Jim Caldwell took over the playcalling for Cam Cameron late in 2013, and was at the helm for Joe Flacco’s historic postseason run. Caldwell is now the head coach of the Detroit Lions, and returns to Charm City for the first time since leaving following the 2013 season (when he was obviously unable to continue the success of the previous postseason). Other than the Gary Kubiak season of 2014 that will forever live in Baltimore lore, the Baltimore offense has continued its downward spiral in the seasons since, seemingly bottoming out here in 2017. Will the Ravens be able to put up enough points to match Detroit’s 5th-ranked scoring offense and remain in the driver’s seat for the AFC’s 6th and final playoff spot?
Let’s get to the stats, notes, quotes, and more to get you ready for Ravens/Lions, c/o Casa Mia’s White Marsh.
KNOW THY ENEMY
SERIES HISTORY
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
LB C.J. Mosley on continuing the Ravens’ tradition at middle linebacker:
“It makes you want to strive for greatness. You always want to be the best that you can be and keep the tradition going as a defensive player on the Ravens and as a middle linebacker. Look at a player like Terrell Suggs. He’s one of the last ones of that generation of Ravens. That’s what you want to think about when it comes to your future. You just want to keep everything going the right way. The NFL is a job and all that, but I plan on being here for a long time. I want to be one of those last Ravens that is giving to the next generation.”
Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden on OLB Matthew Judon, who has 5 sacks this season:
“He is one of the emerging stars in pro football.”
S Tony Jefferson on what the key is for the defense continuing to create turnovers:
“We have a goal. We have a turnover margin goal, so weekin and week-out, we try to accomplish that or get close to that. Our mindset is to take the ball away and have the offense protect the ball. We did that, and I think it is an old saying – ‘If you win the turnover battle, you usually win the game.’ We have to continue to do that. We have some tough offenses coming in that we will have to slow down and play ‘Raven football.’”
WR Mike Wallace on playing in Baltimore:
“When you are home and in a place where they accept you, that’s like heaven. I love it here. It’s been great. It’s just given me back that sense of self. I’m happy they gave me an opportunity to re-establish myself. I want to go hard for these last games. We’re going to get where we want to be.”
John Harbaugh on QB Joe Flacco’s comment about the offense needing to take it to another level:
“That’s something that we talk about every day. That’s something that we’re fighting to do. The first step is getting our guys back. We continue to work throughout the season. We have to keep grinding, get a little bit better every single day, every single week, in everything we do – in the run game, pass game, pass protection – all of those things. Joe was exactly spot-on. We’re just like everyone else in this league – we’re trying to win the whole thing. We’re not there yet, but they don’t play that game yet. So, the first step is the next step, and the next step is our next game. We have to be good enough to figure out how to win the next game and keep building off of that.”
GETTING TO KNOW YOU ~ Q&A with Sam Koch
Having been in Baltimore 12 years, how has the organization changed?
“I feel like for the most part, it has stayed the same, just because of the types of people this organization brings in. The organization always brings in such a good group of people with free agents and draft picks that really correlate well with the rest of the team, whether it be in the locker room or the way they play. They all have the same goal in mind, they are all great men, and we all bond very well together.”
As the two players who have been here the longest, what is your relationship with Terrell Suggs?
“We have a complicated relationship, but it is a good one. It is one of those things where Friday he steals my jersey, and he wears that as well as random articles of clothing throughout the week. I usually have to go somewhere random to find my own gear. But, it has been a great 12 years to be with such a dedicated and legendary guy like ‘Sizz.’ He keeps it entertaining.”
Who would your ultimate golfing foursome be?
“I’d say, me, Joe Montana, Will Ferrell and Dave Kindig from ‘Kindig-It Design.’”
What is the last book you read?
“Well, currently I’m reading ‘Shoe Dog’ by Phil Knight. I’m about three quarters of the way through, and it is incredible.”
When did you realize you had a future in punting?
“Ever since I started playing soccer in fourth grade, I always kicked farther than all the other kids, so I always took a liking to it. I ended up doing the duties on flag football and then, I went to tackle football. I began to get really good at it, so I just kept doing it.”
What specialist did you look up to most?
“Jeff Feagles. His directional ability was amazing. A couple other guys were Sean Landeta and Tom Tupa, but I always looked up to Jeff Feagles the most.”
If you could learn any skill, what would it be?
“I’d like to know how to build a car from start to finish. I think that would be pretty awesome.”
Complete this sentence: The best thing about playing with Justin Tucker is…
“His personality. His personality alone helps me and Morgan [Cox] a lot. We are very soft spoken, but Justin always keeps us together and keeps it fun. He basically just makes us realize that when we are out there on the field, we are there to have fun.”
What is your hidden talent?
“I know how to put things together. I redid my whole basement. I grew up in construction, so I’m pretty good with my hands.”
HEY, YOU LOOK FAMILIAR! ~ Key Connections
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell (QBs coach/offensive coordinator, 2012-13) and Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin (2011-13, secondary) coached in Baltimore, helping the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII.
Ravens offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg was Detroit’s head coach in 2001-02, while Baltimore’s D-line coach Joe Cullen served in the same role (2006-08) with the Lions.
From 1991-96 Ravens WR Breshad Perriman’s father, Brett, played for Detroit, which is where Breshad was born in 1993.
Lions T Rick Wagner was drafted by the Ravens in the fifth round of the 2013 draft and played in 62 games with Baltimore. … Lions DT Haloti Ngata was selected 12th overall by the Ravens in 2006 and played from 2006-14, earning five Pro Bowls.
LAUGH OF THE WEEK AT EXPENSE OF RAVENS’ OPPONENT
