Ravens over KC in 2nd Exhibition Game; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

With a 31-13 exhibition victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens have moved one step closer to the September 11th Season Opener against Pittsburgh.

The Good:

1) After Webb’s fumble on the Punt Return, the defense did a good job holding KC to a field goal.

2) Flacco and Lee Evans were in-sync, which was good to see. Evans made a nice catch early on a quick slant. Early in the 2nd Quarter, Evans caught a 13 yard pass on 3rd and 8. The Ravens 1st TD drive was keyed by the 43 yard strike (on another 3rd down) to Evans late in the 1st half.

3) Cary Williams made a nice play on 3rd down in the 1st Quarter, and later jumped the route on another ball which should have been a pick.

4) Webb and Ellerbe combined for a sack, and Webb would later get pressure a 2nd time. Covering the slot receivers, Webb was able to help the Ravens run defense.

5) Kindle showed his athleticism, twice coming close to blocking a punt.

6) Kruger had several pressures, and made a diving stop on 3rd and 7 to end a KC drive.

7) Kris Wilson seems to be in good position to become the Ravens 3rd TE.

8) During the first two exhibition games, the most impressive Ravens player has been the 5th round pick – DE Pernell McPhee. When drafted, we kept seeing scouting reports that McPhee was not much of a pass rusher, and was mostly known as a run stopping DE. So far, we have seen a guy capable of getting pressure, and running with a non-stop motor. Really looks like a guy that will help the Baltimore depth this year.

9) Vonta Leach delivered a smash on his own grab, and made a strong block on Rice’s TD run.

10) Rice looked good. Was interesting hearing the Ravens telecasters relay Rice’s comments about wanting to elevate his game as an every-down back this year.

11) I thought Reid looked better tonight than he did last week against the Eagles. Like Leach, he also had a nice block on the Rice TD run.

12) LaQuan Williams had a couple of Kick Returns, breaking one for 36 yards. Cantwell hit Williams for nearly 40 yards with just over a minute left.

13) Burgess, Divens, Nakamura, and Hall added 2nd half sacks.

14) Tyrod Taylor and David Reed had a couple nice series of plays together in the 4th, including a 41 yard connection.

14a) Taylor’s TD run was exceptional.

14b) Evans, T. Smith, Reed, and Dickson really have a chance to open up things for the Ravens this year. You put single coverage on them, and they can beat you down the field. As defenses respect that ability more, that will only help the running game as defenders have to be pulled from the box.

15) Parmele ran hard, and showed some burst with his 4th Quarter TD.

16) Harewood is a massive body that was opening holes for the 7th round pick Anthony Allen late in the 4th, who looked good (5 carries, 34 yds, and a TD).

The Bad:

1) Flacco completed only half of his 24 passes, and was not particularly sharp.

2) While Cary Williams made a nice play jumping the route of KC receiver, he should have come up with the pick. On the KC TD to end the 1st half, Copper got inside of Williams for the reception.

3) The Ravens probably instructed Parmele to run out the initial KC kickoff, so that they could work on their return game. That said, Parmele started 7 yards deep in the end zone and even with a 21 yard return – the first Baltimore drive started on their 14 yard line.

4) Unlike the playoff game last January, Jimmy Smith gave the Ravens a decent option to match-up against Dwayne Bowe. That said, Bowe provided some some learning opportunities for the young CB, making plays against Smith in press coverage.

5) My Wife Laura does not watch much football. The fact that she has begun to notice Michael Oher’s propensity for false starts is not a good thing.

6) Cousins at RG is a less noticeable weakness than Cousins on the outside, but you would still like to avoid him having to start. Cousins also drew a false start on 3rd and 3, with 10 minutes left in the 2nd Quarter.

7) Burgess missed a 2nd Quarter tackle, cosing Baltimore at-least 15 yards.

8) KC took advantage of Baltimore pressure, throwing over the top of Kruger for positive yards late in the 2nd.

9) Tandon Doss was guilty of illegal formation to start the 3rd.

10) Phillips missed a tackle in the open field.

11) Dickson and Pitta combined for just 2 catches for 8 yards. Was hoping to see these two make some plays together tonight in two TE sets.

11a) T. Smith had just 1 grab for 2 yards. Smith has looked uncomfortable so far in the Exhibitions. As hard as Smith works, it was known that he was coming into the league a bit raw as a route runner. I’d like to see the Ravens limit the routes and formations they use Smith in to start. The current goal should be trying to get him matched-up in single coverage on go routes down the field. He has the speed to get behind defenders, and the strength to come down with the ball.

12) Taylor again showed some things to like, but to me also again showed why it would be a mistake to enter the year with him as the primary backup QB this year. For all the skills he has that can not be taught, he obviously still has a lot to learn. The Ravens are attempting to win a Super Bowl this year. If Flacco goes down, I don’t think you want to turn the reigns over to a Rookie. On the other-hand, Taylor might be showing too much potential, for the Ravens to be willing to let him go now.

The Ugly:

1) I’ve said previously that I disliked Webb as a Punt Returner. My main issue is that I think he is too valuable as a DB, to risk him to further injury in the return game. However, as long as he is going to be utilized in that PR capacity, you simply can’t afford to muff punts and turn the ball over.

2) Flacco did not need to be in the game with 5 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, let alone to begin the 2nd half.

3) It was a bit demoralizing to see the Chiefs answer Baltimore’s TD, with a 80 yard march for a score of their own to end the 1st half.

4) Why did Reid need to play into the 4th Quarter tonight? If the Ravens think he needs extended experience, they should not be preparing to for him to start when the lights go on for real. Not the biggest issue, just disagreed with the decision.