The Positives (Ravens-Lions)

**ccoolahan14** · 08-17-2012, 11:12 PM

Because I think people too often focus on the negatives in these preseason games, here are the positives that stood out to me from watching/rewatching the game:

-KO continues to be a beast....The more I watch him, the more I think he actually will be the starting RT come week 1. Before this game, I thought McKinnie at LT and Oher at RT gave us the best tackle combination. Now, I'm not so sure. If he continues to improve (and I think he will), he can become a solid starting RT as a rookie (ala Michael Oher).

-The return of Q.....While Calvin Johnson rightfully received all of the attention for his first quarter heroics, he wasn't the only WR to put up big first quarter numbers. Anquan caught several balls and looked like his quick, elusive old self (I counted 2-3 broken tackles on the quick screen that was negated by penalty). I can an envision a big year for Anquan, especially with the noticeable improvement from Flacco. The only thing preventing him from putting up big numbers in my mind is that this is likely the best WR corps of the Harbaugh era, and there's only one football.

-Joe Flacco...I thought Joe looked great (the near-interception notwithstanding), and that the stats would reflect this had his receivers held onto the ball more consistently. Also, how great was it to see him altering the play on literally almost every snap? It's certainly the first time I've seen him exhibit that much control over the offense. I hope the no-huddle continues to be utilized once the games count.

-Laquan Williams looked strong in his first significant action with the starters. While I am in the minority that likes Jacoby Jones as the #3, Laquan has established himself as a legitimate option in the passing game (I think both "drops" were very difficult plays).

-Bernard Pierce...The guy broke a tackle just about every time he carried the ball, and did so against the Lions starting defense. It's amazing how quickly perceptions can change in the fickle over-analysis of the preseason (myself included). Last week, he was "soft," now I think his future is very promising. At this point, it looks to me like Rice, Pierce, and Rainey are our RBs.

-Kemo....His tackle for a loss was a thing of beauty as he shoved the right guard easily out of the way. I would love to see a Kemo, Cody, Ngata front on goal line situations.

-Courtney Upshaw...I thought Upshaw looked strong at the point of attack and held his ground well in the running game. I agree with the Ravens that he could lose about 10 pounds in order to help his burst off the line, but even as strictly a bull-rusher, I thought he was effective in collapsing the pocket.

-Dean Pees...Seemed much more varied in his playcalling than last week, with significantly better results. While the TD drive was discouraging, the 50 yarder to Calvin Johnson came with both starting safeties out, and likely would have been prevented with Reed in instead of Considine. Overall, I thought it was a good effort against a potent Lions offense.

-Last but not least....Justin Tucker! It was strange how nervous I was on his 50 yarder (as a result of how badly I wanted him to make it), but he again drilled it right down the middle. As an added bonus, his onside kick was flawlessly executed, leading to a Ravens recovery. I will be very disappointed if Tucker is not our starting kicker come week 1.

**He/Ate/the/Box** · 08-17-2012, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by ccoolahan14

Because I think people too often focus on the negatives in these preseason games, here are the positives that stood out to me from watching/rewatching the game:

-KO continues to be a beast....The more I watch him, the more I think he actually will be the starting RT come week 1. Before this game, I thought McKinnie at LT and Oher at RT gave us the best tackle combination. Now, I'm not so sure. If he continues to improve (and I think he will), he can become a solid starting RT as a rookie (ala Michael Oher).

-The return of Q.....While Calvin Johnson rightfully received all of the attention for his first quarter heroics, he wasn't the only WR to put up big first quarter numbers. Anquan caught several balls and looked like his quick, elusive old self (I counted 2-3 broken tackles on the quick screen that was negated by penalty). I can an envision a big year for Anquan, especially with the noticeable improvement from Flacco. The only thing preventing him from putting up big numbers in my mind is that this is likely the best WR corps of the Harbaugh era, and there's only one football.

-Joe Flacco...I thought Joe looked great (the near-interception notwithstanding), and that the stats would reflect this had his receivers held onto the ball more consistently. Also, how great was it to see him altering the play on literally almost every snap? It's certainly the first time I've seen him exhibit that much control over the offense. I hope the no-huddle continues to be utilized once the games count.

-Laquan Williams looked strong in his first significant action with the starters. While I am in the minority that likes Jacoby Jones as the #3, Laquan has established himself as a legitimate option in the passing game (I think both "drops" were very difficult plays).

-Bernard Pierce...The guy broke a tackle just about every time he carried the ball, and did so against the Lions starting defense. It's amazing how quickly perceptions can change in the fickle over-analysis of the preseason (myself included). Last week, he was "soft," now I think his future is very promising. At this point, it looks to me like Rice, Pierce, and Rainey are our RBs.

-Kemo....His tackle for a loss was a thing of beauty as he shoved the right guard easily out of the way. I would love to see a Kemo, Cody, Ngata front on goal line situations.

-Courtney Upshaw...I thought Upshaw looked strong at the point of attack and held his ground well in the running game. I agree with the Ravens that he could lose about 10 pounds in order to help his burst off the line, but even as strictly a bull-rusher, I thought he was effective in collapsing the pocket.

-Dean Pees...Seemed much more varied in his playcalling than last week, with significantly better results. While the TD drive was discouraging, the 50 yarder to Calvin Johnson came with both starting safeties out, and likely would have been prevented with Reed in instead of Considine. Overall, I thought it was a good effort against a potent Lions offense.

-Last but not least....Justin Tucker! It was strange how nervous I was on his 50 yarder (as a result of how badly I wanted him to make it), but he again drilled it right down the middle. As an added bonus, his onside kick was flawlessly executed, leading to a Ravens recovery. I will be very disappointed if Tucker is not our starting kicker come week 1.

