About Dev Panchwagh

Dev Panchwagh is a versatile analyst who breaks down the Xs and Os of the game and has been a columnist/analyst for Ravens24x7.com since the summer of 2004. In his regular season column Battle Plans, Dev highlights the Ravens' keys to success against each upcoming opponent. Dev started modestly as a sports journalist, but his contributions to sports talk radio were noticed, leading to duties as a regular columnist for the Scouts.com network before joining RSR. It would be very difficult to find his rare combination of youthfulness, knowledge and insight in all facets of football anywhere else. Fortunately, Dev brings it here each and every week.

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens v. Chiefs

Posted on September 12, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1) Identifying the Outside Rusher: With a new defensive coordinator in place, the Kansas City Chiefs will shift from a static 4-3 front, to a shape-shifting 3-4 base formation. The Chiefs will look to apply more pressure from this scheme to improve upon a dreadful output of 10 sacks in 2008. The key to applying greater pressure will come from the play of the two rush ends. Kansas City added veteran Mike Vrabel in the offseason to pair with Tamba Hali, who is now a stand-up linebacker. The … Continue reading →

Ravens have notable concerns heading into Carolina

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

There have been reports that the Ravens are likely in the market for an offensive tackle, just as they were a year ago at this time before they eventually pulled the trigger on Willie Anderson. Anderson was a perfect fit for what the team needed – a right tackle. This time, the team needs what they had from backup Adam Terry – a swing tackle capable of playing on both sides of the line. There are some candidates on the open market who could fill that role, including former … Continue reading →

CAMP NOTES: As team prepares to break camp WR struggles continue

Posted on August 22, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

It was a tough morning for all receivers not named Derrick Mason and Demetrius Williams. The group as a whole dropped every pass in sight. In turn, the quarterbacks lacked touch and timing, as balls sailed high and wide. The defense was able to take advantage and get off the field. Here are other key observations and notes from today’s morning session: · Formations and Fronts: The defense set up in its sub packages during 11-on-11 drills. At times the nickel package consisted of just two linemen – … Continue reading →

CAMP NOTES: From August 20, morning session

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

Camp Notes The “Over-30 Club” crowd was out of action and thus missed the full-hitting practice. It was a day for the offense to practice its spread attack, while the defense primarily stayed in a base alignment. Here are other key observations and notes from Thursday’s morning session: · Formations and Fronts: Play-fakes were in full effect, as the offense tried to bait the defense out of position. In most instances, the defenders were not fooled and did a nice job of sticking with their assignments. One … Continue reading →

CAMP NOTES: Offense and defense in a hurry

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

The two-minute offense and defense was the area of focus for the afternoon session. The offense was efficient and able to move the chains. The defense had trouble covering quick-hitting pass plays, although there were a few stretches in which it created coverage sacks. Here are other key observations and notes from Wednesday’s afternoon session: · Formations and Fronts: The option was installed and executed from the shotgun set. Quarterback Troy Smith led the play, as it took on different forms, including a play-action, option, shovel pass. Smith usually ran … Continue reading →

CAMP NOTES: Figurs making a push at receiver

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

The offense carried its momentum from a strong showing in a preseason battle against the Washington Redskins into today’s morning practice. The quarterbacks were accurate and connected on several big strikes downfield. The receivers showed the ability to defeat press coverage and were able to gain separation. Here are other key observations and notes from today’s morning session: · Formations and Fronts: The offense primarily operated from the gun, and aired it early and often during 11-on-11 drills. The formation of choice was a three-wide, one tight and one … Continue reading →

CAMP NOTES: Ellerbe continues to impress

Posted on August 11, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

Camp Notes The afternoon session was short and sweet, as the team tried to avoid the sweltering heat. The team practiced in shells and overall, the contact was at a minimum. Here are other key observations and notes from today’s afternoon session: · Formations and Fronts: The defense brought the heat, and the offense tried to counter during 11-on-11 drills. Specifically, the defense loaded the box, sometimes with eight defenders up front, leaving corners on an island. The wideouts had to break open against single coverage. First, … Continue reading →

MORE CAMP NOTES: Linebackers stout against screens, solid in gap assignments

Posted on August 9, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

Camp Notes Here are general observations from today’s morning session Offense - The overall focus of the offensive attack was executing roll-out pass plays to the right side. The results were mixed, with the best plays coming from the backs when they caught the ball in stride, and had enough space to turn upfield. One of the featured plays was an out completion to tight end L.J. Smith, who started off the left side of the line and motioned to the right. -Flacco showed off … Continue reading →

CAMP NOTES: Defense swarms

Posted on August 7, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

The defense set the tone early during 11-on-11 drills by repeatedly stuffing the run. In vintage fashion, Ray Lewis came swooping in through an open gap up the gut, and crunched the ball carrier. The offensive line, which worked with a patchwork group, was unable to get any movement in the running game and it struggled to handle the blitz. Meanwhile, the secondary took away the deep passes, forcing the Baltimore quarterbacks to dump the ball off underneath. Here are other key observations and notes from today’s morning session: … Continue reading →

CAMP NOTES: Ravens in a hurry

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

The emphasis of today’s practice revolved around the hurry-up attack and how to defense it. The tempo was fast-paced and scattered at times. That said, players on both sides of the ball responded well, as there were not too many penalties nor blown assignments. Here are other key observations and notes from today’s morning session: · Formations and Fronts: After showing vanilla looks through its base packages, the defense finally unveiled some intricate packages. The dime package was a 1-4-6 look. In this package, Haloti Ngata was the lone … Continue reading →

