How crazy has this season been for Baltimore? I slew of injuries, losing potentially the best offensive player in week 3 and many fans, rivals, and pundits swearing this team might not even win 8 games. Now they sit at 7-5 and could live up to those early season expectations and end at 7-9, or blow those expectations out the water and finish at 11-5. Of course anything in between is possible also. Let's get to the thread though. What I liked - Alex Collins. He's criticized for not offering much in the passing game, but how much of a chance is he given? He's completely fixed his fumbling issue and that's the most impressive thing about him to me. another 5 ypc average added to his numbers also - Willie Henry. Flat out, I was on the Brent Urban hype train in the offseason/preseason. Then he got injured and a rotation of guys started taking his place until Henry received a chance. Along with Pierce and Williams, that's a great starting defensive front. - Terrell Suggs. The ageless wonder continues to spit in the face of father time. Imo, a huge part of his very good continued play is he was never a speed guy, just a guy that'd beat you with a move or occasionally bull rush. Technique should only get better with age and he's proving that to be true. - Eric Weddle. I've been down on him lately, but when you get a sack, forced fumble, INT, and defensive TD in the same game you deserve praise. - Joe Flacco and the freaking offense. Had to save the best for last. Flacco just had his best game, and the offense had their best game. Wallace killed Detroit in the first half to set up a 20-0 half time lead. The hits continued to come after that. 37 offensive points scored is impressive no matter who you play. What I didn't like - Jeremy Maclin. Easily the Raven worst "big name" WR pick up. He will barely edge out TJ Houshmandzadeh in the stats, but that was a 33 year old Housh as the #3 behind Mason and Boldin vs a 29 year old Maclin who's essentially the #1. Baltimore needs some turnover at WR next season - Marlon Humphrey. I've praised him all season but man, he was abused out there in the second half. Deep passes allowed, penalties, and just mostly bad play. Thankfully he got a late INT on an overthrow, but hell, if he didn't Weddle was right behind him ready to pick it himself. We will need better from the rookie because: What completely deflated me - Jimmy Smith. Sigh. He'd been playing on a strained achilles since week 1 and from what I've read, it was only a matter of time. Either the pain forces surgery or it finally tears. Even on this injury, he was arguably the best CB in the league all year. I know I mentioned the possibility of the Ravens winning out above, but I honestly don't even think it's possible without Jimmy (I'd have considered it a slim possibility with him healthy). The defense without him in the second half gave me flashbacks to last year's Giants game. Hopefully Pees and company can scheme up a better defense than we saw in the second half since they can't account for him going forward.
And the hits keep coming. Jimmy Smith given 4 game suspension for violating PED rules. I guess that would explain how the Achilles made it this long in NFL action. I wonder if he could serve it this season if the Ravens don't put him on IR and just keep him inactive for the rest of the season
Ok, so a few things that some have mentioned either in the game thread or elsewhere perhaps and some of my own thoughts. I. I love Alex Collins. I love his story, his demeanor and his style. He is violent and quick and is very exciting to watch every time he touches the ball. I also am starting to like the Collins, Buck and Woodhead attack plan. They all do their own thing and are all versatile enough to keep the defense guessing as to whether it is run/pass/block when they are in. 2. I counted at least 4 times yesterday Joe threw a PERFECT pass that hit guys in the actual hands that were dropped passes. This is so crazy that we have the receiving corp, almost every year that I perceive, has the worst hands in the league. Infuriating to say the least! 3. I liked the play calling yesterday in the run/pass mix. It seemed to be very fresh and unpredictable and kept the Lions off balance. That is one in a row so let's keep that going next week. 4. Matt Judon is becoming a major force and I love seeing him grow a little more each week and he seems to make a splash play every game that is momentum changing. 5. Maurice Canady is taking, or has taken, that Webb role, has he not? He seems to always be in the right spot and he also seems to be honing in each week a little better and a little better. I like that we have some depth there at the CB position that we are not devastated at the Jimmy news. The hit Canady laid on the back-up QB was BRUTAL. He nearly cut the guy in half! This all means nothing if we wet the bed next week and go back to what the offense looked like in the first 7 weeks of the season. I am also starting to wonder why we paid Williams all that money when we could have paid Wagner. I understand you don't really know what you have in the kids like Henry and Pierce but man that looks silly in hindsight when our O-Line could have used the studly stability that Wagner brought. It is all moot obviously, but makes me have some buyers remorse. I am remaining cautiously optimistic but if Joe can continue to build on these performances better and better each week and the defense can keep up their end of the bargain, they could be an emerging force just as the playoff picture is clearing up near the end of the year. We will see......
It looks as if he will be able to serve it while he's on the IR so he can be ready by the st game next year. I wonder if it was just some sort of prescription pain killer that he didn't get permission for. Or...knowing Jimmy's past history, it could have been medical marijuana which the NFL has stupidly continued to ban.
To be fair to Jimmy, he hasn't had a weed issue since two years before he was drafted, aka 2009. But yeah, it was a performance enhancer so it was likely something to help his achilles hold up longer than it would have normally.
Here's something I just thought about. Let's assume Yanda comes back healthy next season. You still have Alex Lewis, Nico Siragusa, and Matt Skura. I wonder who would be the front runner for the LG position? The previous starter, the highest drafted player, or the undrafted guy who actually performed very well at the RG position? For my money, I'd go with Skura or move Yanda to LG and let Skura start at RG. I know many were big on Alex Lewis but he just got pushed around too much for my liking for a guard. And in 8 starts he committed 4 penalties (to compare, in 8 starts Skura has 0 penalties committed). Of course I don't think they keep all these guys as we normally only have 2 backups I think, sometimes 3. Maybe Lewis becomes the RT backup, Skura starts, and Siragusa is the other backup (Hurst cut in this scenario).
I forgot to give credit to Canady. Here's the run down Russell Street Report gave him. Considering his size, he's been pretty damn good in the slot. Next season is going to be interesting at the CB position. Jimmy, Carr, Humphrey, Canady, Young, and Hill. All may make it as I expect Jimmy to start the season on the pup list
I am still depressed. i hope marlon steps up but i really just feel like i have been gut punched. Such a talented D just blighted by BS, and our O line is pretty good too when healthy. 2k
Any news on Shazier? Love the hit JJSS gave to Burfict, but the taunting has to go. Immature and unprofessional. Someone needs to pull him aside and give him a slap on the head to know some sense and maturity into him.
Yanda is getting a lot of tread wear, time to draft his replacement. Got to stay ahead of these things. I only give him a couple of more seasons.
I think I read that there's "some movement" in his legs. So at this point, it's just a recovery time frame.
I pretty sure Shazier won't play next week, but from what I am reading he should be able to play against the Patriots.
Hines Ward made a living out of delivering hits like the one JJSS put on Burfict. And had he not stood over him "taunting" it would have never been called. Never mind seeing a guy like him decked. Nice hit And I hope Shazier comes back strong. Good player
