By Weston Bruner, on February 2nd, 2010 I understand that Ray Rice is an incredibly dynamic player, but when your running back leads your team in receptions and isn’t Marshall Faulk circa 1999, your wide receiving corps has issues. In sum, this unit failed to provide a single consistent deep threat for Joe Flacco, but more than that lacked a playmaker capable of getting separation even on short to intermediate routes. In this look back I will try to wince and identify what went wrong, what went right, and who could be back when the gates open back up at M&T Bank Stadium.
Derrick Mason: Mr. Reliable, the lone star receiver on this cast of misfits, left to make up for the mistakes of an entire unit and save Joe Flacco before he is eaten alive. That may have been true in 2008, but not quite so much in 2009. I am not sure whether you can call it taking a step back, but while his numbers were largely the same this was not the same Derrick Mason as we saw last year. One handed grabs at the goal line were replaced by uncharacteristic drops and flare ups of a temper we were not accustomed to seeing from the even-keeled veteran. Perhaps it was the almost-retirement that did it to him- the desire to win a Superbowl above all else that created a sense of desperation in him for this season. However, he was still far and away the best receiver the Ravens had, and it wasn’t because he was faster, bigger, or more agile than any corner who was on him. He was still smarter, ran his routes properly, and wasn’t afraid to go after the ball. Despite what he would say to the contrary, Joe Flacco’s first (and sometimes only) read was Derrick Mason, and for good reason.
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By Tracy Smith, on January 14th, 2010 Back on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts staged a tight contest at M&T Bank Stadium that went down to the wire, with the Ravens coming up on the losing end by a 17-15 score. In that game the Ravens offense had plenty of success moving the ball between the 20 yard-lines against the Colts defense, with several time consuming drives that kept the Peyton Manning and the offense off the field. However, they could not finish those drives with touchdowns; they were forced to settle for field goals. I think it’s safe to say that in this upcoming matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Ravens will have to do a better job of putting points on the board or they risk another defeat. READ MORE >>>
By Zach Wilt, on November 1st, 2009 After dropping three straight, Baltimore is back in the win column and starting their November off right.
Here are my quick thoughts about the Ravens 30-7 victory over the Broncos.
- Total Domination - Offense, defense, and special teams; the Ravens controlled all aspects of this game against a good, 6-0, Denver team. Our defense held the Broncos to just 7 points, while Baltimore reached the end zone three times.
- Webb is a playmaker - As predicted, Lardarius Webb is exactly the guy the Ravens want returning kicks. He took one for a 95-yard TD to start the second half and in my eyes he should always be back there.
- Well balanced offense – Even though they were held to just six points in the first half, the offense put together a good plan in my opinion. Ray Rice had 23 touches while Joe Flacco spread the ball to Kelley Washington four times, Derrick Mason four times, Mark Clayton three times, and Todd Heap three times.
- Pass Rush = Better Secondary – Don’t think for a second that Domonique Foxworth and company figured things out. The Ravens rattled Kyle Orton, an over rated QB in my book, up front all day long. Particularly, Jarrett Johnson had a huge game by constantly hurrying Orton and sacking him once.
- I’m still not sold on Steve - I’m glad to see Steve Hauschka drain three field goals today, but he was never put in a pressure situation. I think the kid has what it takes, but is still far too unproven for me to feel comfortable.
- BS Calls – I’m in no way buying into the conspiracy theory, but a few calls/missed calls stuck out in my memory. Derrick Mason was clearly held on a critical third down, Michael Oher was called for a bogus unsportsmanlike conduct, and flags were being tossed in five seconds after plays. It in no way costed the Ravens or the Broncos the game, but it was frustrating the watch. This crew should go work baseball.
By Zach Wilt, on October 4th, 2009 As I’m watching the final minute of the Ravens vs. Patriots, I’m hoping to write about how despite incredibly sloppy play the Ravens squeaked out another win. That wasn’t the case.
Here are a few things I noticed about Baltimore’s first loss of the year.
- Chris Carr hurt us all around - Whether it was his fumble to start the game, his illegal contact call, or poor secondary play, Chris Carr was a huge weakness for the Ravens in this game.
- Offensive Rollercoaster - The Ravens offensive took the field with swagger and scored in their first possession with a 20 yard TD pass to Derrick Mason. Things seemed to go downhill from there and didn’t recover until their final drive with under two minutes. The play calls were dumbed down and didn’t recover until it was two late. Example: 4th and 1 on the Baltimore 45, 5:17 to go and you hand the ball off to Willis McGahee in an empty backfield? Bad play call, our offense is too good not to convert.
- Don’t look the wrong way at Tom Brady, it’s a penalty – The refs didn’t want Brady to have another season ending injury and they made sure of it. Haloti Ngata and Terrell Suggs had questionable late hits on Brady and whistles were blown pretty early on sacks throughout the game.
- The Ravens D was exposed - I’m no football genius, but I know the Ravens secondary is their weakness. The Pats exposed this all day and the Ravens hardly adjusted. They put some pressure on Brady throughout the day, but it was spotty at best. Domonique Foxworth got schooled on a quick, short, wide open pass to Randy Moss to give the Pats a 10 point lead.
- “You can’t let that happen” – I was saying that all day. Whether it was Kelley Washington‘s dropped pass in the first half, an unsportsmanlike conduct call on the “Baltimore Bench”, an intentional grounding call on Joe Flacco, or Mark Clayton missing that 4th down pass that ended the game. There were too many “You can’t let that happen” moments.
- On the bright side – Ray Rice had an outstanding day. He’s been quiet in the first three weeks, but he tore the Pats defense apart with 11 carries for 103 yards and 5 receptions for 49 yards. Derrick Mason had a good game too, a touchdown and 88 yards receiving.
By Zach Wilt, on September 28th, 2009 I know most of you are cringing when you read this title, but with a week three win that put the Ravens up 3-0 and two games ahead of the world champion Steelers, it’s time to anoint our team the New Look Ravens.
Don’t worry. I’ve always had things backwards. I’m an Orioles optimist and a Ravens pessimist. Don’t argue with me, I know it doesn’t make sense. I suppose that I just expect the Ravens to put a Super Bowl caliber team on the field every season.
Image Courtesy of the Baltimore Sun
With that mentality in mind, it’s pretty crazy that I have decided to have such high hopes for this team when we’re not even a quarter of the way into the season. But, allow me to explain.
ESPN and SI ranked the Ravens number one after their 31-26 road victory over the Chargers. I enjoyed this publicity, I thought it was well earned, and hoped the Ravens would respond with a big win against the Browns. Putting up 34 points and holding Cleveland to 3 is exactly what the best team in the NFL is expected to do.
The New Look Ravens respond to national attention. If they’re ranked number one, they’re going to act like it. This team beats you with a powerful, exciting, well balanced offense, with a leader under a center and a mad scientist as an offensive coordinator.
They don’t have big names on offense, but they have guys that get the job done. Kelley Washington not only is tied for catches on the team with 13 year veteran Derrick Mason, but he’s laying down sick blocks on options and slant routes.
Joe Flacco has made huge strides in just his second season. He’s taken control of a traditionally struggling offense and put together two 300+ yard games.
Willis McGahee is running with a head of steam, a better attitude, and I’d venture to say that even his style as changed. He’s lowering his shoulder and is averaging 5.9 yards per carry while looking to redeem himself from a bad ’08 season.
This team beats you with their offense and holds you with their defense. Which is different from anything we’ve every seen as Ravens fans. Hang on to your hats, it’s going to be a fun year.
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