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BALTIMORE RAVENS 20, ATLANTA FALCONS 3

September 3, 2009

Starters sit as Ravens roll to a 4-0 preseason finish.

Twenty of the Ravens’ twenty-two starters were sidelined for this game.   Now there’s a scary thought – scary but true, a consequence of needing to get through a largely meaningless final preseason game Thursday night in Atlanta. As such, the coaching staff elected to rest the starters and use the occasion to get a closer look at the back-ups.

Other than the inexperienced Tavares Gooden, Terrell Suggs was the only other Ravens starter to see action, in a tune-up game for the highly paid linebacker who had been nursing a heel injury through all three of the team’s preseason victories. 

Even with the starters clowning on the sidelines, the “2’s,” as coach John Harbaugh refers to his back-ups, were able to cobble together a couple of long scoring drives against Atlanta’s defense.

It was far from a pretty effort, but final preseason games rarely are. Bored starters are ready for meaningful games to begin and nervous rookies can press too hard in last-ditch efforts to get noticed before cut-down day arrives. 

When all was said and done Thursday night not much changed for many of the bubble players.  While it may have been too little, or too late for some, there were some stand out performances that, at the very least, might be the chance for a few cast-offs to find their way onto other NFL rosters.

On offense, Demetrius Williams nailed down at least the #4 receiver role with an excellent showing.  And rookie Cedric Peerman shined at halfback.  It was almost a shame for the Ravens to put Peerman on film when they have an already-tough choice between the impressive duo of Matt Lawrence and Jalen Parmele.  Peerman showed why they drafted him, but he also fits the profile of the type of player a team hopes can quietly clear waivers to land back on their practice squad.

On the Ravens opening possession, in front of a stadium full of Falcons fans disguised as red seats, the oft-injured Williams and quarterback John Beck hooked up three times for thirty-eight yards during a 91-yard scoring drive.  That’s not counting Williams beating Falcons corner Brent Grimes, and getting a defensive pass interference call to net another 26 yards during the drive.  

The fact that these back-ups drove against Falcons starters was an encouraging sign.  Temper your enthusiasm, however, by considering that it was the final preseason game when back-ups try harder and starters hardly try at all.  It was just a week ago that Falcons starters allowed the Chargers to roar out to a lead before the reserves for Atlanta led them back to a win.

On defense it was Evan Oglesby’s night.  He was impressive in both run support and coverage, leading a defense that held the Falcons in check, even though the Falcons starter Matt Ryan completed his only passing attempt, a 13-yarder to Roddy White. While Michael Turner averaged six yards on just two carries. 

Regardless of the stats, the Ravens got through the game without injuries, which is the first good reason to play the twos.  Reason two is to make one last evaluation of who should stay and who should go. So without further ado, here’s how each unit fared.   

Quarterback: B

John Beck looked a little unsure scrambling, but showcased good arm strength and accuracy.  When given time he looks like a quality passer. On the opening drive Beck made a nice decision on throw underneath to rookie fullback Jason Cook, who took it in for a score.  When pressured, Beck was less consistent, but that’s generally what separates good and average NFL QBs.  He did make a quick release with a hand in his face on a TD throw to Eron Riley midway through the fourth quarter. From the looks of one game, the Ravens have never employed a better #3 QB. Beck, who played the entire game, ended with very respectable numbers: 16 of 28 passing for 232, 2 TDs, and no picks. His stats would have been even more impressive if Justin Harper had not dropped two catchable, long throws.

Running Backs: B

Jalen Parmele didn’t do much: 13 yards on seven carries.  But it was probably enough to keep him ahead of Matt Lawrence on the depth chart. Lawrence had five yards on eight carries and struggled in pass protection.  Both backs showed the ability to burst toward daylight, what little the offensive line created.  The most impressive runner was Peerman, who was seeing his first action.  He was able to bounce a run outside and turn a loss into a gainer.  He showed good shake and ran strong up the middle. His most impressive play was a catch of a ball thrown behind him, followed by sidestepping a tackle to rumble ten more yards.  The Ravens are loaded at running back.

Wide Receivers: C

Let’s start with the bad.  More drops by Justin Harper to assure he won’t make the roster.  He has the ability to separate, but is far from an NFL-ready receiver.  It’s unclear if any one receiver showed enough to earn the fifth spot, or if they will force the team to look for veteran depth.  Or perhaps they will try to get by with four receivers to start the season and fill the practice squad with the likes of Harper and Jayson Foster, who both played ahead of Yamon Figurs.   Foster had two decent catches and made a nice inside block to allow Peerman to bounce his outside run.  The best performance of the night was by Williams who showed soft hands and the ability to adjust to make the catch.  Ernie Wheelwright cemented his fate with a terrible drop of a sure TD.  Riley made one nice long catch and then looked like a rookie drifting out of bounds on a ball thrown his way. Later he stretched high for nice grab and showed some strength to push it in for a TD.  He’ll also have to hope there is a practice squad spot for him.

Tight Ends: C

Edgar Jones made a strong blitz pick up from a backfield position, repeating a skill he showed in the previous game.  In that Panthers game he fumbled after the catch, and apparently the former defensive end did not learn much from that mistake, as he was carrying the ball like a briefcase after his lone catch, lucky that it was not stripped.  Davon Drew looked pathetic trying to block and allowed a tackle for a loss near the goal line.  He did haul in one routine catch.  He will be another player who may be destined for the practice squad for seasoning.

Tackles: C-

Joe Reitz, who played well as a right tackle in Carolina, struggled in Atlanta on the left.  He let up an easy sack and appeared to lunge at other times trying to make blocks. Tre’ Stallings was no more impressive on the right, getting beat for a couple of sacks and hurries.  At this point, the only viable option the Ravens seem to have at tackle behind the starters would be Marshall Yanda.  For all the talk of needing another wide receiver, depth at tackle is probably the team’s most pressing need.

