Week 1: The good the bad and the ugly vs Buffalo

[The Raven]

The middle of the line may have looked bad, but that may be partially due to Rex. He's known for dialing up inside pressures in the A gaps and B gaps, as well as causing assignment confusion on the line. The guy loves A gap pressure, and it's the hardest pressure to pick up. It's extremely difficult to block A gap blitzes.

[Tru11]

18 minutes ago, Tank 92 said:

Yeah, that's not true. While I think the D was the better unit today the offense looked far from " horrible". They had issues, but looked like a unit that will gel with some tweaks. I really  think we need Jensen at center. Smitty was obviously at about 60%. All in all I think they wil be fine.

horrible?  Not

read better.

i said majority of the time , not all the time.

sure they had some nice plays and did a few things right at times but overall it was a terrible performance by the offense.

unless you had some very low expectations of course....

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GrimCoconut]

5 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

I think it says quite a bit that Watkins was generally lined up on the left side of the formation with Tyrod being a right handed quarterback. From what I saw, Tyrod looked immediately to Watkins, saw he was being jammed, and moved on. Rarely worked back to him except for the plays where the pass rush gave him like five seconds. That's a really big deal.

Also, chances of me getting an autograph on my #22 jersey before the game if I go to the tunnel?

I don't think the chances are good myself, but you never know. We weren't even allowed to get autographs, lol. Probably have a much better chance if you go to those practices. That's where you will get the best opportunity. 

[Tank 92]

Just now, Tru11 said:

read better.

i said majority of the time , not all the time.

sure they had some nice plays and did a few things right at times but overall it was a terrible performance by the offense.

unless you had some very low expectations of course....

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK professor, but I can read fine. It's my opinion that it wasn't an "overall terrible performance", but don't really care about the statement. Not looking for a beef, carry on.  lol

[ravensdfan]

The good: The win.

The bad: Not truly bad. The defense is swarming and I like that a lot. Some great individual plays - overall this is also a good. The bad part: our secondary still leaves wide open receivers - and at times looked way too much like the Pees' special mediocre squad out there. I am concerned for when we play an actual play making offense.

The ugly: At first, I wanted to blame Trestman however, I believe our offensive play calling seemed so conservative because the O line was not holding up. There was no time for the downfield plays to develop. Flacco is NOT mobile in the least with that brace on or because of being skittish after his injury. Not sure which one. The offensive unit has little chemistry or timing right now. Hopefully, that will develop sooner rather than later.

Edited September 11, 2016 by ravensdfan
added info

[hawkprey]

It wasn't quite the blowout I thought it would be, although the yardage totals were pretty uneven. If it wasn't for Zuttah snapping the ball at the wrong time, I think we would've put the pressure on the Bills to throw more and possibly turn the ball over. I didn't see the second half, but apparently Joe looked a little uncomfortable? He looked really good in the first half though. Zuttah has been pretty lackluster for a while and Alex Lewis needs to grow up quick to keep Joe upright. 

 

I was surprised to see Pierce rotating in so early. It looked like almost every defensive player dressed had meaningful snaps. The D looked great but I don't think Tyrod is that good, so we'll see.

[BmoreBird22]

12 minutes ago, GrimCoconut said:

I don't think the chances are good myself, but you never know. We weren't even allowed to get autographs, lol. Probably have a much better chance if you go to those practices. That's where you will get the best opportunity. 

When my brother and I went to the Falcons-Redskins game, you could get tons of autographs because players are constantly in and out, but it's a matter of how willing the player is to sign.

Some, like Steve Smith, I expect would be very willing, but I'm not sure if Jimmy would see his jersey and be willing to.

[terps85]

Seems like I am in the minority, but I did not mind the play calling at all today. The Bills have a top 3, if not the best, CB tandem in the league and Graham playing very well for them.  Only so much you can do when they are sending blitzes and their corners can cover 1 on 1.  

 

Only play that didn't make sense to me was the rollout on 4th and 1- feel like the run wasn't established enough for that to actually work.  Seems like Flacco finally has the ability to audible like a normal QB- he was making adjustments on every play it seemed.  

