Ravens Report Card: First-quarter grades

As the players head off on their first semester break during this bye week, let’s break down their performances through the first four games of the 2011 season. 

At 3-1 and leading the AFC North, including a 1-0 mark in the division, the team is about right where they realistically hoped to be at this juncture.  But there is always room for improvement.

We’ll whip through a summary of the MVP standouts to-date, followed by the individual unit grades.

OFFENSIVE MVP

Bryant McKinnie

While McKinnie may not be the best player on the offense he has been the most valuable, coming in with virtually no preparation and solidifying what was threatening to be the most vulnerable spot on the team.

Honorable Mentions:

Ray Rice: No one is playing at a higher level.

Ed Dickson: Most improved Raven.

Marshal Yanda:  Most-unsung Raven.

DEFENSIVE MVP

Haloti Ngata

Remarkably, Ravens defenders have won AFC defensive player of the week in each of the three weeks the Ravens have won a game. And none of them were named Haloti Ngata. But Ngata has been most consistent defender on the team, and most dominant, week-to-week.

Honorable Mentions:

Cary Williams: If not for Ngata, the award goes to Williams. The job he’s done to patch the defense is remarkable.

Terrell Suggs:  He has become an all-around threat and team leader.

QUARTERBACK

Demonstrates proficiency:

Coming into his fourth season Joe Flacco emphasized the need to be more involved in play calling, reacting to what defenses show him at the line of scrimmage, and playing more aggressively with the lead.  He’s done all that.  While the execution has not always been there, he is following the plan. He has showed particular improvement moving around in the pocket to allow himself time to attack vertically. 

He is also noticeably better at spreading the ball around, and not leaning on out-patterns and dump-offs.  The offense is much less predictable because of it.  It has also generated throwing opportunities in the middle of the field. While it may seem that more of the offense is flowing through Flacco his stats through four games, against a similar mix of opponents, are actually about the same this season as last:

2010: 83 of 145 for 920 yards, 5 TDs, 6 INTs

2011: 69 of 140 for 973 yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs

The aggressive approach has not led to consistency, but it has produced more big strikes.  He’s on pace to complete 56 passes of 20+ yards this season compared to just 40 this season – nearly a 50% improvement.

Needs improvement:

From game to game, Flacco has been a model of inconsistency.  His QB rating has soared above 100 twice, and been near 50 or lower twice. If we graded on a curve, he’d be fine, because he’s struggled against better defenses.  But for a playoff-hopeful team better consistency has to be there every week.  Part of his issue seems to be faltering concentration, or perhaps he’s pressing as he focuses on staying aggressive.  His QB rating to start the game and coming out after halftime has been fantastic, but he has fallen off considerably as the games wear on through the second and fourth quarters, and his QB rating by quarter reflects it:

1^st: 109

2^nd: 64

3^rd: 81

4^th: 52

His struggles have come with timing and accuracy. His overall completion percentage is below 50% on the season, putting him 30^th in the league.  Some of that is attributable to being more aggressive down field with difficult throws. Some of this may also be a function of a supporting cast with just three starters returning to their same spot through the first four games of this season (Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin, Matt Birk). 

But as Flacco continues to maneuver and set-up longer routes, he needs to work on setting his feet and squaring up his throws. Footwork from under center is still a work in progress, and important in an offense that relies on play action.

RUNNING BACK

Demonstrates proficiency:

Ray Rice is off to a fantastic start, with a 4.5 yards-per-carry average that puts him on pace for a 1,200 yard rushing season in a pass-happy era.  Much of that yardage has been gained on his own, refusing to go down when hit, or displaying a patented jump-cut to find space on the back side of the Ravens new zone-blocking scheme.   His 539 total yards from scrimmage, which ranks him fifth in the NFL, is nearly equally divided between rushing and receiving.  It’s made him a complete back.  That includes staying on the field in goal line situations and converting touchdowns on the ground. 

While Rice has done a lot on his own, Vonta Leach as a lead blocker has been as advertised.  Ricky Williams, after a tepid start, has been a decisive downhill runner when called upon, and very good in pass protection.

