Whether at home or down at The Bank, here are a few things to look for when you aren’t watching the ball during the Ravens v. Panthers “blood and guts” hoedown.
1. Steve Smith, Sr.: The day that Senior signed with the Ravens, he circled September 28, 2014 on his calendar again and again. It would not surprise me if an added incentive for signing with the Ravens was the fact that the Panthers were on Baltimore’s schedule. We know he’ll be targeted often by Joe Flacco. But the fun stuff might take place when he’s not, particularly when the Ravens run the ball. His blocks just might have a little more juju behind them. And who knows what that might lead to.
Oh and if you’re wondering why the Ravens picked an 80 degree day to wear their all-blacks, look no farther than No. 89.
2. James Hurst: The rookie UDFA fills in for the injured Eugene Monroe and he’ll be matched up regularly against second-year defensive end Wes Horton. Hurst played well during the preseason but the regular season is uncharted territory for the former Tar Heel. Look for Panthers’ head coach Ron Rivera to challenge the rookie with overloads, something that Joe Flacco has a bad habit of ignoring.
3. Daryl Smith: The veteran linebacker has been a liability against the run and he’s likely to get a heavy dose of the Panthers’ very capable center Ryan Kalil. Smith is a good cover linebacker but even that part of his game is in decline. Does wearing the green dot keep him in the starting lineup or is it time for a changing of the guard – or should we say ILB? Arthur Brown anyone?
4. Torrey Smith: Torrey looks lost in Gary Kubiak’s offense and hasn’t been dependable for Joe Flacco. He’s very much a one-trick pony these days running sideline nines. With the Panthers attention focused on Senior, perhaps this is the day that Torrey gets it going. The Panthers rely on a disciplined zone defense and Smith’s speed could loosen it up with crossing routes in front of the safeties.
5. Terrell Suggs: The former DPOY has had just 1 sack in his last 11 games and has forced just one fumble since he was named the 2011 defensive MVP. At this point in his career he isn’t much more than an overpaid version of Jarret Johnson. Hopefully on Monday I’ll be eating these words but the body of work suggests a player in serious decline. He’ll be matched up often against Panthers’ left tackle Byron Bell.
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