Ravens O-Line Honored As Madden Top "Protectors" For Week 3
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 29, 2011 11:01 AM EDT
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PrintJOHN MADDEN PICKS BALTIMORE RAVENS OFFENSIVE LINE AS TOP PROTECTORS AFTER DOMINANT WEEK 3 VICTORY
Baltimore O-Line Served as Foundation For Quick Start and Balanced Attack
CINCINNATI, OH (September 28, 2011) - Playing for the second straight week without their starting left guard, the BALTIMORE RAVENS soared out of the gates with 21 straight points to open the game against the St. Louis Rams. After a disappointing game in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans in which Baltimore only rushed for 45 yards, the Ravens rebounded versus the Rams to amass 168 yards on the ground. This impressive feat establishes the Ravens offensive line as contenders for the third annual Madden Protectors Award, presented by Prilosec OTC. The award honors the NFL’s best offensive line and will be presented during the week of Super Bowl XLVI, which will be played on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis. Past Madden Protectors Award recipients include the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2010) and the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2009).
The Madden Protectors Award recognizes the fundamental role offensive linemen play in their teams’ success by providing consistent and powerful protection day in and day out, just as Prilosec OTC can provide 24-hour heartburn protection when used as directed for 14 days. For more information on the Madden Protectors Award presented by Prilosec OTC, visit www.nfl.com/prilosecotc .
Baltimore recorded their second win of the season in convincing fashion. The Ravens offensive line is anchored by tackles BRYANT MC KINNIE (Miami, FL) and MICHAEL OHER (Mississippi). Guards ANDRE GURODE (Colorado) and MARSHAL YANDA (Iowa) provided the interior blocking and protection while MATT BIRK (Harvard) called the signals at the center position. Tackle JAH REID (Central Florida) and guard/center BRYAN MATTISON (Iowa) also saw action on Sunday. Offensive line coach ANDY MOELLER is in his 4th season in the NFL, all with the Ravens. Four-year quarterback JOE FLACCO (Delaware) completed 27 of 48 passes for 389 yards and three touchdowns to nine different receivers. Rookie wide receiver TORREY SMITH (Maryland), the Ravens second round draft pick in 2011, turned in an exceptional performance in his season debut with five receptions for 152 yards and three touchdowns. In addition to providing powerful protection for their quarterback, the veteran offensive line and Pro Bowl fullback VONTA LEACH (East Carolina) opened up lanes for running backs RAY RICE (Rutgers) and RICKY WILLIAMS (Texas) as they combined for 121 rushing yards.
"The Ravens did a great job of having a good mixture of run and pass," said Pro Hall of Fame Coach JOHN MADDEN. "The play of the offensive line was one of the keys to their victory."
Other offensive lines from around the league delivering powerful protection during Week 3 play included the SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (375 total yards, two rushing touchdowns, 8-of-14 on third down), NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (454 total yards, 8-of-13 on third down, 6.7 yards per gain), and the GREEN BAY PACKERS (392 total yards, +15 minutes time of possession).
NFL fans who want powerful 24-hour protection against frequent heartburn, or heartburn that occurs two or more days a week, can take a 14-day course of Prilosec OTC.*
* It’s possible when taking Prilosec OTC. Use as directed for 14 days to treat frequent heartburn.
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of course if he read filmstudy
he’d know it was a middling performance and flaccos pocket awarness was the difference
Birk and Yanda both scored very well in Filmstudy’s system, but I can’t say that’s very surprising. Centers typically score well, and Yanda is easily our best lineman.
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel
and Yanda is easily our best lineman.
I want to agree, but man Grubbs is good. He was off and on last year and the year before, but his performance against Pitt was incredible. We also saw how much we missed him against Tenn.
While I guess I will agree that Yanda is the best overall lineman we have, I feel Grubbs is our best run blocking lineman. He has created so many holes over the last few years on some big time runs (NE playoff game…..all Grubbs.)
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
Gurode might end up
being as good as Grubbs at LG.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 29, 2011 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Ravens will be in all black and the jets will be hurting on Sunday
McKinnie & Gurode pickups were critical because they could have just as easily gone to a rival team. Letting Gaither walk away Andy then signing McKinnie shows who the best GM in the league is.
Mr Ozzie Newsome
by Evan Skev on Sep 29, 2011 11:49 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Sounds like no Evans again this game. This will be a huge test for the rookies, probably the biggest one all year for them, but I like that stuff. Revis is going to blanket Boldin, we all know that. So it will be up to the fantastic 3 to get it done.
I am going to say big game from Doss. Besides Revis, their CB’s are not that physical and Doss can make any catch with anyone one him. I want to attack them all day long underneath with the young guys.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
yeah if they would use Doss as the 3 he has a big size advantage over Wilson and definitely could be effective. I really wish they would give him a little bit bigger role. I think Dickson and maybe even Pitta will have strong games. I think they will cause problems for the Jets trying to cover them.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
So When
Torrey steps onto the field, who do the Jets cover him with? Do they rotate Cromarte over or let Wilson cover Smith?
