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As the Pre-Season continues to move quickly we pause this week for the closest thing to the real deal. Week Three is usually dress rehearsal for Opening day and it will be interesting to see the starters playing roughly a half of action before giving way to the bubble boys.

As always there is plenty to watch during tonight’s tilt against the Washington Redskins.

  1. It’s really been hard for me to figure out just how good this first-team defense is. The starters haven’t seen much of the field and Dean Pees isn’t expected to show much more than vanilla schemes. Still the issues of getting pressure on the passer and being a more physical attacking unit are there and tonight I’d at least like to see this defense in attack mode a few times. The basics could use some cleaning up as well. Tackling was fair to poor over the first two games and they simply need to be better.
  2. Chykie Brown and Dominique Franks are expected to start tonight. If it were a real game I’d be closing my eyes each time the ball went in the air. There performance should help the Ravens decide if they should scour the cut list after this week to scoop up some help.
  3. Gary Kubiak’s offense has looked decent in the first two games and with the starters going two quarters the hope is that they start much more quickly than in Dallas. I know he won’t show all his cards but I’m still geeked about the Dennis Pitta screen from two weeks ago. Just give me a little taste tonight Gary of what to expect in September.
  4. The running game has been a sight to behold as it’s hardly mattered who has carried the ball as positive yards have always been the result. Bernard Pierce and Lorenzo Taliaferro look ready to lead the charge the first two weeks. Another solid outing tonight would make me feel that much better.
  5. The Offensive line struggled last week against the rush as Eugene Monroe and Kelechi Osemele put in forgettable efforts. Both need to step up tonight against a Washington team that’s had success getting the quarterback so far.
  6. Matt Elam has looked lost in coverage so far. Sure he’ll be better used in the box stuffing the run but maybe Coach Pees doesn’t want to tip his hand on how he’ll use him yet and instead use the exhibition schedule work him to work on his weaknesses. Still, I’d like to see him make some plays.
  7. I’d probably assume that Michael Campanaro has the fifth spot on the Wide Receiver depth chart so that leaves only one left among the final contenders. So who’s it gonna be? I have no idea. Seriously none. I’m not sold on Deonte Thompson as his big plays last week were as a returner.
  8. The back-up Offensive Line has me worried. I can only hope that Gino Gradkowski and A.Q. Shipley won’t have to play the amount of snaps that they did a season ago. Still it’s time for players like John Urschel, Jah Reid, and Ryan Jensen to show they belong and can handle their assignments.
  9. Terrence Brooks is another guy to watch tonight. With the corner position practically bare Brooks should be used more in the Nickel spot which he played at FSU. If he responds he could be a great help in the secondary right away.
  10. Crockett Gilmore. I have a sinking feeling that he will be the second Tight End. I’m a bit wary of Owen Daniels’ leg soreness. Gilmore should get plenty of looks tonight to see if he’s ready to help Week One.
Matt Jergensen
Matt Jergensen

Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.

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