Five Ravens who impressed, five who struggled in preseason opener

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http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-five-who-struggled-five-who-impressed-20120809,0,7063433.story?tw_p=twt

 

The Ravens’ 31-17 preseason-opening victory against the Atlanta Falcons featured a subpar performance by many of the starters, and a spirited comeback, fueled by some of the organization’s younger players. Here is a look at five players who helped their status and five who may have taken a step back.

 

FIVE WHO IMPRESSED

1. Omar Brown, S: Two tackles, one interception, one pass defense and two fumble recoveries. It was quite the debut for the undrafted free agent out of Marshall who has a knack for being around the football.
   
2. Pernell McPhee, DE: McPhee was credited with only one tackle but he got a lot of penetration against the run, an encouraging sign for a player trying to prove that he is more than just a pass-rush specialist.
   
3. Curtis Painter, QB: The former Indianapolis Colts quarterback has taken a bit of a beating from the media for his struggles in the early going of training camp, but three touchdown passes in little more than a quarter warrant a little credit.
   
4. Bobby Rainey, RB: The diminutive running back out of Western Kentucky, who played high school football in Georgia, had a stirring homecoming, gaining 36 yards on 12 carries, catching three balls for 29 yards and a touchdown and returning six punts for 50 yards.
   
5. Deonte Thompson, WR: Thompson struggled at University of Florida to transfer his practice success into the games, but he sure did that last night, catching three balls for 53 yards, including an impressive 22-yard touchdown grab.
   

Honorable mention: Brendon Ayanbadejo, LB; Joe Flacco, QB, Albert McClellan, LB; Torrey Smith, WR.

 

FIVE WHO STRUGGLED

1. Anthony Allen, RB: While Rainey stood out and has become very much a factor in the backup running back competition, Allen had a rough night. Currently second behind Ray Rice on the depth chart, Allen rushed five times for nine yards, dropped a pass and missed a block that led to a big hit on Joe Flacco.
   
2. Gino Gradkowski, C: It was a tough opening assignment for the rookie center against a team that likes to get after the quarterback. Gradkowski played the better part of three quarters and got better as the game wore on, but he missed a couple of assignments early that led to pass rushers coming in untouched on Flacco.
   
3. Dorian Graham, WR: The Ravens’ roster is stocked with young wide receivers so there is very little margin of error for an undrafted free agent like Graham. He was targeted five times last night and finished with one catch for zero yards.
   
4. Bobbie Williams, LG: The veteran has to gain some chemistry with the offensive line and knock off some rust. He was beat a few times and had a couple of miscommunications with Gradkowski, who nevertheless took the blame for them.
   
5. Cary Williams, CB: In his first game after having hip surgery, Williams was targeted early and often by quarterback Matt Ryan, and it was a struggle for the Ravens cornerback. Working mostly against Williams, Atlanta’s second-year wide receiver Julio Jones caught six balls for 109 yards and a touchdown in little more than a quarter of work.
   

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[vmax]

Koch looked good...which is an indictment against the starting offense.

 

Painters TD pass to Thompson showed me a lot. Nice fake hand off and sweet throw. He was decisive.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/baltimore-ravens/0ap2000000048258/Deonte-Thompson-23-yard-touchdown-catch

 

I love Rainey. I'd like to have a big pounding, notrh/south #2RB but maybe that's too old school...a thing of the past. You just want to spell Rice right? So why not keep the pressure on the D with a back who can do it all? Now...he has to prove he can pick up the blitzers or he's no good. I think he can.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/baltimore-ravens/0ap2000000048264/Bobby-Rainey-18-yard-touchdown-catch

 

McPhee, Ngata and Cody looks like a great middle of the line. It's up to Krueger and Upshaw to replace Johnson and Suggs....that is a lot to ask so the blitz will be comming from everywhere this year.

 

Don't know where Williams head was...maybe it got fat reading your posts papa..

 

Allen was a big disappointment...especially because he's not new.

 

They have to keep Brown. Some guys have the knack or gift or special blessing from the universe to be playmakers.

[papasmurfbell]

Koch looked good...which is an indictment against the starting offense.

 

Painters TD pass to Thompson showed me a lot. Nice fake hand off and sweet throw. He was decisive.

http://www.nfl.com/v...touchdown-catch

 

I love Rainey. I'd like to have a big pounding, notrh/south #2RB but maybe that's too old school...a thing of the past. You just want to spell Rice right? So why not keep the pressure on the D with a back who can do it all? Now...he has to prove he can pick up the blitzers or he's no good. I think he can.

http://www.nfl.com/v...touchdown-catch

 

McPhee, Ngata and Cody looks like a great middle of the line. It's up to Krueger and Upshaw to replace Johnson and Suggs....that is a lot to ask so the blitz will be comming from everywhere this year.

 

Don't know where Williams head was...maybe it got fat reading your posts papa..

 

Allen was a big disappointment...especially because he's not new.

 

They have to keep Brown. Some guys have the knack or gift or special blessing from the universe to be playmakers.

 

I had zero question on Koch coming in. He should be a PB player but the dude in Oak is insane.

 

Rainey is a stud. I loved the RFA signing when they did it. I was suprised when he was not drafted.

 

As for Allen he was being met in the backfield a lot. I am almost certain that several of the DL for the Flacons were starters at that point against our #2's. I don't see much that he could have done.

 

I have found Browns stats. I was watching in a bar so I didn't have audio to notice he was getting thr recoveries. I also didn't notice his coverage skills. But as they say if you are not noticed then it was probably good.

[Dunno]

I am surprised none of the offensive tackles was mentioned. I thought they generally played very well.

[cravnravn]

Cary Williams on that list, thats nothing as I said befor Matty Melt showed the Dirty Birds week 15 game plan...Suprised that Gino made the list...He'll be alright

[cravnravn]

I love Krueger, he just doesnt have the speed of Suggs, maybe he should drop a few of the pounds he put on..

 

 

No love for Laquan Williams???

Edited August 11, 2012 by cravnravn

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LQ I think only had 2 catches. They were the one was really nice one though. But you don't get credit blocking well.

[thundercleetz]

My little brother goes to college in Kentucky (Lexington) and he says Rainer is the real deal (Rainer went to Western Kentucky). He said Rainer doesn't have much national exposure but out there they really like him and Rainer was Western Kentucky's whole offense. He's just one of those do-it-all type football players.

[papasmurfbell]

That is what I saw before the draft.