Ravens Dominate Again: Finish Pre-Season 4-0
The Baltimore Ravens completed their 2009 exhibition season 4-0, by dominating the Atlanta Falcons with their reserves most of the game 20-3. Last time the Ravens went undefeated in pre-season was before the 2000 Super Bowl season.
To many of the fans, this was an incredibly meaningless and boring game. However, to the knowledgable fan, this was as important a game as there was for the team as a whole. While most of the starters were on the sidelines, the reserves were fighting for their NFL careers, hoping to make that one last impression that would convince the team's Front Office that they deserve a spot on the Ravens roster.
The Ravens must cut 22 of their 75 players to get down to the NFL maximum of 53 players by tomorrow afternoon. Almost one-third of this roster will be looking for either new teams or new jobs by late Saturday. Can you imagine the stress and fear going through some of the players on the so-called "bubble?" One moment, they are on the world's stage, being treated like royalty with a big salary, great benefits and teammates and the next moment they are returning to the factories and local supermarkets in their hometowns looking for a full time job that many of them are not even qualified to do.
This is the toughest time of the year for the Front Office personnel. Telling a player that his dream job is being ripped from his heart has to be one depressing deed to complete, much less 22 times in one afternoon. I feel for Head Coach John Harbugh and his staff on the tough decisions, much less the notification of the unlucky players. On the other hand, there will be a few surprises so the fear and disappointment of one player could be muted by the joy and aspirations of another who gets told he did indeed make the squad.
However, that's all happening tomorrow. Today is a time to exalt the efforts that the team made in their victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Our second team offense moved down the field and scored on its first possession against the Falcons' first team defense. Our deeper reserves bullied and pushed the Falcons' reserves all over the field and while it was not exactly pretty nor efficient at times, the final score showed the complete domination on both sides of the ball.
Third string QB John Beck played his most minutes and best of the pre-season, with the time to get into a rhythm, hitting on 16 of 28 passes for 232 yards, two TD's and no interceptions, with a 108.0 QB rating. The running backs did their part and there is going to be a tough decision as it appears that only one out of Jalen Parmale, Cedric Peerman and FB Jason Cook is going to make the squad.
At wide receiver, Justin Harper continues to frustrate both the team and himself, dropping two long balls after getting open on deep routes. At the same time, Eron Riley caught the passes thrown in his direction, a long ball plus a TD reception, but even that might not be enough to secure a spot for him. Little guys Jayson Foster and Yamon Figurs didn't do anything to help their causes either.
At linebacker, there are so many decisions to make and to me theyare all easy as the entire group deserves to stay on the team. That won't happen and while Jameel McClain and Tavares Gooden are locks, Antwan Barnes, Prescott Burgess, Danell Ellerbe, Jason Phillips and William VanDeSteeg are probably fighting for just two remaining spots between them. Since we didn't see the rookie Ellerbe in the game, I am hoping the team retains their rights to him by placing him on Injured Reserve to secure him for next year.
The defensive backs did relatively nothing to change the coaches opinions about their roles on the team. Evan Oglesby had a nice hit but still figures to be a long shot, and Frank Walker was,..well Frank Walker. Two penalties on one play epitomizes his style of play, which is grab and hold and hope the refs don't flag him, which they usually do. For wahtever reason, the team seems to like him but he has done nothing to prove his value to the fans this pre-season.
Once again, another great win despite the meaningless part of pre-season being wins and losses. The coaches now have to seclude themselves in the headquarters to make their final decisions by tomorrow afternoon. Post your thoughts here on what you saw and what you think will happen tomorrow when roster cuts are announced.
Until then, bring on the Kansas City Chiefs!
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28 comments
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Comments
Zbi and Ruki
I didn’t get to watch the game, did the top reserves at safety make any nice plays? Any bad ones?
They say the empty can rattles the most...
by Massacre on Sep 4, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not much to say about either
Got their time in, played solid along w/ everyone else, except Frank of course.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 4, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Frank Walker proved my point
I think that double penalty, and then Frank proceeding to be getting thrown at every passing play following that summed up the points I have made about him in the previous 2-3 days. He would have got torched for a touchdown had the Falcons reciever not dropped a well thrown ball.
by ShaneOmacDaddy on Sep 4, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
"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 5, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
John Beck
Seems like he played pretty well, and has performed admirably this pre-season when healthy. What’s his overall status going into the season? Any chance he will be Flacco’s primary backup this season rather than 3rd on the depth chart? Thanks…
Vanquish the Foe, a BYU Cougars blog at SB Nation
by sroufe on Sep 4, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nope, third string
and a good one at that! Smith is the primary backup and the only way Beck gets in if Flacco is done for the day, by the rules.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 4, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beck Fan here....
