Zero Comparison Between Texans & Patriots
by Bruce Raffel on Jan 16, 2012 1:00 PM EST
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The Baltimore Ravens offense struggled mightily against the Houston Texans in yesterday's 20-13 win, leaving many fans to lament the future if they have the same results against the New England Patriots next week in the AFC Championship Game. However, the Texans and Patriots have absolutely nothing in common on both sides of the ball and what happened today should give zero indication of what will happen next week in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
The Texans have one of the best defenses in the NFL, a great pass rush and athletic linebackers plus solid defensive backs. The Patriots defense has benefited all season with interceptions due to usually putting teams in the position to play catch-up, thus leading to the turnovers. However, their pass rush cannot compare to Houston's, nort can the rest of their defense in virtually every way, shape or form.
Likewise on offense, while the Texans have one of the best run games in the league, led by Arian Foster, the Patriots are basically a pass-happy team that usually only resorts to running the ball once the game is out of reach and they are merely trying to run out the clock. Foster impressed the Ravens highly ranked defense by gashing them for 132 yards yesterday, which should not happen next week in New England.
At the same time, the Patriots obviously present an entirely different set of challenges for the Ravens, first and foremost stopping the prolific passing attack under the leadership of QB Tom Brady and a plethora of receivers, most notably their pair of tight ends that have presented match-up nightmares for defenses all season, in full view this weekend by evidence of their contributions to the Patriots 45-10 destruction of the Denver Broncos.
Therefore, before anyone starts the debate with the sentence, "If the Ravens play like this next week,..." remember that the slate must be wiped clean as the offensive and defensive game-plans will be completely re-written for their upcoming game and Ravens fans should be thrilled for the opportunity to see how this team can compete with the best in the league and earn the right to play for the Lombardi Trophy.
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Right on broseph
The AFC East blogger on ESPN.com was wise to point out that momentum—and lack thereof—rarely carry over into the next week. The Pats and the Ravens both know this very well.
Moreover, I think we match up about as well as you can against Brady’s receivers. Our best cover corner is also our best nickel corner. With Webb, our best ball-hawking CB, on their most targeted receiver, we increase the probability of an interception and decrease the probability of getting utterly torched by Brady-to-Welker. It also enables us to put our tallest corners on the outside, which is not really a stellar group of receivers.
We’ve done pretty well against Tight Ends this season, but Gronk certainly represents our biggest challenge thus far. All I can say is that Ray Ray and Reed are playing their best football at exactly the right time.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Wonder if they
would consider putting Jimmy Smith on Gronk?
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Jan 16, 2012 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
ouch
I really doubt that. He’s been beaten badly this season and he’s not good playing on the inside.
Cary and Jimmy both match up best on the outside.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Gronk and Hernandez scare me.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Jan 16, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
Why, ya thunk
Ray Lewis can’t cover the big and speedy Gronk?
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Jan 16, 2012 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
Did you see Willis on Graham on Saturday?
It’ll be like that, but infinitely worse. I doubt Ray matches up 1v1 with their TEs.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Jan 16, 2012 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
that's the thing
I keep hearing that the way to beat the Pats is to man-up on them, but the best way to stop Gronk is cloud coverage… soooo…
There’s a bit of a dilemma there.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
False.
The best way to stop Gronk is to put Brady on his back.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Jan 16, 2012 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah they are the key. I’m a lot more worried about them than Welker. I think Webb matches up really well with Welker.
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
Agreed.
I think we’ve contained Welker in the past.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Jan 16, 2012 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
I'm excited because you and I both know that this entire week,
they’ll be talking about how awesome and perfect Tom Brady was with his 6 TD’s while we barely got through our game… We always play better as the underdogs and you KNOW T-Sizzle is going to want to get his fair share of sacks.
Ray Lewis and Ed Reed played like they wanted it. Let’s hope Suggs and Ngata play with that intensity to get to their first Super Bowl.
by fedfan64 on Jan 16, 2012 1:59 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Haloti Ngata said this year
that Tom Brady is his favorite player to hit.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Should be a good game.
The Ravens should not get into a track meet with the Patriots. Stay with the running game and limit the offensive possessions for the Patriots offense. The pass rush will have to be better in this game than against the Texans. That’s how you stop those tight ends.
by E-ROC on Jan 16, 2012 2:13 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Tight Ends
I’m very interested to see how Baltimore’s D will handle our tight ends. If any defense can find a solution for them, it’s Reed & Co. The next challenge will be our smurfs, aka: Wes Welker, Deion Branch and Danny Woodhead (RB but all around dude).
