Ravens Report- Week 5 2008

Ravens Report
Last Monday night, the Ravens lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 23-20, in overtime. The first points of the game were put up with a 49-yard field goal from Steelers K Jeff Reed. Then, Ravens K Matt Stover hit two field goals to give the Ravens a 6-3 lead. Then, Ravens QB Joe Flacco threw his first career touchdown, a 4-yard pass to backup TE Daniel Wilcox to give the Ravens a 13-3 lead at halftime. Then, after a 15-yard penalty on Ravens LB Jarret Johnson, the Steelers got the momentum. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to WR Santonio Holmes to make the score 13-10. On the Ravens’ next possession, Joe Flacco fumbled, and Steelers LB LaMarr Woodley picked it up and ran 7 yards into the end zone for a touchdown to give the Steelers a 17-13 lead. After a 19-yard field goal from Jeff Reed, Ravens FB Le’Ron McClain ran 2 yards into the end zone to tie the game up and head into overtime. In overtime, Steelers K Jeff Reed hit a 46-yard field goal to win the game for the Steelers.
Player of the Game: Steelers LB LaMarr Woodley- 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, forced fumble, fumble recovery
Next Sunday, the Ravens play the undefeated Tennessee Titans at home. Before the NFL split up the divisions, these two teams were intense rivals. Former Titans WR and current Raven Derrick Mason will be facing his old team. The Ravens lead the all-time series 8-7, and they’ve won six out of the last eight meetings with the Titans. The Titans defense has been amazing this season, giving up an average of 11.5 points per game, they are tied for the lead in sacks, and have a league-leading 13 takeaways. But the Ravens have the third ranked rushing game in the NFL, and FB Le’Ron McClain leads the team with 215 yards. Plus, the Ravens defense is possibly the best in the league, only giving up an average of 186 yards per game. Expect this to be a great game, but I have the Titans winning, 27-17.
Suggestion: I think the Ravens should blitz, blitz, blitz. They have to stop RB duo Chris Johnson and LenDale White, who have combined for 7 rushing touchdowns this season.
Key Matchups for Ravens vs. Titans
Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Titans CB Cortland Finnegan Edge: Mason
Ravens RG Marshal Yanda vs. Titans DT Albert Haynesworth Edge: Haynesworth
Ravens FB Le’Ron McClain vs. Titans LB Keith Bullock Edge: Bullock
Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Titans RBs Chris Johnson and LenDale White Edge: Lewis
Ravens CB Chris McAlister vs. Titans WR Justin McCareins Edge: McAlister
Ravens DT Justin Bannan vs. Titans C Kevin Mawae Edge: Mawae
Injury Report
Ravens
Player Injury Status
DT Kelly Gregg Knee OUT
S Dawan Landry Neck OUT
CB Samari Rolle Neck OUT
CB Derrick Martin Shoulder DBT
LB Antwan Barnes Shoulder QST
RB Willis McGahee Chest QST
WR/KR Yamon Figurs Hamstring PRB
LB Tavares Gooden Hip PRB
LB Nick Greisen Thigh PRB
Titans
Player Injury Status
CB Reynaldo Hill Hamstring OUT
WR Justin Gage Knee DBT
P Craig Hentrich Back QST
RB LenDale White Shoulder PRB
QB Vince Young Knee PRB
AFC North Standings
Team W L
Steelers 3 1
Ravens 2 1
Browns 1 3
Bengals 0 4
Well, that’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, see ya next week, let’s go kick the Titans’ butts!

