GAME THREAD - Preseason Opener - Skins

[Sephy]

Welcome back, Ravens fans. We're ready to kick it back into high gear tonight with 60 minutes of jaw dropping heart stopping 4th stringer action. I WILL be doing play by play, at least until I can't possibly take misspelling the 8th DE on the depth chart's name wrong.

See you all in about 2 hours! GO RAVENS!!!

[heartattackjones]

thanks! the internet is so slow at work today, i might not be able to stream the game -_-

[StingerNLG]

Ahhhhhhh, NOW it officially beginning. Great to see ya Seph.

I know its Preseason, but I am hoping for an unboring game.

[Dade]

I'm so excited I cant contain myself. I got all the big screens at work showing the game.


DO WHAT WE DO ON 3!

1!

2!

3!

WOAH!

[baltimore_hokie]

gaither and yanda will not be playing tonight. cousins will start at LT and chester at RG.

suggs, clayton, and rolle all out as well. d-will and mason WILL play.

[Dade]

Good coverage on opening kickoff.

[Sephy]

gaither and yanda will not be playing tonight. cousins will start at LT and chester at RG.

suggs, clayton, and rolle all out as well. d-will and mason WILL play.

Nice stop by Ellerbe at the 15 on Hauschka's kickoff.

[HoustonRaven]

I will have to live vicariously through the thread as the only pre-seaon game I can watch is this faux "Super Bowl" rematch.

Funny, I dont remember either team fielding their 4th string players at last years Super Bowl.

[Sephy]

1st, dump to Betts out of the backfield, goes for about 12 and a first. Took the best lane there.

1st, Sellers gets about 1. Nice penetration by JJ and Gregg.
2nd and 9, PA, wide open Cooley (Ray's coverage), gain of about 10 and a first.

[Sephy]

1st, from the 37, badly overthrown for Thomas. Incomplete. Carr jumped the route forcing a high throw.
2nd, more outstanding penetration, but Betts got outside for about 3.
3rd and 7, Campbell throws off of his back foot as someone applied pressure from behind, and overthrows Hagans who found a hole in the zone.

[Sephy]

Carr gets a returnable punt, makes one man miss and gets to the 29. Nice moves - and always going forward. 2 things you like to see.

[StingerNLG]

Ok. So we let them feel good for a little bit. Now it's our turn.

I didn't like seeing the Redskins with a wide open receiver like that though.

[heartattackjones]

thanks for the play-by-play guys, all the streaming channels are in blackout areas ><

[baltimore_hokie]

I will have to live vicariously through the thread as the only pre-seaon game I can watch is this faux "Super Bowl" rematch.

Funny, I dont remember either team fielding their 4th string players at last years Super Bowl.

well, due to "technical difficulties" i have to listen to the morons on the redskins broadcast team call the game. they already said it was barnes who made the tackle on the opening kickoff and completely butched ngata's name (pronounced the "g"). after those complete acts of idiocy, they described the redskins team as "having no holes" and annointed jason campbell the next great nfl qb. this is miserable. oh, and we apparently have a starting WR by the name of "anthony mason".

[baltimore_hokie]

1st, from the 37, badly overthrown for Thomas. Incomplete. Carr jumped the route forcing a high throw.
2nd, more outstanding penetration, but Betts got outside for about 3.
3rd and 7, Campbell throws off of his back foot as someone applied pressure from behind, and overthrows Hagans who found a hole in the zone.

hagans was wide open ten yards behind the zone and dropped it. foxworth came in late but something was wrong there.

[Sephy]

1st, Flacco dropping back and looks for a screen, got it batted up and almost picked. Incomplete. Rice had a ton of blockers.
2nd, very nice by Rice, gets the toss, waits for the lane, cuts upfield and gets 6.
3rd and 4, veteran move by Flacco to look left initially then slant it right to D-Will for about 10 and a first. Nice.

[StingerNLG]

Nice route Demetrius!

BTW, this sucks without quick reply. Is there a reason it's off?

[StingerNLG]

Ray Rice Baby!!!!!

[Sephy]

1st, toss to Rice who gets a couple. Oher had a nice play on the slant as well.
2nd and 8, play action, Rice coolly gets the checkdown from Flacco and goes ALL THE WAY inside the Skins 15! Nice! Kid is SO quick.