Needs improvement:

Ray Rice is much improved as a pass blocker, although he could still be more consistent. Interestingly, his poorest outing, with fewer than 100 yards of total offense, came on a grass field in Tennessee.  He’s much better cutting on turf, where his output has been about 50% higher.    The veteran Williams needs to do a better job protecting the football.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Demonstrates proficiency:

With Lee Evans sitting in week two and three with an ankle issue, Torrey Smith made national headlines by converting this first three NFL catches into touchdowns during Week 3 in St. Louis.  He continued to show the ability to get separation and open the middle of the field against the Jets, but with less production to show for it. He and former Maryland teammate LaQuan Williams have been excellent downfield blockers.

Needs improvement:

Anquan Boldin has muscled his way through defenses and presents a big target for Flacco. He needs to be more consistent catching the ball, with a number of drops.  Overall, the receiving corps has seemed out of synch with their quarterback. Look for improved timing over the next several weeks.

TIGHT ENDS

Demonstrates proficiency:

Ed Dickson doesn’t get enough credit for his 2011 campaign so far. His run blocking is vastly improved and largely overlooked. And he has been a mismatch headache for linebackers and safeties with his size and speed. With 16 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown he’s ahead of the pace set by Todd Heap in his last five seasons in Baltimore.  Behind Dickson, Dennis Pitta has also been effective running drag routes and out patterns against linebackers.  

Needs improvement:

Pitta needs to improve his blocking in order to see more playing time in two-tight end sets.  Dickson has suffered a couple of drops.

TACKLES

Demonstrates proficiency:

Bryant McKinnie has been a godsend anchoring the left side of the line.  When he puts forth the effort he is devastating, swallowing pass rushers and knocking back defenders.  Michael Oher had a solid start to the season on the right side of the line. He’s showed that he has the ability, and it’s just a matter of applying it.

Needs improvement:

Michael Oher.

The hope is that Oher can return to the same level of consistency we saw from him as a rookie right tackle.  At times he has been that good. But other times he has been frustratingly bad pass blocking or committing penalties.  He seems to be over-thinking his assignments.  McKinnie has showed a slight tendency to slack-off later in games.  It was particularly apparent against the Titans in week two.  As the season trudges on it will be important for McKinnie to hold up.

INTERIOR LINE

Demonstrates proficiency:

Marshall Yanda is playing at an All Pro level.  Coach Andy Moeller’s switch to more of a zone-blocking running attack seems to fit Yanda particularly well. He is over-powering at the point of attack and has the quickness to neutralize defensive linemen below the waist. On the goal line he is a devastating weapon.  Matt Birk has showed no signs of lingering knee issues that kept him off the field in the preseason. He has been excellent coordinating pass blocking on the interior, and has been surprisingly effective getting downfield on screens.

Needs improvement:

The team sorely misses Ben Grubbs at left guard.  The only quality performance from the entire interior line came with Grubbs playing in week one.  Former Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode has been less than average at left guard. As a run blocker he’s adequate, but is too slow in space and has been dumped on his rump a number of times pass blocking. The Mark LaVoir experiment at left guard was even worse.

CORNERBACKS

Demonstrates proficiency:

It has been remarkable how well this unit has performed after losing Josh Wilson to free agency, and with injuries keeping Chris Carr and Domonique Foxworth off the field (Foxworth is now out for the season on the injured reserve list).  A year ago, the thought of Cary Williams being relied on as the Ravens starting right corner would have been terrifying. But Williams has been so good playing press coverage that it will be imperative for the team to sign him to a long-term contract.   Quite an achievement for a kid with character issues out of Division II Washburn.  

Williams and the equally physical Lardarius Webb on the opposite side form two of the better-tackling corners in the league.  These young corners have been helped by the pressure that the Ravens front seven have been able to put on opposing quarterbacks.  Up from the practice squad, by necessity, Danny Gorrer in very limited action has looked solid.

Needs improvement:

The aggressive corners are sometimes too aggressive and have been vulnerable to double moves that leave receivers open over the top.  Tennessee exposed them in week two when the ball comes out quickly.

SAFETIES

Demonstrates proficiency:

Ed Reed has been playing with the sort of unbridled energy we have not seen since before his neck injury two years ago.  He has contributed with two interceptions, a forced fumble, a sack and outstanding tackles at the line of scrimmage.  Coordinator Chuck Pagano has moved him all around the field, including three-safety sets and Reed playing in the nickel spot.  Bernard Pollard adds an intimidating physical presence in the middle of the field.