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
That is the matchup IMO that could decide the game. We are one of the better groups in the league at guarding the TE, but obviously nobody has a group of TE’s more dynamic than you guys. It’s an absolute key to focus on them, especially Gronk. That dude is a monster all over, but is scary in the redzone.
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
Belechik is going to watch our SD film
And they will use the TEs to chip Sizzle – which will slow down their timing patterns on the inside
What Pagano has to figure out is how to collapse the pocket in the middle to get Brady nous, without using Ray to blitz.
Natasha is the key to this whole game defensively
Watch for tons of screens and draws early to get our inside guys hesitating
by RavensfaninTX on Jan 16, 2012 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
Bellicheck will definitely be looking hard at Natasha in the film room.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
See this IPad sucks
Always trying to tell me what to say
I wish I could figure out how to turn that off
by RavensfaninTX on Jan 16, 2012 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
haha yeah auto correct is really annoying. I know you meant Ngata.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
I've seen worse games called by him
But my two major gripes were continually shooting deep at the wrong times and the under-usage of Pitta.
While I’m not for “abandoning the run,” it’s definitely a lot worse when it seems like every other pass is a vertical to the sideline. Those are low-percentage shots and it put us in a lot of 3rd and longs. I agreed with what you wrote on the other thread about how Cam is willing to throw away a whole series to get a chance at a home-run play.
On most of those plays, Joe placed the ball pretty well, but there wasn’t much separation. Late in the game, he was actually able to complete those passes with little separation. That’s why I think Joe isn’t getting enough credit for yesterday.
More angle and circle routes to Pitta and Rice would help Joe find a rhythm and really piss defenses off. One way or the other, get Rice the ball.
All in all, I give cam a C+. A passing grade (no pun intended), but pretty mediocre. They were getting pressure all day without really blitzing, so why would you keep throwing deep? It’s just so illogical.
I’d be interested to hear BAL_Hawk’s take on it.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Same story from Cameron… And it won’t change. I feel sorry for Flacco having to deal with this crap for 4 years. If he gets a good OC, he is going to be an all-time great. Imagine a scheme suited to his strengths
by Evan Skev on Jan 16, 2012 4:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
If he gets a good OC, he is going to be an all-time great. Imagine a scheme suited to his strengths
If it helps him to grow some balls and finally be outspoken leader also help his wideouts catch the ball consistently then Im all for a new oc
He tries to help them by hitting them in the hands with the football. So far no good…
by Evan Skev on Jan 16, 2012 6:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Jack
You know I have mad respect for your football acumen and you in general, but I am going to have to respectfully and vehemently disagree with you about Cam. If he had run the ball two more times right before the two minute warning, I would have agreed with your assessment: C+. But he broke one of the cardinal rules in football- you do not give your opponent the ball with time on the clock. You run it down as simple as that. And he failed one of the most basic football tenets. He gets an F. He gets an F like the guy who thought New Coke would be a good idea F.
"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
Harbaugh actually said Joe Audibled to a pass on that series. Apparently they were showing all out blitz and Joe felt they could have made a play for the first down or possibly TD to seal the game.
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 am a Little Surprised
Harbaugh actually named names in that situation, because if by some T-bow the Texans had tied it up and won in OT, those two plays would have been scrutinized like the Zapruder film. Which would have brought all kinds of heat on an already embattled QB.
Even I have to go back and question Joe on that. Showing run blitz? QB sneak it for all I care if you do not think you cannot hand the ball off cleanly. But don’t pass it.
I mean, wow, that will just be truckloads of fodder for all the Flacco haters who say he makes poor decisions. Really surprised Harbaugh pot Joe on the spot like that.
"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
Yeah I guess Joe wanted to try and finish it. There was about 3 minutes left so I think he wanted to score or get the first to milk more clock. Probably should have still ran it on 2nd though and see where we are at on 3rd.
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
Harbaugh either had to unfairly throw Cam under the bus, or lay the blame on Joe who made the boneheaded decision.
I think Harbs made the right call. No need to coddle Joe.
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
Credit and criticism are a package deal. You can’t ask for credit for success without equally taking blame for shortcomings.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Joe
Just doesn’t know how to handle the media. He was trying to be sarcastic and make a point but failed. Honestly, I would rather have my QB win at least one playoff game every year of his career than exchange keen repartee with the media. Just something he needs to learn to do and honestly, I would put way down on the list of priorities.