[Dade]

Rice is so fast it looked like he was in slow motion!

[Sephy]

Quick reply is broken.

1st, another outside carry by Rice for a couple. Oher is physically dominating the left end of the Skins line.

Redskin is down

[RavenScallywag]

Liking what I'm seeing from Oher...he's playing tough and hanging with his blocks.

Also if you didn't know Ray Rice was a beast...you've been notified.

[Sephy]

2nd and 8, fake pass and draw to McClain for 4-5 yards. 3rd and short.
3rd and 3.5, Flacco looks, no one open, has to tuck and run, runs INTO Willis. Will be close. Apparently Heap was open.
4th and inches, TO called. Something was wrong with the helmet speakers.

[Sephy]

4th, McGahee easily gets about 2 for a first.

Oher has a bloody face - got cut above the forehead.

[StingerNLG]

Liking what I'm seeing from Oher...he's playing tough and hanging with his blocks.

Also if you didn't know Ray Rice was a beast...you've been notified.

Agreed on both. Ray has seriously looked like he's stepped up his game from last year.

Oher is a beast. I hope this is what he looks like against the right side Dwight Freeney's of the league.

[Dade]

Oher planted that Skin!

[Sephy]

1st and goal from the 5, McGahee moves 2 closer.
2nd and 3, Flacco pressured, and has to throw out of the endzone.
Skins take a TO.

[baltimore_hokie]

oher man-handled wynn there and threw his ass right on the ground at the end. i like the physicality and aggression he showed there.

[StingerNLG]

I'll tell you this. I DO NOT like the blocking happening on the left side of the line. I haven't seen a true pocket form yet.

[52decleetzu]

Dude Oher is just mauling people left and right.

He took physical to a whole 'nother level in that first series.

Stitch him up and get him back out there.

[Sephy]

3rd and goal, wide formation, dropped by Mason. Got cracked after, too. Slight deflection by a Redskin.

Hauschka is good, 3-0.

Good opener overall, very impressive from Rice. Flacco looks a bit nervous. Not bad, just jittery.

[baltimore_hokie]

I'll tell you this. I DO NOT like the blocking happening on the left side of the line. I haven't seen a true pocket form yet.

i know cousins is starting at LT and i'm not sure is grubbs is out there. flacco has been on the run alot so far.

[Sephy]

Good KO coverage to the 23.

[Dade]

Hopefully this next series on D they will blitz more. I counted only one last Skin Offensive series and it was picked up.

[Sephy]

1st, PA, Pryce held at the line, complete to Randle-El. Gain of about 15.

[StingerNLG]

i know cousins is starting at LT and i'm not sure is grubbs is out there. flacco has been on the run alot so far.

I know. And you can tell. This is not how you play your way to starting though.

[baltimore_hokie]

gooden looks like a kid playing out there. tons of energy, it's good to see. don't see him making too many plays yet though.

[Sephy]

1st, Landry comes shooting into the hole and stops the run for no gain. He's got no fear, that's for sure.
2nd and 10, draw to Betts, gets about 2-3.
3rd and long, blitz by Carr and Barnes, too much for the Skins line and SMACKS Campbell, gets it off, but it hits the turf in front of Pryce who dropped into Zone. Punt time.

Fair caught at the 20.

[StingerNLG]

Nice pass rush by Barnes on that play.

[RavenScallywag]

Rex Ryan, who?

not being serious, but liking the blitzes that Mattison is dialing up!

[Dade]

Nice series for the D. Looks like they wont lose a step without Ryan.

[Sephy]

1st, timing pattern to Mason, complete for 6-7 yards and OOB.
2nd and 3, another slant timing pass to Washington, gain of 10+. Nice throw right into the hole.

[StingerNLG]

Wow, look at Washington getting into the action.

And no Justin Harper sighting yet.

[RavenScallywag]

I like Kelley Washington doing a big dance for a 1st down catch...love his enthusiasm

[Sephy]

16 yard gain.

1st, Rice finds a hole for about 6-7.
2nd and 3, little flip to Rice, gets about 7-8. Flag down. Holding on D-Will. Deserved call, but unnecessary hold.
2nd and 8, screen to Rice who had no blocks and just got smacked.
3rd and 9, excellent camera work who completely misses the pass, slant to Washington up to the 50 and another first down. Perfect pattern.

