This week in our newest pregame segment, “Six Pack of Boh,”
we’re going to break down the third preseason game for the Ravens. These third
games in August are usually looked at as a “dress rehearsal” of sorts for the
starters.
Let’s crack open a few ice cold Natty Boh’s and talk some
football.
How long will the
starters play?
In regards to how long the starters are expected to play,
John Harbaugh said, “It’s going to be like a third game format, which is
usually a three-quarter format, and we’ll just kind of work back from there
with guys and as far as how many reps they get and see how it goes. I’d like to
see them get a lot of good, extended work.”
Usually, on field performance and injuries dictate just how
long reserve players will wait to take the field. Hopefully – for the fans sake
– the starters get at least a good half of football with a game-like atmosphere
at M&T Bank Stadium.
Who will line up
opposite Paul Kruger – will it be Courtney Upshaw or Albert McClellan?
Courtney Upshaw’s adaptation to the NFL has gone slower than
most Ravens fans would like, especially factoring in the absence of Terrell
Suggs. I have full confidence in Upshaw and his abilities in the NFL but coming
into a new system and playing against the best players in the world can be hard
on a rookie.
I will also admit that Albert McClellan has been one of the
biggest surprises on defense at practice. While most fans were hoping for the emergence of Sergio
Kindle in his third NFL season, it’s instead been McClellan who has emerged as
the favorite to fill in for Suggs until Upshaw is up to speed.
McClellan is fast and very athletic. While he doesn’t have
the pedigree of a Courtney Upshaw – he was an undrafted free agent in 2010 – he
seems to be finding a home in Baltimore playing alongside another alumni of
Kathleen High School in Lakeland, FL. – Ray Lewis.
Can Tommy Streeter
force the Ravens hand for at least a practice squad job?
If Tommy Streeter makes the 53-man roster I’ll be shocked.
Streeter has the ideal body of a red-zone threat but lacks the hands and route
running abilities.
For Streeter to make the team, he’s going to have to show
something in game situations that catches the coaches’ eyes because he’s been
outplayed at practice by most of the other receivers on the roster.
Who will emerge as
the Ravens’ #2 cornerback?
Lardarius Webb has 50 million reasons why he’s the top
cornerback on the roster but who will take the next spot under him on the depth
chart remains to be seen. A team that looked rich in secondary depth has
struggled as of late.
Cary Williams was embarrassed during the Ravens’ first game
against the Falcons and Calvin Johnson took Jimmy Smith to school, as Megatron
does with most NFL defensive backs.
Smith has struggled with a lower back injury and his play
during practice and in games has been impacted. Williams doesn’t have clean
bill of health either but seems to be at least considered for the second spot
given Smith’s play so far.
Regardless of who is slated as the second or third
cornerback on the depth chart, all of them will see plenty of playing time as
the Ravens plan to shift Webb to the nickel position when necessary.
Will we see the
Curtis Painter we’re used to?
Tyrod Taylor has made plays with his feet but his throwing
has been questionable in game situations so far. Even though Curtis Painter had
a stellar performance during the preseason game against the Falcons, he rarely
looks like that in practice.
While I understand the buzz centered around Painter based
off the fans’ limited availability to watch Painter on a daily basis, I’ll
simply say that there is no way he’ll beat out Taylor for the job.
The Ravens’ quarterback situation is Joe Flacco or bust.
Without a veteran backup on the roster, the Ravens have to hope Flacco can
continue his Cal Ripken Jr.-like tendencies and play his fifth consecutive year
without missing a game.
Does Billy Cundiff
continue with his increased confidence?
No discredit to Justin Tucker, who still continues to
impress anyone who watches him kick, Billy Cundiff seemed to have more
confidence as training camp began to wind down.
This past week, Cundiff has been booming the ball off of his foot and the sound
the ball makes when it’s kicked proves it. Earlier this week in practice,
Cundiff even made a 62-yard attempt.
Tucker still has a very good chance of winning the kicking
battle and a mistake from either kicker tonight could prove
detrimental to their hopes of kicking for the Ravens.
For more Ravens news and info, follow me on Twitter
@RavenManiac.