Interior Line: C-

Bryan Mattison showed strength and athleticism in run blocking including a difficult stretch block seal the running lane.  He also looks good in space and is clearly a player worth developing for the future.  Otherwise, there was not much to recommend among the interior linemen.  David Hale looked lost.  It takes a lot for a guard’s poor technique to be noticed, and Stan White on the TV broadcast called out a particularly noticeable head duck when Hale was beaten for a sack.  It was not his only set-back on the night.  Robby Felix did little to impress. 

Cornerbacks: B

Evan Oglesby was outstanding.  He closed fast and made sure tackles, played tight coverage, and showed surprising closing speed to knock down a pass. His break and interception on a DJ Shockley pass was pure textbook.  The problem for Oglesby is that he is behind four other corners, and the Ravens are loaded with safeties.  Regardless, this performance was good enough to assure an NFL paycheck somewhere.   Frank Walker was very up and down. He played tight coverage on one play and poor coverage to allow an easy inside release on the next.   The killer was getting dinged for two penalties on the same play while trying to be aggressive in press coverage.  Lardarius Webb has been consistent in his abilities and his weaknesses. He played too far off a receiver to allow a first down catch and run, but tackled well and appears more comfortable in tight coverage. 

Safeties: C

Derrick Martin is the best coverage safety among the second group. He was well positioned on Oglesby’s INT and made two sure tackles.  Tom Zbikowski continues to struggle when defending against the pass.  Haruki Nakamura was offsides timing a blitz, but continues to tackle well. 

Linebackers: D

Tavares Gooden was badly fooled on the opening play of the game, back peddling after a simple hand off to Michael Turner to allow a nine-yard run through his vacated lane.   Antwan Barnes appeared to be jumpy and offsides to convert third down for the Falcons.  He was offsides three plays later, but it was called on Nakamura for simply being more offsides. Barnes seemed out of control for much of the game.  Later he stripped the ball from John Parker Wilson but forgot it was a live ball as he danced in celebration.   For the third consecutive game there was confusion between Jameel McClain and Brendon Ayanbadejo, causing a timeout. McClain also showed poor awareness on pass coverage.  Jason Phillips shows much better instincts and chipped in with two tackles.  Prescott Burgess was the most impressive Ravens linebacker, filling well from the middle and delivering hits.   Tony Fein made a good drop into cover and showed good lateral technique filling off tackle.  A lot of talk is made of the Ravens depth at linebacker, but after four preseason games that depth sure seems overrated to careful observers.  There is talent there, but not ready for prime time talent.  It will be a tough decision making cuts at linebacker.

Defensive Line: A

This is the strength of the team and it again showed.  Justin Bannan stands out as a more talented player than many of the other back-ups he plays around.  He sheds blocks well and is one of the quickest Ravens, whether it was off the ball or covering screens.  Dwan Edwards had a good game, scraping laterally and at one point splitting two blocks to get in on what should have been half a sack.  It was a relief to see Terrell Suggs on the field, even though he was obviously struggling with his coordination. Still, he showed he can be overpowering with the bullrush.  Paul Kruger is going to be an outstanding player. He played very well on the edge to contain runs and showed quickness side to side.  I previously compared him to Michael McCrary but he may turn out to be the best combination of McCrary and Adalius Thomas’ skills.  Quite impressive.  Will Johnson was solid for the second week and deserves a practice squad spot.

Special Teams: C

There was again a lot of special teams drama, but Steven Hauschka rose above it and kicked two field goals, which should be enough to earn the kicking job. There were two sloppy snaps from Matt Katula on a field goal and punt, which was his fourth bad snap of the short preseason.  It’s a concern worth monitoring. The bounced snap on Hauschka’s field goal was not completely his fault.  He was snapping around a misaligned guard, and it appeared the refs failed to call the Falcons’ rookie Peria Jerry for illegally lining head up over snapper; that rule was put into the books in 2006.  Lardarius Webb made fair catches on two punts and then got too eager to show something when he tried catching the third in traffic.  He did show he’s coachable however. After fumbling a kick return in a previous game, he made the effort this week to switch the ball to the outside arm. Bravo.  Jayson Foster, fighting for a role, also refused the fair catch option on a punt that he should not have tried to return.

Coaching: A

Nice decision to sit the starters and kudos for getting through a game with no holding or offsides penalties along the offensive line. It has the makings of a disciplined team and that’s surprising with the twos in there, pressing for jobs.

Officiating: B

Good work by field judge thinking twice about pass interference when Grimes put an arm bar out on Williams.  The crew kept their hankies in their pockets and kept the game moving quickly. I think they missed the call on Katula’s bad snap.

Broadcast: D+

Better than last week but still a bit sloppy.  While showing a replay of Chris Carr getting pushed down by the receiver, White was calling it a fall. Gerry Sandusky correctly noted Edgar Jones was playing H-back in the backfield, but White incorrectly corrected Sandusky by claiming it was Parmele, 34, not Jones, 84, who had picked up the blitzer that Matt Lawrence missed.  White wisely explained Beck’s poor technique on a bad draw play.  From the director’s booth, there was a terrible camera angle positioned behind the back judge as Hauschka attempted the job-determining field goal.  This was the type of job determining opportunity the broadcast team had been hyping for two weeks and collectively they blew it.  While viewers could see nothing, including whether the ball was inside the uprights, White was describing a bad snap that was hidden from the viewer.   And then they cut to a commercial.  The crew did redeem themselves with multiple replays after the break.   Sandusky capped off the 2009 preseason broadcasts by announcing the Ravens were winners in Atlanta by a final score of 7-3. 

Are you ready for some “real” football?