ExtremeRavens Posted October 24 Posted October 24 We asked readers how they would grade the Ravens (5-2) through the first seven weeks of the NFL season. Here are the results from our online poll, Instagram and X: A — 94 votes B — 199 votes C — 19 votes D — 10 votes F — 0 votes Here’s what some of the voters said (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar): The O-line has really come around as opposed to the first two weeks. That means offensive coordinator Todd Monken must run Derrick Henry 20 times a game. He will break one big run or more because opponents’ defense will let down a few times a game. Keep doing it as it is now. This will all go toward Lamar Jackson flourishing. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr should follow last year’s approach with aggressive pressure. His inexperienced play-calling is hurting his job. Follow a proven path and listen to adviser Dean Pees on strategy. John Harbaugh brought him back for a reason. I agree with others’ comments that defensive backs are sitting back in zone and waiting for an interception. They lack aggressive zone cover technique. This leads to late-game comebacks as the D-line and secondary tire as the game goes on into the fourth quarter. Harbaugh, as always, sets a good tone. Spend more time with Orr to help him. Overall, in the past five games I would grade a high B. Find and develop depth to cover for future predictable injuries. — Joe When there’s a 21-point swing around for the Bucs in the fourth quarter … that’s a concern. — Jeff Jones Our unbelievable offense has been covering up for many defensive lapses. The defense is not yet together and I blame the turnover in coaching staff for that problem. I hope defensive coordinator Zach Orr can get it together before the playoffs. — Art Stowe I give offense and defense 40% of the total score and special teams 20% of the score. The offense is playing at an A level. There are still too many penalties and slow starts to games, but I give them a 97, or 39 points toward the total score. The defense has frustrated me for years, aside from last year (I would never have let Mike Macdonald leave the building at any cost. Sorry, Harbaugh) in the way that they play in the secondary. They don’t contest the ball and are willing to concede receptions to the opposing offenses and far too frequently miss tackles. The pass rush is still not where it needs to be and we are giving up way too many yards to the tight ends and running backs. For this reason, I give the defense a 65, or 26 points to the total score. The special teams is probably the biggest surprise since this is allegedly Harbaugh’s best possibility to influence improvement on the team. The degree of difficulty of what they ask the special teams to do, particularly on kickoff scenarios, is low compared to others who are trying to pin other teams deeper in their territory. Kicking it out of the end zone shows no confidence in their ability to cover and puts a cap on the total score, a la an easy vault in the women’s gymnastics. You can’t get big scores if you don’t try big things. Giving up two onside kicks has to be brought up. Punter Jordan Stout has been average. For a team with two supposed experts on special teams on the staff, this seems to be underwhelming. I’d give them a 70, or 14 points toward the total. The defense and special teams are not contributing to a satisfactory level. The total score is 79 or close enough to a B letter grade. — David Wells We must work on our defense and offensive line and mental mistakes leading to penalties. — Angela Coming into ’24, the questions were the O-line, the receivers and the defensive coaching. Two-thirds have been home runs. And not solo shots, but grand slams. The fact that the defense is a bit behind should surprise nobody. There’s time for improvement. “A” season so far. — Tim Hendren on X The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To see results from previous sports polls, go to baltimoresun.com/sportspoll View the full article Quote
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