One of the best factor concerning the Ravens’ 23-game preseason successful streak is that it beats the choice.
The nationwide media likes to harp on the successful streak, and coach John Harbaugh hypes it as much as a level, nevertheless it’s laborious to place a lot credence in it, particularly when these video games are downright unattractive.
Probably the most tense second of the Ravens’ 17-15 win in opposition to Washington Commanders on Saturday evening was whether or not staff mascot Poe was severely injured throughout halftime in a sport in opposition to children.
That’s true. He was carted off the sector however returned within the third quarter.
This streak has grow to be so “life or loss of life” that Harbaugh had rookie extensive receiver Raleigh Webb enjoying security on the finish of the sport. Many of the media was questioning if that was rookie punter Jordan Stout, who shares the No. 11 jersey with Webb.
So, please squelch the streak discuss. Few followers care concerning the Ravens being undefeated in six preseasons.
When the Commanders had been trailing 17-15 with the ball on their very own 20 with two minutes left within the sport, the remaining crowd of about 15,000 wasn’t screaming wildly on each play. M&T Financial institution Stadium wasn’t rocking, and Washington didn’t have any problem overcoming the gang noise.
Many of the followers had been simply sitting there having fun with dialog and speaking about each different factor however the sport. Final season, when the Ravens completed 8-9 and missed the playoffs, nobody cared what their preseason report was. They definitely didn’t care about it when the Ravens received the Tremendous Bowl within the 2012 season.
Possibly the NFL ought to deal with preseason video games like varied counties deal with highschool scrimmages. Coaches are forbidden from posting the ultimate rating and even speaking about excellent particular person performances. They simply grade the movie and prepare for the subsequent contest.
The Ravens and Commanders sat almost all of their starters Saturday evening, which is why Baltimore ran out of defensive backs and Webb was on the sector.
“[The streak] is critical,” Harbaugh stated. “It’s vital to the blokes who had been on the market.”
When last cuts are made Tuesday afternoon, many of the gamers on the market Saturday received’t even be on the roster.
Getting his ft moist
Rookie heart Tyler Linderbaum, one among two first-round draft picks, was one among three Ravens starters within the opening lineup.
Linderbaum missed two weeks of observe due to a foot harm, so Harbaugh apparently thought he wanted some enjoying time. The previous Iowa star was fast, which allowed him to get into mixture blocks and attain defenders within the second stage, however he must get stronger on the level of assault.
He ought to be capable of bulk up with one other offseason within the weight room.
That’s a shock
In considerably of a shock transfer, Harbaugh saved beginning defensive lineman Justin Madubuike on the sector for the complete first quarter.
I’m unsure if Harbaugh was making an attempt to ship Madubuike a message about being more durable, or simply felt the third-year professional wanted extra enjoying time like Linderbaum.
He’s obtained the contact
I don’t know if quarterback Anthony Brown is destined to play lengthy within the NFL, however the undrafted free agent out of Oregon throws a fairly good lengthy ball.
That 67-yard landing move to Demarcus Robinson within the second quarter confirmed nice arm energy and contact. Brown additionally had a 52-yard completion to Robinson early within the third quarter.
Making a push
It’s unsure whether or not weakside linebacker Josh Ross will make the ultimate roster, nevertheless it received’t be from a scarcity of hustle.
The undrafted rookie out of Michigan runs down the whole lot to the surface and has the flexibility to learn offenses and slide into holes and cracks. He has been one of many staff’s most bodily tacklers all through the preseason.
Ross was the staff’s prime tackler Saturday evening with 11, together with seven solo.
That’s hustle
The hustle award goes to third-year defensive finish Broderick Washington. He missed a sack on Commanders rookie quarterback Sam Howell late within the first quarter however obtained up and ran Howell down to complete the play.
Late within the second quarter, he chased down a display move and compelled an incompletion. These sorts of performs might be the distinction between a participant making the staff or getting lower.
Veteran voice
The Ravens have the posh of having the ability to put veteran security Tony Jefferson on the sector in these meaningless preseason video games.
The nine-year veteran has made a number of large performs within the three exhibition video games and supplied protection on the again finish, particularly for linebackers who've had bother dropping into protection. He made 9 tackles in opposition to Washington.
The Ravens have a number of choices at security, however Jefferson ought to discover a technique to keep in Baltimore. He has grow to be a frontrunner on the again finish of the protection.
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