RAVENS 2018 SEASON THREAD

The responses are funny, but apparently I'm not the only one that prefers ODB to to OBJ. On Reddit:


The great debate rages on...!!

 

I was going to create a new thread, but decided to put it here.

I'm really wondering how much better the defense will be by simply changing coordinators. I was a defender of Pees for awhile (I think up until some point of the 2016 season) but seeing the defense now, even in preseason, you can tell the difference. Some players look faster, some look better than they ever did under Pees (Kaufusi, Correa, even T.Williams).

A big example of this is Tyus Bowser. I cant fathom how he only got 161 defensive snaps last season. Aren't younger players rewarded for good plays with more snaps? Bowser had 1 INT, 3 passes defended, and 3 sacks on 161 defensive snaps. That's actually amazing. And if I recall correctly, most of those snaps came the first few weeks of the season. Why would you shut down a player performing like that?

 

Thank God, Pees is gone. I never liked his style of defense and I am thrilled that he and his style of play are gone. That read and react bullshit doesn't work in the NFL anymore. The players you mentioned are now more free to play with their instincts instead of being boxed into a certain scheme or zone of the field. These guys are so talented, that to put a leash on that and force them into staying in a certain spot regardless of how the play develops was a major reason why this defense caved in in clutch situations.

 

Who knows their rationale on how they develop their front 7 draft picks. Corea used as ILB, releasing John Simon, Onwuasor used as an ultalite WILB. I've probably been the biggest Pees supporter here and even I had to question his methods and intricate schemes that seemed to work under only ideal circumstances and couldn't account for the injury bug in 3 seasons.

I have no idea what to expect of Wink. He's a bit of an outlier which is good for a season or two. If he can innovate a la Belichick and stay ahead of the competition. Right now the defense looks fast and is brimming with drafted and acquired talent. Utilizing them properly will be the trick rather than jamming square pegs into round holes. I mean, having jacks of all trades is good, but just a few at key positions.

 

Joe threw a great pass to Brown to start the game. Sad it wasn't complete.

Tavon Young looked amazing defending the first pass in his coverage.

I was sad to see White starting as the returner because I've been on the Grant train. Not that I want White off the team, but I'm too leary about his injuries, and I don't think we can keep Grant if he's not the returner. Then White fumbles, and Grant is in and looks great on his first return.

Crabtree and Flacco deep down the sideline.

 

Sick double catch TD by Brown

 

Also in a brief look back at the first play, not sure how they didn't call PI on the Colts. Defender seemed to jump and throw a forearm in Brown's head before the ball even arrived.

 

Flacco looking good. So is Dixon.

Luck is looking real good too.

Ravens run defense is sick.

 

Jackson is struggling hard tonight trying to complete a pass.

And the Tuck misses. Whomp whomp

 

Lamar Jackson is at least 2 years away from being a starting QB

 

So umm TD credited to Michael Pierce?

 

Jeff Triplette is ESPNs rules expert.

 

Dang, Grant fumbles. He just looks so much more explosive returning the ball.

 

Joe was efficient. 7/9, 79 yds and a TD threw triple coverage to Brown. I' not sure why everyone is so hyped on Lamar right now. The press will praise him more for "bouncing back from a 0-5 start to his night with his 7/15 against Indy's 3's. When he went with his bread-n-butter, running, he nearly committed a fumble and almost broke his neck. He can walk out of the can with a shitty piece of toilet paper trailing him and they'd report that he in a foot race. He did have the presences to throw balls away outside the hash marks when his OL collapsed...which, in his defense, was a lot.

OL play was good for the starters, but Lamar seemed to suffer from their collapse with the 2nd string. Maybe add another quality guard from FA? - Luke Joeckel, Zane Beadles or Tony Bergstrom?

Buck Allen looked good at 6+ YPC. Dixon looked like himself from his rookie season. Gus Edwards was less impressive tonite that last game.

Moore with another TD.

Crabtree had a nice reception.

Hurst is looking like a great pick. Good separation, catch-n-run and blocks superbly.

The defensive starter were looking awesome. Sadly, the back ups struggled vs. Luck and his 2's. Not sure why - the DBs blew coverage and the DL didn't collapse the pocket or get much penetration.

Suggs and Z. Smith are consistently getting to the QB. Tavon Young is looking good. Kinda like the Chris Moore of the defense it seems.

 

Hayden Hurst injured and needs screws out into his foot. Out 3-4 weeks, but likely out longer as foot injuries always take longer to heal

 

Stress fractures.

