbage time TD. Judging a team on 1 bad game where all bad things snowballed is not a good assessment imo.

 

I think Ravens will win, but I believe they will only win it in 4th qtr in closing minutes instead of the way you guys think. The loss to a supposedly bad Saints team looks bad, but the Bucs played them in their dome and had 15 penalties called on them. Most of the critical ones in 2 minutes within 4th qtr and OT that could have either kept their possible game winning drive alive or gotten the Saints O off the field (3rd and 10 in OT, pressure gets on Brees' face in a second and he throws the ball away. Flag!! Illegal hands to the face on a CB. Replays show he was going for the chest of WR, the WR deflected his hands upwards to disengage, the hands barely graze his facemask after a ricochet. Penalty!!, 1st and 10 Saints).

 

Heck, the only interception Glennon had was a clean pushoff by DB preventing the WR from making the catch on a big bomb near the goal line, a blatant PI that wasn't called. I know it is the loser's mentality to complain about refs, but anyone that watched the game would come out with the same feeling that the Bucs got screwed by the refs and also shot themselves in foot after thoroughly outplaying Saints with mistake free efficient offense and opportunistic defense.

 

As far as my username goes ("Raven Butcher"), that was a ridiculous name I came up with back when I thought Bucs were playing good football in 2010. I was here on smack talk then, but in the life of a Bucs fan smack talk is not allowed.

i live in tampa and i know the bucs are not nearly as bad as their record would indicate.  (a lot of my friends are bucs fans, obviously, we'll all be at the game).   you make a lot of good points, especially about the refs in the saints game, they screwed you guys out of some crucial calls, no doubt about it.  this will be a tough game for whomever wins.  (i thought this as soon as the schedule was released).  GO RAVENS!.

[Wildwest Raven]

Never underestimate your opponet!!...I don't think the Ravens will.

[HoldingCall]

Never underestimate your opponet!!...I don't think the Ravens will.

Only certain inexperienced fans are guilty of that but even they learn. Some others don't underestimate but, just like to talk smack to stir the pot. 

[ravens rule]

I'm afraid of Jackson and Evans if he plays. Also don't see us forcing Glennon into turnovers. If we win we should attack their secondary and have sucseess, but I have no faith for our offense on the road. Still see too many flashes of 2013.

[DomMcRaven]

Never underestimate your opponet!!...I don't think the Ravens will.

They best not! Win this game and next week and we'll be alright.

[BMORE21]

this cover 3 defense we are running is very weak imo

[arnie_uk]

Only certain inexperienced fans are guilty of that but even they learn. Some others don't underestimate but, just like to talk smack to stir the pot.

fans can do what they want, they don't play

[TDubbs]

Early reports are that Evans and Jackson will be active today, but they are both battling injuries. If we can terrorize a weak O-Line and get to Glennon who isn't exactly fleet of foot, we'll be just fine. 

[Gordo52]

@abrown_jr: I'm excited to be apart of this TEAM and working to contribute to the GOAL- it's a rare privilege! #oneteamonegoal #RavensNation

Is he finally active?!

[arnie_uk]

@abrown_jr: I'm excited to be apart of this TEAM and working to contribute to the GOAL- it's a rare privilege! #oneteamonegoal #RavensNation

Is he finally active?!

seen that as well, hopefully.