Well, top of the morning to you. Or, something about a king or blood sausages or colonial mischief.
Something. I’m not British.
But you get the point. The Ravens are returning to a nation that saw them collectively soil the bed last time they ventured “across the pond” — a 44-7 beatdown courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017.
But, hey, there’s always that Ryan Mallett-to-Ben Watson combination we can warmly bask in together.
The Baltimore Ravens first and only touchdown in London was thrown by the late Ryan Mallett.
It was a memorable afternoon for most of the UK/EU based flock, definitely forgettable for everybody else!
It will rain touchdowns on Sunday! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/RezZkovcL9
— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) October 11, 2023
The Ravens landed in England this go-around with a rancid taste in their mouths after a pathetic and disheartening loss to the rival Steelers last weekend that saw the team fumble, drop and generally appear to be petrified of the feel of football leather in their hands for any extended period of time. The Ravens’ star quarterback feels the receivers are ready to move on from last weekend’s nightmare immediately.
The Ravens’ 5 drops Sunday were the most by a Ravens team since 2021.
“Our guys are going to catch those balls 99 out of 100 times," John Harbaugh said. "So I think we got a lot of catches in front of us, if that's the case."
Full story from London:https://t.co/n1Wb4S3QVB
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 12, 2023
“I believe our guys are locked in right now,” Lamar Jackson said after Wednesday’s practice at the Tottenham Hotspur training ground, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “They are going to be better. So will I.”
“Our guys are going to catch those balls 99 out of 100 times,” Harbaugh said. “So I think we got a lot of catches in front of us, if that’s the case.”
And, let’s be honest, there’s a good chance they’re right.
For all the moaning, hand-wringing and general hysteria over the injuries the Ravens have encountered already this season, there was a huge sigh of relief last week when several of the “Medical Brigade” made their way back to action.
But the fact is, they just haven’t practiced much together. How many practices has Jackson had his full complement of receivers? How many preseason games did they get on the field against an opponent to work on their timing?
I do believe that factors into some of the sloppiness and sometimes-impotent looking offense the Ravens take to the field. It has to impact a receiver’s ability to hang on to a ball if they are also stressing over how many steps they’re taking in their routes, and at what speed and all of those things that a well-oiled machine should have down rote right now.
It has to impact the offensive line a whole lot, as well, right? There is perhaps no other unit in all of professional sports that demands more precision, accountability and repetition than an NFL offensive line.
When watching film, you will see an offensive tackle take on an end briefly, then disengage and press in along with the guard to form a double-team as a running-back steps up to take on that now-free end to buy the quarterback that extra half second, or to provide a clear landing spot for the quarterback to step into to make a pass down field.
It’s almost like a ballet when it is choregraphed well and executed perfectly. Perhaps this offensive line now getting healthier and practicing together, we will see this line jell into a well-oiled machine by the second half of the season.
Or we might see another abbreviated campaign by a star quarterback who takes too many shots.
In totality, there’s no reason to stress out just yet on this Ravens season. They lost a rivalry game to the Steelers, but looked like the better — though sloppier — team for the vast majority of the game. Ditto for the Colts loss.
If they can clean up the little stuff, they should be able to start focusing on the bigger stuff — like competing for a title.
Also of note…
Mike Tomlin on the Ravens years ago: "We know they don't play a full four quarters."
Tomlin to his team last week: "When it’s a dying moment, they will try to burn the house down."
— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) October 12, 2023
Roquan 🔥🔥#NextGenStats powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/wSYgJbqFOB
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 11, 2023
Ravens have allowed the fewest offensive TDs (4) through Week 5
Been decimated with injuries on defense all season, Mike Macdonald finds a way
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) October 11, 2023
