Titans @ Ravens

[tsylvester]

Remember the Titans? Sorry, ya know I had to go there.... Any who, this ain't the tyrannical Titans of yesteryear, where Ray Lewis vs Eddie George explosions would fill the stadium. No, with their fresh new logo the Titans, perhaps tiny Titans is more the name we should use.

Okay, enough of the word play, time to talk turkey. 

The Titans come to town looking for their first win of the season. They are averaging just over 12 pts per game, while giving up a hair shy of 20 points per game (19.6).

Cam Ward is their signal caller, the second year spinner is completing 62% of his passes, with 2 yds and 1 pick. He has been sacked 5 times. Cam is averaging 5.7 yards per pass, yes, short, quick passes. I guess they plan on winning by death of a thousand cuts...mmm..

Defensively, qbs are completing 71 % of their passes, good for 30th in the league, with 2 tds and 2 picks. and 6 sacks.

Against the run, they are 9th best allowing just 3.6 yards per carry, and 3 tds.

Yes, with a make shift line due to injury, the Ravens may find it difficult to make room for Henry to run against his former team.

Jet leg from the long journey back home, recovering mentally from a game that saw multiple lead changes just in the last few minutes of the game and winning the game in just two plays; a long pass and a long field goal all in 7 seconds.

Then there are the injuries, along the line, in the secondary. There is so much to take from the last game, but only so long as it helps build a step, to climb the stairway to the post season.

So, who ya got?

 

 

 

[papasmurfbell]

They are bad and this should be easy.

[oldno82]

2 hours ago, papasmurfbell said:

They are bad and this should be easy.

Should be. But this is the kind of game we usually play down to our competition.

Meanwhile, they should keep Ioane at C and look for a guard.

[tsylvester]

True, under Harbs this is the exact type of game they would play down to, much as they did against the Saints.

Should be interesting to see if The Minter can keep, get this team focused and firing on all cylinders.

Side note: does Hill look a lot faster this year or is it just me?

[oldno82]

I thought Hill wasn't doing well in the first 2 games but he looked fast and decisive against the Cowboys.

I'm hoping under Minter they will improve overall as the season progresses. Beating the Cowboys was an important step even though our flaws showed through.

I watched the Steelers-Bengals game expecting Cincy to win but lo and behold the Steelers had just enough something to beat them. I'm thinking that maybe the Pittsburgh team was just more smashmouth  than the Bengals.

[tsylvester]

Other than The Minter saying it appears the injuries to both centers is not going to be a quick recovery, silence on the diagnosis.

They have to be working on bringing someone in, no way they can go into a game with just one, a make shift one at that.

[oldno82]

If they can swing a trade that is probably their best choice as long as the price is reasonable. The Bears may be the best option there if they're willing.

And then they can sign a 3rd C to the PS.

[tsylvester]

Given what the Bears have been through with qb injuries, I doubt that they are willing to lose depth anywhere on their roster.

If they trade, it will likely take at least a 5th with some other team.

Who could expect to lose not 1, not 2, but 3 centers. 

[tsylvester]

Gwynn has a broken leg, better known as a fractured fibula.... No word yet on Poc's injury

 

The Ravens worked out Graham Glasgow, Kingsley Eguakun, and Kyle Hergel on Tuesday as they look for more depth on the offensive line

[oldno82]

We should be prepared to give up a 3rd round pick to get a first line starting Center. I have read also that there is a shortage of competent centers in the league so i guess we just have to go through the rest of the year with Ioane at center with dubious backups behind him.

We also need a guard to take his place.

[tsylvester]

Slim Pickens out there, every team is dealing with injuries to the line, amazing

[papasmurfbell]

16 hours ago, oldno82 said:

If they can swing a trade that is probably their best choice as long as the price is reasonable. The Bears may be the best option there if they're willing.

And then they can sign a 3rd C to the PS.

 

57 minutes ago, oldno82 said:

We should be prepared to give up a 3rd round pick to get a first line starting Center. I have read also that there is a shortage of competent centers in the league so i guess we just have to go through the rest of the year with Ioane at center with dubious backups behind him.

We also need a guard to take his place.

No trades and definitely not a 3rd on this roster.

[oldno82]

A trade shouldn't be out of the question if they get an equivalent return. I don't see one happening but it's the only way to get a first string center at this point. As I said we could go looking for a guard to take Vorhees spot on the depth chart and a free agent C for backup.

None of these solutions is ideal. We're in a bad spot. Whoever heard of a team having injuries to all three centers? And, like Tsylvester said, the pickings are slim.

[oldno82]

Here's some good news for a change: https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/tyler-loop-afc-special-teams-player-of-the-week-rio-cowboys

Nnamdi was rated the top defensive lineman this week by Pro Football Focus.

 

[tsylvester]

Well, they cut a special teams linebacker from the active roster and made room in the practice squad. So clearly they have a couple of moves in mind

[tsylvester]

From this home site 

After losing three centers to long-term injures, including two in the same game in Brazil on Sunday, the Ravens have signed a pair of veteran interior offensive linemen to their practice squad: center Andre James and guard Kyle Hergel.