What Questions/Battles are you most interested in tonight?

**pyite32** · 08-13-2009, 08:02 AM

My top 3 in order

1. I am really looking forward to seeing how Harper plays at WR, as well as DW if he plays.

2. I am interested to see how Rice plays as a number 1 back

3. How Oher handles the pass rush.

Maybe we can revisit this thread tomorrow and disect how we all thought our key questions were answered, or not answered.

**RavenScallywag** · 08-13-2009, 08:11 AM

I'm excited to see the young WRs battle, for sure the #1 of tonight. I'm almost glad Clayton and Mason are out, that way we get everyone some reps. Let's see someone step it up (like Justin Harper, who probably stands to be #4 or 5 on the depth chart if he keeps up his play).

Also excited to see how the OL performs...not just Oher, but Birk, Yanda/Chester, Gaither...

On the D side, want to see the ILB battle, get to see Ellerbe, Gooden, and McClain in some game situations. Also want to see how our CBs look after the overhaul

I'm also interested to see how Gano and Hauschka look. Gano would have the edge from TC, but this is where the battle will truly be won, in a gametime situation.

**StingerNLG** · 08-13-2009, 09:00 AM

Wide recievers for sure. Do we see anyone that can give us hope there is light at the end of the WR curse we seem to have. Can someone step up and show we can mass some sort of pass attack?

That is my main question.

**baltimore_hokie** · 08-13-2009, 09:05 AM

i want to see how flacco looks out there after being criticized all camp.

it will also be interesting to see how kelly gregg is coming back into game action.

**claxkeeper** · 08-13-2009, 09:39 AM

I want to see Flacco play, beacuse frankly I am worried about what I am hearing from TC. I also want to see Troy and Beck play.

Like everyone else I want to see the Wrs, specfically Justin Harper and Spider man.

I also want to see Gooden play. And can someone tell me why McClain was moved inside? He is a great pass rusher, we already have Ray and Gooden, plus we drafted the one guy (name slips my mind at the moment) plus Elerbe. I have not seen McClain play inside yet, but it seems to me it is not the best spot for him.

**jonboy79** · 08-13-2009, 10:14 AM

PLenty of interesting battle, but I'm not sure how anyone could argue that WR's past Mason are what I will pay most attention to tonight.

**RAVENOUS52** · 08-13-2009, 11:50 AM

My eyes will be glued to the O-line. Flacco's protection will be the thing keeping me awake at night for the forseeable future.

If he gets the time he needs, look out!

**psuasskicker** · 08-13-2009, 11:55 AM

Looking forward to seeing Webb and Ellerbe in action...

- C -

**Dade** · 08-13-2009, 12:00 PM

WR, DB, kicker and how Oher is coming along.

**sh0time** · 08-13-2009, 12:41 PM

Like most you already said, I'm looking forward to the beginning of Flacco's sophomore season. Shouldn't see a ton of reps, but we will see enough to gauge his progress thus far in TC.

Wide Receivers, of course, are of the utmost priority tonight. In addition, I would love to see Heap running crisp routes and looking fit for the season.

OLine doesn't have to handle Fat Albert tonight, but we'll see plenty of action with an aggressive Redskins defense.

**Raven Domination** · 08-13-2009, 12:48 PM

Wide Reciever

The most heated battle is probably WR. I want to see if Justin Harper can do in-game what he's been doing in camp. This is also going to be one of a couple last chances Marcus Smith has, even though I think Harper has clearly surpassed him and it would likely take a very bad game from Harper and a great one from Smith to even put him back in it.

Running Back

Ray Rice has looked excellent in camp running and scoring against the #2 ranked defense from last season. Let's see how he runs against another top-ranked D. If he has a great showing it might just solidify his position as the #1 RB. I'd also like to see how Willis McGahee plays. Hopefully he runs hard with the 2nd team knowing his job is on the line. I expect both RBs to have great seasons regardless though. This is not a position we're hurting at.

**baltimore_hokie** · 08-13-2009, 01:30 PM

something not many of us are talking about that will be impacted greatly in these pre-season games is the final RB spot that is still up for grabs. behind ray and willis, we will keep one more RB on the roster that will go to peerman/lawrence/parmele. it looks like parmele has the upper hand right now, but we will see how it ends up after these next few games.

