Right Off Russell

Well, can the Ravens find any other ways to lose games? A dropped pass on 4th down, a long penalty filled 4th quarter drive where the defense cannot make a stop, and now a missed kick after fighting back from the dead. Any way you look at it it is another gut wrenching loss leaving the Ravens at 3-3 with an uphill battle to claim a play-off spot. I have to remind myself that the Ravens were 3-3 last year and this season is not over by a long shot. But I am disturbed by the inability of the defense to get many stops and the schedule does not get any easier. What a difference a year and heightened expectations make. What went wrong and what went right?

Positives: Joe Flacco and the offense had a huge 2nd half. Flacco hit a variety of targets, found a way to get Derrick Mason involved and really picked apart the Vikings D in the 2nd half in the face of a serious pass rush. He had them in position to win the game. Ray Rice had another huge game. Rice is emerging as one of the top dual threat backs in the league. The offensive line got their stuff together in the second half. Sam Koch also had big game. Read more »

The Ravens defense in 2009 has not been the dominant unit we have come to know and love.  They have lacked the ability to shut down opposing receivers, to rush the passer with consistency and to display the toughness and aggressiveness that have been their trademarks.  The Ravens defense has been scored upon, penalized and now fined, when is enough, enough?  The Ravens are entering a crucial portion of their schedule with many question marks.  Most importantly is whether or not this years defense is talented enough to impose it’s will on opponents.  The Minnesota Vikings are a big test. They feature a veteran quarterback, speedy receivers and the most dynamic running back in the league.  What do the Ravens need to do to slow down the Vikings in Minnesota?

Defensive Line: The defensive line was thought of a as strength heading into the season, but 5 weeks in the unit looks old and vulnerable.  Lacking a pass rush all season, the Ravens also struggled to contain the run game against Cedric Benson and the Bengals.  Now the line faces Adrian Peterson and a strong o-line and one has to wonder if Peterson is not going to have a field day.  It seems as if Trevor Pryce has been a step slow, Kelly Gregg has not returned to form and Haloti Ngata has been neutralized in the 2nd halves of games.  In order to contain Peterson this group will have to get penetration int he backfield and make Peterson have to break his stride before he gets going.  Justin Bannan and Dwan Edwards will also have the opportunity to come up big defending the run. Read more »

Due to the performance of Joe Flacco, an emerging offensive line and pounding running game in 2008, it had seemed that 2009 would deliver to Ravens fans an offense capable of carrying it’s weight.  For three games that was definitely the case.  The performance of the offense for the last 2 weeks, however, leaves us wondering if the offense it there yet.  This weeks game against the Vikings is a chance for the real Ravens offense to stand up.  If the Ravens have any shot at winning Flacco and the boys will need a performance that resembles weeks 1-3.  Let’s look at how the Ravens offense can attack the Vikings defense.

Running Game: The last 2 weeks the Ravens ground game has either been under-utilized or has underperformed.  Against the Bengals the offensive line had trouble opening lanes and getting enough push against the defensive front.  This is particularly alarming because the Vikings possess perhaps the best defensive lines the Ravens will face all year.  The Williams brothers, Jared Allen and Robert Edwards are a big and athletic group.  Pat and Kevin Williams are particularly good at stuffing opposing running games.  It is likely that the Ravens will find running on the interior tough sledding.  Cam Cameron will look to find ways to get Ray Rice loose on the edge and take advantage of his speed and quickness.  Draw plays and screens could be effective, anything that puts Rice in some open space where he can make guys miss.  I think Cameron will also involve Willis McGahee in the running game this week.  McGahee was curiously limited in his attempts last week. Read more »