Right Off Russell

For this weeks defensive preview I was tempted to just cut and paste my defensive preview from week 1 vs. Kansas City.  Why?  Because it feels like the same type of game.  A completely overmatched team coming into M&T Bank Stadium with serious quarterback questions and very little offensive talent.  Of course, the Chiefs game didn’t go as planned so who knows if the Browns game will either.   The Ravens are 2-0 and I’m betting the defense is gonna come out with a vengeance on Sunday.

Let’s examine the Browns offensive rankings:

Total offense: 32nd (last)

Passing offense: 28th

Rushing offense: 27th

PPG: Tied for 30th

Yards per rush: 25th

Couple those numbers with the reports that many veterans have not taken to kindly to Head Coach Eric Mangini’s military like coaching style and you’ve got a recipe for disaster for the Browns on Sunday.

Ravens DL vs Browns OL:  One would think getting back to a cooler Baltimore will help the big boys up front. It was very warm in San Diego and you could see its effects on some of the Ravens players.  Some have pointed to Terrell Suggs and his heavy breathing  on Sunday but he insists the weather had nothing to do with it.  The line comes into the game fairly healthy as Justin Bannan is the only defensive lineman that’s been listed on the injury report this week.  Browns running back Jamal Lewis is nursing a hamstring injury and hasn’t practiced this week.  If he can’t go, look for rookie James Davis and Jerome Harrison to split carries.  Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg should again be licking their chops.

Ravens LBs: Rumor has it that entire team piled on to Ray Lewis’ back and he flew them all back to Baltimore from San Diego.  Really, what else can be said about the guy?  14 years and still going.  But not going like a 14 year veteran. Sure, he’s not the Ray of 2000 but damned if he’s not still one of the best MLBs in the game.  That play to end the game on Sunday was legendary. I know I jumped out of my seat when he layed out Darren Sproles.  Jarret Johnson has a shoulder injury that bears watching and Suggs mentioned getting dinged in the ribs.  Suggs is playing and it would be surprising if Johnson sat out.  I’m hoping to see a little more out of the other LBs.  Guys like Tavares Gooden, Jameel McClain, and Antwan Barnes have shown some flashes but need to be much more consistent in their play. Brendon Ayanbadejo has been an ace on special teams again and has actually played fairly well when he’s had snaps at LB.  This entire LB corps should be able to control the Browns tight ends and running backs.

Secondary: Ah, the secondary.  I think Ray charged these guys double for the trip home.  Let’s face it. This unit got destroyed on Sunday.  Yes, it would be nice if the front 4 got more pressure but if you watched closely or actually rewatched the game, you’ll see that Rivers took a major pounding and wasn’t sitting back in the pocket for 5-7 seconds.  The secondary’s woes were a combination of a few things.  First, let’s give credit to Rivers.  The guy is a top notch signal caller who made great throw after great throw.  Second, the Chargers wide outs are extremely big and physical. Contrast that with Ravens corners Domonique Foxworth and Fabian Washington, who aren’t very physical, and you have a mismatch.  But let’s not let those two of the hook, especially Washington.  Foxworth seemed to have decent coverage but just couldn’t muscle up on guys like Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd to make plays. Washington? Well, he just stunk on Sunday.  Thankfully for those two and the rest of the secondary, the Browns limp into town with far less weapons than what San Diego possesses.  Braylon Edwards has skills but the days of him scaring defensive coordinators are over. He drops the ball regularly and is probably thinking about next year when he can possibly get out of Cleveland.  The only dangerous guy I see wearing those ugly uniforms on Sunday is Josh Cribbs.  He is a very dangerous return man who can also break some plays on offense.  Notice that I haven’t mentioned Ed Reed by name yet?  Well, it’s hard to talk about a guy who really hasn’t done what we expect him to do.  I know I said it week 1 but I’ll repeat it today. I expect Reed to intercept at least one pass on Sunday and since it’s the Browns, I expect him to score.

The Ravens are primed for a 3-0 start and the defense is primed to redeem themselves after last week’s game.