What preseason game matters? It’s hard to know if it’s the first one. The theme of not getting injured and turning up remains true for this game. But you also want to get the guys out there and have them start the process of some game pressure and action.
Discuss what you’ll be watching here on the BSL Forum.
These are 10 things I’ll be watching for:
1. Marc Trestman – What does he do on the very first drive? Kubiak didn’t hold back last year. We saw the kitchen sink early on. We ran the ball, we cut blocked, we used play action, it was a crisp drive against a team that hadn’t prepared. It even felt a bit scripted yet creative, which was something Ravens fans had been clamoring for with a team that always seemed to be a run, run, pass type offense.
Will Trestman try to wow us? Are we going to be overcommitted to the run because of the growing media concern (and response from the Ravens) that Trestman doesn’t run due to his history in Chicago? I’d like to see them air it out a bit, and use some of that patented Trestman isolation and strategy and to see Joe make some audibles at the line. But that’s probably asking too much. This is something much more to keep an eye on in the whole body of the preseason.
2. The secondary. I bet you didn’t think this was going to be next. Smith and Arrington seem to have locked down spots, I’m guessing Webb won’t play. It’s De Ja Vu all over again.
What do we have. Is Melvin ready for more? Is Walker going to look like Franks from last year? Can Jackson stay healthy? Who is this year’s Chykie Brown? The depth in this area feels like it’s already being tested early. And I don’t see our top guys being on the field more than 2 or 3 drives. These guys are going to be interesting to watch.
3. What will Pees do? You don’t want to show too much in the preseason, but I think we’re going to get a feel early on if we’re the same old vanilla Pees or if he wants to ratchet the pressure up a bit. Even if we’re giving away that the Ravens are going to be a little bit more aggressive this year, the preseason is the time to put teams on notice.
We’ve already read about how there have been some double a gap blitzes in practices. I’d like to see that carried over to the field. Let’s go get the QB. If we’re more passive, I don’t think it means anything. But if we’re more aggressive, I think it’s putting the league on notice.
4. Ok, ok…I’m watching the receiver battle. M. Brown, Aiken, Campanaro and Butler seem to be banging hard for that 3rd WR spot. Individually, will Brown show any consistency? Can Aiken continue what we’ve seen in practice? Can Campanaro stay health (and how many snaps will he see, also will we see him returning punts)? And can Bulter keep it together.
Butler is the guy I’m most excited about. Not only is he back to the same guy it sounds like he was last year, but it also sounds like he’s worked hard. He’s a bit faster and crisper in his routes according to reports. Even if there isn’t a job to be won, there are situational snaps sitting there to be taken. Who’s going to go get them?
5. TE. This is a good one. I think we’re not going to see a ton of Crockett Gillmore. You have to presume given Harbaugh’s penchant for playing vets that we’re not going to see a rookie starting Week 1. That’s a given. But how much time will Gillmore get. I think if he sees a lot more time, it will be more about mistrust of the rookies and a bad sign for the new guys, moreso than anything else.
But what do we see from Boyle and Williams. Will the Ravens Williams to do some blocking (god help Matt Schaub if/when they do). Will Boyle get some more complex routes? If the Ravens drive on the first possession, will we see the Ravens use Williams in the red zone?
6. DE. We’re already a man short. I’m looking for KLM though. Can he stay healthy? Does he have anything else in the tank? Davis, Tyson, Guy. There are some reps here to be fought for. Which guy wants it. This is one of the areas I think you see less from the pre-season games. The Ravens will get more reps and be able to see more on film from practice situationually, but this is a chance for a guy to stand out and earn those reps in practice.
7. 50-53. The Ravens roster is going to be really tight this year. Starting with Pitta/Brooks on the PUP and Urban out helps some, but really not very much. Tyson or KLM is going to take Urban’s spot.
Steve Means, Arthur Brown, Orr, McLellan, Waller, Trawick, Pointer, Jacobs, Jackson are seemingly fighting for 4 spots. Where do the Ravens need special teams guys to be coming from? I’m sure we’ll see an injury or two more pop up. The roster is really tight and we know the value that Harbs puts on ST. It’s going to be an interesting battle to watch. Seeing these guys n ST is probably going to be a place where a guy can stand out.
8. Zadarius Smith and Steve Means (somewhat Upshaw). These guys are getting some hype in camp. Nothing like McPhee was getting last year, but one of these guys is going to be asked to be that guy. Ozzie views these guys as acceptable depth, but fans are left with some question marks. I’ll be watching for how Pees uses them, but performance matters. Both guys can lock up his roster spot on game day by getting some QB hits. We also expect that Upshaw is going to get some of those shots stunting and moving around the line some. Will we see him on the field with Doom and Suggs at the same time?
9. Buck Allen. He’s got his fans and he’s going to get his touches. Let’s see what he’s got. I wouldn’t call him a fan favorite yet, but if he has a game like Taliaferro did in his first pre-season game, the hype is going to get loud.
10. Juice. What are the Ravens going to do with this guy. We’ve already heard some rumblings that he doesn’t really have a role. He’s not a traditional RB like Leach was, so does Trestman work him in? Do we see him split out some? Play action, waggle, safety valve release on the back side? If he wants to give him a shot as a toy, he’s probably going to want to see him in some live action.
It’s probably going to be boring, and you just want everyone to stay healthy, but these are the areas that I’ll be watching.
Ravens Analyst
Jordan Kough is a graduate of University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He’s a long standing Ravens and Orioles fan of many years. He grew up just north of Baltimore and likes the statistical analysis of games as much as watching games themselves.