Next Up Preseason Game 3: Washington Redskins

[Tank 92]

This is the third pre season game and one that is generally used to project the starting line up for the regular season.  Anticipated starters will get more playing time than in any other pre season game.

[stampedehero]

Third game is typically the decision maker. The starters should play with conviction and second stringers for their place. The Washington game will set up local rivalry quite like the Eagles game did. I hope we actually learned lessons and come into the game with a resilient attitude.  No RG3, so we should consider our circumstances and establish a Ravens team all the fans recognize. September is just a week away.

Edited August 25, 2015 by stampedehero

[The Mom Gene]

I don't know why, but your post immediately made me think of the movie Little Giants

 

LOLOL...  I can see that.

[codizzle]

RG3's coming off of a concussion and is working behind the worst O-line in the league. If Jay Gruden has an ounce of coaching prowess he'll let Robert sit this game out. They saw what we did to Bradford, and the Eagles actually had a good O-line.

Neither starting QB's could play this week.

Flacco is definitely playing and rg3 would only not play because of injuries holding him back

[Ravens4Real]

I wish the Ravens played a team that was a better measuring stick in their third preseason game. The Redskins are going to be real bad.

Edited August 25, 2015 by Ravens4Real

[Ravens2343]

I really want to see a few guys run with the first team against the Redskins. They Are

 

1. Darren Waller:  Campanaro probably wont play so more opportunities should be there for Waller to show his stuff with Flacco and the first team.

 

2. Rashaan Melvin:  Webb will most likely be held out so Melvin should get the first crack at outside CB opposite of Smith

 

3. Z'darius Smith: Suggs is the last guy on the team that needs to play in this game.  I would like to see Smith get snaps in Suggs place behind the first team defensive line.

 

4. Tray Walker: Smith should not have to play that much in this game (maybe 1 quarter), I would like to see Walker take his spot opposite of Melvin for a few snaps.

 

5. Nick Boyle/Maxx Williams:  Both of these guys should see a lot of snaps with Flacco against the Redskins and I think they will perform well.

 

6. Arthur Brown:  I know everyone will blast me for this one, but I really want to see what Brown can do with a fair amount of snaps with the first team.  Daryl Smith does not need to play to much in this game so Brown should be able to see a lot of snaps next to Mosley.  We have to find out what he has

[DomMcRaven]

I really want to see a few guys run with the first team against the Redskins. They Are

 

1. Darren Waller:  Campanaro probably wont play so more opportunities should be there for Waller to show his stuff with Flacco and the first team.

 

2. Rashaan Melvin:  Webb will most likely be held out so Melvin should get the first crack at outside CB opposite of Smith

 

3. Z'darius Smith: Suggs is the last guy on the team that needs to play in this game.  I would like to see Smith get snaps in Suggs place behind the first team defensive line.

 

4. Tray Walker: Smith should not have to play that much in this game (maybe 1 quarter), I would like to see Walker take his spot opposite of Melvin for a few snaps.

 

5. Nick Boyle/Maxx Williams:  Both of these guys should see a lot of snaps with Flacco against the Redskins and I think they will perform well.

 

6. Arthur Brown:  I know everyone will blast me for this one, but I really want to see what Brown can do with a fair amount of snaps with the first team.  Daryl Smith does not need to play to much in this game so Brown should be able to see a lot of snaps next to Mosley.  We have to find out what he has

This really depends on the health of our offensive line. Considering that this game is the dress rehearsal, the last thing I want to see is Flacco playing behind an offensive line that's not up to par.

[Ravens2343]

This really depends on the health of our offensive line. Considering that this game is the dress rehearsal, the last thing I want to see is Flacco playing behind an offensive line that's not up to par.

 

That is true, but it is looking like most of our offensive line should be back except for KO.  Yanda and Zuttah are fine and Wagner returned to practice yesterday.  KO is the only injury on the line that is worth being concerned about at the moment, but I think with rest the next 3 weeks he should be ready for Denver.  After our awful showing on Saturday, I want to see Flacco and our defense rebound.

[Edgar]

We must stop the run. Our second team guys, based on their two showings thus far cannot stop the run. I expect the Redskins to run the ball heavily all game, get the ball out of Griffins hand quickly, focus on easier throws for him and probably try to run a version of the bengals offense against us.

