Here are the things we looked for when not watching the ball and here’s what we saw…
1. Phone booth
LOOKED FOR: Last week against the Steelers (which by the way seems like a month ago) the Ravens did a great job of keeping Ben Roethlisberger contained. His pocket was small which disrupted his rhythm and his arm angles, which affected his accuracy. Expect more of the same when the Ravens front seven takes on Brian Hoyer.
SAW: The Ravens’ defensive front was stonewalled when trying to get to Brian Hoyer and rarely disrupted his rhythm. Hoyer dropped back 26 times and was hit only twice. The only registered sack was a gift from Hoyer who fell on a busted play (Upshaw). Otherwise the Browns QB could have ordered a pizza and had time to wait for the delivery. His 127.1 passer rating with rather pedestrian receivers is all the proof you need.
2. Sizzle
LOOKED FOR: Terrell Suggs has 15 career sacks against the Browns, the most against any NFL opponent. Joe Thomas is a very formidable opponent and that will be a fun matchup to observe. Suggs gets of the snide today with his first sack of the season.
SAW: Suggs played very well in run defense and adeptly sniffed out a couple of reverses that resulted in losses of 2 and 10 yards respectively. As a pass rusher taking on Joe Thomas you had to wonder if he was counting 10-Mississippi.
3. Brittle Bernie
LOOKED FOR: Ravens tailback Bernard Pierce is a question mark today as he fights of the effects of a thigh injury. The team released Deonte Thompson yesterday to make room for tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint. You thinking what I’m thinking? Look for Lorenzo Taliaferro to have a role in the outcome of today’s game.
SAW: Pretty much what we had expected. Taliaferro had a solid debut with 91 yards on 18 carries and a score.
4. Brown on Browns
LOOKED FOR: Marlon Brown has been very stealth so far this season and is still seeking his first catch. Last season in his two games against the Browns Marlon had 9 catches for 99 yards and 3 scores while being targeted 15 times. The 6’5” wide out should get a few looks against the Cleveland secondary that has struggled against tall receivers.
SAW: Brown made his first catch of the season and was targeted only once.
5. Man in The Middle
LOOKED FOR: Brandon Williams had an extremely productive 9 snaps against the Steelers. The question is, why so few? This week he’ll see more action, particularly with Timmy Jernigan listed as doubtful. It will be a great test for the second-year DT who will be challenged by one of the league’s premier centers, Alex Mack.
SAW: Williams was on the field for 45 snaps and played well against Mack but he did fail to collapse the pocket with any consistency. But overall a solid outing against a formidable opponent.
NOTE: Special thanks to Nikki Kimmel, Julie Parker-O’Brien and Sheree Opdyke from Parker’s who were gracious hostesses during the Game Day Viewing Party. If you live in Eastern Baltimore County or Harford County, I definitely recommend you give Parker’s a try!
