Baltimore at Cleveland

[tsylvester]

 Fresh off of their hard fought victory against the Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore travels to Cleveland to complete the two game series with the Browns. In fact, four of the next five games are against their AFC North opponents. The Ravens have a chance to make a statement, but will those words be: here we come, or we surrender?

While they won this past Sunday, it was anything but perfect. They still could not run the ball consistently, even in the fourth quarter when the defensive line of the Vikes was worn down. Receivers struggled to get open in a timely manner, Lamar barely had time to take a breath, let alone go through his reads.

The defense bent but did not break often, harassed the young signal caller of the Vikes, but the line left openings he was able to exploit with his feet. They did get two more interceptions, special teams finally stepped up and cause two fumbles, recovering one, that may have been the turning point of the game.

But this game is funny, no matter the record of the teams, the Browns and Ravens do not like each other, play hard against each other, and there have been times when the supposed lesser of the two teams has dominated.

Baltimore has won three in a row, they must stay focussed, diligent in their schemes to secure a sweep over their rival this season and continue the climb out of the basement in the AFC North division. 

They will need to play better along the offensive line, the secondary and pass rush must have better timing together. Dilion Gabriel is an accurate passers with a quick release, but he is still a rookie, they must make him look like one.

So, who ya got?

[oldno82]

Clearly there are major problems with the offensive line. As you pointed out, Lamar barely has time to get the ball off and he knows harassment is coming on each and every pass play whether the opponent blitzes or not. In fact, that's the killer on both lines: the offense struggles to contain a 4 man rush and the defense can't generate a 4 man rush. I think the personnel are the problem as well as the O-line coach. Faalele and Vorhees just don't seem to have 'it' and the D-line, not quite as bad, misses Madds. Our Edge Rushers may be improving, especially with Dre'Mont who showed promise and our second round pick who seems to get a little better each week, but the interior rush is non-existent. Of course, the first priority for the interior lineman on the D line is run containment and they've done pretty well with that.

As for Cleveland....good defense and new offense is going to mean we just can't steamroll them, but we ought to be able to beat the Browns and improve to .500 while, hopefully, the Steelers keep losing as they get into the meat of their schedule.

 

[tsylvester]

Anyone can see, if they watch the offensive line, that there is a major issue. Even us fans with untrained eyes can see the players missing blocks, not sustaining blocks, blocking air for that matter. 

I understand not wanting to make coaching changes in the middle of the season.

I also understand, as Ive stated adnauseam, this group, minus Vorhees, lead the lead last year in offense, so there is reason for hope.

However, teams routinely make changes along their line, for injury yes, but also for poor performance.

There are now 3 guards sitting on the bench, two unproven, but we know Cleveland csn block properly. They are all healthy now, Bullock is known for his power blocking as is Cleveland. So why the coaches, who must be able to clearly see on film and know the blocking scheme, continue to refuse to even try changing Faalele or Vorhees, one of them atleast, leaves me puzzled.

Either they see them in practice and they are bums or there is an alterrior motive.

Eric has missed on a lot of players, but I refuse to believe that he whiffed on 4, 5 guards.

I know the Biscuit is a hands off owner, but were it me, I'm getting to the bottom of it and yes, if anything, making a change just for change, a few series, a half, a game, one or both guards.

[papasmurfbell]

Jones maybe good but he lost every snap.  It might take til next month for them to try him.

[tsylvester]

So it is a high anckle sprain for Bateman who may miss this game. He stated that is was not too bad, that is why he went back in for the 2 pt conversion.

Humphrey has a finger injury that likely requires surgery. Still uncertain if he will have the surgery which will keep hom out a couple of weeks, or judt play through it. 

Crazy kids, I played through a broken thumb, never had it cast, and broken ribs, never missed a snap. These light weights

[tsylvester]

Wednesday absentees 

Lamar & Running back Justice Hill, receiver Rashod Bateman, linebacker Jay Higgins, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey were also among those absent from Wednesday’s practice

Per NBC

[oldno82]

Lamar has a balky knee now to go along with his hamstring issue. Bateman has a high ankle sprain and is out for Sunday's game. Humphrey is debating whether or not to have finger surgery that would keep him out 2-3 weeks.

The injury bug has bitten again.

[tsylvester]

Humph had a rod put in his finger, he is out for the game

[papasmurfbell]

We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world's first bionic man.

[tsylvester]

Lamar in, Hill and Bateman out for the game

[oldno82]

Opportunity for Keaton Michell and Dez Walker though Browns D is tough.

[tsylvester]

With their defensive line vs the Ravens offensive line, I don't have high hopes. 

[papasmurfbell]

With our db situation I hope the munchkin can’t get off.

[papasmurfbell]

We do have a trivia answer in this game.  What  team did Deon end his career with and shador get his first playing time with?

[tsylvester]

Just got home, recording the game, been a long 4 days. 

[papasmurfbell]

It is not a good watch.

[tsylvester]

Yeah, they did everything to give the game away. Were fortunate that some penalties were not called, i guess it evened out since the refs missed a few the Browns made.

Ugly football game but a win. 

[papasmurfbell]

We don’t play crap like Cleveland in the playoffs.  We are just wasting our time.

[deeshopper]

I turned it off when a pass from Jackson bounced off the intended receiver and into the hands of the defender. I just laughed and changed it to Bob's Burgers.

[papasmurfbell]

So you were out in the first couple mins.

[tsylvester]

6 minutes ago, deeshopper said:

I turned it off when a pass from Jackson bounced off the intended receiver and into the hands of the defender. I just laughed and changed it to Bob's Burgers.

 

I'm watching the 1st half now, it is amazing how this team plays so nonchalantly against lesser teams.

Now granted, the Browns have a good defense, mostly their front four, but come on! Thankfully they don't have a quarterback worth his salt right now. Sanders may or may not be one, he is elusive, but I fear this win streak is a mirage. 

[papasmurfbell]

I called these 4.  Now I see a split with Cincy and Pitt.  I see loses to gab and ne also.  That’s 9 losses.  We can win the div even so.  But what does that matter?

[tsylvester]

With Rogers possibly done for a number of games, likely a broken wrist, that will change things for Pitt.

I can see the Ravens sweeping Pitt, especially now. Winning the division is the only way the Ravens make the playoffs, no way the get a wild card, too many teams in front of them, even with the Kc loss.

But I agree, this is not a championship team this year. This line has to spend the off season working with a real strength expert. They must be the weakest offensive line in the league

[GrubberRaven]

I can't get excited.

[tsylvester]

16 minutes ago, GrubberRaven said:

I can't get excited.

So you're saying that you are Not a Pointer Sister