This has been a successful tact of late and we need this week's first team defense to put a stop to it .

Edited August 25, 2015 by Edgar

[Tenacious Faulker]

What I want to see is what they learned on how to stop the read option from their week 2 FAIL.  Washington also runs a similar offense although not as effectively.  Gruden will have taken notice to what happened in Philly (mostly the tempo) and try to reproduce that, I'm sure.  Since Washington is looking like a top-5 draft pick candidate so far, I want to see the Ravens absolutely obliterate them from the 1's thru the 4's even if Gruden doesn't experiment with any of Kelly's schemes.

 

Preseason is not just about trying out new players and plays.  Its also about building momentum going into the season.  "Winning" is a contagious thing.  There's a reason that Harbaugh has only 2-3 losses in preseason.  Anything less than a dominant performance in Week 3 might not earn back enough player confidence for the Broncos Week 1.

[sflegend89]

This is such a horrible match up for our "dress rehearsal" haha.. honestly the Redskins are one of the most dysfunctional teams in football right now. I really don't want us to get a false sense of confidence or get too comfortable against a lower level of competition. Their defense is at least average, their offense is a joke, it will do next to nothing to prepare our defense for Peyton and the Broncos week 1. At least we got torched by Philly and got exposed a little bit even if we were in base package. 

 

The preseason is all about improving, you gain far more from getting exposed by a good team than whooping up on a bad team. The Broncos may not be on the radar as much this year as they have been previously but they still have a damn good football team. Well rounded, can run the ball, obviously pass the ball, one of the best defenses in the league. That's a tough game for this young group right out of the gate. I wish we played a better team this week to help us get ready.

[Ravensfan23]

What I want to see is what they learned on how to stop the read option from their week 2 FAIL.  Washington also runs a similar offense although not as effectively.  Gruden will have taken notice to what happened in Philly (mostly the tempo) and try to reproduce that, I'm sure.  Since Washington is looking like a top-5 draft pick candidate so far, I want to see the Ravens absolutely obliterate them from the 1's thru the 4's even if Gruden doesn't experiment with any of Kelly's schemes.

 

Preseason is not just about trying out new players and plays.  Its also about building momentum going into the season.  "Winning" is a contagious thing.  There's a reason that Harbaugh has only 2-3 losses in preseason.  Anything less than a dominant performance in Week 3 might not earn back enough player confidence for the Broncos Week 1.

Preseason does not build momentum. Starters won't even play in the final game so winning, losing or having a good showing in that game has nothing to do with gaining momentum going into the 1st week of the regular season.

I do understand what you're saying, but preseason is just that. You want to get into a nice rhythm yes, but winning doesn't carry over to regular season imo. Also the Ravens don't need to focus on the read option. That a once or twice a year game plan they'll need. That eagles game meant nothing. What the Ravens need to focus on in this game is continuing to work their assignments and alignments. As talented as the defense is you still have a ton of youth and new players. Melvin, Arrington, Lewis, Mosley, Williams, Jernigan, Davis, Guy, ZDS and Hill are all either young guys, new to the Defense or 2nd year in the defense. I'd rather see them continue to communicate well and get comfortable playing Ravens defense, moreso then proving they can stop the read option.

On offense i expect things to be better. The run game wasn't an issue at all and now that camp is over, we'll see a more defined plan for the pass game imo. So far the pass game has been simple and basic. I'd like to see it open up a bit more.

[January J]

Preseason does not build momentum. Starters won't even play in the final game so winning, losing or having a good showing in that game has nothing to do with gaining momentum going into the 1st week of the regular season.

I do understand what you're saying, but preseason is just that. You want to get into a nice rhythm yes, but winning doesn't carry over to regular season imo. Also the Ravens don't need to focus on the read option. That a once or twice a year game plan they'll need. That eagles game meant nothing. What the Ravens need to focus on in this game is continuing to work their assignments and alignments. As talented as the defense is you still have a ton of youth and new players. Melvin, Arrington, Lewis, Mosley, Williams, Jernigan, Davis, Guy, ZDS and Hill are all either young guys, new to the Defense or 2nd year in the defense. I'd rather see them continue to communicate well and get comfortable playing Ravens defense, moreso then proving they can stop the read option.

