Thursday night is the final dress rehearsal for the 2015 NFL season. It is also the worst game for the fans of hosting teams because it is after all the NFL’s biggest rip off of the season – perhaps the biggest rip off in professional sports.
But that said lives can change by what happens on the turf at the Georgia Dome three days from now. Some careers will veer off track never to get back on. Others will take root and careers will soon blossom.
Less than 48 hours after the final whistle blows on Thursday, rosters will trim from 75 to 53. It is the NFL’s version of The Texan Chainsaw Massacre.
As we await the fall of that jagged surgical roster blade here a few thoughts (both good and bad) regarding the Ravens through 3 fake games, in no particular order…
– Matt Schaub is a mess. Count me among those who thought his was a good signing. He was never a stud QB but he was decent and he has done something that Joe Flacco hasn’t. Schaub has been to two Pro Bowls and was a Pro Bowl MVP.
But now Schaub has next to no confidence. He’s like the David Duval of quarterbacks. A few years ago Curtis Painter was awful. Schaub has been worse this preseason.
– I wondered why the Ravens gave Jah Reid another shot. I’m still wondering. So is Matt Schaub. If only the Steelers would sign him once he gets cut.
– Don’t let Asa Jackson’s 103-yard kick return fool you. During his postgame commentary John Harbaugh credited the return play called and the blocking. He didn’t mention Jackson. Tough to see your “speed” returner caught from behind! And let’s not even get into his fundamentally inept punt return skills. If Jackson makes the team it’s an indictment on the team’s inability to improve the secondary.
– Steve Smith, Sr.’s ejection never happens in the regular season. Nor does Harbaugh’s gimpy trot across the field to separate the combatants.
– Speaking of Harbs, his challenges on Saturday were head scratchers. He tossed the red flag after a pretty clear catch by Redskins WR Rashad Ross and then failed to challenge what appeared to be a first down run by Terrence Magee. Throwing the flag there would have stopped play and allowed Harbaugh a chance to lobby for a measurement. Why one wasn’t granted to begin with was puzzling. The measurement would have been granted and the challenge flag could have gone back into Harbs’ quiver.
– Officiating has been wretchedly inconsistent. I guess it’s preseason for the zebras too. That offensive PI against Kamar Aiken during the Gillmore TD was ridiculously bad!
– If only Marlon Brown played to his size.
– Lardarius Webb’s absence is maddening. Once one of the league’s best tacklers pound-for-pound and explosive in short spaces, Webb now looks to be nothing more than a back up nickel and a regular inactive with declining change of direction skills. Let’s hope that Rashaan Melvin continues to progress and delivers on the team’s confidence in him. Webb no longer possesses those spidey senses. For those of you old enough to remember, the Spiderman theme song included the lyrics:
Wealth and fame, he’s ignored—
Action is his reward.
Well so much for that.
There goes the Spiderman…
– You have to be concerned about the Ravens pass rush. Can they expect Suggs and Dumervil to repeat 2014 and if they don’t where is the pressure coming from? Steven Means was supposed to provide a punch but you can’t help the club in the tub. Can Dean Pees expect his secondary to hold up if they blitz? Za’Darius Smith does show promise but is it enough?
– Denver will certainly be a test particularly at Mile High. The Ravens will have to get Peyton Manning off his mark, force him to his left where his limited mobility and declining arm strength will provide opportunity. Surely the Broncos will hurry up their pace and give Manning chances to flick quick darts to DeMaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Maybe the Ravens will employ press coverage. Please?
– It’s frustrating not to see the Ravens field Breshad Perriman and Michael Campanaro. Perriman might hold the Guinness Book of World Records’ award for the most devastating bruise in the history of man. Campanaro when he shows up is a threat but his injuries are borderline chronic. By the way, what is a soft tissue injury? Ah, nevermind.
– There have to be concerns about the Ravens short-yardage running attack. The team has struggled in recent years on the ground in 3rd and short and also deep inside the red zone. There are no signs so far that this season will be any better.
Ok some good news…
– Steve Smith, Sr. must have discovered the fountain of youth. But the Ravens will need someone to absorb some of the load. Smith, Aiken, Perriman and Campanaro could be a highly complementary 4-wide package for Joe Flacco and Marc Trestman. Whatever Senior does to condition his body, Ravens strength and conditioning coaches should take note. The guy is a beast!
-Speaking of beasts how about Crockett Gillmore. The guy looks at bit Gronk-like at times. You know what they say about beasts, right? Feed him!
– Joe Flacco has been very sharp save the Philly game. He looks very at ease in Marc Trestman’s offense and we should see a more consistent regular season from him. The confidence and mastery of the offense has been apparent since team OTA’s.
– The most impressive rookie for my money so far is Carl Davis. He’s like a man among boys at times and if managed properly (D-Line Coach Clarence Brooks usually does exactly that) the three-headed monster of Davis, Tim Jernigan and Brandon Williams will be fun to watch in 2015.
13 days, 13 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds until the season opener kicks off.
But who’s counting?