QUARTERBACK1/2

Kyle Boller reverted back to his inconsistent and inaccurate ways.  He failed to recognize blitzes and as a result, he rarely connected on hot reads and did more back peddling than a NBA guard defending a 4 on 1 fast break.  He missed on his deep throws and red zone opportunities, particularly the deep throw in the fourth quarter down the right sideline to Derrick Mason.  It’s tough to allow your receiver an opportunity to make a play when you can’t even throw the ball in bounds. 

RUNNING BACK1/2

Jamal Lewis ran hard often driving tacklers for extra yards.  The Ravens predictability helped to limit Jamal’s effectiveness particularly against a defense hell bent on stopping him.  Ten of Jamal’s 20 carries went for 2 yards or less.  He did leave a few yards on the field by not capitalizing on cut back opportunities but the slow footing certainly contributed to some of the ineffectiveness.  Neither Jamal nor Chester Taylor was effective picking up blitzes, especially Taylor who whiffed a few times.  Ovie Mughelli had a costly illegal use of hands penalty that negated a 18 yard completion that would have given the Ravens a first and 10 from the Browns’ 46 with 13:11 to go in the game.  Instead the Ravens punted 3 plays later.

RECEIVERS1/2

The Ravens receivers never really got it going against the Browns due in large part to the umbrella-like Cover 2 employed by Romeo Crennel’s troops.  The Ravens seldom threw during typical running situations and as a result, they faced many third and longs which set up the blitz and choked off this unit’s effectiveness.  Derrick Mason made some nice blocks downfield, particularly the block to spring Jamal for a first down late in the fourth on a swing pass.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Browns did a nice job disguising their blitz packages and the Ravens offensive line did very little to recognize.  They were often left blocking no one while stunt blitzers ran up the gut seemingly at will to chase down a defenseless Kyle Boller.  Speed rushers expose this unit’s collective lack of athleticism inside the tackles.  The left side of the line was solid at times opening up running lanes.  Boller had time to throw occasionally but mostly during non-blitzing situations.

DEFENSIVE LINE1/2

Anthony Weaver was disruptive to the Browns running game and along with Kelly Gregg and Maake Kemoeatu, the Ravens defensive front did a fine job limiting the Browns’ RB’s to 46 yards on 21 carries.  They still apply little pressure up the middle, rarely collapsing the pocket.  Suggs was effective off the edge.  If the Ravens land a DT that can get a push up the gut, Suggs’ sack total will jump dramatically. 

LINEBACKERS

Adalius Thomas was once again all over the field, chipping in 7 tackles, 1 sack and his third touchdown of the season – the same as a likely to be franchised RB who wears No. 31.  Tommy Polley hustled and was effective in pursuit and showed nice athleticism on an interception.  Bart Scott was solid filling running lanes albeit less busy in the tackling department.  Intensity seemed to wane a bit in the second half.

SECONDARY

Ed Reed made a great interception, obviously finding the nice hands that have abandoned him over the past few weeks.  Overall the unit played way too soft.  They allowed a cushion on the corners that Charlie Frye took advantage of with quick three step drops and releases.  This group’s tackling looked like they were simply playing out the season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The difference in this ugly game was the Ravens worst special teams performance of the season.  The kick return coverage team allowed 30 yards per return and that is a killer when your kicker defines a booming kickoff as one that reaches the 5 yard line.  Matt Katula was the subject of a few TV camera shots – usually not a good sign for a long snapper.  He cost the team 3 points and momentum with perhaps his only bad snap of the season on a chip shot field goal attempt.  Jamel White ran like George Jetson on the treadmill on kick returns and of course, the back breaking and game winning punt return for a score by Dennis Northcutt.  Not a good outing for special teams coach Gary Zauner who some believe, sits on the coaching bubble.

COACHING1/2

The Ravens defensive game plan through most of the first half was solid.  Yet they failed to answer the Browns’ offensive adjustments, a team that had scored only 9 points over a span of 9 quarters.  The man match ups were exposed after the Browns made offensive line adjustments to pick up the Ravens blitz.

Offensively, the game plan was a joke.  They failed to attack and the play calling in the red zone was miserable.  The Ravens tried to set up the pass with the run despite the commitment to Jamal Lewis and ignored play action opportunities on first down.  The Ravens failures on first down allowed Crennel to disguise a variety of blitzes and the Ravens had little to no answer for the pressure, particularly with no ability to run an effective screen.

One team made halftime adjustments and another did not.  The final score after the Ravens jumped out to a 13-0 lead tells you all you need to know.  The Ravens failed to make the calls to put the Browns away early and it cost them.  Now they have to carry that road gorilla on their collective back into next September, when it will be 22 months removed from their last road victory.