The Ravens find themselves in a bit of a precarious position this week, staring 0-2 in the face. As Ravens fans have heard all week long, historically, NFL teams that start 0-2 make the playoffs just 11.7% of the time. The good news is that they couldn’t have hand-picked a better team to “get healthy” against, the lowly Oakland Raiders. While it would certainly put the minds of fans at bit more at ease if the game were being played in the friendly confines of M&T Bank Stadium, beggars, as they say, can’t be choosers.
The Ravens stayed out west all week, practicing in San Jose, to keep the team’s bodies on “West Coast Time,” the first of two such extended trips here in 2015. With three key division clashes looming, let’s hope the Ravens can start to figure out their offensive issues in Oakland, while continuing to play suffocating defense.
Let’s take a look at the stats, quotes, and more, in this week’s Crab Bag.
KNOW THY ENEMY
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
Ravens’ reactions to OLB Terrell Suggs’ season-ending Achilles injury:
Pro Bowl ILB C.J. Mosley:
“It’s a big loss, but there’s another day. That’s no excuse for our defense to slump down at all. The young guys have to step up, and we’ve got to get more guys to make more plays where he would have been. We wish him the best and a speedy recovery. It’s just a freak thing. Things happen, and young guys have to step up.”
OLB Courtney Upshaw
“[Defensive coordinator] Coach [Dean] Pees and the coaching staff have been trying to look at things that will put me on the field. Now with Terrell going down, I’ve got to step up my game all-around. It’s not going to be easy to try and replace what Terrell brings to the team, but we’ve got to step up.”
CB Kyle Arrington
“It’s hard to replace 55; he’s like the heart and soul of this defense and almost this football team. That’s when guys have to step up, and we have to step up and rally around and behind them at this point.”
NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks on defensive coordinator Dean Pees:
“It’s not easy living up to the lofty standard set by a series of great defensive coordinators in Baltimore, but Pees has continued to extend the Ravens’ defensive dominance under his watch. The veteran play-caller has kept the Ravens playing at a high level despite inserting a number of young players into the lineup following Baltimore’s Super Bowl triumph a few seasons ago. Utilizing an attack-style 3-4 scheme that sends pressure from every angle, Pees forces quarterbacks to make quick decisions under duress. Additionally, he clogs the running lanes with multiple bodies and dares runners to turn the corner against a fast defense. Although the blitz-heavy scheme exposes cornerbacks to countless one-on-one matchups, the fact that the Ravens finished in the Top 10 in total defense [in 2014], with a cast of former practice-squad members and late-season pickups occupying key spots, speaks volumes about Pees’ coaching prowess.”
Head coach John Harbaugh on CB Jimmy Smith:
“I’m a believer in Jimmy Smith. I believe Jimmy Smith is going to make history as a cornerback. I believed that from the day he got here. I’ve watched him progress. He’s one of the most coachable, teachable, hard-working, smart, talented players you’re going to find. And you’re seeing the fruits of that labor.”
NOTES & MILESTONES
GETTING TO KNOW YOU ~ Q&A with Jimmy Smith
Following a season-ending foot injury in 2014, what are your personal goals in 2015?
“My first goal is, obviously, to stay on the field, stay healthy. My second goal is to help the team get to the playoffs. The third goal would be to win the Super Bowl.”
How are you hoping to build upon the success you’ve already had and reach those goal?
“I just plan to continue to keep growing, doing what I’ve been doing. I’m trying to get better every day. As long as I feel [that] I’m trying to get better and trying to improve my game every day, I’ll reach the level of success that I want.”
Besides interceptions, what do you think defines a standout cornerback in the NFL?
“Obviously, a cornerback that stands out in any level is someone who makes plays in cover, who can tackle, who can pretty much do it all. And, it helps sometimes when they’re huge and can do it all. Those guys really stand out.”
What former NFL receiver would you most like to match up against if you had the opportunity?
“I would want to face Michael Irvin, just because of the physical style of play that he had. Also, Randy Moss, because he’s probably – of all the receivers of all time – I think he’s probably the freakiest, being 6-4, running a 4.2. He can jump over anybody. He was the real deal. I think he’d be a very, very tough matchup. There’s nobody like that in the NFL now.”
What is your favorite moment since becoming a Raven?
“When we won the Super Bowl [in 2012]. That’s the second-best feeling, behind having a baby. It’s a great feeling. The Super Bowl party, the ring ceremony – there’s no moment that can top winning the Super Bowl. I guess being drafted would be another favorite moment.”
Your son was born prior to the 2014 season. What has been the best part about being a father?
“Watching him grow and having something you can love so much more than yourself. It’s a unique feeling; it’s a different feeling. I guess it’s what life is about – having a baby, having a family and getting to raise your family and being a part of that whole process. It’s how I was raised in my household. For me, it’s like I have my own now, and it’s just the greatest ever.”
What’s the most difficult game you’ve played in?
“I wouldn’t say [it was] difficult, but I had a very bad outing my rookie season [2011] against the Chargers. They had 4 catches for 100-some yards and a TD on me. It was a very bad outing. I wasn’t so damaged afterwards. I took it as a learning lesson. You’re going to take your lumps in the NFL, so I watched the tape and got better.”
HEY, YOU LOOK FAMILIAR! ~ Key Connections
Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio led the Ravens’ LBs from 1999- 2001, while assistant defensive backs coach Rod Woodson played four seasons (1998-2001) in Charm City. Baltimore’s record-setting defense helped the Ravens capture the Super Bowl XXXV title in 2000.
Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman served as a senior assistant (2001) and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (2002-03) in Oakland. The 2002 Raiders represented the AFC in Super Bowl XXXVII, after leading the NFL with 389.8 yards per game and ranking second with 28.1 points per game.
Ravens inside linebackers coach Don Martindale worked with Oakland’s LBs from 2004-08. The 2006 Raiders’ defense allowed just 284.8 yards per game, ranking third in the NFL.
Ravens DT Christo Bilukidi (2012-13) and QB Matt Schaub (2014) played for the Raiders before joining Baltimore.
The late Al Davis, former Raiders owner and GM, worked as a scout for the Baltimore Colts in 1954.
Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio’s staff in Jacksonville included Ravens LBs coach Ted Monachino (2006-09) and strength and conditioning coach Bob Rogucki (2004).
LAUGH OF THE WEEK AT EXPENSE OF RAVENS’ OPPONENT