 

1) Eleumenor needs to go.

2) I truly hope these issues with Tucker are just because it's pre-season. That's 2 missed FG's (both within his range) in two weeks and now one that's blocked.

 

I was wondering when you guys were going to show up.

 

Preseason Game 3

OFFENSE:

First and foremost, WTF is up with Justin Tucker? I may end up not trying to draft in fantasy this year. He's missed more that 3 kick skid back in 2013.

Jackson looked really good. Clearly took last weeks debacle to heart and the coaching this week to fix his errors. He was efficient and looked to read the defense much better. The QB options are going to his bread and butter and hard to defend whenever he final does start. 7/10 for 98 yds and a TD and 39 rush yards with a TD. I can see what they drafted him for, but I still think the risk of injury its a recipe for disaster. Going to be an interesting season with him there.

RG3 is looking like a lock to make the 53 man roster. LJ took some steps to overcome him for the #2 spot, but that's just one game and RG has been consistent. His biggest competition to NOT get picked is Bmore's long history of 2 QBs on roster with the exception of a few seasons. LJ may have performed better than him tonight, but he's still a viable starter in the league. The Ravens will definitely get some trade offers if they choose to keep 3 QBs.

Don't take this as an endorsement of ANYTHING, but if Joe were off the team and those two continue to play at that level of better, can you imagine what our offense would like like with them?

Woodrum is either going on the PS or getting picked by another like last year. He look more comfortable/confident than last year, but he's always been back up material. He's not Schaub of Keenum, but I'd like to see him succeed with some team.

Tim White burst on the scene with 70 yds. He is a YAC monster and I can see him picking of the 6th spot.

Posey made a case for himself last night with the nice TD grab he's going to challenge for the last WR spot. Personally I think it won't be enough.

Perriman had 2 for 13. Not sure how the Ravens FO sees this, but I would have to think that for the last game he gets significant playing time to see if he's going to remain on roster. If they rarely showed loyalty to picks like him I'd say he'd be gone already. Since he's not...

I didn't see Lasley drop a pass, but I didn't watch too closely for him. He raises and eyebrow and we'll need to see how he does in Game 4.

DeLance Turner made a case for a roster spot with a big TD run. He hasn't showed much with his route running, but he's big and fast. Will need more week 4 play time to see.

Mark Thomspn has a lousy night on the ground, but a decent night for receptions. He's a long shot to make this team, but we'll have another week to figure this out.

DEFENSE
Chuck Clark is looking like 53-man roster material. This preseason he's always been around the ball and now he lead the defense statistically topping it with a nice INT and run back.

Stanley Jean-Baptiste had a good INT, but I don't think he makes the team as of now.

Onwuasor and Young had great days both notching sacks. They're cometing for the same WILB but Young could get the role.

That's all for now.

 

- It's relative. RGIII played against the Dolphins 1st team defense. He also played behind the Ravens 2nd and possibly 3rd team OL that couldn't keep the Dolphins at bay. IMHO, RGIII outplayed Jackson because of the competition.

- Mentioned this above. is it time to be a bit concerned?

- I really want to see what he can do with Flacco.

- Between him & Grant. Both good YAC. I think grant is a better route runner and KR/PR. Plus White's injury history.

- I did. Not entirely his fault as the pass was thrown into coverage, but....it was a completely catchable pass that a NFL receiver should make and would make at least 90% of the time. IMHO, i just don't think he's dependable enough.

- Seems he has learned how to catch with his hands. But, he's been a practice and pre-season star before. Plus, his injury history.

- Along with Correa. He looks a lot more comfortable playing his natural position.

- He might at least until Jimmy is back from his suspension.

- Really liking Young.

More observations:
Eleumenor needs to go. If he isn't picked up by another team, then he's PS material.
Mark Andrews dropped some passes. He didn't look comfortable at all. Nor can he block. Meanwhile, Maxx Williams had a good game receiving and blocking.
Zeus, Jr. finally played against a 1st string DL and was getting beat regularly by 36 year old Cameron Wake who, like Suggs, still seems to be at the top of his game.
I still want to see Tim Williams against a 1st string OL. He's beating 2nd/3rd string players, some of whom won't be on the team(s) within a week. Bowser looked good last night, but against 2nd/3rd string players.
Dixon looks really good, both running and receiving. He looks powerful and quick.
I like Siragusa and Bozeman. Neither started off all that well, but as the game progressed you could see them get better.
Zack Seiler has a high revving motor and is strong. Can he beat out Kaufusi? He should.