Ravens at Falcons: Open Thread

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 10:05 AM EDT Comment 61 comments

The Baltimore Ravens travel to play the Atlanta Falcons for their third exhibition game in the last ten days and their final game of the pre-season. A week from Sunday their regular season begins as they will host the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium in downtown Baltimore.

The game might figure to be a little bit boring for the casual fan, as the better known starters should only play a series or two before giving way to the backups and other reserves. The dual purposes of this is to ensure the health of the starters who just want to get a few reps in for the final time before the season starts, and to also give the final opportunities for those players who are still fighting for jobs in anticipation of grabbing those last few precious roster spots on the team,.

The bigger competitions are in the defensive backfield and the linebacker positions. While there are still openings up for grabs on the offensive line, wide receiver and the offensive backfield, the CB and LB groups are stacked with guys who could more than likely catch on and perhaps even start on other teams, but on the Ravens' vaunted defense, spots are at a premium.

Of course, the biggest competition of all may only be on the field for a few seconds here and there. The placekicking competition continues to be a close one, with second year pro, Steven Hauschka having a slim lead over rookie Graham Gano coming into the final test. Hauschka could have wrapped up the job had he not missed a chip shot 27 yarder in last week's Carolina Panthers' game. However, his miss there has kept Gano in the mix, although Hauschka will be given the opportunity to win the job tonight with a good performance. At the same time, if Hauschka misses another easy one while Gano hits a tough one or two, it may come down to a coin flip when the final decision has to be made by Saturday afternoon. I can't believe that the team would even consider bringing back Matt Stover, as that would mean the Ravens would have to carry two kickers on their roster, handcuffing their decision-making by taking a roster spot from another position, one they can hardly afford to do.

Some pundits will say we did it for most of last year, but I still say it hurt the team by cutting necessary depth that could have helped us elsewhere on the field. Stover's accuracy inside of 40 yards might be decent, although it has been far from automatic as others have said, especially over the past couple of years. Either Hauschka or Gano can not only hit the longer kicks, but also can come a lot closer to the goal line on kickoffs than Stover's kicks to the 15 yard line that resulted in opponents starting their drives on the 35 yard line or better on a regular basis.

So stop by here before, during and after he game to post your thoughts on what you're thinking, seeing or finding out as the game progresses. Good luck to those players on the bubble and remember- whether we win or lose is irrelevant, as the Detroit Lions went 4-0 last year in the pre-season and what did they do in the regular season?

Poll

Who do you think will win the placekicking job on the Baltimore Ravens?

Steven Hauschka

207 votes

Graham Gano

25 votes

Matt Stover

94 votes

Someone else

5 votes

331 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Wait

There is a game tonight?!?!?! Holy S***! Where the hell have I been.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 3, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Where to watch the game

Does anybody know a website that streams the Ravens games?

by Old Buck Wilder on Sep 3, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

justin.tv

you’ll have to find what channel there has it but some channel will have it i believe.

"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down

by jackmca on Sep 3, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Game four of preseason

is like the XFL. Its going to be sloppy, most of the guys are going back to their day jobs when its over, and there aren’t going to be any fair catches on the kick offs.

"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace
"

by UMBC Oriole fan on Sep 3, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

fair catch

59 seconds left in the first, so far there has been two.

by Gregory O on Sep 3, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I meant it to be a joke...

usually special team guys are trying to do anything to get noticed…

"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace
"

by UMBC Oriole fan on Sep 3, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

Our second and third string offense just marched 91 yards against the Falcons starting D ( minus J. Abraham) for a TD! D. Will looked very good during the drive.

For those who can’t watch.

Scott Hines

by shines on Sep 3, 2009 8:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Good to see Suggs get his work in.

Paarmale looks to be the RB out of Peerman and Lawrence to me.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Peerman

I hope it is Parmele, Will Peerman and Lawrence go to Practice Squad or do either have a chance at special teams?

by Ngata 92 on Sep 3, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't see Dannell Ellerbe

Might not be recovered from his knee injury. Wouldn’t be surprised to see the team IR him now for the entire season to keep him under their wraps for next year.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Figurs chances getting slimmer

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kruger playing on second team

w/ McClain and Burgess is almost not fair to Atlanta. All could probably start for most teams.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kruger shouldn’t have been out there. he had nothing to prove.

by raven on Sep 4, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gee, surprise to see Walker getting penalized

again!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Frank Walker

Looks horrible, yet again. I’m not surprised, nor upset at this point. He just had 2 penalties on a 3rd and 5, a lot of us believe he is our most physical back. He is also our least talented, I happen to love his attitude and enthusiasm. But he is not our guy, plain and simple.

