It’s so difficult to get a good read on the preseason.
Saturday night when the Ravens hosted the Redskins during fake game number 3, the argument could be made that John Harbaugh’s boys were the better team despite the tale told by the scoreboard.
The results are so qualified.
When Joe Flacco left the game the Ravens were in control by the score of 13-0. The coaches pulled several first-team defenders by the second quarter and the Redskins offensive starters took advantage.
During the second half, few Ravens impressed as many players on the bubble competed against Washington’s twos. The Redskins eventually scored 31 unanswered points on their way to the 31-13 win.
Now the coaching staff must assess the carnage and find the silver linings in a pile of dung that is better suited for the silos in Essex. It won’t be easy.
That said, no matter how you slice it, this preseason has been a particularly frustrating one for John Harbaugh. And it shows.
Last week in Philadelphia following a bad call on Terrell Suggs for roughing the passer, Harbaugh lost his composure. A few plays later Harbaugh was still lamenting the bad call and his lack of focus seemed to disrupt that of the defense.
Bad calls happen and if you let them fester, emotions can cloud decision making and usher in less than desired results.
And that’s exactly what happened in Philly.
The Ravens defense let down as the Eagles ran through them like a hot knife through butter. Ryan Matthews capped the Eagles opening drive with a 14-yard waltz through the belly of Dean Pees’ defense.
Fast forward to Saturday night as a fight breaks out involving Steve Smith, Sr. and Harbaugh, a hopeful peace maker, illegally runs across the field to officiate the scrum. Redskins head coach Jay Gruden apparently said something about Harbaugh’s cross field trot which set the Ravens skipper’s blood pressure soaring.
It looked like an episode of Jerry Springer.
At halftime, Harbaugh was unfairly chippy with Comcast Sportnet’s Brent Harris. Harris sensing the coach’s over-the-top feistiness bailed out of the interview quickly, prompting dagger stares from Harbaugh.
The angst wasn’t really about Harris or his questions but more likely the result of a frustrating preseason, wrought with disappointing performances and a lengthy injury list.
Prized first-round pick Breshad Perriman is nursing the world’s worst “bruise”.
Lardarius Webb can’t get on the field.
Michael Campanaro’s participation is as dependable as Tom Brady’s truthfulness.
Matt Schaub’s pocket presence is reminiscent of a 5-year old with a piñata.
Tackling is abysmal and Jah Reid should probably go back to that Key West bar.
The Ravens have so much potential. Pundits throughout the country have heaped praise upon them. Yet they’ve shown little of that promise during an at-best uneven preseason.
Yes it is difficult to get a read on the preseason, but if you want to take the pulse of where the Ravens are right now, just look at John Harbaugh.
That face, that angst tells the story.
How the story ends, at this point, is anybody’s guess.
The regular season can’t get here soon enough!