"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 agree
but what worries me is the thought that it might be getting to his head. Dilfer talked about this with regards to Tebow recently, saying something to the effect that, “sooner or later, you begin to wonder if your critics are right and you really aren’t that good.” Focusing too hard on your critics will cause you to overcompensate.
What I want from Joe is to set the Baltimore Sun on fire and disconnect his cable. Watch tape, worry about winning.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Honestly
As a head coach, I would expect Harbs to say it was his call and if he had to do it all over again, he would make the same call blah blah blah coachspeak coachspeak. What? Lie to the media? Of course. Then he goes behind closed doors and lays into Cam and/or Joe privately. As a leader/coach I just do not think you lay your people out to dry like that. You take all the blame -rightly or wrongly, and you deal with it within, not without. Players and coaches pick up on that sort of thing -wow, this guy is willing to take a bullet for me. Maybe I’ll stay home tonight and do some extra film work for this guy rather than go out clubbing…
At the end of the day, the real decision makers i.e. Ozzie, Cass (nice article in the Wash Post about Dick Cass this past Sunday -I highly recommend it) and Stevie B will know the truth and Harbs’ job is safe.
"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
But even saying it was his call would be, in a way, undermining Cam. What, so in close games you cut Cam’s nuts off and call the offense yourself?
There’s no real right answer to that question.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Know What?
Cam can have his nuts back when he earns them back by calling a decent frickin’ game. Right now, they are in a jar on Stevie B’s desk next to the page out of Billick’s playbook for the five yard end zone corner jump ball…
But seriously I hear what you are saying, but I think as long as Harbs, Joe and Cam all know the truth privately, who cares what Harbs says to the media? Part and parcel with the dog and pony show aspect of any HC’s job.
"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
As a leader/coach I just do not think you lay your people out to dry like that. You take all the blame -rightly or wrongly, and you deal with it within, not without
Harbaugh said Joe Flacco decision to pass the ball was a good decision and he agree with it and it wasnt a bad play but Boldin just didnt catch the ball. Harbaugh wasnt throwing flacco under bus honestly dont see how he did when he openly saids that he agrees with the decision Flacco made.
Harbs was probably agreeing with Joe publicly and ripping him privately.
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
or just agreeing with him publicly and agreeing with him privately.
I think Joe made the right decision because the texans were run blitzing but it just sucks that Boldin wasnt able to catch the pass
yeah
it’s risk/reward. I personally wouldn’t have done it, but Joe believes he’s going to complete that pass and keep that clock moving. His heart is in the right place.
I want a QB who wants to throw just like you want a cleanup hitter who wants to swing and a 2-guard who wants to shoot. I’d prefer overly aggressive to overly gun-shy.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
That Sounds
A little better than what I initially read.
With the media, less is better. It seems like the more information you give out, the bigger chance you have of it biting you. It may be extremely frustrating but coaches like Belichick and Shanahan, if you ask them about general football X’s and O’s, ask them about general situations, strategies and mitigation, they will talk your ear off. But you ask them any specifics about their team, about a specific player or upcoming opponent, they give some coach-speak gobbledegook tripe in which nothing can really be discerned. Maddening, but I think in the long run may be the better way to go.
"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
.
If he had run the ball two more times right before the two minute warning, I would have agreed with your assessment: C+.
well actually it was reported that Joe flacco audible to a pass play. The play call was actually a run play but flacco audible to a pass play because he saw some run blitzing from the houston texans defense
Their TE’s are more vital to their passing game though. Gates is big in SD, but they have great wideouts in Jackson and Floyd on the outside as well. I don’t think pats are as talented at WR as SD.
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’m counting on arrington, molden and mccourty to give it up all day. Ray Rice is going to have a career day.
On D, the Ravens have plenty of pass rushers and cover corners. I’m not worried… looking forward to a great game
What will the weather be?
by Evan Skev on Jan 16, 2012 2:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
low 40's, 21% chance of precipitation by 3pm
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
by MaPatsFan on Jan 16, 2012 2:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
low 40's, 21% chance of precipitation by 3pm
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
by MaPatsFan on Jan 16, 2012 2:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
reply fail
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
by MaPatsFan on Jan 16, 2012 2:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
reply fail
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
by MaPatsFan on Jan 16, 2012 2:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Good game yesterday
Have I got a deal for you. How about we trade you Jacoby Jones for Vonte Leach.
