Sponsor




Home  >  Columns   >  The Beat with Aaron Wilson  >  WHO HAS THE EDGE TODAY IN CLEVELAND

Columns

The Beat with Aaron Wilson - WHO HAS THE EDGE TODAY IN CLEVELAND

Offense, defense & special teams
Posted On: 9/24/06
Written By:  
Aaron Wilson
WHO HAS THE EDGE TODAY IN CLEVELAND
WHO HAS THE EDGE?
 

RAVENS OFFENSE
 
Total (25) Rushing (10) Passing (28)
 
Quarterback
Steve McNair truly struggled a week ago, particularly with his accuracy in the red zone, and forced an interception. He should outduel Charlie Frye, especially if they open up the passing game and shed this ultra-conservative approach.
 
Running backs
Jamal Lewis should make up a slogan like "Jamal Rocks Cleveland." Or maybe not. With apologies to Drew Carey and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, expect Lewis to regain a measure of his old dominance against the Browns.
 
Receivers
Derrick Mason is about to boil over with frustration. Mark Clayton is practically being ignored. And tight end Todd Heap isn't getting the football often enough, either. Something has to change.
 
Offensive line
They looked bad last week, especially with Tony Pashos getting flagged like his name was Ethan Brooks. Edwin Mulitalo and Mike Flynn were exposed by Warren Sapp. If they can't block an old, fat guy like Ted Washington, then this group is really in trouble.
 
RAVENS DEFENSE
 
Total (1) Rushing (1) Passing (3)
 
Defensive line
They controlled the line of scrimmage and have paved a track for blitzing linebackers to sprint through. Trevor Pryce woke up from his slumber. Who's going to be the next big guy to rumble down the field on a return only to run out of gas?
 
Linebackers
They secretly like the comparisons to the old Super Bowl trio of 'backers: Ray Lewis, Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper. Just an opinion, but even an older Lewis along with Adalius Thomas and Bart Scott seems like a better, more versatile unit.
 
Secondary
Chris McAlister has the most difficult assignment today: checking Braylon Edwards. He's capable of matching his athleticism, size and strength. It will be interesting to see if Ed Reed checks tight end Kellen Winslow, his old University of Miami teammate.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
Return specialist B.J. Sams leads the entire league in kickoff return average. Kicker Matt Stover ranks eighth in NFL scoring history with 1,617 points. He has converted 26 consecutive field goals, a personal-best and franchise mark. Rookie punter Sam Koch averaged 45.3 yards on seven punts against the Raiders.
 
BROWNS OFFENSE
 
Total (29) Rushing (26t) Passing (22)
 
Quarterback
Charlie Frye is a mobile, strong-armed young passer whom the Ravens respect. Watch for him to try to execute a few designed roll-outs to create time and room to operate.
 
Running backs
Reuben Droughns is questionable. If he can't go, this would be a really bad situation for the Browns. They would have to play untested rookie Jerome Harrison.
 
Receivers
This is the most promising aspect of the offense since it includes Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. There isn't much depth, though. A talented receiving corps can be rendered moot if the quarterback doesn't have adequate time to throw.
 
Offensive line
Although they've only allowed five sacks, Charlie Frye has been under nearly constant pressure. Kevin Shaffer has been a disappointment at left tackle. The season-ending knee injury to LeCharles Bentley was a crippling blow for this offense.
 
BROWNS DEFENSE
 

Total (30) Rushing (28) Passing (28)
 
Defensive line
Orpheus Roye is doubtful and he's the best part of this nondescript, aging unit. Ted Washington is humongous, but he's also several pounds overweight and might tip the scales at nearly 400 pounds.
 
Linebackers
Andra Davis has been making a lot of tackles, downfield though. Willie McGinest is hurt and up in years. Kamerion Wimbley represents the future. Former Maryland star D'Qwell Jackson is fitting in quickly.
 
Secondary
Banged-up, the Browns are down to two second-string cornerbacks in the starting lineup. Their safeties, Sean Jones and Brian Russel, are pretty solid tacklers and are decent in pass coverage.
 
BROWNS SPECIAL TEAMS
 
Phil Dawson is one of the most consistent kickers in football. However, he has only attempted and made one field goal this year. Former Baltimore punter Dave Zastudil has gotten plenty of exercise, averaging 45 yards on 11 punts. Return man Dennis Northcutt is dangerous.
 
EDGES: Quarterback: Baltimore; Running backs: Baltimore; Receivers: Baltimore; Offensive line: Baltimore; Defensive line: Baltimore; Linebackers: Baltimore; Secondary: Baltimore; Special teams: Baltimore.
 
INSIDE SLANT
 
Return specialist B.J. Sams leads the NFL with a 36.2 kickoff return average following his 72-yard return against the Raiders, the second-longest of his career and the longest in the AFC this year. It's also the second-longest in the NFL behind the Redskins' Rock Cartwright [100 yards]. The Ravens lead the league in average starting field position, starting drives at the 41.2 yard line. Sams also ranks second in the AFC and third in the NFL with a 14.6 punt return average. In 15 career road games, Sams has a 22.0 kickoff return average. Last year, he broke a career-long 87-yarder at Denver. 

Post your comment

Your Name:
Your Email:
Your Comment:
There are no comments. be the first to post a comment.


«Go back to the previous page.
Posted On: 9/24/06
Written By:  
Aaron Wilson

Polls

Who will sign a long term deal/extension first?


Twitter

Check us out on Twitter
  • 5/24/12: Give 100% of what you've got everyday in every way...except of course if you are at the blood bank...
  • 5/24/12: @ThundercatJay Way too soon to tell. Practices are in shorts and far from game speed.
  • 5/24/12: For now, the Ravens are primarily having Paul Kruger lined up at Suggs' rush outside linebacker spot.
  • 5/24/12: Rookie 2nd round pick Kelechi Osemele took the majority of the first-string repetitions at left guard with Jah Reid rotating in at tackle.

View all tweets & follow us!

Got Poker Face?

E-News

Sign up for Email Alerts and get the best deals and news in your inbox.



Copyright © 2012 24x7 Network, LLC, All Rights Reserved
Website Design by D3Corp Ocean City Maryland