Is everyone pumped for the big Matt Schaub – Josh McCown battle on Monday Night Football?? It’s been nearly eight full years since the last time the Ravens took the field in a game that mattered without Joe Flacco under center.
And, despite how we fans may feel about the 2015 Ravens season by this point, yes, this game DOES matter.
There are plenty of three-win teams in the NFL. After Sunday’s games, the 49ers, Cowboys, Chargers, and Ravens all have three wins. The Titans and Browns have two each. For those of you hoping for the Ravens to get a top draft pick next year, this logjam of awful is bad news.
On the other hand, the current AFC Wild Card leaders, Kansas City and Houston, are 6-5. So, with a win tonight, the Ravens, at 4-7, would be just two games out of a playoff spot.
So, no matter what you’re rooting for – a win or a loss – there are at least reasons to tune in to what’s going to look like a fourth-preseason-game Baltimore squad taking the field.
Let’s look at the stats, quotes, and more, in this week’s CRAB BAG.
KNOW THY ENEMY
SERIES HISTORY
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
QB Matt Schaub on if his mentality changes as the starter:
“My mindset is not going to change. My mindset hasn’t changed. If you have to change your mindset and the way you prepare, then you’re not ready, you’re not going to be able to go out and function and do your job. Obviously, you know you’re not going to get the physical reps with the [starting] offense [during practice], but you’re going to get the mental reps. You’re going to still get your work in on the scout team. So, that’s what I’ve been doing. It’s just exciting for this opportunity.”
OLB Elvis Dumervil on the Ravens’ “Next Man Up” philosophy due to all the injuries sustained this season:
“I guess when it rains, it pours. We’ve been dealing with it all year, from [Terrell] Suggs to Steve [Smith Sr.]. It’s tough, so we’ve just got to [step up]. Nobody feels sorry for us. We’ve got to make sure we come out and prepare hard. I thought we did some good things on defense [vs. St. Louis]. We’re going out and playing with a lot of energy – guys flying around the ball. The fans were awesome. So we’ll enjoy this win, but come tomorrow, we’ve got to get prepared for a good Cleveland Browns team.”
Rookie RB Javorius “Buck” Allen on stepping up and the emotions of watching RB Justin Forsett suffer a broken arm:
“That’s something I never wanted to see. He’s a hard-working guy. It hurts to see somebody put in that much work and get hurt. You know, God’s got a plan for him, and Justin helped me throughout this process, and [running backs] coach Thomas [Hammock] helped me throughout this process and prepared me for this moment. So, with Justin going down, you try to keep it going. Like I said, my prayers go out to him. I know Justin will help me throughout the rest of the season for watching film or telling me what he sees.”
DT Brandon Williams on losing QB Joe Flacco and RB Justin Forsett for the season:
“It was devastating [news]. They are two great leaders on offense. I’m definitely going to pray for them, but, at the same time, we’ve got capable guys behind them. Matt Schaub is a veteran in this league. He’s got a cannon for his arm and still has a lot of life left, and he’s going to execute the best he can. We support him 100 percent. And you’ve seen what ‘Buck’ Allen can do all season, especially [in the Rams win].”
TE Crockett Gillmore on his chemistry with QB Matt Schaub:
“Matt and I have some chemistry. We throw every day together. We’re the first two out there [on the practice field] and the last two out there. I’m very comfortable with Matt.”
GETTING TO KNOW YOU ~ Q&A with Crockett Gillmore
Describe Joe Flacco’s leadership style that will be missed.
“Growing up where I’m from, Joe is that John Wayne figure. He’s a pretty simple guy, but he has that legend status about him. He has all my respect with what he has been able to do – Super Bowl MVP, Pro Bowl-caliber guy, elite quarterback and everything that he is. He takes control of the huddle, and he is a take-care-of-your-business guy. We’ll miss Joe, but we’re also very confident in Matt [Schaub] leading us really well.”
You played DE in college and have said you belong on defense. How does that mentality help you now?
“For me personally, I know what it takes to play defense. I know how hard it is to do the things those guys do. I know how much more difficult it is for them when they’re playing a guy on the other side of the ball that has that mentality. Offensive guys are usually portrayed as softer, but I know what it takes. When you have that mentality on offense, it puts the ‘D’ in some stressful situations.”
