RAVENS REPORT CARD:
Quarterback: B
I actually was going to give Joe a “B+” for the game, but after talking to national scouts and some people with the Ravens; I was told I was being OVERLY fair. Joe really struggled in the first half, looking nervous early on. He targeted Derrick Mason too much early on, and then zeroed in on his first receivers too much the rest of the game, not finishing progression. But he played well, almost well enough to win.
Running Backs/Fullbacks: B
Just a shame they didn’t get the ball more. Ray Rice had some stumbling problems, and they didn’t get one yard when they needed it most.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: C+
This was tough, as Derrick Mason was great early, but didn’t get going much the rest of the way. Kelley Washington and Todd Heap weren’t targeted much, and we all know what happened with Mark Clayton. It wasn’t as if they played poorly, but there wasn’t enough there to give them a high grade.
Offensive Line: B+
What Michael Oher did in moving from one side to the other was REALLY impressive, but it wasn’t the best game of the season for this unit otherwise. Chris Chester had a tough time after playing the best football of his career for the first 3 games.
Defensive Line: B
Actually a very good effort from this unit, but they did allow the Patriots some 6-9 yard rushes early in the game that opened things up for Tom Brady. The pressure was better though.
Linebackers: A-
I thought this group played really well. They got pressure; Terrell Suggs and Jarret Johnson made big plays, and Ray Lewis was all over the field. Even Dannell Ellerbe contributed in his first game action.
Secondary: B-
The safeties are not usually the issue in this unit. But Domonique Foxworth played pretty well (other than when Randy Moss pushed him out of the way) and Frank Walker made another really nice play.
Special Teams: B
Chris Carr’s gaffe really set the tone for the game, and it was a bad tone. Lardarius Webb played well. They’ll miss Brendon Ayanbadejo.
Coaching: B-
The play-calling was CLEARLY suspect from Cam Cameron. It might not have lost the game, but it didn’t help.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say…..
Best of Monday’s WNST Blogs:
Glenn Clark says Harbaugh claimed Ravens ‘not disappointed’ in Chris Carr
Drew Forrester says with Orioles season over, MacPhail should face media
Glenn Clark says Derrick Mason best Raven in loss, Drew Forrester picks Jarret Johnson
Nestor Aparicio says Birk doing community work in Baltimore AND Minnesota
Tom Clayton says Cam Cameron seemed to have ‘no interest’ in establishing control of ground game
Glenn Clark says Friedgen, Niumatalolo got ‘lucky’ over weekend
Rex Snider lost respect for Tom Brady after Ravens’ loss
Derek Arnold says Derrick Mason showing up everywhere
RAVENS:
The Official Site’s John Eisenberg says Patriots’ limited mistakes reason Ravens left New England on losing end
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Ravens expected to bring back Prescott Burgess with Ayanbadejo’s season believed to be over
The Official Site says Harbaugh just wants officiating to be ‘fair and consistent’
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Harbaugh ‘hopeful’ to have Jared Gaither Sunday against Cincinnati
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Flacco thought Ravens ‘took what (Patriots) gave (them)’ as far as play-calling was concerned
Bengals Official Site’s Geoff Hobson says Marvin Lewis expects all players to be available Sunday besides Andre Smith
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Harbaugh noted Flacco was hit 5 times, Pats got just 1 roughing call
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley breaks down roughing penalties that have gone against Ravens
The Sun’s Mike Preston says Ravens ‘more balanced and physical’ than New England
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Harbaugh didn’t define returner between Chris Carr, Lardarius Webb moving forward
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Harbaugh continued to describe Gaither’s injury as ‘not serious’
The Sun’s Edward Lee says NFL Network to re-broadcast Ravens-Patriots tonight
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Ravens took to Twitter after loss in Foxborough
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Harbs doesn’t believe Ravens’ ‘reputation’ affects how games are called
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Ravens not blaming Mark Clayton for loss to Patriots
The AP says Birk knows Ravens can’t dwell on officiating
The AP says Harbaugh knows Ayanbadejo a costly loss for Ravens
Cincinnati Enquirer’s Joe Reedy says Bengals will come to Baltimore struggling offensively
USA Today’s Sean Leahy says Belichick had informed Pats that Ron Winter’s crew was quick to throw flags
SI’s Peter King dropped Ravens to 8th in power rankings
Sporting News’ Clifton Brown drops Ravens to 9th in power rankings
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco gives Ravens ‘B-‘ for effort in loss
NBC Sports’ Mike Florio has Ravens 6th in power rankings
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
The Official Site previews Saturday’s trip to Winston-Salem to face Wake Forest
The Official Site offers complete Terps-Demon Deacons release (pdf)
The Official Site says Nick Ferrara, Demetrius Hartsfield honored by ACC
The Sun says Terps, Cavs will kick off at 4pm on 10/17 (GET ON THE BUS!!!!)
The Sun’s Matt Bracken says future Terp Tyler Smith bounced back with big weekend
Examiner Matthew Bouchard says win over Clemson may have ‘saved’ season for Maryland
The Diamondback’s Greg Schimmel says Bruce Campbell underwent MRI yesterday, results expected in Ralph Friedgen’s press conference today
The Diamondback’s Aaron Kraut says Terps can’t rely on ‘luck’ moving forward (must subscribe)
The Diamondback’s Eric Detweiler says Ferrara shared specialist honor with Virginia’s Robert Randolph (ROBERT RANDOLPH?!?!?)
The Diamondback has Terps 8th in ACC power rankings
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Terps two games up on Florida State, Clemson in loss column early on
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Adrian Moten lead players only meeting last week
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Chris Turner ‘settled down’ in Clemson victory
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Torrey Smith continues to shine for Terps
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Ryan Donohue got first action against Clemson
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Lamar Young, Andrew Gonnella played well Saturday against Clemson
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Terps, ‘Hoos will be on ESPNU
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Hartsfield first freshman Terp to be honored since DHB
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Davin Meggett had most touches for Terps in win
Washington Examiner’s Kevin Dunleavy says Terps trust Don Brown
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich says Fridge got ‘cocky’ after Maryland’s win
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich says Hartsfield locked up weekly honor with final sack, strip of Kyle Parker
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh says players-only meeting helped Terps get ‘focus’ for game against Tigers (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem says Adrian Moten ‘proud’ of Demetrius Hartsfield (must subscribe)
Turtle Sports Report’s Pete Volk says Jeremiah Wilson’s commitment ‘unwavering’
Scout.com’s John Wallpher profiles ’11 DeMatha prospect Kouandjio (must subscribe)
Scout.com’s John Wallpher profiles ’10 Gwynn Park prospect Khalek Shepherd (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
The Sun’s Mike Klingaman says charges dropped against Maryland freshman Jordan Williams
The Diamondback’s Adi Joseph says Gary Williams ‘happy’ Jordan Williams issue is over
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Jordan Williams’ attorney Bill Stevens noted Jordan appeared to be trying to play role of peacemaker in incident
Washington Times’ Tim Lemke says film about Len Bias’ death will be part of ESPN Films’ “30 for 30” series
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Gary defended Jordan Williams as ‘outstanding person’, ‘great representative of (their) basketball team’
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Jordan Williams ‘expected to contend for playing time’ with Terps
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says ESPN named Terps 14th best team of 2000’s
The AP says prosecutor Stilson says all parties in Jordan Williams case wanted charges dropped
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter says St. Anthony prospect Ashton Pankey to visit College Park Oct. 16 (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter says future Terp Alicia DeVaughn got ‘motherly’ feeling from Brenda Frese (must subscribe)
NAVY FOOTBALL:
The Official Site previews Saturday’s trip to Houston to face Rice
The Official Site offers complete Midshipmen-Owls preview (pdf)
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says Greg Jones, Ross Pospisil recognized by coaching staff from win over AFA
Go Mids says Joe Buckley, Wyatt Middleton, Jon Teague top players from Air Force game
Go Mids grades Mids’ win over Falcons (must subscribe)
TOWSON FOOTBALL:
The Official Site previews Tigers’ trip to Rhode Island Saturday to face CAA foe
MORGAN FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says George Howard, Kemar Scarlett honored by MEAC
HOPKINS FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Alex Lachman honored by Centennial Conference
SALISBURY FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Brandon Norwood, Brandon Hudson, Paul Cynewski all honored by ACFC
ORIOLES:
The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Russell Branyan, Hank Blalock, Mark DeRosa, Prince Fielder could be offseason bat options for Birds to pursue
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Bergesen top Oriole in ‘09
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Brian Roberts Orioles’ MVP
Carroll County Times’ Josh Land says John Lackey, Rich Harden, Randy Wolf, Jason Marquis, Tim Hudson, Erik Bedard, Ben Sheets could be offseason pitching options for O’s to pursue
Frederick News-Post’s Stan Goldberg says Uehara Birds’ ‘biggest disappointment’
BALTIMORE MARINERS:
The Official Site says AIFA team added Jason Blackman, Ron Meehan, Bryan Milburn to coaching staff
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-For the record, Brian Roberts would have been my Orioles MVP as well.
Talk to you tomorrow.
-G
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