Scott Hines

by shines on Sep 3, 2009 8:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Frank Walker

Scott Hines

by shines on Sep 3, 2009 8:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Cut him

Time for Frank to Pack his bags.

by Ngata 92 on Sep 3, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Our first team defense did not give up a TD in preseason

and the team only gave up one in the first half and none in the 1st quarter at all.

We’re ready!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm watching alone. So I'm talking to you guys.

Prescott Burgess has looked very solid. Along with Krueger. Parmele and Lawrence have looked great.

Sam Koch just messed up 2 punts in a row, I guarantee you it don’t happen all season, dudes amazing.

Justin Harper just dropped a potential 85 yard TD.

Scott Hines

by shines on Sep 3, 2009 8:38 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Burgess is a beast!

he definitely gets a roster spot.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Harper doesn't make the team

he has no one to blame but himself…and his hands!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"Why is everybody always picking on me?"

Signed,
Frank Walker

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

because they know you suck, Frank!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Offensively,

I see rookie Robby Felix taking snaps at center while center/guard David Hale is playing guard. I think Hale’s versatility gets him a spot but not Felix. Too bad, as Felix is a good kid whom I interviewed, as he was supposed to be a top five center in the draft before he had a stroke at the end of the season.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hauschka and Gano have each kicked off once

both to the Falcons 7 yard line. But with no FG attempts, it favors Hauschka unless Steve misses and Gano hits at least one.

Too bad, I’m a big Gano backer and think he’ll be the better pro.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't blame Beck for the poor pass protection

If he ever comes into a game, hopefully he’ll have the first team o-lin in front of him. then again, pray we don’t need him.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Did you catch.

Evan Oglesby lay that hit? It was about as clean as they come and one hell of a hit!

John Beck has no pocket presence, like on a scale of 0 to 100, he’s about a 0. But nice to have as a 3rd string man.

Scott Hines

by shines on Sep 3, 2009 8:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Oglesby played that well

but he has a slim or none chance to make the team. Perhaps Practice Squad but probably not even that.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

pocket presence looked damn good considering the line collapsed on him. he’s a solid #2 and maybe a starter somewhere, his trade value skyrocketed because of this game.

by raven on Sep 4, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jason Cook's TD catch helps but,...

…unless we go w/ two FBs and don’t keep either Parmale, Peerman or Lawrence, Cook’s chances are slim. I like Parmale and unless we see a lot of Peerman in the 2nd half, he looks like the guy to round out our backfield.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 8:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe

Justin Harper…that was going to be a touchdown.

"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace
"

by UMBC Oriole fan on Sep 3, 2009 8:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

BaltimoreRavens.com has a "Pick the Final Roster" Contest

and the winner goes to the Super Bowl (or is it the Pro Bowl?). Check it out and enter!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 9:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

D. Will

Is secure at this point, considering Justin Harper just dropped his second perfectly placed deep bomb, it’s really sad, but I think he’s just about done.

Scott Hines

by shines on Sep 3, 2009 9:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

I bet Graham Gano would have loved to be given a chance

to kick a 57 yarder just then, rather than have Koch punt it again! Tre Stallings the RT who let Beck get sacked on the prior play, must have pissed the kickers off that he put them out of FG range on that drive! Might have cost Gano a job on that one!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 9:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hauschka good from 33 yards

Bad snap but he still hit it. That should pretty much wrap up the kicking competition for him. Gano must be crushed.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 9:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gano punted well anyway.

won’t help his chances, though

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 9:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Eron RIley with a nice grab of a long pass

then the TD reception. Actually looking better than Harper now!