Ravens Report- Week 4 2008

Ravens Report
Last Sunday, the Ravens defeated the Browns, 28-10. After a scoreless 1st quarter, the Browns got on the board first, with a 19-yard touchdown pass from QB Derek Anderson to RB Jerome Harrison. Then, the Ravens tied up the game on a 5-yard TD run from RB Willis McGahee. Then, Browns K Phil Dawson hit a 39-yard field goal, and the Browns led the Ravens, 10-7, at halftime. Then, the Ravens caught fire. First, FB Le’Ron McClain ran for a 1-yard TD to give the Ravens a 14-10 lead. Then, Ravens S Ed Reed picked off a Derek Anderson pass and ran 32 yards into the end zone, and eventually, into the tunnel, giving the Ravens a 21-10 lead. Then, Le’Ron McClain got the Ravens back on the board with another 1-yard touchdown run. On a sad note, in the 2nd quarter, Ravens S Dawan Landry collided with Browns RB Jamal Lewis, he was transported to a hospital, and was released. Also, Ravens QB Joe Flacco was picked off twice.
Player of the Game: Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs- 3 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Goat of the Game: Browns QB Derek Anderson- 14/37, 125 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions
The Ravens will travel to Pittsburgh to face their biggest rival on Monday Night Football. The Ravens have never beaten the Steelers on primetime. When these two teams met on Monday Night last year, the Steelers won, 38-7. The winner of this game takes the outright lead in the AFC North. Ravens QB Joe Flacco is the first rookie QB to start 2-0 since 1970. This will be the first time Flacco faces one of the top defenses in the NFL, which he’ll have to do Monday night. The Steelers defense is ranked 2nd in the NFL, but the Ravens are ranked first. Also, the Eagles defense sacked Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger 8 times last week, and he’s on pace to be sacked 64 times this season! The Ravens might have an advantage because the Steelers will be without Pro Bowl RB Willie Parker (rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall will start), and Pro Bowl DT Casey Hampton. I have the Ravens staying undefeated with a 17-13 victory.
Suggestion: The Ravens defensive line will have to take advantage of a struggling Steelers offensive line and get to QB Ben Roethlisberger to stop their passing game.
Key Matchups for Ravens at Steelers
Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Steelers S Troy Polamalu Edge: Polamalu
Ravens QB Joe Flacco vs. Steelers LB James Harrison Edge: Harrison
Ravens RT Adam Terry vs. Steelers DT Nick Eason Edge: Terry
Ravens DE Trevor Pryce vs. Steelers RT Willie Colon Edge: Pryce
Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger Edge: Lewis
Ravens LB Terrell Suggs vs. Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall Edge: Suggs
Injury Report
Ravens
Player Injury Status
S Dawan Landry Neck OUT
DT Kelly Gregg Knee OUT
CB Samari Rolle Shoulder/Neck OUT
QB Troy Smith Illness OUT
WR Yamon Figurs Hamstring QST
LB Nick Greisen Thigh QST
T Adam Terry Ankle QST
LB Tavares Gooden Hip PRB
LB Ray Lewis Foot PRB
RB Le’Ron McClain Migraine PRB
RB Willis McGahee Eye PRB
CB Fabian Washington Neck PRB
TE Daniel Wilcox Shoulder PRB
Steelers
Player Injury Status
DT Casey Hampton Groin OUT
DE Brett Keisel Calf OUT
RB Willie Parker Knee OUT
LB Donovan Woods Hamstring DBT
CB William Gay Ankle PRB
S Troy Polamalu Quad PRB
CB Deshea Townsend Heel PRB
AFC North Standings
Team W L
Ravens 2 0
Steelers 2 1
Browns 0 3
Bengals 0 3
That’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, see you next week, let’s go kick the Steelers’ butts!

Ravens Report- Week 2 2008

Ravens Report
In their previous game, the Ravens beat the Cincinnati Bengals 17-10 to improve their record to 1-0. The first points were put up when the Ravens perfectly executed a double reverse run, that ended up in a Mark Clayton 39-yard run for a touchdown. After a 21-yard field goal from Ravens K Matt Stover and a 43-yard field goal from Bengals K Shayne Graham, the Ravens leaded the Bengals 10-3 at halftime. Then, the Ravens got back on the board when rookie QB Joe Flacco ran 38 yards into the end zone to give the Ravens a 17-3 lead to end the third quarter. Then, the Bengals got the momentum. Joe Flacco fumbled, and Bengals CB Jonathan Joseph recovered the fumble and ran 65 yards into the end zone to make the score 17-10. But the Ravens defense held the Bengals to nothing the rest of the game and the Ravens ended up with the victory.
Player of the Game: Ravens LB Jarret Johnson- 5 tackles, 1 sack
Goat of the Game: Bengals QB Carson Palmer- 9/24, 94 yards
The Ravens-Texans game was postponed until Nov. 9 due to Hurricane Ike.
Next Sunday, the Ravens will face the Cleveland Browns at home. The last time these two teams met, the Browns came away with a 33-30 victory in overtime. The Browns are 0-2 so far this season, losing to the Cowboys and Steelers. Browns star WR Braylon Edwards could miss Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, which would help the Ravens out a lot, but even if he does play, has not been able to catch the ball yet this season. Also, the Ravens defense will be going up against former Ravens RB Jamal Lewis, who has averaged just three yards per carry so far this season. Ravens RB Willis McGahee is expected to start Sunday, after missing the game against the Bengals due to an injury. Last season, McGahee averaged six yards per carry against the Browns, and rushed for over 100 yards in both games. I predict the Ravens will come away with a 27-13 win.
Suggestion: Browns QB Derek Anderson has struggled so far this year, so the Ravens should take advantage of that and get to him so prevent him from throwing.
Key Matchups for Ravens vs. Browns
Ravens KR Yamon Figurs vs. Browns KR Joshua Cribbs Edge: Cribbs
Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Browns CB Kamerion Wimbley Edge: Mason
Ravens TE Todd Heap vs. Browns LB Willie McGinest Edge: McGinest
Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Browns RB Jamal Lewis Edge: R. Lewis
Ravens LB Jarret Johnson vs. Browns QB Derek Anderson Edge: Johnson
Ravens DE Trevor Pryce vs. Browns LT Joe Thomas Edge: Thomas
Injury Report
Ravens
Player Injury Status
DT Kelly Gregg Knee OUT
QB Troy Smith Illness OUT
CB Fabian Washington Neck DBT
LB Nick Greisen Leg QST
LB Brandon Ayanbadejo Calf PRB
WR Yamon Figurs Hamstring PRB
CB Corey Ivy Ankle PRB
CB Derrick Martin Shoulder PRB
TE Todd Heap Wrist PRB
T Marshal Yanda Knee PRB
WR Demetrius Williams Hamstring PRB
Browns
Player Injury Status
S Sean Jones Knee OUT
TE Martin Rucker Knee OUT
LB Kris Griffin Calf DBT
WR Braylon Edwards Shoulder QST
WR Donte Stallworth Quad QST
LB Willie McGinest Hamstring QST
G Eric Steinbach Shoulder QST
WR Joshua Cribbs Shoulder PRB
RB Jamal Lewis Ankle PRB
DT Shaun Smith Hand PRB
G Ryan Tucker Hip PRB
AFC North Standings
Team W L
Ravens 1 0
Steelers 2 0
Browns 0 2
Bengals 0 2

That’s it for this week’s edition of my Ravens Report, see ya next week, let’s go kick the Bengals’ butts!

Ravens Report Week 1 2008-09

Ravens Report

Hello and welcome to the 2008-09 Baltimore Ravens football season and especially my Ravens Report.

The Ravens lost to the Atlanta Falcons 10-9 at home to end their preseason with a record of 1-3. Ravens 1^st round draft pick Joe Flacco looked solid, completing eight of thirteen for seventy-two yards in the first half. Then, his backup, Casey Bramlet came in. Bramlet completed seven of twenty-one passes for one hundred yards and two interceptions. On the Falcons side of the ball, rookie Matt Ryan didn’t play much, but did solid. For the Ravens, the only thing this game really decided was if Joe Flacco was ready to start Week 1. Kyle Boller is out for the entire year and was placed on the Injured Reserve, and Troy Smith is currently ill. That leaves Flacco and Bramlet, two inexperienced quarterbacks trying to win a starting job. Well, Flacco won it.

In Week 1, the Ravens take on the Cincinnati Bengals at M@T Bank Stadium in downtown Baltimore. These two teams met last year in Week 1 in Cincinnati, the Bengals won, 27-20. Both these teams are trying to recover from a disappointing season last year. This year the Ravens are lead by new Head Coach John Harbaugh, new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. Bengals star Wide Receiver Chad Johnson legally changed his name to Chad Ocho Cinco last week, which both the Bengals and the NFL approved. This will be a great game, between two teams yearning for a better year than last year. I have the Ravens edging out a 21-20 victory in front of their home crowd.

Suggestion: For the Ravens to win this game, I think their offensive line has to step up. Earlier today the Ravens signed veteran 4-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman and former Bengal Willie Anderson. This veteran addition will boost the confidence and knowledge of the rest of the young offensive line, giving the Ravens a better chance to win Sunday afternoon.

Key Matchups for Ravens vs. Bengals:

Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Bengals CB Jonathan Joseph Edge: Mason

Ravens RB Willis McGahee vs. Bengals LB Dhani Jones Edge: McGahee

Ravens LT Jared Gaither vs. Bengals LE Robert Geathers Edge: Geathers

Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Bengals RB Chris Perry Edge: Lewis

Ravens LB Bart Scott vs. Bengals QB Carson Palmer Edge: Palmer

Ravens CB Chris McAlister vs. Bengals WR Chad Ocho Cinco Edge: Ocho Cinco

Injury Report

Ravens

Player Injury Status

QB Troy Smith Illness OUT

DT Kelly Gregg Knee DBT

S Ed Reed Neck QST

T Oniel Cousins Back PRB

TE Todd Heap Knee PRB

RB Willis McGahee Knee PRB

G Marshal Yanda Thumb PRB

Bengals

Player Injury Status

FB Jeremi Johnson Knee OUT

S Chinedum Ndukwe Knee OUT

DT Pat Sims Toe OUT

WR Andre Caldwell Toe DBT

DE Jonathan Fanine Illness PRB

WR T.J. Houshmanzadeh Hamstring PRB

LB Brandon Johnson Hamstring PRB

WR Chad Ocho Cinco Shoulder PRB

DE Antwan Odom Foot PRB

QB Carson Palmer Unknown PRB

DT John Thornton Knee PRB

HB Kenny Watson Hamstring PRB

Ravens 2008 Draft Picks and their Universities:

Round 1: QB Joe Flacco (Delaware)

Round 2: RB Ray Rice (Rutgers)

Round 3: LB Tavares Gooden (Miami FL)

Round 3: Tom Zbikowski (Notre Dame)

Round 3: OT Oniel Cousins (UTEP)

Round 4: WR Marcus Smith (New Mexico)

Round 4: OT Dave Hale (Weber State)

Round 6: S Haruki Nakamura (Cincinnati)

Round 7: WR Justin Harper (Virginia Tech)

Round 7: RB Allen Patrick (Oklahoma)

Well, that’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, see ya next week and let’s go kick the Bengals’ butts!
PRB- Probable
QST-Questionable
DBT- Doubtful

Ravens Report-End of Year

Ravens Report

The Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Baltimore, 27-21. The Ravens got on the board first with a 2-yard touchdown run by RB Musa Smith. After a field goal by Ravens K Matt Stover, Ravens RB Cory Ross ran for a 32-yard touchdown to make the score 17-0. Then the Steelers got on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run by RB Najeh Davenport. After a Stover field goal, Ravens rookie QB Troy Smith found WR Devard Darling in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown to make the score 27-7 at the end of three quarters. The Steelers got all the 4^th quarter points, first with a 59-yard pass from QB Charlie Batch to WR Santonio Holmes, then Batch found WR Cedrick Wilson for a 7-yard touchdown to end the game.