[Dade]

Starting to love me some Kelley Washington!

[StingerNLG]

Kelley Washington AGAIN with a nice slant pattern!


I am getting REALLY tired of this OL letting Redskins in and getting in Joe's face like this.

[HoustonRaven]

Flacco is still in?

[52decleetzu]

Ray Rice is going to be a beast this year.Period.

[baltimore_hokie]

Flacco is still in?

yeah, i figured he'd be done after a solid first drive. this has to be his last, especially considering how bad the protection has been.

kelly washington looks good, can't help but wonder if all this smith/harper talk will be a moot point.

[Sephy]

1st, incomplete as Flacco was being pressure on the screen. Almost a grounding call. He was almost hit.
2nd and 10, PA, check down to Rice for 4.
3rd and 6, shotgun, completion to Smith for 8 and a first.

[HoustonRaven]

yeah, i figured he'd be done after a solid first drive. this has to be his last, especially considering how bad the protection has been.

kelly washington looks good, can't help but wonder if all this smith/harper talk will be a moot point.

Thanks!

I dont know if its the hotel I am in or what but I cannot stream the coverage on wbal.com

[Sephy]

1st, McGahee makes a nice cut and gets all the way to the 21. Very nice 15+ yard gain. Huge if he plays like that this year.

[StingerNLG]

Marcus Smith now in the game.

Willis McGahee just busted out a 16 yard run!

[phatboy]

need to make that catch

[StingerNLG]

Damnit Marcus!!! Drops the ball in practice, drops the ball in games.

Where is Justin Harper????

[baltimore_hokie]

bad drop by marcus smith on a perfectly thrown pass upfield. one play after an illegal shift penalty on one: marcus smith.

[HoustonRaven]

AZ is carving up Shittsburgh with the play action pass ....

Mental note, Cam!

[Sephy]

1st, McGahee for 2. Flag down immediately.
Illegal shift.

1st and 15, beautiful pass by Flacco and dropped fora potential 17 yard gain. Huge drop by Smith. GREAT throw.
2nd, thrown incomplete, D-Will fell. Inc.
3rd, dump to Willis, gets to the 19.

Hauschka for another try - perfect.

6-0.

[Dade]

Hauschka might just be Stover's replacement.

[baltimore_hokie]

willis is looking shifty and has made several people miss already, i like it.

OL looks like dog shit.

flacco looked pretty solid.

marcus smith can't catch the damn ball.

kelley washington has been a nice surprise.

[StingerNLG]

Look at Anton Barnes trying to make a roster spot!

[Dade]

Wait til Ganos turn.

He has stronger leg and kicked a 53 yarder in practice.

Gotcha.


Come on Barnes you gotta make that pick. happy with his performance thus far.

[Sephy]

1st, Collins pass almost jumped by Barnes. LOL. A LB almost went to the house on that. Dropped, luckily for the skins.
2nd, Mason goes left for about 7.
3rd and 3, nice coverage by Nakamura who strips Hagans and makes it 3 and out. Nice.

[Sephy]

Defense looks great. After a shaky start, Flacco looked good. Rice looked good.

Can't wait for KC :)

[HoustonRaven]

It was bad enough that I had to watch this Shittsburgh game, then ESPN loses it's signal.

[Sephy]

Troy in.

1st, nice throw dropped by an open Harper. These young dudes are blowing it today.
2nd, AGAIN dropped by Harper. Throw was a bit high, but he had it. Gotta catch both of those. Clearly the physical talent is there but man get your head into it.
3rd, TO called.

[StingerNLG]

Oh Justin. That is not the way to impress me after I've been talking you up.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Justin Harper seems to have some of the Clarence Moore Disease

[Marcel#52]

It's like every time smith touches the field a Touchdown is soon to come

[Sephy]

3rd, Troy has to run. Holding call. Incomplete. Smith comes up limping on the punt.

[Sephy]

Great catch and run by LJ Smith.

[StingerNLG]

Wow! How fast is LJ Smith?? Damn!!! Nice throw by Troy Smith as well.

[baltimore_hokie]

harper with ANOTHER drop. what the hell???

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Orapko is gonna be a beast for Washington. Glad the Browns didn't take him. He is just killing Cousins.

Harper just ran an absolutely terrible route and as a result, couldn't get to the ball.

[Sephy]

2nd string defense looks good. I think that's Lardarius Webb out there with some tight coverage.

[baltimore_hokie]

eagles signed vick to a 2-year deal.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Chris Carr getting beat like a drum

[RavenScallywag]

What is the advantage to playing soft coverage here? Are we hoping they score so we have one more opportunity on offense before halftime or something?

Jeesh

[StingerNLG]

Yeah, now this is where it gets boring. And the Redskins are moving the ball.

[baltimore_hokie]

i haven't heard anything about kruger. i hoped to hear alot from him against a porous OL, but he doesnt seem to be getting any pressure at all.

[Sephy]

Ravens get a fumble! Dwan Edwards!

[Sephy]

Nice punch by Zibby to get that loose.

[baltimore_hokie]

lawrence did well to get 14 on a check-down pass up the middle. he ran through a few guys there to get some extra yards. nice to see troy in a 2-minute drill here. 59 seconds left with the ball around the 50.

[Sephy]

Nice screen to Lawrence.

[baltimore_hokie]

lawrence got another 15 or so on a screen, he runs downhill with some power.

[baltimore_hokie]

Harper!!!

[Sephy]

Complete to the 19 for Harper. Nice. Gonna get a few endzone shots.

[Sephy]

TD HARPER! Great throw, great pattern by Harper to fool the DB!

[Dade]

Harper makes up for early with a TD grab.

[Sephy]

Nice way to make up for it, kid. Want to see him mixed into the starting lineup next week.

[baltimore_hokie]

pump faked fooled a young CB. nice redemption play for harper.

[StingerNLG]

TOUCHDOWN Justin Harper!!

Maybe those first couple of drops were just butterflies and opening game jitters. What a great route and good catch!!

[jonboy79]

That's the best Troy Smith has looked as a professional yet. He had a tough start, but he settled in on that last drive.


Justin Harper as well.

[RavenScallywag]

Commentators mentioned in regular season it could've been challenged since he was bobbling it during the catch, but he had complete control as he went out of the endzone, so I can't imagine it'd be overturned.

Great catch for Harper, let's hope he keeps bouncing back.

[Marcel#52]

My thoughts from 1st half...

Vick to the Eagles.. They are most likey gonna win the NFC East. They have so much fire power on the O side its crazy.

The starting O-line is in need of health because Cousins could not start or handle the red's starting end.

Ray Rice looked explosive and McGahee looked very very good.

D-Mase needs to just sit down because we all know that he doesn't need preseason. L.J Smith looked fast, but he took a hit and left the field.

Troy Smith looked horrible on anything 15+ except 2 passes (L.J Smith, Harper for TD) He needs to work on his accuracy badly.

The D looked solid. Hopefully they'll bring a lot more pressure as the season starts

Peace until after the game

[Marcel#52]

TL24x7Word is marcus smith tore his ACL8 minutes ago from txt
VIA TWITTER

[RavenScallywag]

Well, he wasn't doing great in TC, but that is a NASTY blow...he owned on the play where he apparently got injured, guy had NO return because he was on top of him in coverage.

Figurs now has a shot again at making this roster, and I'd say Harper is almost a lock now...

[RavenScallywag]

Ellerbe commits a hold on a return...seems like that's our 3rd or 4th return with a holding penalty...Rosburg, get on top of this!

[baltimore_hokie]

Well, he wasn't doing great in TC, but that is a NASTY blow...he owned on the play where he apparently got injured, guy had NO return because he was on top of him in coverage.

Figurs now has a shot again at making this roster, and I'd say Harper is almost a lock now...

eh, still no chance for figurs. this will slide harper in, but we have carr and webb for returning duties.

[Dade]

I know its preseason but we have alot of penalties.

[RavenScallywag]

Harbaugh looks like he's going to eat this team for breakfast tomorrow for all the stupid penalties being committed. Hopefully this is just 1st game rust and we can shake it off by next game.

Harper with a middle of the field catch, nice way to take the hit and make the catch.

[Sephy]

Nice catch in traffic from Harper

[jonboy79]

Another first to Harper...
Sucks about Smith if true...

[RavenScallywag]

wow, Yamon Figurs with a DEEP catch...

[Sephy]

Wow, excellent hookup from Smith to Figurs. Made a great play by running all the way left, and nice ad lib by Yamon to get open.

[Dade]

With that catch Figurs be on this team another year.

[jonboy79]

Another big pass play. Good pass Smith.

[Dade]

Troy looks damn good.

[Sephy]

Troy looks like a man amongst boys with the 2nd/3rd team. I'd be glad to have him play if Flacco got hurt.

[baltimore_hokie]

troy is just wildly inaccurate. even on the throw to figurs, if he puts it over his head he could have taken it for a TD. he has missed a couple other plays on throws that were nowhere near where they need to be.

[HoustonRaven]

It's funny to hear the people here saying Troy looks good and the coverage saying he looks wild.

[baltimore_hokie]

Who is this guy Lawrence #32.

He has looked good.

matt lawrence, practice squad holdover in his second year out of toledo i believe.

[StingerNLG]

The amount of penalties on offense is rediculous.

Troy Smith is looking pretty good, but he does need to keep these passes inbounds, like the one he just threw.

Justin Harper made a nice comeback after dropping a few. Yamon Figurs??? Catching passes? Wow.

[Sephy]

Another perfect throw by Troy is dropped by the TE. Maybe slightly deflected.

[Dade]

troy is just wildly inaccurate. even on the throw to figurs, if he puts it over his head he could have taken it for a TD. he has missed a couple other plays on throws that were nowhere near where they need to be.

But for a backup his play has been slightly above average, no?

[Sephy]

Gano is perfect. Gonna be an interesting kicking race.

[Sephy]

troy is just wildly inaccurate. even on the throw to figurs, if he puts it over his head he could have taken it for a TD. he has missed a couple other plays on throws that were nowhere near where they need to be.

He was running to his left and threw across his body and lofted it up there. You can't be perfect on that.

Wildly inaccurate? Come on.

[baltimore_hokie]

But for a backup his play has been slightly above average, no?

yeah, for sure. we need to keep this in perspective though. it's against the skins, and their 2nd string at that. they can pay guys like haynesworth all that money because they have no depth. all in all, i'm happy with troy's performance.

[Marcel#52]

One Question.. Where is L.J Smith and Cedric Peerman? I wanna see those 2 on O.. I'd like to also see Beck at QB now.. Smith has settled down some also..

[Dade]

One Question.. Where is L.J Smith and Cedric Peerman? I wanna see those 2 on O.. I'd like to also see Beck at QB now.. Smith has settled down some also..

Troy will probably finish out the 3rd. The 4th is all Beck.

[RAVENOUS52]

Just scoped the replay on the Smith-to-Harper TD. That was as good a pass as you could expect, considering the fact that he was throwing across his body as it was moving in the opposite direction.

But then again, I've always liked Troy as our backup.

[StingerNLG]

One Question.. Where is L.J Smith and Cedric Peerman? I wanna see those 2 on O.. I'd like to also see Beck at QB now.. Smith has settled down some also..

Smith was in for a little bit. Caught a nice pass earlier. This guy has some speed! They said on TV he might be faster than Todd Heap, and I might believe that.

[RavenScallywag]

I think Troy does pretty decently as a backup.,..may not be most accurate, but does a good job managing the game and his athleticism allows him to escape a lot of pressure.

LJ Smith was in earlier, had a VERY nice catch and run for 35 yards...Peerman will be in later.

[Dade]

We caught a break with that pass being dropped by that deadskin.

[StingerNLG]

BTW, I am reading on Facebook from someone that Marcus Smith tore his ACL? Anyone else hear this, or did I miss someone post that here?

[Dade]

Someone posted eariler that they got that update via Twitter.

[Dade]

Nice pick by Martin.

[baltimore_hokie]

mckinney is a HOUSE!!

[StingerNLG]

John Beck time. First play was almost a sack.

Saved by ANOTHER Cousins holding penalty. :grbac:

And a harper catch nullified by a holding penalty. :grbac: :grbac:

GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

[baltimore_hokie]

this team is deep, but i think we will definitely see a veteran OT brought in sometime soon (a la fat willy) because cousins looks abysmal.