Bye the way, Great write up, but don’t underestimate your coaching. Our coach has already said that part of the reason we lost was because you changed up your gameplan and showed us a look we weren’t expecting. I have no doubt you’ll do the same for NE. So trust Harbaugh to get the job done, you have the tools you need.
I know some are saying the Texans outplayed you guys. Maybe so, but the truth is that you guys did what needed to be done to win. In the end, you guys move on, and we go home.
’grats on your win yesterday. Great defense. I hope you pound the pats next week.
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
Right on..thank you
Harbaugh gets a pass from most people… Baltimore can’t stand Cameron and his nonsensical play calling.
See you all next season, god willing.
by Evan Skev on Jan 16, 2012 4:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
LOL...yeah, we get that a lot from Kubiak
a lot of WTF moments that leave us scratching our heads. You’d think that if it confuses us that much, it would confuse the opposing team too. And I know exactly what you are talking about too. You (or we) have one of the bast RBs in the game and he calls a pass play on 3rd and 3? whats up with that?
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 16, 2012 7:40 PM EST up reply actions
he was a reverse psychology major in college…………
by Evan Skev on Jan 16, 2012 7:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
It shold come as no surprise that Defense is taking center stage in the playoffs.
First New Orleans then Green Bay. And this Sunday I believe New England will lose as well. I remember thinking (and then later hearing it confirmed on talk radio) that it had to be some kind of record where both #1 seeds heading into the playoffs were ranked 31st and 32nd respectively in the league in total defense. That’s where GB and NE stood at the end of the regular season. Obviously the Ravens need to execute a hell of a lot better on offense, but I am optimistic that they will. Especially in the running game.
You like Thai? Tie good. You like shirt?
this.
Obviously, it doesn’t predict who will win the Super Bowl, but no team has ever won a Super Bowl ranking either below 25th on Offense or Defense. History shows us that being THAT one-sided of a football team will eventually doom you in the postseason.
Even our 2000 team was ranked 16th on offense. We could run the ball very well.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Yup, love that stat!
Eliminates the Packers, Saints, Patriots, and 49ers…
Two down….
Very misleading
Hard to say defense one the game for the 49ers when they gave up 32 points and it came down to the offense scoring on the final drive. The Giants don’t have a great defense either and their game was a total domination on all sides of the ball.
Except
Defense didn’t really effect the GB/NYG or SF/NO contests. Even with 5 turnovers, the Saints scored plenty of points. You could argue that NO’s defense folded with less than two minutes left when they needed a key stop, but I think the real key to that game is the 49ers somehow managing to out-offense the Saints.
Of course, you could list the turnovers as a defensively awarded stat. The Patriots are in the top 5 in the league in regards to turnover differential. The nasty bottomed rankings of those teams (31st and 32nd) refers strictly to passing yardage, and if you’re telling me limiting passing yardage is what won those two contests for the Giants and 49ers, I really don’t see it.
Can I Scream?
i dont know
but sometimes i have the feeling that rice is a bit overrated. i mean, on sunday why on earth did not we use ricky more? he is still strong, probably stronger than ray on short yardage runs. we still cant find balance on offence. it is either all-rice or 7-touch rice. at least it seems to me. sure, in boston we have to use him as much as possible.
by captain dobey on Jan 16, 2012 5:50 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Dude ur dumb. 7 touch rice comes from our moronic offensive coordinator. And everytime its all rice we’ve won the game. He’s the catalyst to our offense so how the hell is he overrated?
by Ravens4Life on Jan 16, 2012 5:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It’s going to be tough to prove the NFL leader in yards from scrimmage….Who scored 16 TDs.. is…uh.. over…uhhh
by Evan Skev on Jan 16, 2012 6:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
And again, the reason we have no offensive balance is cuz cameron is such a stupid play caller. Super bowl victors or not, cameron has to be replaced
by Ravens4Life on Jan 16, 2012 5:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Just want to say that
it seems the pats defense is 5x better when they are in the 3-4, and have spikes and chung in their lineup (which are huge. Spikes is their best run stuffing LB, and Chung is very good against the run and pass. Also means that ihedigbo wont play coverage thank god, and nate jones won’t be in the game who is their 4th string safety and 5th string CB). Their defense is tougher than you think, also they gave up the 14th most points in the league last season, so despite the abundance of passing yardage (in the 4-3, without spikes, without chung), they only let up the 14th most points which is pretty good.
Pats defense is tough, but of course, they played against the Broncos (even though they have the #1 running game and a very good OL).