While not expecting a repeat performance from Torry, I do expect that whenever he does go deep, things down low aren’t as clogged. Give whoever is not covered by Island room to operate.
Would love to see Doss step it up and Laquan to continue to progress.
In the not too distant future: Boldin and Evans, with Smith, Doss and Williams… WOW-!
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
Those 3 guys are going to be the future. They each do something different at the position. Not sure if any of them will ever be true #1’s but great role players for a while.
This next draft is also loaded at WR. Blackmon and Jeffrey will be long gone, but guys like Floyd, Sanu and Childs are all quality WR who could go first round.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
Yeah really good draft for WR talent next year. I wouldn’t mind one in the second if any of them drop. Fuller and that kid from UNC could be good options as well.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Floyd should be long gone too. He’s a #1 guy.
The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.
Yeah, but character concerns could drop him. Talent wise he’s up there with the best, but some teams may be concerned with that. Real important for him to stay out of the news for off the field stuff from now until draft day.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Do they rotate Cromarte over or let Wilson cover Smith?
Cromartie might not even play. He did not practice today, which is never a good sign for their status on Sunday. Wilson has been succeptable to the deep ball since coming into the league, and Torrey excells at that. I get the feeling that come the 3rd quarter or so, we may see Revis on Torrey.
Man, the Terp is going to look damn good in that all black.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
From what I heard his injury is more of a pain tolerance thing and sounds like he will play, so I’m pretty sure he will be on Torrey.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
I’ll take a banged up Cromartie on a healthy, fired up, determined, cocky, confident and flat out fast Torrey all day.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
Yeah I can see Torrey not having a big impact statistically (although he will stretch the field), but I could also seeing him having some big plays because Cromartie likes to gamble and sometimes plays smaller than he is. Definitely will be one of if not the most interesting match up of the day.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Cromartie practiced Thursday
And will play and cover Torrey if Evans doesn’t play.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 29, 2011 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds like no Evans again this game. This will be a huge test for the rookies
thats the scary part and I know Torrey had a good game against the rams but A. Cromartie isnt a Justin King and who ever will be the number three wideout will face Wilson who jets fans have said has improved much from last year..
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?-langton Hughes
yeah I agree with Jimmy and Cary shutting down the other teams WR’s, they’ll make anybody rushing the QB look good - Jaz
Maybe Doss,
I like him a lot from the preseason, but LaQuan is the man who is trying to prove he belongs. And I think he will show up big in this game. Both as a returner and a receiver, with plenty of YAC.
But either one of them could be big with Evans out and more attention paid to Torrey by Cro or Wilson and Q on the Island.
Dickson, Pitta and Rice are the three guys I’m picking to have good games. Lots of seam, dump off, screens, and crossing routes to beat these guys.
The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.
Either LG or C is going to be a tricky position for this game.
Apparently Birk is out according to the official website injury report. That means we either start Mattison or LeVoir at Guard and Gurode at center. I’m comfortable with Gurode at any position but LeVoir didn’t look like he transitioned too well to guard.
Will Ben Grubbs
Still be out this Sunday night?
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
He did not practice today, and that is usually an indication that there is a good chance he will not play Sunday.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
Then I hope Birk plays. If not though, do we go Mattison at C and Gurode at G, or Gurode at C and LeVoir at G?
"Is adult entertainment killing our children, or is killing children entertaining adults?"
-Marilyn Manson
by StuckInUtah on Sep 29, 2011 6:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Birk missed practice Wednesday,
but practiced fully. I think he’ll start.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Sep 29, 2011 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah, sorry for spreading outdated information then.
I saw he sat out of practice and he was listed as out so I jumped the gun I suppose. Feel much better about our line if Birk is fit.
Not to Open
Up a can of worms, but I posted it way back in the preseason, that I would find it highly improbably that Birk would last the entire season.
I would not be surprised if he is out for a while, or < gasp > IR’s or even retires. I just do not think his body is still up to it…
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
I think youre wrong
But if this happens that’s what Gurode is for!!
by Mysterious on Sep 30, 2011 5:12 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Losing Birk isn't a massive problem. Losing Birk while Grubbs is still out could be.
As long as 2/3 of our interior line players are healthy we’ll be very strong on the inside.
Birk hasn’t missed a start since 2005. He’s pretty durable even with his shotty knees.
The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.
He Turned
35 back in July. Trust me, his body today is nowhere near what it was in 2005…
Look, I hope he misses one week, takes the bye and is able to roll the rest of the way. But I am not gong to bet on that happening.
As another poster posted, I agree that the key is Grubbs getting healthy. I think as long as Grubbs is in there, whatever combination of Birk and Gurode will be fine.
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
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