[GrimCoconut]

5 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

When my brother and I went to the Falcons-Redskins game, you could get tons of autographs because players are constantly in and out, but it's a matter of how willing the player is to sign.

Some, like Steve Smith, I expect would be very willing, but I'm not sure if Jimmy would see his jersey and be willing to.

From what I've heard, if you want to get Jimmy to sign something then go to a club around here lol. I heard he's a frequent flier.

[Edgar]

Pees called a good game. Communication on defense appears much improved. Blitz appears much more cloaked in terms of who is coming vs. who is dropping into coverage.

Wright was brilliant at getting off blocks and making tackles. Also appears explosive and decisive playing the run.

The run game is very, very deliberate and just seemed way to is in getting the back the ball and the back getting up field.

Red Zone offense is a problem. Judon needs more reps over McClellan and I'd like to see Chris Carter in rotation on passing downs.

Interior OL pushed around....this looked to be a problem vs. Indy in pre-season.

[BmoreBird22]

Just now, GrimCoconut said:

From what I've heard, if you want to get Jimmy to sign something then go to a club around here lol. I heard he's a frequent flier.

I'm in Blacksburg, so this will be my big chance unless someone spots him in a club and I can go.

If I don't get it, no big deal, but I'd like to think he'd see his own jersey (which is rare) and quickly just squiggle an autograph, you know?

[GrimCoconut]

Just now, BmoreBird22 said:

I'm in Blacksburg, so this will be my big chance unless someone spots him in a club and I can go.

If I don't get it, no big deal, but I'd like to think he'd see his own jersey (which is rare) and quickly just squiggle an autograph, you know?

It's only crazy if it doesn't work. I'd try it! I bet if you show up with that Colorado jersey he'd come over right away. That's a true fan right there.

[Sami84]

be interesting to see whos inactive when doom, powers and dixon return..

i really have soured of Za"Darius smith..even in the preseason games he just reminded me of upshaw..no bend whatsoever.

I really hope matt judon is let loose a bit more vs the browns..just not against joe thomas  

[BmoreBird22]

1 minute ago, GrimCoconut said:

It's only crazy if it doesn't work. I'd try it! I bet if you show up with that Colorado jersey he'd come over right away. That's a true fan right there.

Too bad I'm not that hardcore.

It was weird when we went to the Falcons game because my brother had a White jersey and White wouldn't sign before the game, but DeCoud and Peterson were more than happy to and Gonzalez did when he found out it was my brother's birthday.

All luck of the draw with the player. Did he seem pretty cool?

[GrimCoconut]

2 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Too bad I'm not that hardcore.

It was weird when we went to the Falcons game because my brother had a White jersey and White wouldn't sign before the game, but DeCoud and Peterson were more than happy to and Gonzalez did when he found out it was my brother's birthday.

All luck of the draw with the player. Did he seem pretty cool?

I didn't get to talk to or interact with Jimmy or any of the players but I did get to meet a certain owner as he rolled into the parking garage and watched him get into his little golf cart lol. I also saw Rex Ryan and his brother. From two other guys, I heard that Maxx Williams and another guy, I forget who, wanted to know where our footballs were so they could sign them but they told them that we weren't allowed to get autographs and they seemed puzzled. I don't know what happened there. No big deal, though. It was a really cool experience. 

[ellicottraven]

There was this reporter trying to egg SSS on regarding his performance and touches today. He was clearly trying to stir a controversy up and I'm so happy SSS shut him up quick. People like this make my skin crawl honestly. Good for Steve!

[BmoreBird22]

Just now, GrimCoconut said:

I didn't get to talk to or interact with Jimmy or any of the players but I did get to meet a certain owner as he rolled into the parking garage and watched him get into his little golf cart lol. I also saw Rex Ryan and his brother. From two other guys, I heard that Maxx Williams and another guy, I forget who, wanted to know where our footballs were so they could sign them but they told them that we weren't allowed to get autographs and they seemed puzzled. I don't know what happened there. No big deal, though. It was a really cool experience. 