[RavenScallywag]

I like Coach Mattison...his son needs to go though...agggh

These penalties are just MURDER!

[RavenScallywag]

Justin Harper NEEDS to work on his consistency and QUICK.

He's shown he can be a good WR for us, but if he catches about 50% of what's thrown to him, he'll never make it on the field for us. Shoot, FIGURS might beat him on the depth chart.

Washington looks great for us, he'll be a nice contributor on offense...I'd still like to look at a vet cut WR at the end of TC, unless Harper can step up his game

[RAVENOUS52]

Harper misses another one he should have had on a nice pass from Beck.

Me thinks he heard foot steps and took his eye off the ball.

Sounds like the spirit of Clarence Moore is alive and well in Baltimore...:grbac:

[RavenScallywag]

What's the impression of Ellerbe tonight? I've seen him in a lot of plays, but doesn't look like he's made a ton of plays on his own...more just around the ball a lot.

[baltimore_hokie]

is it me or is jayson foster a better, manlier version of figurs??

[Dade]

is it me or is jayson foster a better, manlier version of figurs??

No I was just thinking the same thing.

[RavenScallywag]

what he lacks in height, he makes up for with his speed and agility...I had written him off for a roster spot, but with Marcus Smith potentially out, he could have a shot, especially making plays like that.

[Jeremiah W]

Figurs would not have been caught.

Nice play though form the lil slap.

[StingerNLG]

Justin Harper NEEDS to work on his consistency and QUICK.

He's shown he can be a good WR for us, but if he catches about 50% of what's thrown to him, he'll never make it on the field for us. Shoot, FIGURS might beat him on the depth chart.

Yeah, but he did catch a nice TD pass tonight. That will count for something.

Who is this Jason Foster cat?? He had a NICE 64 yard catch and run, in among a couple catches here.

[festivus]

Yeah, but he did catch a nice TD pass tonight. That will count for something.

Not much. He did not have a good handle on that ball and it was in the end zone, right in his lap.

I was disappointed in Harper tonight. And in Figurs. And in M. Smith, too, though that may now be moot. C'mon, one of you cats please step up!

[Jeremiah W]

Barnes and McClain are missing a lot of sacks, but coming off the ball with some serious burst.

[Raving Hokie]

What's the impression of Ellerbe tonight? I've seen him in a lot of plays, but doesn't look like he's made a ton of plays on his own...more just around the ball a lot.

He flat out flew down to the ball on the opening kickoff. I have seen him around the ball a few times which is always good.

My impressions thus far:
-All the quarterbacks look good. We have been pass heavy throughout the game, but I believe Cam said that was going to be his intention for evaluation or some other reason.
-WR has been shaky. Demetrius and Kelly both looked good when they were out there, Justin and Marcus continued to be up and down. The other recievers are now in and Jason Foster just made a nice long run after the catch.
-I am excited to see the running game get going. Both Ray and Willis showed flashes more then once. The screens and passes to the flats working effectively to start the game were good to see.
-Oneil Cousins does not look too good playing the majority of the game in place of Gaither. Couple of holdings and I believe he was beat a couple times...unfortunately I won't have a DVR copy to watch because Comcast stinks. Oher looks DOMINANT.

The defense is as advertised. I can't decide if the play in the opening drive for the deadskins that was wide open was broken coverage or just how the coverage played out because it looked like the safeties were in deep cover 2 with foxworth taking coverage in the middle of the field by design...either or we cannot afford that to happen. Otherwise it has been solid, and they are pitching a shutout as of this posting so no complaints as they are just harassing Brennan.

[RavenScallywag]

I'm not dissapointed in Harper, but if he wants to make the team, he needs to step up consistency.

Tell you what, I can't write Antwaan Barnes off this team anymore. He has been milliseconds away from sacks at least 3-4 times tonight, looks REAL dominating. This LB corps will have some tough cuts...

[baltimore_hokie]

Not much. He did not have a good handle on that ball and it was in the end zone, right in his lap.

