Remember when we used to be elated with a 13-7, defense-heavy effort?
Well this is 2016, Trent Dilfer is not the quarterback, and in a fantasy-focused sport, points are king!
Indeed, this game felt like a loss despite a tally in the win column. The offense gained momentum… only to watch it fade by the wayside time and time again, and all along I kept thinking “we are SO much better than this…”
Maybe that’s the silver lining though- the Ravens ARE better than this! This team played down to an opponent (in Baltimore? Shocker!!) all while showing hints of greatness as they aspire to Make Baltimore Great Again!
But enough of that, let’s throw some letters at our boys in Black & Purple.
Please note: I follow the BCPS policy of not including homework in our grades. All about test grades in live-action games. And I guess attendance? Maybe participation? But unlike BCPS, I’ll fail a fool for sucking up one side, and down the other. And if their parents come at me? I’ll grade them poorly too. I’m old school.
Quarterback: B-
Welcome back from injury Joe Flacco! (pst… your timidness is showing!)
Flacco remained a little reserved when it came to moving outside of the pocket, or planting and driving on throws. He also took a few bad sacks, one of which he had a chance to simply launch the ball through the back of the end zone, and instead crumpled to the ground like Brett Favre on Michael Strahan‘s record setting sack.
On the flip side, only so much can be blamed on Joe. He did the best he could do behind an offensive line giving him little to no time to set his feet. Can’t imagine Joe wasn’t having flashbacks of 2015’s season-ending injury all day long…
Offensive Line: C-
Ronnie Stanley jumped once. Then Alex Lewis too. Then Yanda had a few un-Yanda-like penalties. Then Jeremy Zuttah decided he no longer wanted to be a normal human, and decided to morph into a human-turnstile. Oh, and Zuttah also jumped the gun on a snap, causing a Flacco fumble, and killed a drive.
Too soon for hot seat talk for Zuttah?
Chalk it up to #HotTakes and I’ll see how next week looks, but I’m not liking what I saw out of him today, especially considering the Bills’ defensive suspensions & injuries. If he struggles against Cleveland? Matt Birk should be expecting a call.
Not much went well for the O-Line… BUT they did manage to hold up for a few big plays in the run game towards the end to seal the victory, and for that, I’ll save the ‘D’ for another day (that’s what sh… nevermind).
Wide Receivers: B
A few firsts in todays game:
Breshad Perriman and Chris Moore recorded their first receptions in the NFL (preseason doesn’t count).
Mike Wallace recorded his first catch(es) as a Raven, as well as his first touchdown in purple and black.
Overall, the group had a decent game… whenever the ball actually made it to them. Joe short hopped a few, threw low on a few others, and ran into some confusion between QB-WR on a play or two (notably a shot to the far corner of the end zone where Wallace pulled up early and turned).
While it wasn’t a lights out game, this group is very talented and will continue to grow with Joe this season.
High hopes my children. High hopes indeed.
Running Backs: C+
Much ado about nothing in the run game. Did they close out the game strong? Yup! But the overall game? Weak sauce.
Terrance West out-carried Justin Forsett 12-10, while the 2 backs combined for 73 yards at an average clip of 3.3 yards per carry.
Bleh.
Again, we can go back to the O-Line issues for much of the running game issues, but they held onto the ball, so moral victory party I suppose?
Tight Ends: B
This grade is 100% on Dennis Pitta, as his 3 catches for 39 yards were the only action by tight ends today (outside of a Crockett Gillmore 5-yard reception that went relatively unnoticed).
Two-part grade:
Did Pitta catch passes in live action?
Yes.
Did he get hurt?
No.
Pass!
Defensive Line: C+
Despite a steady dose of pressure mixed in, the Ravens only managed to sack Tyrod Taylor twice.
It should have been at least four or five, but Tyrod is slippery, and managed to break away from multiple sacks and turn those plays into positive yardage.
Timmy Jernigan had himself a game, recording two tackles for losses (one sack), and kept himself clean on the penalty front (also had some sweet dance moves between snaps!)
But the unit overall struggled to make plays, and allowed Tyrod too much time on multiple plays. They also opened up fairly easily on the right side on LeSean McCoy‘s 4th down goal line touchdown.
I expect better out of them in Cleveland next week.
Linebackers: C-
I’m gonna be a jerk, and blame this grade mostly on Albert McClellan. His missed tackle on Tyrod in the second half that resulted in a 20+ yard pick up for a 1st down and led to the Bills’ eventual touchdown was almost a game changer. He was also struggling in the run game, and was more detrimental than helpful on the field at all times.
Oh, and Terrell Suggs had a pretty sack so there’s that!
Secondary: A
Yes, they gave up some plays, but overall, they held Tyrod to less than 50 yards for the most of the 1st half (thanks again McClellan for that missed sack!) and the unit as a whole looks MUCH improved from last season.
Now let’s talk Shareece Wright.
This is NOT the Shareece Wright we saw in the preseason.
THIS is the Shareece Wright the Ravens signed to an extension.
He was literally making every play on the field today for the secondary. Downfield, behind the LOS, in the run game… you name it, and Wright was on it like white on bread.
Special Teams:Â B-
Tucker reverted to his old 50-yard booting self again, which should make Ravens fans optimistic for this season.
Sam Koch had a few good punts, and shanked another (which is becoming an unpleasant trend), but overall an average game.
Then there’s newcomer, Devin Hester.
I heard soooo many fans at the game yelling at Hester (most sans 4-letter profanities, but a few inebriated individuals taking it to the extreme) for missing holes on a return, and trying to cutback on a punt return, only to lose yards.
Relax folks.
Hester’s been on the roster just north of one week now. He’s learning the system, just as Jerry Rosburg is learning Hester’s tendencies. Give it time folks, and always remember:
At least it’s not Camp back there.
Overall: B-
It was a win… but a ‘meh’ win that could have easily been 27-7 or even higher, if not for a few issues. I’m chalking most of it up to nerves and rust, while hoping to see improvement in Cleveland next week.
Go forth ye Ravens fans, and rejoice, as we sit 1-0 on our quest for redemption (and a Lombardi, because why the hell not?)!
