The Baltimore Ravens beat the New York Jets 24-23 tonight in their second Pre-season game.
Here are a few quick takeaways:
1) Hauschka hitting his 42 yard-attempt, and Gano missing his 46 yard-attempt, puts an awful lot of pressure onto Gano going forward. It also puts pressure on the Ravens organization to bring back Stover. The Ravens have a deep team. If you were to carry Stover, you would probably carry Hauschka as a kickoff-specialist, and that takes a roster-spot from someone else. However, that is more ideal than going into this season wondering if you will have to take points off the board.
2) Flacco clearly wishes that opposing defenses would blitz him every-down, because it allows him to flex his arm, and work down the field. Credit Cam Cameron for going with a pass-oriented offense tonight.
3)Kelly Washington is 30 years-old, and has had a total of 20 receptions during the past 3 seasons combined. That has made me rather luke-warm about what he brings to the table as a receiver. However, I can not ignore what he is showing on the field right now. At 6’3, 215 he represents a big target that Flacco is finding. Between his ‘Ray’ dance at camp, and the emotion he has shown on 1st-down catches the past-two weeks, he obviously is not a wall-flower. Right now, he is probably a good bet to exceed 20+ catches in 2009 alone.
4) Gooden was again flying around tonight, and making his presence felt, inclusive of a sack. His theatrics after every tackle is a bit much though. I understand he is from the ‘U’, but you do not have to tell the world how good you are after every basic play.
4a) It was good for Gooden that he was on tonight, because McClain had a big game as well, with 8 tackles and the INT.
5) The entire world is going to find out in 2009 just how imposing Ngata is. Everyday that passes without the Ravens finding a way to extend him, is going to cost the organization additional dollars in the long-run.
6) Harper eliminated any doubt about him making the roster with his 51 yard reception.
7) If someone could show Antwan Barnes how to wrap people up, he would have multiple sacks every game. It is amazing how often he gets pressure, and forces the QB to move in the pocket, but is unable to complete the sack.
8) Anyone else sensing that Webb might have the ability to be a special player?
9) I was hoping Heap, and Smith would have had more opportunities tonight.
10) All of the passing, provided a great opportunity for the starting O-line to work on pass-protection. Some of the pockets Flacco had were ridiculous. Gaither was beat once when Flacco held onto the ball, but other than that, they looked good. ESPN made the point of crediting Yanda for a crushing block off the bench.
Bonus) I have been calling for 10-6 for this team, but might have to revisit that prediction. This is a very deep Ravens team, with two excellent lines. They are also playing with a purpose, and a clear goal in-mind. This should be a very enjoyable season. It is quite possible for this team to be elite and win 12 games, as opposed to being very good and winning 10.
Bonus 2) WNST is reporting a shoulder injury for Gregg, and a hamstring injury for LJ Smith.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.