Why weren't you all allowed to get autographs?

I understand your main reason for being there, but still a bit confused 

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

8 minutes ago, GrimCoconut said:

It's only crazy if it doesn't work. I'd try it! I bet if you show up with that Colorado jersey he'd come over right away. That's a true fan right there.

Since I'm a Colorado Alum I might just have too... Oh the glory days when we had an actual good player on our team. 

[GrimCoconut]

1 minute ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Why weren't you all allowed to get autographs?

I understand your main reason for being there, but still a bit confused 

No idea but that's what we were told so we listened. I didn't hear that from anyone in the Ravens organization, so maybe it was from our organization, you know? I don't really want to get into that on a public forum, though. I think it was probably more the latter than the former, FWIW. 

Edited September 12, 2016 by GrimCoconut

[sflegend89]

The fact that we were rusty on offense, had some overly conservative playcalling, committed avoidable penalties, and  that this was Flacco's first real game back from the ACL... and we still beat a respectable Bills team is exciting.

We can play so much better, I can't wait to see the offense actually clicking. So many weapons in the passing game this year. Perriman made a big time catch today, we might have finally hit a premiere wr in the draft.

[elemento]

Everyone is talking about Wright (deservedly), but Timmy Jernigan had a heck of a game. This game gives me so much confidence about our defense going forward. Not sure about the offense though. I really didn't like our 2nd half offensively. 

[BmoreBird22]

4 minutes ago, GrimCoconut said:

No idea but that's what we were told so we listened. I didn't hear that from anyone in the Ravens organization, so maybe it was from our organization, you know? I don't really want to get into that on a public forum, though. I think it was probably more the latter than the former, FWIW. 

Yeah, I understand what you mean and that's what I meant by your reason for being there. 

Maybe on a different day they'd let you.

[mc_red23]

7 minutes ago, ellicottraven said:

There was this reporter trying to egg SSS on regarding his performance and touches today. He was clearly trying to stir a controversy up and I'm so happy SSS shut him up quick. People like this make my skin crawl honestly. Good for Steve!

I posted about that before, I was laughing so much at it. The question was so idiotic. SSS: "I think we've heard enough from you now." 

[terps85]

I think a lot of the communication on defense has to do Weddle.  Dude is directing everyone on pretty much every play.  Seems like the leader we have been lacking since Ray/Reed.  Agree with the previous poster about Jernigan, having him for interior pass rush is huge.  Can't wait for Doom to get back.  Jimmy Smith was a beast today.  

[rmcjacket23]

1 hour ago, ludy51 said:

Were you HomeOfTheBravens?

negative. I was BillsFan23, but I doubt you see my posts anymore.

[GrimCoconut]

Just now, terps85 said:

I think a lot of the communication on defense has to do Weddle.  Dude is directing everyone on pretty much every play.  Seems like the leader we have been lacking since Ray/Reed.  Agree with the previous poster about Jernigan, having him for interior pass rush is huge.  Can't wait for Doom to get back.  Jimmy Smith was a beast today.  

As someone at the game, I can attest that this is absolutely true. I went to a game last year and this is my first game this year, but I will tell you there's a big difference in communication back there. Weddle is making the calls back there and he is telling guys where to go, or Webb is giving that direction but not as much. Last year you had CBs like Jimmy Smith trying to do it and it just doesn't work as well. Nobody knew who to trust last year and that was a truly big problem back in the secondary. You saw guys pointing this way and that way and now, we have a lot of the same thoughts and more coordination on the back end. You see safeties knowing where to be on every play and not questioning where they should line-up and CBs understood their assignments and who was covering who for the most part. I think I saw a play where nobody covered some guy in the slot, but other than that, it worked great--even on that play I saw Mosley hustle over to the edge to contain that guy once Taylor snapped the ball. Also, Levine had a great game when I saw him on the field and I think he's making a nice impact, too. I remember one play where Taylor snapped the ball and on the left side of the offense you had I think 3 receiving targets from the Bills. You had I think a TE in the slot, with two WR on the edge. I think Jimmy was playing off while I believe I saw Young playing man and nobody was covering the TE. That's the play I am referring to above where Mosley slid over from the RIGHT side of the offense and covered the TE and it really disrupted Taylor. You could see he got really confused. I think it was in the 4th quarter, maybe 3rd. 

