Should the junk plays stay?Maybe.
I mentioned Monday and Tuesday that I REALLY don’t know if the “Wildcat” or “Suggs Package” plays would work against good teams. But I ALSO don’t know if this offense is capable of beating anyone without using such tactics.
The hope is that simply by introducing the plays as an option; the Ravens have forced opposing defenses to respect what they are capable of; and that defenses will have to remain honest and not just stack against the run.
And truth be told; I’m not sure that the Browns have a defense that is disciplined enough to not be fooled by such plays. But the Browns are just one more game. Teams like the Giants, Eagles, Redskins, Steelers, and Jaguars will CERTAINLY not be fooled-regularly-by such plays.
The Ravens have to at least have a threat of going back to the junkyard; but they CANNOT use those plays as much as they did against the Raiders. Maybe something as simple as lining up Troy Smith at WR a few times would work to keep teams honest.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say…..
Best of Tuesday’s WNST Blogs:
Brian Billick
says his former LB Coach Singletary learning ropes of being head man in San Fran
Drew Forrester says new O’s jerseys will recognize Maryland
Bob Haynie expects Browns to throw a lot vs. Ravens
Nestor Aparicio invites everyone onto Caps bandwagon
RAVENS:The Official Site
says Ravens think Hale has best facial hair on team
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy reports Harbaugh thinks Figurs’ return ‘iffy’
Browns Official Site’s Steve King says winning games building Browns’ ‘confidence’
The Examiner’s Dave Carey says Ravens serving ‘plenty of rice’The Examiner’s Steve Declue
gives highest praise to D-Line
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Ngata ‘wants to make Tongan culture proud’
The Sun’s Mike Preston too excited about play calling to worry about injuries to Flacco
The Sun says former Ravens Woodson, Sharpe amongst first year nominees for Hall
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Ravens at average ranking of 16.8
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says opening offense vs. Raiders will force Browns to think
The Sun’s Don Markus prefers Jamal, Bill Ordine likes Ravens’ running attack as is
Aaron Wilson says Rice using ‘shiftiness’ to make impact
Carroll County Times’ Haruki Nakamura says ‘time management’ important part of transition to life in NFL
Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Tony Grossi says T. Smith helping to ‘revive’ Ravens’ previously ‘dormant’ offense
Akron Beacon Journal’s Stephanie Storm says Crennel thinks Ravens ‘evolving’ team
Canton Repository’s Steve Doerschuk says Ravens game key for Browns’ playoff hopes
ESPN.com lifts Ravens to 14th in power rankings
ESPN.com’s James Walker expects Browns to ‘match Ravens’ physicality’
ESPN.com’s James Walker says if Ravens keep scoring, they’ll be ‘extremely difficult to beat’
ESPN.com’s James Walker says Harbaugh maintains high approval rating
Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer has Ravens 17th in power rankings
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco gives Ravens C+ grade at midseason
Yahoo! Sports’ Michael Silver has Ravens 19th in power rankings
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:The Sun’s Jeff Barker
says if Terps finish in tie; head to head and divisional record will be tiebreakers
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Carolina’s Yates might not be ready for Maryland game
The Diamondback’s Adi Joseph says Terps thinking Orange Bowl, not any Bowl
Washington Post’s Josh Barr thinks Hawkins will commit to Terps
Washington Post’s Matthew Rennie says DHB still viewed as top prospect
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Jamarr Robinson 4-15 with long TD to McCree in JV game
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says JV game involved BIZARRE safety
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Terps have never had 1,000 and 500 yard rushers in same season
Terrapin Times’ Mike Ashley recaps JV win (must subscribe)TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
The Official Site
says today’s scrimmage open to public at 3:45
The Examiner’s Dylan Waugh says if Kim rejected, he will have to go JuCo route
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter checks in on ’11 prospects (must subscribe)TERRAPINS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
The Official Site
says Terps kick off season with Media Day
The Diamondback’s Aaron Kraut says Toliver, Coleman must replace leadership provided by Harper, Langhorne
Washington Post’s Camille Powell says Terps playing with ‘chip on shoulder’
Washington Post’s Camille Powell says Frese expects Terps to ‘spread floor more’
NAVY FOOTBALL:Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner
says KNKE’s return adds ‘intrigue’ to Navy practice
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner enjoyed looking back at ’78 Holiday Bowl team
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says when not playing Notre Dame, Navy normally good at getting win number 6
Go Mids checks in with FB Ballard (must subscribe)Go Mids
updates results for Navy opponents this season
Go Mids’ David Ausiello checks in with “awesome” fans
MORGAN FOOTBALL:The Examiner’s Dave Carey
says Bears alive in race for MEAC title
HOPKINS FOOTBALL:The Official Site
The Official Site offers complete Jays-Eagles release (pdf)LOYOLA BASKETBALL:
The Official Site
says Rudolph, Sullivan honored by MAAC
ORIOLES:The Sun’s Peter Schmuck
says jersey unveiling might feature new bird
The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says Salazar hot in Venezuela
BALTIMORE COLTS:The Sun’s David Steele
thinks Chester belongs in Hall
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:-Here are your updates……
TERPS IN THE NFL WEEK 8……
-LB Eric Barton had 5 tackles (4 solo) in the Jets’ 28-24 win over the Chiefs
-TE Vernon Davis had 4 catches for 29 yards (before being kicked off the bench by Mike Singletary) in the 49ers’ 34-13 loss to the Seahawks
-CB Dominique Foxworth had 3 tackles and defended 1 pass in the Falcons’ 27-14 loss to the Eagles
-QB Shaun Hill was 15-23 for 173 yards and a TD in the 49ers’ 34-13 loss to the Seahawks
-LB D’Qwell Jackson had 9 tackles (8 solo) and 1 sack in the Browns’ 23-17 win over the Jaguars
-DT Kris Jenkins had 3 tackles (1 solo) in the Jets’ 28-24 win over the Chiefs
-P Adam Podlesh punted 3 times for 140 yards (46.7 avg) in the Jaguars’ 23-17 loss to the Browns
-DT Randy Starks had 1 tackle (1 solo) in the Dolphins’ 25-16 win over the Bills
-CB Josh Wilson had 6 tackles (3 solo); forced a fumble, and returned an interception 75 yards for a TD in the Seahawks’ 34-13 win over the 49ers
MORGAN BEARS IN THE NFL WEEK 8…….
-RB Chad Simpson rushed 4 times for 23 yards and had 2 catches for 24 yards in the Colts’ 31-21 loss to the Titans
-The Maryland state flag patch on the Orioles’ jerseys is pretty cool. Maybe even cool enough for me to buy one. Maybe.
Talk to you tomorrow.
-G
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