Right Off Russell

Back in August when we were all making our predictions there seemed to a consensus that the Ravens were a playoff team. Of course, many people (myself included) didn’t think the team would take the path it did in advancing to the postseason.  Anyone else feel, at certain points this season, that watching this team was almost like going to work on a Monday morning?  I know I did. But the regular season is over and now every team is 0-0.

So what do the Ravens need to do on defense vs. the Patriots to go 1-0?

Defensive Line: Haloti Ngata, Kelly Gregg and Co. just need to keep plugging along. The Patriots have a bunch of different running backs that they will use at some point.  None of them are game breakers but they all possess different skills that can be effective for the New England offense.  What would be a huge bonus is if guys like Trevor Pryce and Terrell Suggs can generate pressure on their own.  Unfortunately they haven’t been able to create consistent pressure this season and the Patriots offensive line will probably be able to handle them.  As a whole, the Ravens defensive line should be able to hold their own and make some plays. It’s not a huge area of concern for me in this game. Read more »

In their week 4match-up with the Patriots, Joe Flacco threw the ball 47 times, and while he did amass 264 yards and 2 touchdowns, the Ravens did not move the ball consistently that day putting up only 14 offensive points.  I remember being surprised how much the Ravens looked to throw the ball against the Pats, and disappointed that Ray Rice was not utilized more.  Rice did average 9.4 yards per carry, but only ran it 11 times.  The Ravens have been run heavy as the weather has turned colder and as Flacco has struggled with inconsistency and injury.  The Ravens will need to be more effective moving the ball this time around as the defense would benefit greatly from an offense that keeps them off the field.

Passing Game:  The Pats will again try to keep the ball from Derrick Mason.  In week 4 Mason lit them up on the Raven’s opening drive that culminated in his 20 yard TD reception.  From that point forward Mason was relatively quiet and Flacco struggled with inconsistent Raven’s receivers.  The Ravens need to find other receivers to make plays against the Pats.  Kelley Washington is a good possession receiver and makes plays on 3rd down.  I am not sure what Mark Clayton brings to the table right now, but at least he is motivated to make up for his drop in the last game.  That leaves Demetrius Williams.  Williams was showing signs of opening up the Ravens passing game with his ability to make plays down field.  He was a missing man in week 17.  Some have speculated that the Ravens did not feel the need to use Williams against the Raiders.  Others think that with Clayton able to play, that Williams is back in the dog house.  I am hopeful the former explanation is correct.  The Ravens need him to open up the passing game and stretch the field against New England.  He creates match-up problems that no other Ravens receiver can create.  Look for Todd Heap to be a favorite target for Flacco in the red zone. Read more »

courtesy wendellwallace.wordpress.com

After the tough loss to the Patriots there is a lot we can point to that went well and many areas where the Ravens need to improve.  Lets take a look at some of the key issues moving forward.

Getting Over the Hump: A lot has been said by Ravens players and coaches, local media andnational media about how impressive it was for the club to go to New England, take their best shot and still be poised to win the game at the end.  I think it will be key for the rest of the season that the Ravens learn how to win these types of games against top competition.  It is becoming clear that this years defense is not going to provide the team with the margin of error it has in the past.  That Ravens need to eliminate the mistakes, against play-off caliber teams, that put them in position to need late game heroics to win.  You could say that if Clayton makes the 4th down catch the outcome is different, but as a team the Ravens need to perform with the toughness, focus and execution that wins those types of games.  The Patriots, Colts and Steelers have proven they can do that in the past.  If the Ravens have Super Bowl aspirations they will have to develop that ability. Read more »

Tough loss to stomach. I only hope that the players respond better to the circumstances surrounding the loss than their fans do. I know I may need a coaching staff to get me ready for the Bengals next week. Losses like these make me re-live all the missed opportunities and think too hard about the late season/playoff ramifications.

Where to begin about the game itself? Hard not to talk about Mark Clayton’s drop. If he hangs on is it academic that the Ravens finish the drive and win the game? Hard to say for sure, but the offense was humming and Flacco was in control. Despite the last drive falling short, the Ravens deserve credit for going to Foxboro and playing the Pats to almost a draw. The Ravens out-gained the Patriots, but lost the time of possession battle badly. Read more »

courtesy fantasy-info.com

This could be the first defense that truly tests the Ravens in 2009.  Kansas City and Cleveland really did not have the defensive personnel to keep up with the Ravens.  The Chargers have a talented defense, but injuries and lack of consistency and play making in the red zone afforded the Ravens a great deal of success.  New England, while not as talented as years passed, will test the Ravens more than they have been tested so far and be a good barometer for how good the Ravens offense is right now.  The Patriots are still a tough, smart and disciplined defense.  What they lack in talent they make up for in preparation and scheming geared towards taking away an oppositions strength. Read more »

Week 4 brings a match-up that could rival what the Ravens faced in San Diego.   The New England Patriots have long been one of, it not the, most explosive offenses in the NFL.  They are an offense that relies heavily on a versatile passing attack led by one of the great QB’s of hisgeneration in Tom Brady.  The Patriots also boast a receiving corps that could be the best in the league.  Randy Moss is still a top 5 wide receiver in this league who has the size and speed to get the ball anywhere on the field and make big plays.  Joey Galloway is still a speedy deep threat and Wes Welker and TE Ben Watson are able to consistently find holes in defenses to serve as perfect safety valves for Brady.  Because of their size, versatility and play making ability this offense is, in many ways another match-up nightmare for the Ravens.  What do the Ravens need to do to slow down the Pats on offense? Read more »

Our thanks to Bruce Allen at Patriots Daily for giving us insight into the Patriots and the issues surrounding the Ravens next opponent  You can also check out the Q&A we did for them here:  

1. After 3 games, what is you take on why the Patriots offense has not taken flight like previous versions with Tom Brady at the helm? Read more »