Ask Baltimore Beatdown: Questions for the Ravens Blogger

by Rexx on Oct 21, 2008 9:52 AM PDT

Hey Raider Nation! This is the blogger on the Baltimore Ravens. Feel free to ask me any questions regarding this week's game in Baltimore and I'll stop back throughout the week to post my answers. At the same time, come on over to our site and check out our comments and post your own as well. Remember to be nice, no personal attacks on other posters just because their opinion is different from yours. Looking forward to it. Thanks!

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I only saw Baltimore once

this year, and that was against Pittsburgh where they really looked good. Their overall defensive stats look great but you got torched by Indy and I think I read where Pennington threw for 300 yds. last week. Have no fear the Raiders can’t throw for 300 yds. in 3 weeks.
What is your opinion of your overall defense and how is the Baltimore running attack?
I see this game as being low scoring something in the 17-14 range. I am not impressed with either teams offense.

by Laoren on Oct 21, 2008 1:52 PM PDT reply actions

The Ravens rely...

…on an old fashioned ball control offense. Based on the run game, we throw when we need to and keep it conservative with short-mid range passes to receivers who stop and turn to face the line of scrimmage, making it easier for Flacco to hit the 8-12 yard turn-ins.

We just don’t match up well with Indy. Not too many teams have corners to cover BOTH R. Wayne AND M. Harrison. We tend to bend a lot, give up the yards between the 20’s but don’t give up too many TD’s. Our defense is so hard hitting, it seems like other teams almost lie down when we get close to them rather than take the hit like a man. Ray Lewis is still the best MLB in the NFL. However, we’ve ha an issue with the pass rush and give up the big play too often. If Russell decides to tuck it in and take off, he could have a pretty big day.

Our run game is our forte. We have McGahee who is just a talented RB, as well as our “Big” package, which is 260 pound Le’Ron McClain running behind the 255 pound fullback, Lorenzo Neal (remember him from SD?).

Both offenses may be not too impressive, but the Ravens usually score around 20/game at home and we put up 27 in Miami.

Rexx

by Rexx on Oct 21, 2008 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Willis Mcgahee

Whats up with this dude? I got him on my fantasy bench. I get screwed everytime I start him, then he busts off with a TD and 120 yards against a pretty tough rushing D.

Was that a fluke or can we expect 100 yard rushing games from now on?

Tuck Rule my ass!

by Raidah on Oct 21, 2008 3:03 PM PDT reply actions

Depends on which McGahee shows up!

This was the first time he finished a game all season. He’s always getting hurt and Le’Ron McClain has gotten the bulk of the goal line carries. I wouldn’t grab him for my fantasy team, though. We usually spread it around and will continue to give him the ball as long as he produces and stays healthy. My thought is that you should play him this week, as your pass defense looks better than your run, and if we get a lead, you’ll see a huge dose of McGahee left, McGahee right, McGahee up the middle – unless of course, as I said, he cries when they hit him too hard and goes to the bench.

Rexx

by Rexx on Oct 21, 2008 5:29 PM PDT reply actions

Congratulations on getting rid of Billick.

The Ravens D has seemed to be on the precipice of mediocrity for a few years now. There have been issues with any corner not named McCallister, Reed has had issues staying healthy, Ray has clearly lost a step, and there have been a few players and a coordinator that left for big money elsewhere. But that unit is still one of the premier defenses year in and year out, how are they doing it? When should we expect to see the decline?

by RaiderPete on Oct 21, 2008 5:43 PM PDT reply actions

Sorry, but not too sure what you mean?

Ravens defense mediocre? Only last year when they lost their DE, both CB and Ed Reed were they anything other than a top five defense. In 2006 and this year, they were one of the top two. Reed was only injured last year, like McAlister and they’ve played most if not all this year. “Ray has clearly lost a step.” Apparently you’ve only been reading the pre-season press clippings about him. Ray Lewis is having an incredible season, among the league leaders in tackles and is still without a doubt the best MLB in the NFL. He is playing better than he has in years, is healthy and while 33 years old, is the fastest LB side to side and there is no other team, including the Raiders, who would not love to have him. Our pass rush is so-so, our secondary looks for the big play and is susceptible to the pump fake and our LB’s seem to have trouble with the underneath slants to the TE and RB. However, we are willing to bend but do not break inside the Red Zone. Look at our points allowed, which is the most relevant indicator of a good defense. Now what!?

Rexx

by Rexx on Oct 22, 2008 6:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks Rexx, This is All Very Insightful:

I think I’ll promote it.

But when they start scheming us the way these guys did, and we weren't particularly ready for it, anything can happen."

by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Oct 22, 2008 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions

No problemo

Keep ’em coming.

Rexx

by Rexx on Oct 22, 2008 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions

I didn't say they were mediocre

I said they’ve seemed to be ready to decline for a few years now but that they’ve consistently been a premier defense. My question was how have they been able to roll out a top 5 defense for 7 years and counting.

But that unit is still one of the premier defenses year in and year out, how are they doing it?

And Ray clearly has lost a step. But Ray had a step to lose. He’s an excellent middle linebacker but he’s not the same player he was earlier in his career.

by RaiderPete on Oct 22, 2008 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Perhaps not the same

However, he’s 33 years old and has to play even smarter than he was doing years ago. He was 26 and in his prime when we won SB35 in 2001. Now, his body is battered, but he’s even in better shape (6% body fat) and plays a samrter MLB than ever. Therefore, his so called fall off is negligible. Trust me, I watch him every game and still by FAR the best MLB in pro football now and arguably all of NFL history. That should evoke some comments, eh?

Rexx

by Rexx on Oct 22, 2008 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey Rexx

Do you think that the NFL’s investigation of Suggs’ comments of a “Bounty” on Hines Ward is going to play a distraction role this Sunday? or will the Ravens still be focused as a team? by the way, I think it’s really gay how the NFL would be investigating something that was just used as a metaphor… but that’s the NFL…

I like to believe my best HITS border on Felonious ASSAULT
-Jack Tatum

by DarksideJU08 on Oct 23, 2008 11:06 AM PDT reply actions

I know you asked Rexx..

but I think it won’t bother the Raven’s in the least…Seriously, I don’t think these guys think that deep..or he wouldn’t have said anything. Actually, they probably get a good laugh in the locker room and enjoy hearing their name on the networks..unless your Pacman and Dog Slayer. Suggs is a mild guy despite this over-reaction to some smack.

by raven on Oct 23, 2008 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions

It wasn't

directed to Rexx, but anyone in General… Thanks for the reply… I didn’t think it would bother them, and I thought I was definitely an issue that’s been taken out of context by the NFL front office… Thanks Raven…

I like to believe my best HITS border on Felonious ASSAULT
-Jack Tatum

by DarksideJU08 on Oct 23, 2008 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Suggs needs to shut up and play

He’s our Franchise Tag and wasn’t happy about not getting that huge bonus. He’s due to get paid this off season. Keeping his mouth closed and putting up more games like last week will go a long way to earning his reward. Giving the other teams, refs, and the league brass more reasons to hate us just is stupid.

Rexx

by Rexx on Oct 24, 2008 6:12 AM PDT up reply actions