Gano got the XP and hit the kickoff five yards deep into the end zone, while Hauschka only could send it to the five. I know Hauschka has probably won the job but Gano has a stronger leg and would end up the better pro in my mind. However, I doubt the Ravens will see it that way.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 10:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Beck has done a decent job

Not bad for a #3 QB and most teams would love to have him as a backup.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 10:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Like to see one of the kickers try a real long one

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 10:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gotta hand it to you guys

You killed us. Great game.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 3, 2009 10:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Relatively meaningless game except for the position attles on both squads. Good luck to the Falcons and to the Falconholic!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This team is stacked

and ready for the season. Our defense shuts everyone down, be it the first or third stringers. Only the first team really matters for the most part once the season starts and our guys have lloked great and as if they’re on a mission from the get-go.

Can’t wait for nexct Sunday. Look out Kansas City! Good luck Atlanta!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 10:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We won ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh missed the game but recorded it too messed up at the moment. God damn 13 dollar 30 packs

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 3, 2009 11:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

From the iPhone mid beer pong game yaaaaaaaa 4-0 love bb and the ravenssssss

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 3, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ive heard of drunk texting

Im actually a consistent drunk texter/dialer.

But this is brilliant, drunk BB Commenting! You are the man MaLor!

Scott Hines

by shines on Sep 4, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what else is going to do? find a girl?

by raven on Sep 4, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If only you knew bro

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 4, 2009 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

E joy word I. He morning buddy no class for this kid. And this is from te bar wit your sister

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 4, 2009 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully, you don't follow this up

with an ugly booty call or text!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 4, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1. Oglesby is better than Walker
2. Lawrence got screwed with the worst blocking of the preseason.
3. Peerman got great blocking and an Atlanta team heading to the locker room.
4. In 4 minutes, Eron looked better than Harper did the entire pre-season.
5. Why does Stan White write guys off before the cuts are made. He wouldn’t shut up about Eron having his catches as memories of his only time in football. F-off Stan. As far as I am concerned, Eron showed better hands and better moves after the catch. Harper is a lazy 1/2 ass big man.
6. Don’t doubt that his one arm stab at that deep ball wasn’t on purpose. I think he just plays around out there.
7. Cook looked like a mini McClaine out there. Quick and solid.
8. Our 2nd string O-line blows. The left side collapsed all night. Good old Jerry said Beck can’t scramble. What? He looked pretty damn good moving when the entire line didn’t collapse on him.
9. Walker will cost us dearly if we keep him. He the worst of many worlds. Runs his mouth, gets burned and creates penalties. I predict he will give us some untimely C-mac moments in big games. It won’t be worth whatever he brings to the table. Whatever that is. Oglesby is better.
10. Outside of pre-injury D-Will our other favored receivers that played tonight can’t catch shit. I’d rather let Eron and Foster have a go.
11. Foster showed huge balls on his punt return. Webb stinks at it.
12. Cam is showing some great diversity with his play calling. He is setting up the deep ball and doing it often. Will he have the nuts to do this against Pitt. or shrivel up like he did 3 times last year.

by raven on Sep 3, 2009 11:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Eron did look better and even more confident than Harper. I liked Harper earlier in camp but his consistent inconsistency scares me and there’s no way he should make the roster, but he may. Speaking of guys who shouldn’t make the roster, Frank Walker….nuff said.
Cook and Peerman looked better than they did all pre-season but I see Parmale making it over both.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 4, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What happened to all those people backing up Frank Walker? I haven’t been on as much recently, but it seemed like he had his only little fan club here on the Beatdown. Now, it looks like you can just bash on Frank Walker without reprisal.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

by Ampallang on Sep 5, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, I was trying to give him a chance.

I really was. I knew he had some problems he needed to fix, and I just wanted to see him play well. But after seeing him get 2 penalties on one freaking play, he is trash to me. Every game he has been in, he has gotten burned for a long TD. That one WR should have had a TD on Frank, cause he put a move on him and Frank nearly fell to the ground.

I hope we cut him now, not worth the money.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 5, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did

you guys (who got to watch) see when Rob Burnett interviewed Todd Heap, it was already hilarious he brought up that Hardknocks Rookie Hazing, but did you see Willis McGahee in the background? He was just being a goof, and it looked really fun. Despite what some people may think about him, I think he a great back, with a healthy Willis and Ray, we are going to do big things, I mean big things. But I just think its nice to see the way he feels about Baltimore, hes always interracting with everyone, good guy to have around. Hopefully he’s willing to play for much less this time around so we can keep a great player and invest in the future.

Scott Hines

by shines on Sep 4, 2009 12:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs