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The Beat with Aaron Wilson - GRUBBS: I'M BETTER THAN THAT
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Posted On: 8/20/07
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BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Ravens rookie first-round pick Ben Grubbs had an inauspicious launch to his NFL career during his starting debut at right guard. Prior to the first snap, he jumped offsides, a miscue attributed to a significant case of nerves.
"Just the anticipation, I was just excited, and the first play showed it when I jumped offsides," Grubbs said. "I've just got to do better."
"It was national television, I was playing with the starters, so I just tried to take advantage of the opportunity that they gave me and capitalize on every situation that I had."
Although the Ravens struggled offensively in a 13-12 loss Sunday night to the New York Giants at M&T Bank Stadium, Grubbs settled down and had a few promising moments.
Starting at right guard with Chris Chester sidelined with a sprained foot, Grubbs opened holes for running back Mike Anderson with the veteran scooting up the middle for 37 yards on three carries, including a 21-yard burst.
"After that first drive, I settled down and started flowing more," Grubbs said.
"Overall, I did pretty decently for my first game. I'm just kind of beating myself up over that offsides penalty because I know that I'm better than that. But I'm glad I made the mistake during preseason."
Grubbs is making a fairly smooth transition to the NFL since being drafted 29th overall out of Auburn.The speed of the game is one adjustment he's making on the fly.
"It's physical in the trenches," Grubbs said. "In the game, there are a lot of bullies out there. It's definitely a transition from practice to the game.
"I guess you just have to prepare for it mentally and physically and be ready for it. I think I did pretty good overall. I just can't really get past that penalty. I know that when I watch the film I'll see some good things."
DOUBLE-J: Outside linebacker Jarret Johnson, All-Pro linebacker Adalius Thomas’ replacement, had a much better game in his second start of the preseason.
One week removed from a shaky debut against the Philadelphia Eagles where he missed open-field tackles and experienced lapses in pass coverage, Johnson was a force in the pass rush.
He sacked Eli Manning in the second quarter, forcing a fumble. He nearly sacked Manning in the first quarter, but was blatantly held by a running back with no flag thrown.
“I think that we started out good, but kind of let our minds get wrapped up on the stuff going on between the plays,” Johnson said. “When that happens, you have to keep your cool. You can’t get all wrapped up in that because guys are going to start jumping offsides and doing stupid stuff like we were doing.”
STRONG FOLLOW-UP: Rookie offensive tackle Jared Gaither duplicated his string of shutdowns during the preseason as the 6-foot-9, 350-pound former University of Maryland star stonewalled speedy defensive end Osi Umenyiora.
INJURY UPDATE: The Ravens held out wide receiver Derrick Mason, a late scratch because of a minor shoulder injury, along with nose guard Kelly Gregg (right knee, thigh) as precautionary measure, in addition to: outside linebacker Antwan Barnes (right high ankle sprain), Chester (sprained right foot), offensive tackle Steve Edwards (knee) and tight end Daniel Wilcox (sprained left ankle).
Plus, All-Pro offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (turf toe) and linebackers Dan Cody (knee surgery) and Mike Smith (shoulder surgery) remain on the physically unable to perform list.
Demetrius Williams started in place of Mason. And Justin Bannan started in place of Gregg.
BIG PICTURE: Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs is taking the long view on this setback for the defending AFC North champions.
“You know it’s early,” he said. “It’s still preseason. We faced a little adversity, but we did what good teams do and we overcame it. We started out bad, but then we got it together.”
QUICK HITS: Undrafted rookie outside linebacker Edgar Jones sacked hefty quarterback Jared Lorenzen, executing a crisp spin move to get free. ... Jones and Stills combined for a sack of Lorenzen early in the fourth quarter. "I think I built on my performance from last week," Jones said. "I don't think I made as many mental mistakes as I did last week. I think I did all right overall. I just want to keep doing good and cut down on mistakes and make the 53-man roster." ... The Giants deactivated wide receiver Plaxico Burress, defensive back Michael Stone, linebacker Gerris Wilkinson, defensive end Charrod Taylor, wide receiver Sinorice Moss, wide receiver Marco Thomas and long snapper Ryan Kuehl. … Manning fumbled twice, losing one with defensive tackle Haloti Ngata recovering the ball and spiking it into the end zone in a crowd-pleasing maneuver. … Safety Dawan Landry led Baltimore with six tackles. … Corey Ivy had four tackles in the first half. ... Rookie return specialist Yamon Figurs had a 52-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter. "It was great blocking upfront," Figurs said. "The fullback got his man, everybody blocked and kicked out the safeties and it just opened up for me."
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
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