I was disappointed in Harper tonight. And in Figurs. And in M. Smith, too, though that may now be moot. C'mon, one of you cats please step up!

but washington looked good. that's 4 guys that we have ahead of harper or whoever would be the 5th WR. unless we have a ton of injuries, it won't matter.

[StingerNLG]

Why is Troy Smith back in the game?

[baltimore_hokie]

I'm not dissapointed in Harper, but if he wants to make the team, he needs to step up consistency.

Tell you what, I can't write Antwaan Barnes off this team anymore. He has been milliseconds away from sacks at least 3-4 times tonight, looks REAL dominating. This LB corps will have some tough cuts...

who was ready to write him off? i've had him as a definite lock all off-season, that guy is explosive off the edge.

[Jeremiah W]

who was ready to write him off? i've had him as a definite lock all off-season, that guy is explosive off the edge.

I was expecting more from him last year, but it looks like he will be a weapon again.

[52decleetzu]

They should put in a mercy rule in preseason for games like this.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

I think the main thing I took away from this game is that the legend of Justin Harper was a dud. Not writing him totally off, but this was very disapointing...mostly in the alligator arms

Hopefully, this was a case of the jitters and he gets it all out tonight.

[StingerNLG]

Not much. He did not have a good handle on that ball and it was in the end zone, right in his lap.

I was disappointed in Harper tonight. And in Figurs. And in M. Smith, too, though that may now be moot. C'mon, one of you cats please step up!

And how many of our regular WR's are even that open in the end zone?

Again, dropping the passes he has today isn't going to put him in the #3 spot. But he's probably earned another look. I'd like to see him in with the first team a little.

What BTW was wrong with Figurs? He didn't do anything wrong I could see.

[baltimore_hokie]

called a time out with 2 seconds left for a last second FG that was missed from 28 by gano. OUCH.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Ouch...that really hurts Gano in the competition...

[RAVENOUS52]

called a time out with 2 seconds left for a last second FG that was missed from 28 by gano. OUCH.

But at least KenSkin's night was ruined!!:D

[StingerNLG]

Yeah, you can't miss a 28 yarder with almost no pressure.

Did you see Harbaugh pointing that way when he ran to Zorn. I'm thinking he was immediately explaining to Zorn why he did that.

[jonboy79]

It's funny to hear the people here saying Troy looks good and the coverage saying he looks wild.

Oh, he was wild, but that was still as good as he has looked...

A bit better then Beck who also looked potentially competent as a backup.

[RavenScallywag]

I had sort've knocked Barnes down to my "bubble" players due to the fact that we've got so many locked guys at LB...Ray, JJ, Suggs, Gooden, McClain, Kruger...we really can't carry anymore than 9, so that leaves 3 spots for Ellerbe, Barnes, Ayanbedejo, Phillips, and Burgess.

So if Barnes is a lock too, now you've got 2 spots at max for Ellerbe, Ayanbedejo, Phillips, and Burgess...I'd guess the two most in danger would be Phillips and Burgess.

[RavenScallywag]

As far as Haushcka vs Gano...let's just call this one a slight win for Hauschka, with the next game still being a pretty dead even competition...One game is not enough to win or lose it for either guy.

[Jeremiah W]

I think the main thing I took away from this game is that the legend of Justin Harper was a dud. Not writing him totally off, but this was very disapointing...mostly in the alligator arms

Hopefully, this was a case of the jitters and he gets it all out tonight.

I think it was. He did the same thing the day I saw him at camp.

He is getting open, and he can catch the ball. I think he will be a force by the first game.

[baltimore_hokie]

I had sort've knocked Barnes down to my "bubble" players due to the fact that we've got so many locked guys at LB...Ray, JJ, Suggs, Gooden, McClain, Kruger...we really can't carry anymore than 9, so that leaves 3 spots for Ellerbe, Barnes, Ayanbedejo, Phillips, and Burgess.

So if Barnes is a lock too, now you've got 2 spots at max for Ellerbe, Ayanbedejo, Phillips, and Burgess...I'd guess the two most in danger would be Phillips and Burgess.

i think mcclain is just as much of a bubble guy as barnes. the more i think about it, the less i want ayanbadejo out there in front of some of these young guys. i keep having the vision of him blowing the zone coverage when santonio caught that ball to win the game and can't help but think we'd be better served with an actual LB in there.