[PurpleCity5]

I used to defend this guy but I don't think I can anymore. I don't think the guy will have a good year. I think it could be time to move on from Zuttah and find a new center. I don't know if the Front office will be willing to because centers just have to build chemistry with QBs and it will take time. I do think they would look into if we're in the playoff picture, the only problem in my mind is who they would trade for. I think center will be the biggest problem for the offensive line. Zuttah was annihilated in that Bills game and from the looks of it I just don't think he really has much left. He was a solid pass protector he has declined in that department since last season and he's never been known as a run blocker. I don't see the team having any confidence in Urschel either seeing him as an inactive. 

I could be overreacting since it's week one but I really think we need a new center sooner or later down the road. 

Edited September 12, 2016 by PurpleCity5

[GrimCoconut]

1 minute ago, PurpleCity5 said:

I used to defend this guy but I don't think I can anymore. I don't think the guy will have a good year. I think it could be time to move on from Zuttah and find a new center. I don't know if the Front office will be willing to because centers just have to build chemistry with QBs and it will take time. I do think they would look into if we're in the playoff picture, the only problem in my mind is who they would trade for. I think center will be the biggest problem for the offensive line. Zuttah was annihilated in that Bills game and from the looks of it I just don't think he really has much left. He was a solid pass protector he has declined in that department since last season and he's never been known as a run blocker. I don't see the team having any confidence in Urschel either seeing him as an inactive. 

I think we'd sooner put Jensen or Urschel at center than trade for a center. There's really no time to make that move because as you said, you need chemistry and any center we trade to acquire wouldn't have enough time to really come in and make an impact, IMHO. 

[terps85]

Just now, GrimCoconut said:

As someone at the game, I can attest that this is absolutely true. I went to a game last year and this is my first game this year, but I will tell you there's a big difference in communication back there. Weddle is making the calls back there and he is telling guys where to go, or Webb is giving that direction but not as much. Last year you had CBs like Jimmy Smith trying to do it and it just doesn't work as well. Nobody knew who to trust last year and that was a truly big problem back in the secondary. You saw guys pointing this way and that way and now, we have a lot of the same thoughts and more coordination on the back end. You see safeties knowing where to be on every play and not questioning where they should line-up and CBs understood their assignments and who was covering who for the most part. I think I saw a play where nobody covered some guy in the slot, but other than that, it worked great--even on that play I saw Mosley hustle over to the edge to contain that guy once Taylor snapped the ball. Also, Levine had a great game when I saw him on the field and I think he's making a nice impact, too. I remember one play where Taylor snapped the ball and on the left side of the offense you had I think 3 receiving targets from the Bills. You had I think a TE in the slot, with two WR on the edge. I think Jimmy was playing off while I believe I saw Young playing man and nobody was covering the TE. That's the play I am referring to above where Mosley slid over from the RIGHT side of the offense and covered the TE and it really disrupted Taylor. You could see he got really confused. I think it was in the 4th quarter, maybe 3rd. 

I was at the game too and it really stuck out to me.  Did you notice Weddle was the one who got in Harbaugh's ear about challenging the spot on that Forsett run?  He's quickly turned into one of my favorite platers.

[GrimCoconut]

1 minute ago, terps85 said:

I was at the game too and it really stuck out to me.  Did you notice Weddle was the one who got in Harbaugh's ear about challenging the spot on that Forsett run?  He's quickly turned into one of my favorite platers.

Yep. Weddle was a very vocal guy on the field and I really like him a lot. You can see the passion and football IQ he has. I really think his addition will be a huge one for us as he gets more and more familiar here.