Needs improvement:

Pollard will need to continue to improve in his coverage skills and in absorbing Pagano’s schemes in order to increase his playing time, which right now has mostly gone to Tom Zbikowski.  Zbikowski has not played well.  He needs to improve on taking better angles to the ball carrier and breaking down tackles.

LINEBACKERS

Demonstrates proficiency:

Like the veteran Reed, team leader Ray Lewis is playing at as high a level as we have seen over the last five years. We talk about receivers hitting another gear – Lewis seems to have found another gear in his tackling, as he has uncoiled a number of devastatingly hard hits at the point of attack.  His pass coverage consistency is also improved. Next to Lewis on the inside, Jameel McClain has become a much more consistent linebacker. He’s clearly separated himself from fellow undrafted free agent Dannell Ellerbe. 

The Ravens have also received a nice contribution from Brendon Ayanbadejo in passing situations.  In a league that is becoming more pass-oriented, Ayanbadejo’s value has increased; his speed has been a boon in coverage and blitzing.  

On the outside, Jarret Johnson is playing at a higher level than at any time in his career.  He has repeatedly crashed through blocks on the outside with perfect technique to shut down the outside run.   Johnson and McClain have accounted for two of the defensive returns for touchdowns.

Needs improvement:

Lewis and McClain at times allow themselves to be taken out of plays with one-on-one straight ahead blocks by opposing guards. They need to work on shedding those blocks and finding the ball.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Demonstrates proficiency:

It is hard to imagine a defensive line in the league playing at a higher level than the Ravens beefy rotation.  After dropping considerable weight in the offseason Haloti Ngata may be the best player in the NFL right now. He’s added speed and agility without sacrificing power. His new $61 million contract is both timely and well deserved.

Terrell Suggs makes for a devastating tandem next to Ngata, and when they are running stunts together there are few lines in the league that can block them. Suggs has become more serious and more complete as a player. More than just a pass rushing threat, he’s absorbing blocks and playing a total team game.  

The veteran Cory Redding is playing all-out and his enthusiasm is contagious.  The rookie Pernell McPhee comes in with the second unit and there is no drop off from Redding.  The future is extremely bright for McPhee who shows remarkable technique for a rookie. 

Paul Kruger, while not showing up a lot on the stat sheet, has played much better this season in a stand-up hybrid role. Jarret Johnson made a similar switch at about the same point in his career – Kruger should only get better from her.  He’s already chipping in with a number of quarterback hurries and passes defended.

Needs improvement:

While Suggs is able to drop into coverage, it’s almost a shame to see him doing it.    Arthur Jones was much lauded in the preseason.  Pushing himself to show that talent in games is something that bears watching.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Demonstrates proficiency:

Punter Sam Koch and kicker Billy Cundiff continue to play at the same high level we saw from them last season.  Ayanbadejo, LaQuan Williams, and Albert McClellan have stood out at times on coverage units.  Haruki Nakamura also played well before being knocked out with a knee sprain.

Needs improvement:

The special teams units have been the weakest part of the team. Perhaps it’s not surprising considering the team is stocked with 22 new players this season, and with injuries Jimmy Smith, David Reed, and Nakamura. 

They need to cover kicks better, particularly on the back end.  Lardarius Webb and LaQuan Williams were very shaky as returners. Look for improvement in the return game with the acquisition this week of former Raven and Cowboy Bryan McCann. 

COACHING

Demonstrates proficiency:

John Harbaugh appears much more settled in his role as head coach, in front of the media and the team.  He has backed off the rah-rah clichés, and seems to trust his players more.  His team is focused and not too tight. 

Chuck Pagano has restored the defense’s aggressive style of play and it’s paid big dividends.  He continues to dial up the right moves that are protecting his battered secondary.

Cam Cameron has been given more independent control of the offense and we’re starting to see a less-predictable approach to play calling that is more in line with his Air-Coryell heritage. 

Needs improvement:

The offense needs to be more consistent in their execution and in their level of play at the end of halves.  Look for better pacing from the offense as Cameron shares decision making with his quarterback and as the new faces become more familiar with the scheme. 

Also look for Harbaugh to use the week-two loss to the Titans as a year-long reminder that no game can be taken too lightly if the Ravens are to achieve the goal of playing at home in January.