**jonboy79** · 08-13-2009, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Raven Domination

Wide Reciever

The most heated battle is probably WR. I want to see if Justin Harper can do in-game what he's been doing in camp. This is also going to be one of a couple last chances Marcus Smith has, even though I think Harper has clearly surpassed him and it would likely take a very bad game from Harper and a great one from Smith to even put him back in it.
.

I think the fact hat Mrcus Smith is one of our Main Gunners may say otherwise. I would think that Justin Harper, despite flashing more WR ability is the one that needs to come up bigtime to earn a roster spot. A WR that deep on our depth chart will be a STer only until there are at least one more injury then Clayotn.

**Rxdoxx** · 08-13-2009, 02:51 PM

Looks like the biggies have been covered.

2 smaller things I will try to be watching are

1- Jason Cook, I don't care about him running the ball, I want to see his blocking both backfield and lead. Specifically to see if as the lead does he impede? or seal? or (best case) actually move people in directions they don't want to go. If I just see impeding, the bubble is thin, if I see people rocked or a pancake, his bubble just got thicker.

2- Edgar Jones, not concerned about ST or D, I want to see his receiver's hands. I've heard reports of a great catch or two... we kinda know a lot of what he brings, I want a read on what he can add (if anything) in the passing game (downfield blocking, body position, and hands).

**psuasskicker** · 08-13-2009, 02:58 PM

I'll tell you what I really want to see tonight...

No more f$&%ing false start penalties!

- C -

**StingerNLG** · 08-13-2009, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by psuasskicker

I'll tell you what I really want to see tonight...

No more f$&%ing false start penalties!

- C -

No kidding.

I'll see your false start penalties and raise you no more defensive offsides!

Jonboy, I would think if Harper plays like he did in camp, he'd take the number 4 spot and Marcus would be 5th and basically ST.

It would be foolish IMO to take a guy that has WR talent and could prove it in a game, and waste it because of Marcus Smith.

**jonboy79** · 08-13-2009, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by StingerNLG

No kidding.

I'll see your false start penalties and raise you no more defensive offsides!

Jonboy, I would think if Harper plays like he did in camp, he'd take the number 4 spot and Marcus would be 5th and basically ST.

It would be foolish IMO to take a guy that has WR talent and could prove it in a game, and waste it because of Marcus Smith.

Pushing Washington of the roster? I'm not opposed to that if:
There is no drop down on ST play from Washington to Smith.
AND
Harper is expected to be a better WR if and when he ever gets the opportunity of the field.
AND/OR
Marcus Smith has similar expected value(or better)as an offensive player as Washington.

OR, the big bad I word.

My main point, was that the 5th WR is a STer. the 4th sort of should be, where as the top 3 on the depth chart don't need to be. Placing a non STer down deep on the depth chart will cause him to never suit up.

**bmorebirds_24** · 08-13-2009, 04:48 PM

They key things I will be looking to see is....

1. The kicker situation...We have had Stover and knew he was spot on for most of his career. There is a new beginning at this position.

2. Flacco (of course) I want to see how he looks in his first live action this year. Though it will be limted action, it will give me an idea of how I think he looks.

3. The wideouts...With Mason and Clayton out, this should give some guys a chance to prove themselves with the starters and back-ups. Not to mention going against first and second string defense.

4. Mike backer...Who is the guy to replace Scott.

5. Ladarius Webb(I hope I spelled that right)...I have predicting this guy to emerge into a lot of playing time and become a pretty damn good corner in this league. So I will pay him a lot of attention.

The great thing is, it starts tonight. I am pumped

**James R(aven)** · 08-13-2009, 05:01 PM

Damn, wish I was able to watch this game. Hopefully there'll be some good video up on NFL.com tomorrow. As everyone has pretty much said - I'm looking forward to finding out how our WR's, OL + Joe, kickers, Mike backer and Webb plays!!

**StingerNLG** · 08-13-2009, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by jonboy79

Pushing Washington of the roster? I'm not opposed to that if:
There is no drop down on ST play from Washington to Smith.
AND
Harper is expected to be a better WR if and when he ever gets the opportunity of the field.
AND/OR
Marcus Smith has similar expected value(or better)as an offensive player as Washington.

OR, the big bad I word.

My main point, was that the 5th WR is a STer. the 4th sort of should be, where as the top 3 on the depth chart don't need to be. Placing a non STer down deep on the depth chart will cause him to never suit up.

Meh. I forgot about Kelley Washington.