On offense i expect things to be better. The run game wasn't an issue at all and now that camp is over, we'll see a more defined plan for the pass game imo. So far the pass game has been simple and basic. I'd like to see it open up a bit more.

winning or losing in preseason isn't a huge deal but I think it can somewhat create some momentum. Winning certainly doesn't hurt, and overall it helps the teams morale. Nobody likes to lose , preseason or not.

[The Mom Gene]

Losing helps with learning reality...  while it's not the end of the world, it does teach lessons.  It's life.

[Ravensfan23]

winning or losing in preseason isn't a huge deal but I think it can somewhat create some momentum. Winning certainly doesn't hurt, and overall it helps the teams morale. Nobody likes to lose , preseason or not.

Oh no doubt but the last second win vs the Saints didn't carry over into the Eagles game and the Eagles loss won't carry over this week except for film purposes. If preseason momentum was a big thing more teams would focus on game planning to win them. But as it stands now teams only gameplan for 1 game and it's not even a specific game plan for that particular team, It's more of a general Ravens vs any team game plan.

I get the team morale thing but nearly half the guys on th team won't be in 2 weeks. Imo preseason is just an extension of practice. You wanna make sure your players are retaining the knowledge and making application to the coaching. Vets don't look at the preseason as real football and the younger guys fight for their lives in these games that's about it. If anything morale is built on the practice field, meeting rooms and team outings during this time of year, not the performance or outcome of preseason games.

For example i literally laughed out loud when Sam Bradford suggested that Suggs hit rallied their team, bringing them together and as a result they played harder. Give me a break. If the Eagles look to that game to build morale and rally around they are in for a long and disappointing season imo.

[Ravensfan23]

This is such a horrible match up for our "dress rehearsal" haha.. honestly the Redskins are one of the most dysfunctional teams in football right now. I really don't want us to get a false sense of confidence or get too comfortable against a lower level of competition. Their defense is at least average, their offense is a joke, it will do next to nothing to prepare our defense for Peyton and the Broncos week 1. At least we got torched by Philly and got exposed a little bit even if we were in base package. 

 

The preseason is all about improving, you gain far more from getting exposed by a good team than whooping up on a bad team. The Broncos may not be on the radar as much this year as they have been previously but they still have a damn good football team. Well rounded, can run the ball, obviously pass the ball, one of the best defenses in the league. That's a tough game for this young group right out of the gate. I wish we played a better team this week to help us get ready.

It doesn't really matter the caliber of team your playing against in this "dress rehearsal" becaus the purpose isn't to measure yourself against that opponent but to start preparing for your 1st real opponent. It's labeled a dress rehearsal because it's a close to a real game as you'll get before the real deal, not because you wanna impose your will on the other team. It's about your guys getting good work, getting back in the habit of how the regular season will be on the practice side of things, not necessarily the game. The opponent does matter nearly as much because players truly understand it's just rehearsal. That's why the regular season is played at a different speed then the preseason because you're no longer just going through the motions

[January J]

Oh no doubt but the last second win vs the Saints didn't carry over into the Eagles game and the Eagles loss won't carry over this week except for film purposes. If preseason momentum was a big thing more teams would focus on game planning to win them. But as it stands now teams only gameplan for 1 game and it's not even a specific game plan for that particular team, It's more of a general Ravens vs any team game plan.

I get the team morale thing but nearly half the guys on th team won't be in 2 weeks. Imo preseason is just an extension of practice. You wanna make sure your players are retaining the knowledge and making application to the coaching. Vets don't look at the preseason as real football and the younger guys fight for their lives in these games that's about it. If anything morale is built on the practice field, meeting rooms and team outings during this time of year, not the performance or outcome of preseason games.

For example i literally laughed out loud when Sam Bradford suggested that Suggs hit rallied their team, bringing them together and as a result they played harder. Give me a break. If the Eagles look to that game to build morale and rally around they are in for a long and disappointing season imo.

a lot of good points, well put.

[Tenacious Faulker]

Preseason does not build momentum. Starters won't even play in the final game so winning, losing or having a good showing in that game has nothing to do with gaining momentum going into the 1st week of the regular season.