[RavenScallywag]

still, think about the fact that we are saying a Pro Bowl LB (on Special Teams) is a bubble player at best...That says something about the caliber of players we have competing here.

[StingerNLG]

Oh, he was wild, but that was still as good as he has looked...

A bit better then Beck who also looked potentially competent as a backup.

Yeah, gotta call it as you see it. Troy Smith looked pretty good tonight. He's not starting, and he even said that. But he has definitely looked better tonight than he has in a while.

Troy actually was VERY gracious in his post-game interview.

[Marcel#52]

My impressions:

Beck> Troy Smith(In this game)... I've always been one to like the accurate passer. Smith was wild or high on alot of throws...

Jayson Foster needs to be looked at hard.. He show explosion and a lil play making ability.. He even showed some ups... Jermaine Lewis anyone?

Cousins.. Needs to tape his fingers together.. No more holding, Like someone posted early.. a back-up OT should be signed.

Harper impressed.. But he needs to be consistent. I wanna see him with Flacco.

Biggest Disappointment?? K.J Garrad. Wasn't he supposed to be a guy always around the ball? I saw him once or twice..

Biggest Surpise?? Antwan Barnes.. Oh yes.. I think he had a man-crush on Colt Brennen.. Cause he was all over him.. Like white girls on NBA Players..

Overall a great game for tonight.. Can't wait to see us agains the Ravens- New York Ravens

[Dade]

Biggest Surpise?? Antwan Barnes.. Oh yes.. I think he had a man-crush on Colt Brennen.. Cause he was all over him.. Like white girls on NBA Players..


:rolling:

[jonboy79]

Yeah, gotta call it as you see it. Troy Smith looked pretty good tonight. He's not starting, and he even said that. But he has definitely looked better tonight than he has in a while.

Troy actually was VERY gracious in his post-game interview.

He said EXACTLY the right things. Methinks he may have had a conversation with his agent IMMEDIATELY before that interview. I hope I am wrong, but those words didn't sound like Troy Smith's thoughts.

[StingerNLG]

He said EXACTLY the right things. Methinks he may have had a conversation with his agent IMMEDIATELY before that interview. I hope I am wrong, but those words didn't sound like Troy Smith's thoughts.

That definately could be. The interviewer kept goading him with self-serving questions and Smith didn't take the bait. The first words out of his mouth were "Today's not about Troy Smith, its about the team". And "Joe Flacco is the starter, without question."

Someone must have said something to him. :)

[jonboy79]

My impressions:

Beck> Troy Smith(In this game)... I've always been one to like the accurate passer. Smith was wild or high on alot of throws...


I'm not ready to go that far. Smith looked much more comfortable in the huddle and runnign the offense. I agree, int he pocket Beck is superior, and by midseason or before, In my estimation, he would be a better option with the first unit offensive line.;

[Marcel#52]

I'm not ready to go that far. Smith looked much more comfortable in the huddle and runnign the offense. I agree, int he pocket Beck is superior, and by midseason or before, In my estimation, he would be a better option with the first unit offensive line.;

While I think Troy should be the number 2. I think Beck had a much better game. Beck looks like he could be a starter some where. His pass to Harper (that was called back on a penalty) was perfectly placed. He is very accurate
but doesn't have great arm strength

[jonboy79]

While I think Troy should be the number 2. I think Beck had a much better game. Beck looks like he could be a starter some where. His pass to Harper (that was called back on a penalty) was perfectly placed. He is very accurate
but doesn't have great arm strength

I hope he didn't jsut trash his shoulder, My ideal situation would include him stepping in as backup week 6 after we Trade Troy Smith at the deadline...

[Marcel#52]

I hope he didn't jsut trash his shoulder, My ideal situation would include him stepping in as backup week 6 after we Trade Troy Smith at the deadline...
LOL.. someone would have to be very desperate to trade for Troy. Then again, the Cleveland Browns are still an NFL team right?

[jonboy79]

LOL.. someone would have to be very desperate to trade for Troy. Then again, the Cleveland Browns are still an NFL team right?

I did say Ideal...

[MLB52]

I just realized that one player was not mentioned in this entire thread. Sam Koch picked up right where he left off last season with beautiful punts.