CAMP NOTES: Spiderman helps rescue Ravens’ offense in Westminster

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

The morning session was the most spirited thus far. The offense and the defense traded verbal and physical shots, with the offense showing toughness and a backbone. It was especially impressive to see the rush offense win the goal-line war. Backs Ray Rice, Willis McGahee and Cedric Peerman were able to break the plane. Here are other key observations and notes from today’s morning session: · Formations and Fronts: It was the return of the unbalanced alignment during 11-on-11 drills. The two bookend tackles took turns motioning from left-to-right and … Continue reading →

CAMP NOTES: From August 2, morning session

Posted on August 2, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

The offense not only had to deal with rainy conditions this morning at McDaniel College, but it was also confounded by a charged up defense. Led by a rotation of hard-hitting backers, the front seven was dominant against the run and the pass. The secondary was even less forgiving, as receivers had a hard time gaining separation, and quarterbacks were forced to eat the ball. Here are other key observations and notes from today’s morning session: · Formations and Fronts: One of the more interesting designs that the offense ran … Continue reading →

CAMP NOTES: We’re going live!

Posted on July 31, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

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The first day of full-team practices featured plenty of contact and notable plays. In particular, in 11-on-11 drills, the backs were given free rein to pierce the middle of the defensive front, and the corners were active in defending passes and stopping ball carriers downfield. Here are key observations and notes from today’s morning session: · Formations and Fronts: The offense primarily operated from the spread formation, with backs splitting out wide. Even fullbacks Le’Ron McClain and Jason Cook, who are not the fleetest of foot, lined up in the … Continue reading →

Filling the void left by Derrick Mason

Posted on July 15, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

With wide receiver Derrick Mason’s stunning retirement, the Baltimore Ravens are left in a position to ponder what their next move will be. Assuming that Mason’s decision is firm and not some negotiating strategy, the front office will have to make a meticulous move to fill their No.1 wideout’s vacancy in the lineup. The list of available free agent receivers is full of prominent names. Future Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison heads the pack, followed by veterans Amani Toomer and Marty Booker, former Titans Drew Bennett and Justin … Continue reading →

Building the Baltimore Ravens

Posted on June 19, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

For any NFL franchise to be successful there needs to be a singular vision between management and the coaches for how to build the roster through the draft. For example, a big part of the unexpected success that the Atlanta Falcons enjoyed in 2008 stemmed from the symbiotic partnership between rookie general manager Thomas Dimitroff and rookie head coach Mike Smith. In an interview conducted with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Dimitroff described the relationship. “We see through similar lenses. It’s settling for Mike and me to know that we perceive … Continue reading →

Ravens’ defensive front looks to apply heat in more traditional ways

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

Even before the 2009 NFL Draft took place, the Baltimore front office knew that it had to add a pass-rushing presence to the defensive front seven. The rush has been formidable as a blitzkrieg attack, but in certain situations it lacked the means to sink the quarterback when the blitz was not in play. Without a consistent rush from the front four, offenses had the opportunity to use three, four and five-wide packages to hit on quick-hitting pass plays. Enter Paul Kruger, a man who could change the … Continue reading →

Without Big Splash, Ravens Passing Game Should Still Improve

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

Despite the early projections, the Baltimore Ravens did not add a highly heralded, go-to wide receiver. The team was pegged as the front-runners for Anquan Boldin, and on the radar for other veterans such as T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Torry Holt. Moreover, rumors were high and rampant that the front office would nab a talented wideout through the 2009 NFL Draft. After all, a number of analysts forecasted this year’s class to be among the deepest in a long time. Instead, the Ravens opted to make other alterations to the … Continue reading →

Battle Plans: Baltimore Ravens v. Pittsburgh Steelers

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1) Internal Clock: Quarterback Joe Flacco has gotten better with his footwork within the pocket. He has adopted a keen sense of when to move to open spaces, and when to get rid of the ball before the rusher closes in. That said, against the Steelers, his intuitive sense of when to release the ball has to be quicker than ever. In his past two performances against the vaunted Pittsburgh defense, young Flacco has held the ball too long. Instead of taking the sack, he has made … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens @ Titans ~ Divisional Playoff

Posted on January 9, 2009 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1) Draws and delays: When the Ravens faced Tennessee during the regular season they were able to run the ball effectively out of the shotgun set. In particular, in obvious passing situations, the draw play worked well against a hard-charging Tennessee defensive front. The play sets up well for the offense when it runs away from All-Pro Albert Haynesworth, who will make his return to the Tennessee lineup on Saturday. Specifically, when the action was directed against the right side of the Tennessee line, tailbacks Willis … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens v. Jaguars

Posted on December 26, 2008 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1) Backs out of the backfield: When the Ravens faced the Steelers and the Cowboys, the backs and the tight ends were relegated to blocking roles, to help the offensive line contend with ferocious pass-rushing units. Against Jacksonville, the backs and the tight ends should have more freedom to release on pass routes, as the Jacksonville rush can be better contained with just one extra blocker helping the line on third-and-long. In particular, the tailbacks should be active as pass catchers in this passing game. Given … Continue reading →