I do understand what you're saying, but preseason is just that. You want to get into a nice rhythm yes, but winning doesn't carry over to regular season imo. Also the Ravens don't need to focus on the read option. That a once or twice a year game plan they'll need. That eagles game meant nothing. What the Ravens need to focus on in this game is continuing to work their assignments and alignments. As talented as the defense is you still have a ton of youth and new players. Melvin, Arrington, Lewis, Mosley, Williams, Jernigan, Davis, Guy, ZDS and Hill are all either young guys, new to the Defense or 2nd year in the defense. I'd rather see them continue to communicate well and get comfortable playing Ravens defense, moreso then proving they can stop the read option.

On offense i expect things to be better. The run game wasn't an issue at all and now that camp is over, we'll see a more defined plan for the pass game imo. So far the pass game has been simple and basic. I'd like to see it open up a bit more.

You seem to contradict yourself - "It doesn't build moment, BUT you build a nice rhythm?  Well, what if you rhythm was disrupted in all 3 phases of the game the way it was Saturday night?  I'd say that it does affect moral, rhythm, momentum and several other factors.   

 

Harbaugh is 19-9 in preseason.  Why spend so much time trying to pointless games?  Winning is an attitude, not something to turn off and on.  He won't put in Flacco in the 4th a preseason win, but he will do everything possible to keep the winning spirit going all 4 quarters.  That's momentum.  A staggering loss can shake a team if not managed right and you can tell that Philly game left a bad taste in their mouths.  All I'm saying is that the right response is a dominating performance to re-establish that swagger.  God teams beat good team - they destroy bad teams.

[DomMcRaven]

That is true, but it is looking like most of our offensive line should be back except for KO.  Yanda and Zuttah are fine and Wagner returned to practice yesterday.  KO is the only injury on the line that is worth being concerned about at the moment, but I think with rest the next 3 weeks he should be ready for Denver.  After our awful showing on Saturday, I want to see Flacco and our defense rebound.

Oh that's good and I agree with the rest especially since we're home where Flacco plays better apparently. 

[Ravensfan23]

You seem to contradict yourself - "It doesn't build moment, BUT you build a nice rhythm?  Well, what if you rhythm was disrupted in all 3 phases of the game the way it was Saturday night?  I'd say that it does affect moral, rhythm, momentum and several other factors.   

 

Harbaugh is 19-9 in preseason.  Why spend so much time trying to pointless games?  Winning is an attitude, not something to turn off and on.  He won't put in Flacco in the 4th a preseason win, but he will do everything possible to keep the winning spirit going all 4 quarters.  That's momentum.  A staggering loss can shake a team if not managed right and you can tell that Philly game left a bad taste in their mouths.  All I'm saying is that the right response is a dominating performance to re-establish that swagger.  God teams beat good team - they destroy bad teams.

That's all fine and well but it doesn't carry the same weight in preseason. That taste of the Philly game was so bad that many of the Ravens vets were seen on the sideline laughing and joking. I'm not saying it doesn't matter or that winning isn't important to competitors because it is, hell I'd compete with you over a blue ball point pen and i don't even like writing in blue ink. Winning is a habit and as a coach you wanna get your players in that habit, but that doesn't lead to momentum in the preseason. Regular season yes but not preseason imo.

The Ravens didn't lose any swagger against the Eagles because unlike fans they don't place much stock into preseason. There is a reason why coaches don't do installs and game plans until week 3 of the preseason. During TC and over the first 2 preseason games you are in your trial and error stage. You are putting guys in certain positions to see what they can do. You work on certain parts of your offense/defense with you 1st units. If you pay attention to both games you'll see how Trestman had a certain focus with the first unit, but it didn't carry over to the 2nd and 3rd units. I just don't buy into preseason meaning anything more then guys having a trial run just to get back into certain habits. I've never heard a team credit the work they did in the preseason as a reason for getting off to a fast start. Again go back to the 0-16 Lions. How much momentum did they create by going 4-0 in the preseason?

[ravensdan]

You seem to contradict yourself - "It doesn't build moment, BUT you build a nice rhythm? Well, what if you rhythm was disrupted in all 3 phases of the game the way it was Saturday night? I'd say that it does affect moral, rhythm, momentum and several other factors.

Harbaugh is 19-9 in preseason. Why spend so much time trying to pointless games? Winning is an attitude, not something to turn off and on. He won't put in Flacco in the 4th a preseason win, but he will do everything possible to keep the winning spirit going all 4 quarters. That's momentum. A staggering loss can shake a team if not managed right and you can tell that Philly game left a bad taste in their mouths. All I'm saying is that the right response is a dominating performance to re-establish that swagger. God teams beat good team - they destroy bad teams.