I also think he did a nice job last night. No fumbles (which he has been grill about) and a 108.00 rating. He has the ability, just stinks that he probably won’t get a shot. I hate to see a good guy and QB spend his career bouncing around always fighting for a 2nd or 3rd slot. A Dolphin fan at heart, I am now following (and liking) the Ravens. Good luck.
by Thruthickandt on Sep 4, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smart move
and just in time as the Dolphins are about to sink with that schedule this season!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 4, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
our (ATL's) pass defense
was atrocious.
What do you guys think of Mark Clayton this year? #2 receiver? I think Flacco throws for 3400 this year with 20 TDs. Can Clayton see 800 of those yards and 5 TDs?
by nathan rothschild on Sep 4, 2009 11:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I could see Clayton w/ 5 TD's
but 800 yards is a reach. He would have that had Mason retired though, but as a #2 or even #3 receiver, doubtful
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 4, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Williams made a statement last night on the first drive. Definitely looked better than he has in a while.
by bigmac1124 on Sep 4, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, but..
…it was against the Falcons’ 2nd team.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 4, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
gets burned and gets penalties
frank walker has to go.
"When you go in the lions den you don't tippy toe in, you carry a spear, you go in screaming like a banshee, you kick whatever doors in, and say, 'where's the SOB.' If you go in any other way your gonna lose." By Brian Billick
by TheJoker5605 on Sep 4, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Last team to go 4-0 in the preseason was the Lion. May you all have the same resounding success they did in the regualar season.
by archon095 on Sep 4, 2009 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
But unlike them
We actually have talented players on our team. I wouldn’t mind Calvin Johnson though.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Sep 4, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What fan wouldnt want Calvin Johmson on their team
by archon095 on Sep 4, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
4-0
Could be mistaken, but I am pretty sure last time we went 4-0 in the preseason we won the super bowl.
by ATXRaven on Sep 4, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course,..
…the Lions did as well last season,…and proceeded to go winless in the regular season.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 4, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hater
guessin’ you like some pathetic team
by ravsagain on Sep 4, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you consider the reigning Super Bowl champions pathetic then yes
by archon095 on Sep 4, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you consider the reigning Super Bowl champions pathetic then yes
Last team to go 4-0 in the preseason was the Lion. May you all have the same resounding success they did in the regualar season.
It’s a little funny that you were insinuating that, based on recent history, we’d be “pathetic” this upcoming season.
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
by Ampallang on Sep 5, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I never implied anything, merely wished the same luck upon you
by archon095 on Sep 5, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Watching the game now
Had to record it from yesterday. Harper knows how to get separation and looks to be a very good athlete. The only problem is that he cannot catch. On the first bomb, he had open field the whole way and no one even touched the ball. raven could have caught that ball. On the second bomb, why the hell did he try to catch it with one hand? What was that? He had a big time gain, but instead tried to nurse in a ball and made our offense look terrible when Beck was looking like an all pro all game.
With that, I think it is safe to say that we may have one of the best Quarterback groups in the NFL. We may not have the stars that Indy and NE have, but we have guys who can and have started in this league. Beck looked great last night, and I was not too high on him throughout all of this summer. But he made some great throws and had some good scrambles. Glad to see D-Will back at it, he had some serious catches.
Between Parmele, Lawerance and Peerman, I have no idea who wins that battle. I feel like Parmele is the best of the 3, but Lawerance looks very good when he gets the ball. Peerman is most likely going to make the team and they are saying right now (end of the 3rd quarter) that they do not want him to get hurt and just make it through waivers to get on the practice squad. It’s going to be a very tough decision to make on who is going to be our 3rd RB. At this point, I like Parmele.
Ogelsby may have sealed his spot with this game. I am watching now and the interception has not happened yet, but I know he gets one. Other than that, he had that huge hit on the RB on that screen pass. Ok, Peerman just had a nice run, lol (start of the 4th quarter). But with Samari out, I still am unaware of who will make it as our last few CB’s. It may not be Ogelsby, but he has been with this team for a while now and made an impression last night. Great competition.
Webb needs to learn how to secure the ball. GOD DAMNIT OUR WR ARE DROPPING BALLS! (Wheelwright just dropped at TD pass). Anyway, Webb cannot keep fumbling on kick-offs. He is a great athlete and can do big things if he just settles down.
I think it is too bad that some of the these guys will get cut. Guys like Eron Riley who made big plays last night are not going to get a shot most likely. I really liked what he brought to our squad after watching a bunch of videos of him from Duke and seeing him do real well in Training Camp.
Anyway, got one more quarter to go and we are looking great. 4-0 in pre-season I will take any day. We may have been the most efficient team in pre season this year.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Sep 4, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lawrence > Parmele and/or Peerman
I just know it shouldn’t be peerman. I know it’s probably a little embarrassing to cut a player you drafted the same year, but here it’s justified. Lawrence and Parmele are clearly better, the debate should be b/w those two.
"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 5, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs













