I recently attended the Baltimore Ravens scrimmage against the Washington Redskins, and as the pre-season usually does for us Baltimore fans it raises a lot of questions about our offense. Where to start, the first one that comes to mind as always is how our quarterback will do? Is this finally the year we've been waiting for from Kyle Boller. From what I saw on Saturday August 6th he is a more poised passer then of previous years. When he took command of the first string offense (lacking Todd Heap and Jamal Lewis) he seemed able to read the defense one of the tops in the league, and also knew where his receivers were supposed to be and trusted that they'd be there demonstrated by the ability he displayed to release the ball quick and accurate enough for his receivers to catch the ball in stride as soon as they were coming out of their breaks. With the addition of Derrick Mason a potential 90 reception 1,000 yards receiver and highly touted speedy 1st round pick out of Oklahoma Mark Clayton (I personally like the potential of the 6'6 Clarence Moore) and with hopefully a healthy Heap, Jamal and Ogden, the Ravens offense should be more then able to best the performance then that of our super bowl year. Which shouldn't have to with an always top 5 defense under a new sceme more suited for perenial pro-bowler and future hall of famer Ray Lewis, with returning starters and usual outstanding players Suggs, McAlister and Reed along with the other new aquisations Samari Rolle the coverage corner we've needed and the the sideline-to-sideline ability of former ram Tommy Polley Ravens fans can be excited as the start of another season begins with new possibilties and limitless potential. But hey it's still the preseason and it was just a scrimmage.
The Prodigy said:
Mason is a solid guy and has very nice soft hands so he can catch most of the stuff thrown his way...He might not give you acres of YAC but he will give you those extra 7 yards you need for a first down...Now i have to say this. Mason played with mcnair for years and it would only make common sense that those two would pair up for some pretty decent numbers. It does not easily follow that because one WR caught so many here in Tennessee that the same will follow on another team. (He was second fiddle to Wycheck a few years back) He might need some time to get used to Boller as a whole bunch of plays between Mcnair and Mason were pure co-op between QB and WR...
That being said, on all the NFL shows i have seen on EPSN, FOX and NFL network, the secret is out of the bag. Many are picking the Ravens to be a serious contender. This is normally a terrible thing for any team...Once all the pundits concur that your team will be in the superbowl, thats a good sign that Karma alone is totally against you...(Dont be suprised if Jamal Lewis or another Raven is given the ultimate kiss of death... THE COVER OF ESPN SPORTS ILLUSTRATED.....you might be lucky and find Peyton Manning on there..He is a good candidate to beat out every one else)
I'm very high on the Ravens this year. I'm thinking AFC title game against the Colts. They have really gone from having virtually no weapons last year (with Heap injured and Lewis missing alot of action) to having a number of threats with Mason, Clayton and the continued development of Moore. If Lewis gets back to his 2003 form and Heap stays healthy, its all on Boller. Plus, I hear that the new defensive scheme should make Ray even more danerous. I wish they hadn't lost Hartwell and I'm concerned about the age of their nickels, but overall I think they should make a run at it the prize this year.
Well Boller either does it this year or he has used his last excuse. Now he has the talent around him, and hopefully Todd can remain healthy. you know when I watch him I have this just don't throw a pick attitude. I would say a lack of confidence. You have one of the most potent backs in the league, and still underperform. A top tight end with the running back, still just not making the plays. So now he has some wr's. Will he hit them, or throw into coverage? Will he inspire leadership? Confidence in the coaching staff? Or run the ball on third and long. I hesitate to say this is a player's year, when they have shown no progress toward's that goal. Also see Harrington, Carr, Rattay.
The defense was not so dominant last year, so to be a top 3 would require an improvement. Maybe, but so far it is on paper, just like the offenses improvement. I could see a better defense than last season. That is more likely than a large improvement in the offense. I'll reserve judgement here, as I want to see him hit these receivers. If he consistently throws balls into ground, or fails to read defense fast enough, it will be another long season of Kyle. Just because he gained 8 points with his passer rating from previous season, he was only a 62.4 that year. What were they ranked offensively last year 31st? Ahead of Bears. Not so good. So if I had to guess, I would say Kyle fails again. But he has no excuses this year.
Best Wishes...OF:howdy:
The defense was not so dominant last year, so to be a top 3 would require an improvement. Maybe, but so far it is on paper, just like the offenses improvement. I could see a better defense than last season. That is more likely than a large improvement in the offense. I'll reserve judgement here, as I want to see him hit these receivers. If he consistently throws balls into ground, or fails to read defense fast enough, it will be another long season of Kyle. Just because he gained 8 points with his passer rating from previous season, he was only a 62.4 that year. What were they ranked offensively last year 31st? Ahead of Bears. Not so good. So if I had to guess, I would say Kyle fails again. But he has no excuses this year.
Best Wishes...OF:howdy:
OMNIVOROUS FROG said:
The offense, as bad as it was did have some valid reasons/excuses, with the big three Ogden/Heap/Lewis in and out of an already short on skill player unit...different story this year, and the Ravens have a backup QB who could spell Boller...
minimum of 11 wins in Balto. this season.
well thought out
Going into the season last year Kyle had frequently practiced with heap to develop a repore in the off season. To lose ur number 1 "receiver" and possibly the best at his position during a year in which tight ends were alomst more productive then wideouts (antonio gates, algae crumpler, chad lewis, etc.) staggers an offense built around him. Also lacking the ability to call play action which not only would have helped the receivers but would have given heap the extra step needed to run free past the linebackers downfield. I have to agree with the statement this is kyles year to produce (he may not even get the full 16 games with a ready and able anthony wright in the wings) but notice how his production changed he threw 10 tds and 5 picks in the last half of the season last year so there was a progression. Lastly with new coaching staff and another off season under his belt im hoping and expecting big things from boller this year if not bye bye boller.
Going into the season last year Kyle had frequently practiced with heap to develop a repore in the off season. To lose ur number 1 "receiver" and possibly the best at his position during a year in which tight ends were alomst more productive then wideouts (antonio gates, algae crumpler, chad lewis, etc.) staggers an offense built around him. Also lacking the ability to call play action which not only would have helped the receivers but would have given heap the extra step needed to run free past the linebackers downfield. I have to agree with the statement this is kyles year to produce (he may not even get the full 16 games with a ready and able anthony wright in the wings) but notice how his production changed he threw 10 tds and 5 picks in the last half of the season last year so there was a progression. Lastly with new coaching staff and another off season under his belt im hoping and expecting big things from boller this year if not bye bye boller.
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Baltimore opens w/ Indy.
The over/under is 47.
The last meeting between these two the score was 20-10. This looks like a good value to me. Usually opening weekend the D is a little ahead. However, we all know that Indy can score a bunch. However, even if the win 28-17 the under would still cover. I like this line......
The over/under is 47.
The last meeting between these two the score was 20-10. This looks like a good value to me. Usually opening weekend the D is a little ahead. However, we all know that Indy can score a bunch. However, even if the win 28-17 the under would still cover. I like this line......