The good preseason record is likely just a result of being a team that has consistently good depth. None of the wins are decided by players who will still be in the league in a couple of weeks. Wins and losses in the preseason are completely meaningless. When you hear these reports of QBs like Mariota being mistake free in camp I believe is a bad thing. Throwing an interception in preseason is not necessarily a bad thing or giving up TDs on D by making all your corners play man with no safety help. The preseason is practice. For the starters its to experiment. For the backups its to test their response to different situations.

[Ravens4Real]

If the Ravens would have blown out the Eagles and looked amazing, all the sudden we are going 19-0 and winning the Super Bowl. But since we got our butts kicked, and it's the preseason, it doesn't matter and we weren't trying.

Some people on here just make me laugh.

[berad]

The Redskins have a legit running game and their WRs are proven veterans. Their defense is improving but still not great. They'll be a good test.

[January J]

I think momentum In the preseason is created by the media and analysts putting out a positive narrative on said team. Believe it or not coaches and players feed off of that. However the ravens have always fed off of negative comments and being the underdog so I guess it goes both ways.

[allblackraven]

There seems to be lot of bashing of the Redskins here. They are not bad team.

 

What I want to see is ones clicking like vs Saints on offense and D putting some stops vs rush.  And no more injuries, please.

[DomMcRaven]

There seems to be lot of bashing of the Redskins here. They are not bad team.

 

What I want to see is ones clicking like vs Saints on offense and D putting some stops vs rush.  And no more injuries, please.

I think that goes without saying. Jeez...it seems like every day there's another season ending injury. I just want the regular season to start already. 

[Sami84]

book this. This is the game we make Rg 0 look like RG3. We will lose..trend on twitter again and go down all the power rankings

 

suits me.

 

I don't like our D. I think our O will come along.

 

The D worries me..esp down the depth chart.

[757RavensFan]

I really want to see a few guys run with the first team against the Redskins. They Are

 

1. Darren Waller:  Campanaro probably wont play so more opportunities should be there for Waller to show his stuff with Flacco and the first team.

 

2. Rashaan Melvin:  Webb will most likely be held out so Melvin should get the first crack at outside CB opposite of Smith

 

3. Z'darius Smith: Suggs is the last guy on the team that needs to play in this game.  I would like to see Smith get snaps in Suggs place behind the first team defensive line.

 

4. Tray Walker: Smith should not have to play that much in this game (maybe 1 quarter), I would like to see Walker take his spot opposite of Melvin for a few snaps.

 

5. Nick Boyle/Maxx Williams:  Both of these guys should see a lot of snaps with Flacco against the Redskins and I think they will perform well.

 

6. Arthur Brown:  I know everyone will blast me for this one, but I really want to see what Brown can do with a fair amount of snaps with the first team.  Daryl Smith does not need to play to much in this game so Brown should be able to see a lot of snaps next to Mosley.  We have to find out what he has

 

I'd be surprised if Melvin plays vs the Skins.  He's dealing with a deep tissue injury and hasn't practiced since Monday. 

[JoeyFlex5]

There seems to be lot of bashing of the Redskins here. They are not bad team.

 

What I want to see is ones clicking like vs Saints on offense and D putting some stops vs rush.  And no more injuries, please.

they have a very good defense all around, a good group of wrs and rbs, with an interior OL and a qb they will be dangerous. 

 

but they are so deficient in those 2 areas that they actually are just a bad team. its like when our OL was so horrid in 2013 that it made us look like a bad team, some deficiencies are just so horrible that they make your whole team look bad.

[January J]

book this. This is the game we make Rg 0 look like RG3. We will lose..trend on twitter again and go down all the power rankings

suits me.

I don't like our D. I think our O will come along.

The D worries me..esp down the depth chart.

I agree we will make rg3 look like himself.

Which is a chicken with his head cut off running around trying to avoid getting hit, throwing interceptions, and getting the living crap knocked out of him. I will be surprised if he lasts the whole half, and def won't be suprised if afterwards cousins or McCoy ends up the permanent starter. You just sound foolish. Cmonnnn Mannnn.