I expect a very hard fought battle on saturday. Im sure Ed Reed and Lewis will be fine. I forsee your DL Giving our interior line some fits, as well as suggs going up against Light (who has had a great season) will be a key matchup. Can’t wait!
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
to go further into our 3-4
Kyle Love is our NT, who is as big as WIlfork, Wilfork is at End, and Deadrick start on the other side. Deadrick is good, but not great. Warren subs in every so often at either End, and he has been a surprise for us this yeat.
Out of the LBs, Mayo and Spikes are solid in the interior line. Both have great instincts, and when both of them are together on the field, our interior defense is our bread and butter. Outside, we have Anderson and Ninko. Ninko is a solid OLB. He can pass rush alright, and set the edge well. He can also cover alright. Its evident that 4-3 OLB is NOT his position, and he seems comfortable as a 3-4 OLB. Anderson is okay against the run, but his specialty is the pass rush. He can rush well of the edge. Don’t expect either one to be dominant against you guys. I don’t, but they have surprised us when as 3-4 OLBs. I don’t really know what to expect from them against Baltimore.
Just for kicks and giggles, the secondary is good. Chung is a solid safety, and an immediate presence on the field (if he was healthy all season he would be putting up Rodney Harrison numbers most likely. he did last season where he was healthy virtually all season). Then we rotate McCourty in at FS every now and then with Ihedigbo, mostly in passing situations because Ihedigbo suck against the pass, and Moore slides in at CB who has been a great surprise for us this season for his toughness and change of direction. At CB, we have Arrington, who is okay. Can kind of get beat deep occasionally as well as underneath passes. Good tackler though. McCourty at CB seems to have gotten a lot better than he was in the beginning of the season. Ever since after his injury he has gotten better each game. It probably helps to have a competent safety (Chung) behind you instead of guys like Nate Jones and Ihedigbo covering the pass.
And thats all I have for the defense. Forgive me if I made them out as a top 10 defense. I want to get out that I think they are average at best, but when Chung and Spikes are in, and they are in the 3-4, they look a lot better. More natural in a way (this was the first year we went to a 4-3 base defense, but now it looks like we are switching back). I expect the ravens to put up 20+ points still though, and the Pats have to play mistake free if they are going to beat a team like The Ravens. Against a top 5 defense too. This game is gong to be very tough, and I am looking forward to our re-match.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Our offense typically has more success against 3-4 defenses than 4-3 defenses. If the Pats are unable to get anything going in the pass rush, Cam’s route tree may actually work for once… but something tells me Cam is going to try to run Rice into Wilfork’s belly.
by Mayne_Event on Jan 17, 2012 12:38 AM EST up reply actions
Suggs
Will get at least 2 sacks against brady. He always beasts against top quarterbacks
by Ravens4Life on Jan 16, 2012 6:02 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Congratulations on the win
Yesterday was the first road game I’ve had the pleasure of attending, and I wanted to thank the Baltimore fans for being great hosts. Besides the one lone fan that felt the need to follow me around the concourse and felt the need to berate not the team but me personally. I enjoyed my time in your city and stadium and wanted to take the time to thank y’all. Especially the fans in Section 539 Row 15. I look forward to next years rematch in Houston, and hope y’all beat New England. Good luck the rest of the postseason.
If you gotta be one, might as well be a Big Red One!
by Big Red Texan on Jan 16, 2012 6:58 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions 1 recs
Bonus: how will pitt fans try to explain away the stench of turning into Marsha fans this week… Hoping she uggs Flacco out of the SB conversation?
Swept in the division…Tebowed out of the playoffs after Flacco knocks pitt from the 1 to the 5 seed… And now they jump on the pats* bandwagon so they don’t have to eat all the spew they’ve been spewing for four years.
This season has already been a success but a trip to indy is going to turn me into a nice guy. Two weeks of pitt on the verge of suicide and of the news being filled with Baltimore success and indy fail. Permagrin…
by Evan Skev on Jan 16, 2012 6:59 PM EST via mobile reply actions
And that filthy Hines was just on NFL network
And he said he can’t root for Baltimore-like we didn’t know that already.
by RavensfaninTX on Jan 16, 2012 8:33 PM EST up reply actions
He is filthy…drunk driving and not man enough to admit it but punk enough to say what his attorney whispered in his ear.
So glad Ravens knocked him out….twice…during his final season. Also glad that heir coach had to feed him the ball to get him to 1k receptions since he can’t get open anymore. Cheap
by Evan Skev on Jan 16, 2012 8:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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