Player of the Game: Ravens DB David Pittman, 7 tackles, 2 INTs

Ravens Final Schedule Results

Week 1: at Bengals L 27-20

Week 2: vs. Jets W 20-13

Week 3: vs. Cardinals W 26-23

Week 4: at Browns L 27-13

Week 5: at 49ers W 9-7

Week 6: vs. Rams W 22-3

Week 7: at Bills L 19-14

BYE

Week 9: at Steelers L 38-7

Week 10: vs. Bengals L 21-7

Week 11: vs. Browns L 33-30 (OT)

Week 12: at Chargers L 32-14

Week 13: vs. Patriots L 27-24

Week 14: vs. Colts L 44-20

Week 15: at Dolphins L 22-16 (OT)

Week 16: at Seattle L 27-6

Week 17: vs. Steelers W 27-21

Final Record: 5-11

At Home: 4-4

On the Road: 1-7

News: The Baltimore Ravens fired Head Coach Brian Billick. Billick spent 8 years as Ravens Head Coach, going 85-67. He won the Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2000, led them to the playoffs in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2006.

Well, that’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, see you next year!

Ravens Report-Week 17

Ravens Report

The Ravens lost in Seattle to the Seahawks, 27-6. The Ravens are now 4-11, losing the past nine games in a row. After a scoreless first quarter, the Seahawks got on the board first with a 21-yard pass from QB Matt Hasselback to WR Nate Burleson. To make the score 14-0, Seahawks LB Leroy Hill returned a Mike Anderson fumble 20 yards for a touchdown. Then Hasselbeck found RB Shaun Alexander for a 14-yard touchdown. Seahawks K Josh Brown hit two field goals in the third quarter to make the score 27-0. For the Ravens only points of the night, QB Troy Smith found WR Derrick Mason for a 79-yard touchdown.

Player of the Game: Seahawks QB Matt Hasselback, 18-27 for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

Next Sunday the Ravens close out the season at home against arch rival Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first meeting between these two teams, the Steelers won 38-7. The Steelers lost star RB Willie Parker last week, which means the Steelers are forced to start Najeh Davenport. The Ravens 22^nd ranked pass defense should have lots of trouble against the Steelers, who are third in scoring through the air. The Steelers will be sitting starting QB Ben Roethlisberger (I don’t care if I spelled it wrong). In a total blowout, I have the Steelers winning 45-7.

Suggestion: The Ravens need to establish a running game with Mike Anderson and Musa Smith after the loss of Willis McGahee last week. If they can’t get the running game going against the Steelers, the Ravens will have absolutely no chance of winning.

Key Matchups for Steelers vs. Ravens

Ravens LB Bart Scott vs. RB Najeh Davenport Edge: Scott

Ravens CB Corey Ivey vs. WR Heinz Ward Edge: Ward

Ravens S Ed Reed vs. QB Charlie Batch Edge: Reed

Ravens C Mike Flynn vs. Steelers NT Casey Hampton Edge: Hampton

Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Steelers CB Deshea Townsend Edge: Mason

Ravens WR Mark Clayton vs. Steelers CB Ike Taylor Edge: Clayton

Injury Report

Ravens

Player Injury Status

QB Kyle Boller- Head- OUT

TE Todd Heap- Thigh- OUT

RB Willis McGahee- Chest- OUT

S Gerome Sapp- Thigh- OUT

TE Quinn Sypniewski- Head- OUT

WR Demetrius Williams- Ankle- OUT

TE Daniel Wilcox- Thigh- OUT

RB Mike Anderson- Thigh- QST

WR Mark Clayton- Back- QST

LB Ray Lewis- Back- QST

LB Edgar Jones- Foot- PRB

T Jonathan Ogden- Thigh- PRB

Steelers

Player Injury Status

LB Clint Kriewaldt- Neck- OUT

T Marvel Smith- Back- OUT

S Troy Polamalu- Knee- DBT

QB Ben Roethlisberger- Ankle- QST

CB Allen Rossum- Hamstring- QST

LB Andre Frazier- Groin- PRB

WR Willie Reid- Shoulder- PRB

Team- W L GB

Steelers- 11- 5- Clinched Division

Browns- 9- 6- 1.0

Bengals- 6- 9- 4.5

Ravens- 4- 11- 6.5

AFC North Outlook: The Steelers have clinched the division title. The Bengals play the Dolphins in Miami and the Browns play the 49ers in Cleveland.

