Author Archives: J.Michael, CSNBaltimore.com

Suggs seeking second opinion?

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Surgery on the right biceps might not be necessary for Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, and according to an unsourced report by the Baltimore Sun the team is waiting to hear the results of a second opinion. Suggs missed the first six games of the season because of a partial off-season Achilles tear, came back in Week 7 and then sat out Week 11 because of a partial tear in his arm. In his first game of the season, Suggs got a sack vs. the Houston Texans but that quickly debilitated into a … Continue reading →

Harbaugh, Rice weigh in on Peyton Manning

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As much as the Ravens would like nothing more than to keep Peyton Manning in check, they’re concerned with the bigger picture. That is beating the Denver Broncos on Sunday, clinching the AFC North and a playoff berth and ending a two-game losing streak at M&T Bank Stadium. As the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts, Manning has had his way with the Ravens. He has won eight in a row since 2001, including a 15-6 playoff victory in 2007 in Baltimore. “He’s been the quarterback of teams that have beaten … Continue reading →

Ravens fire Cameron

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After weeks of proclaiming the Ravens’ problems moving the ball were a product of just poor execution –- not talent or coaching -– coach John Harbuagh finally did some finger-pointing Monday by firing offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, a person with knowledge of the situation told CSN Baltimore. Jim Caldwell, the quarterbacks coach in his first season with the Ravens after being fired as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts last season, will take over the play-calling duties, the source said. The firing ends a five-year run for Cameron, who … Continue reading →

Cameron pinpoints flaw in Ravens offense

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Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has a simple answer for why Ray Rice didn’t get the ball in the fourth quarter in last week’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers – and only 12 times total. The Ravens were atrocious on third downs, converting just 3 of 11, as quarterback Joe Flacco has thrown an average of 39 times in his last three games. “For us to be at the lowest we have been in five years in terms of time of possession is strictly on our offense,” Cameron said Thursday. “We … Continue reading →

Instant Analysis: Ravens 16 Chargers 13

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The Ravens had no business winning this game, yet they did. They rallied behind Ray Rice, who converted an improbable 4th-and-29 with 1:37 left in the fourth quarter to set up the tying 38-yard field goal from Justin Tucker. Tucker went 3-for-3 in field goals, including the game-winnner from 38 yards with less than two minutes left in the extra period. Chargers QB Philip Rivers sparked the Chargers (5-6) to a 10-point lead, and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco turned in another dud for the first three quarters away from M&T … Continue reading →

Ravens escape Pittsburgh with a win

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The offense slowed down the fast pace to cope with the noise, but it was just as anemic Sunday. The defense and special teams, however, did just enough for Baltimore to escape with the victory and control of the AFC North. After the Ravens (8-2) fell behind early on a 31-yard touchdown run by quarterback Byron Leftwich, who was playing for the injured Ben Roethlisberger, they’d take a 10-7 lead on a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown by Jacoby Jones and never look back. Justin Tucker had field goals … Continue reading →

Rice warms up to cold weather

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Business is about to pick up for running back Ray Rice, and he welcomes the chilly reception. He only had 13 carries for 25 yards in a 55-20 rout of the Oakland Raiders last week, but that only was because the Ravens’ passing attack was working so fluidly at home. Quarterback Joe Flacco had his first 300-yard passing game since Week 4 when the Ravens also were at M&T Bank Stadium. Going into Sunday night’s game at the Pittsburgh Steelers, who the Ravens play in two of the next three … Continue reading →

Ravens @ Browns Postgame Analysis

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Bernard Pierce TD
Coming out of the bye week, the Ravens promised to showcase a more efficient offense in their first AFC North road game of the season. For one quarter, they succeeded Sunday by grounding the hurry-up offense and relying on the running of Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce to set the table as they tallied 11 first downs. The problem: The Ravens only had one first down for the next two-plus quarters QB Joe Flacco started by completing 10 of his first 12 passes, but he went cold until the last drive of the fourth quarter when … Continue reading →

Ravens’ Reid fights through calf injury

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Jah Reid hasn’t played a game this season, tormented by a calf injury that has set him back since the offseason. The offensive lineman recently began practicing fully with the Ravens, which gives coach John Harbaugh more options as his team has struggled to protect quarterback Joe Flacco. He has been sacked 18 times this season. “I feel good at either spot,” Reid said when asked if he prefers to play at right guard or right tackle, where he is the backup to starters Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele. “Just … Continue reading →

Leach gets lost in shuffle

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courtesy of BaltimoreRavens.com
Lost in the shuffle in the underused running game is Vonta Leach. Because of the no-huddle offense, the All-Pro fullback has been almost invisible through seven games which is astounding when considering his value. Leach is an excellent blocker, and when Ray Rice usually gets chunks of yardage he’s usually out front creating the space. Rice has 106 carries, just nine fewer than last season at this point, but he goes long stretches without being involved in the offense. The same goes for Leach. After an ugly 9-6 win at the Kansas City Chiefs, … Continue reading →

Ravens “kill shot” attempts prove costly

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Reed tackling Felix Jones
A basic question has yet to be answered as the rubble gets sorted out from the defense’s performance against the run for the Ravens. When assessing what went wrong, to a player, they said it was lack of focus with tackling. That’s how DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones sparked the Dallas Cowboys to rush for a record 227 yards against the Ravens. But how does a team that’s usually good at tackling forget how? Murray and Jones bounced off tackles repeatedly to extend drives and runs. “A lot of people … Continue reading →

Ravens injury news not all bad

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Suggs sidelines v Cowboys
It wasn’t all gloomy for the Ravens on Monday, after learning they wouldn’t have Lardarius Webb or Ray Lewis for the rest of the season. There was a ray of sunshine for coach John Harbaugh: Terrell Suggs is eligible to come off the physically-unable-to-perform list. The same applies to David Reed (knee), a receiver and kick returner. The one piece of good news Harbaugh offered was about defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, who hurt his knee in Sunday’s 31-29 win vs. the Dallas Cowboys. Ngata had to leave the field on … Continue reading →

Cameron finds ‘sweet spot’ with Rice

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Ray Rice got his 20 touches and Joe Flacco passed 39 times in the last outing, but offensive coordinator Cam Cameron isn’t making any promises going into Thursday night’s game vs. the Cleveland Browns. “We’re always wanting to be as balanced as we can be, but it’s not going to be the same every week. We know that,” Cameron said. “Balance isn’t as big of a priority for us as it is for everybody else. “It’s about attacking the defense we’re playing. We may throw it every down some game. … Continue reading →