I agree with you I want to also add I thought Kruger did a very nice job get pressure, stoping the run, and covering.

**leachisabeast** · 08-18-2012, 05:42 AM

I agree with everything you said. I was particularly impressed with KO and Bernard Pierce.

**steelerhater** · 08-18-2012, 07:11 AM

I think that Flacco looked in midseason form. I think Jones should've probably caught the one pass on the outside, but the ones Williams dropped would've been tough catches. I was also very impressed with Pierce.

**Coastergenius** · 08-19-2012, 10:29 AM

It also looked like we were mostly playing our back-ups when they torched us for two touchdowns. Any truth to this?

**leachisabeast** · 08-19-2012, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by Coastergenius

It also looked like we were mostly playing our back-ups when they torched us for two touchdowns. Any truth to this?

Well Reed, Webb, Lewis, and Pollard where taken out late into the first quarter. I think this had a lot to do with CJ burning us, because he couldn't do much when our full first team offense were on the field. The worrying sign was that CJ was schooling Jimmy Smith, who many expect to be a starting corner this year.

**wickedsolo** · 08-19-2012, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Well Reed, Webb, Lewis, and Pollard where taken out late into the first quarter. I think this had a lot to do with CJ burning us, because he couldn't do much when our full first team offense were on the field. The worrying sign was that CJ was schooling Jimmy Smith, who many expect to be a starting corner this year.

Nothing to be concerned with. In a real game there is no way that Jimmy or anyone would be left to cover Megatron 1-on-1.

He is the best receiver in the game. You can only expect to contain him through scheme...not one player.

**Carey** · 08-19-2012, 12:02 PM

The more i see KO the more i'd be disappointed if he's not an opening day starter whether it be LG or RT

**Carey** · 08-19-2012, 04:56 PM

Also Doss looked quick after his reception, was nice to see him get some early work, hopefully he can stay healthy and continue to get an opportunity. To be able to keep up the pace, productivity and willingness to continue with this no huddle and more freedom for Flacco we are gonna need guys with reliable hands on the field to extend drives, i still think their can be a smaller role for a guy like Doss.

**wickedsolo** · 08-19-2012, 04:59 PM

I was really hoping to see Doss targeted more.

**Coastergenius** · 08-20-2012, 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Well Reed, Webb, Lewis, and Pollard where taken out late into the first quarter. I think this had a lot to do with CJ burning us, because he couldn't do much when our full first team offense were on the field. The worrying sign was that CJ was schooling Jimmy Smith, who many expect to be a starting corner this year.

So it was basically the 1.5 string team then. I was just noticing that Smith was matched up against Megatron, and I saw some names on the field that I didn't recognize.

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 06:50 AM

If I was Jimmy I would want to be matched up against Megatron as well. Covering guys like Megatron in the pre-season is only going to make Jimmy a better player. He was right there with him pretty much the entire time he was covering him, Jimmy just reacted a split-second too late on that TD throw.

**NOLARavenFAN** · 08-20-2012, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I was really hoping to see Doss targeted more.

They may have Doss penciled in for a spot already......

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by NOLARavenFAN

They may have Doss penciled in for a spot already......

I'm sure they do, but I'd still really just like to see him out there and getting some looks.

I'm really holding out hope for this kid. He's got size, good speed, and excellent hands. He's got all of the physical tools to be a solid contributor. I'm really anxious to see him put it all together (hopefully).

**Rxdoxx** · 08-20-2012, 07:39 AM

and IIRC I was seeing some pre snap movement on the d.
Didn't look like confusion, thought it looked more organized, I like! Probably don't want to dust off the term 'organized chaos' , need to come up with something fresh but I hope that was what I was seeing.

**arnie_uk** · 08-20-2012, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I was really hoping to see Doss targeted more.

If we had painter in earlier we would have. Tbh I'm beginning to think painter should get this no.2 spot. He's a better passer than Tyrod

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Rxdoxx

and IIRC I was seeing some pre snap movement on the d.
Didn't look like confusion, thought it looked more organized, I like! Probably don't want to dust off the term 'organized chaos' , need to come up with something fresh but I hope that was what I was seeing.

Dean Pees did the same stuff in New England too.

He didn't have a lot of talent at pass rusher (Tully Banta-Cain was their top pass rusher then) and he got production out of those guys by mixing it up, changing alignments, and doing a lot of pre-snap adjustments.

**GOTA** · 08-20-2012, 08:23 AM

The biggest positive was Flacco making some quick decisions. He knew where he wanted to go with the ball and let it go. If he keeps that up he's going to have his best season as a pro.

**leachisabeast** · 08-20-2012, 08:32 AM

I want Cam to keep the sugar huddle going into the season too. It's real comical hearing Joe make the calls, and then Matt making the line calls, they're both funny guys and kind of mock the whole thing from what I could hear.

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

The biggest positive was Flacco making some quick decisions. He knew where he wanted to go with the ball and let it go. If he keeps that up he's going to have his best season as a pro.

He is looking really sharp.

I also cannot stress how well the OL played against Detroit. Their DL is pretty damn good and even though Bobby Williams is still figuring things out, they all performed admirably against Avril, Fairly, Williams, and Suh. KO pretty much shut Avril down except for the patted (almost intercepted) pass at the LOS. Same with Suh. Birk and Yanda did a really nice job on him. Fairly got through one time and hit Flacco, but it wasn't a hard hit at all.

Again, Oher looked solid at LT.