Coach Harbaugh said of you: “I think he’s going to be one of the best tight ends in the league with time.” How does that resonate?
“I’m trying to do it now. We have had conversations about it, and he knows I’m working for it. That was the expectation since being drafted by Baltimore. I know his expectations for me and the success that the Ravens have had. That was my expectation, to come in and not only be one of the best on this team or in the division, but also in the NFL.”
How significant is Baltimore’s young TE trio (Maxx Williams & Nick Boyle) with Matt Schaub under center now?
“We will continue to play the same role we’ve been playing. I think all three of us have played well. Those two young guys can really play. I don’t think we’re going to be a security blanket or anything. Matt will come in and run the offense. He’s a vet, he can coach the offense, and he can obviously run the offense. He’s going to take care of it. We’re not really worried about that.”
Your favorite football memory?
“It is playing college ball with my brother, Austin. I played with him for seven years, including high school. Playing together in high school, we had a lot of times where we sacked quarterbacks simultaneously from opposite sides. We would be talking crap to each other and telling the other, ‘I’m going to get there first.’ We would just meet at the ball, and that was always a great experience.”
Your first job?
“It was working construction for a company my dad runs. My brother and I would carry sheetrock. It was horrible. It was definitely a learning experience. The last time I worked it, I said, ‘I’ll never work for you again!’ I stayed in school the next year and was drafted. He said, ‘I guess you were right.’ I’m not ever touching that stuff again.”
HEY, YOU LOOK FAMILIAR! ~ Key Connections
Ravens GM/executive VP and Hall of Fame TE Ozzie Newsome played 13 seasons in Cleveland, recording 662 catches and 7,980 yards – the most in Browns history. He then held positions as a scout, assistant to the head coach/offense/pro personnel, and director of pro personnel before moving to Baltimore with the franchise as VP of player personnel in 1996.
The Ravens’ staff is comprised of many people who were invited to join the franchise when it moved from Cleveland: Sr. VP of public and community relations Kevin Byrne, Sr. director of football video operations Jon Dubé, Sr. VP of operations Bob Eller, VP of IT Bill Jankowski, Sr. VP of football admin. Pat Moriarty and head certified athletic trainer Mark Smith.
Ravens senior personnel assistant George Kokinis was the Browns’ GM for part of 2008. Kokinis began his NFL career as an operations intern with the Browns in 1991 before moving to Baltimore with the franchise in 1996.
Baltimore director of pro personnel Vincent Newsome played two seasons (1991-92) for the Browns. He then spent three seasons as a special assignment scout before becoming the Ravens’ West area scout in 1996.
Browns head coach Mike Pettine began his NFL coaching career in Baltimore as a coaching and video assistant in 2002. He was also a defensive quality control coach (2003), defensive assistant (2004) and outside linebackers coach (2005-08) for the Ravens.
Ravens RB Terrance West was originally selected by Cleveland in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft and appeared in 14 games for the Browns, leading the team with 171 carries for 673 rushing yards and 4 TDs.
Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman previously served as Cleveland’s QBs coach (1988) and offensive coordinator/QBs (1989).
Browns RBs coach Wilbert Montgomery held the same title in Baltimore from 2008-13. Browns D-line coach Anthony Weaver was a second-round draft choice by the Ravens in 2002. He played four seasons (2002-05) in Baltimore. Browns strength coach Paul Ricci served nine seasons (1999- 2008) as an assistant strength and conditioning coach with the Ravens.
Baltimore special teams coordinator/associate HC Jerry Rosburg was the ST coordinator for the Browns from 2001-06, while Ravens D-line coach Clarence Brooks served in the same role with the Browns in 1999.
Browns LB Paul Kruger (2009-12) was selected by the Ravens (second round) in the 2009 Draft. He led Baltimore with 9 sacks in its 2012 Super Bowl season. DT Jamie Meder signed as a rookie FA with the Ravens in 2014.
Browns senior player personnel associate and Baltimore native Chisom Opara spent the 2004 season as a player personnel assistant with the Ravens after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2003. Browns college area scout Bobby Vega also spent the 2004 summer as a player personnel intern with Baltimore.
LAUGH OF THE WEEK AT EXPENSE OF RAVENS’ OPPONENT
Nope, still not doing that.