That’s week version of my Raven’s report. Let’s go kick the Steelers’ butts!

Ravens Report-Week 16

Ravens Report

The Ravens lost to the now 1-13 Miami Dolphins, 22-16 in overtime. Ravens K Matt Stover hit two field goals early in the game to make the score 6-0. To get the Dolphins on the board, K Jay Feely hit a 23-yard field goal. Then Ravens QB Kyle “Butterfingers” Boller threw a 17-yard pass to WR Derrick Mason to make the score 13-3. For the only points of the third quarter, Dolphins RB Samkon Gado ran for a 7-yard touchdown. Jay Feely hit two field goals to give the Dolphins a 16-13 lead with 1:56 left in regulation. Then, Matt Stover hit an 18-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. In overtime, Dolphins QB Cleo Lemon found WR Greg Camarillo for a 64-yard touchdown to give the Dolphins their first win of the season.

Player of the Game: Dolphins QB Cleo Lemon, 23-39 for 315 yards and a touchdown

Next Sunday the Ravens head to Seattle to face the 9-5 Seahawks. Ravens rookie QB Troy Smith will make his first career start. Seattle’s explosive offense includes QB Matt Hasselbeck, RB Shaun Alexander, and WR’s Bobby Engram and Deion Branch. Their defense includes LB Lofa Tatupu, DE Patrick Kerney, and CB Marcus Trufant. The Ravens’ success on offense depends on RB Willis McGahee. I have the Ravens losing to the Seahawks 38-10.

Suggestion: With Troy Smith starting, head coach Brian Billick has to make sure that Smith doesn’t lose his confidence if the Ravens lose to the Seahawks.

Key Matchups for Ravens vs. Seahawks

Ravens CB Corey Ivy vs. Seahawks WR Bobby Engram Edge: Engram

Ravens LB Bart Scott vs. Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander Edge: Alexander

Ravens S Ed Reed vs. Seahawks QB Matt Hasselback Edge: Hasselback

Ravens LG Jason Brown vs. Seahawks DE Patrick Kerney Edge: Kerney

Ravens RB Willis McGahee vs. Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu Edge: McGahee

Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant Edge: Mason

Injury Report

Ravens

Player- Injury- Status

QB Kyle Boller- Head- OUT

CB Samari Rolle- Shoulder- OUT (IR)

WR Demetrius Williams- Ankle- OUT

TE Todd Heap- Thigh- DBT

TE Daniel Wilcox- Thigh- DBT

LB Ray Lewis- Hand/Back- QST

LB Gary Stills- Knee- QST

LB Terrell Suggs- Thigh- QST

C Mike Flynn- Foot- PRB

FB Le’Ron McClain- Back- PRB

S Gerome Sapp- Thigh- PRB

T Adam Terry- Ankle- PRB

Seahawks

Player- Injury- Status

DT Rocky Bernard- Groin- QST

WR D.J. Hackett- Ankle- QST

CB Josh Wilson- Quad- QST

RB Shaun Alexander- Wrist- PRB

S Mike Green- Knee- PRB

T Walter Jones- Shoulder- PRB

AFC North Standings

Team W L GB

Steelers- 10- 5- 0.0

Browns- 9- 5- 1.5

Bengals- 5- 9- 4.5

Ravens- 4- 10- 5.5

AFC North Outlook: The Ravens and Bengals have both been eliminated from playoff contention. If the Browns lose, the Steelers win the division. The Steelers beat the Rams on Thursday Night Football and the Browns play the Bengals in Cincinnati.

That’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, see you next week, let’s go kick the Seahawks butts!