Your Ravens Preseason Week 3 Viewing Guide
(zippy chance I wasn’t using this photo)
Preaseason week 3. The so-called “dress rehearsal” of the preseason. If you were looking to get a peek at this season’s starters, look no further than this game. The Flaccos’, Smiths’, Ngatas, and Suggs’ should be out there well into the 3rd quarter. Who better for them to play against than that football team from down the road? It’s great to see what used to be a preseason tradition pick up again, as these two teams haven’t seen each other since Ngata mangled RGIII’s knee in 2012. Should be a good one. Let’s get down to the nitty gritty on what to watch for.
1. How Will The Offense Look Their Third Time Out?
Obvs. The installation of Kubiak’s office is an ongoing process, it’ll always be the top thing to watch this preseason. Their performance against Dallas was adequate, but still could use improvement. Had a few kinks and miscommunications out there, but still found a groove and were able to move the football after a drive or two. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but I’m thinking big strides this week. 3 or 4 long, methodical touchdown drives with a field goal and a couple punts mixed in. Then it’ll be smooth sailing come week 1.
Should be noted that Ray Rice is taking a backseat this week to Bernard Pierce and Lorenzo Taliaferro in preparation for the regular season. For what it’s worth (tons), Taliaferro is leading the NFL in rushing yards. By midseason we might be looking at a 3-headed rushing attack, with Taliaferro bringing the brute force.
2. Will The Secondary Hold Up Without 3 of Its Top Cornerbacks?
Jimmy Smith, Lardarius Webb, and Asa Jackson are all banged up. None of the 3 will play, and for good reason. Can’t be running those guys out there for meaningless games when there’s so little competent depth behind them. Having said that, I would like to win this football game. And the problem with that is Chykie Brown and Domonique Franks aren’t very good. I wouldn’t be surprised if RGIII has their way with them and the “SUPER BOWL BABY!!” Skins fans come out in droves. And that’s not a good look for anyone. Hopefully these guys (along with roster fringe guys Tremain Jacobs and Sammy Seamster) can take advantage of this opportunity to show they have the chops to get some snaps in the regular season.
3. Can We Get To The Quarterback?
3 sacks in two preseason games doesn’t look too hot. The pass rush was a huge thorn in our sides down the stretch last season, and probably cost us a playoff bid. There’s no excuse for veterans like Suggs and Dumervil not to be putting the QB on his back a couple times a game. Pernell McPhee is the only guy who’s been really encouraging thus far, and I think he’s primed for a breakout season. Other than him, the front 7 has gotta get it together. Dean Pees’ defense is built around pressuring the QB, and we haven’t been. Let’s.
4. Do We Have A Competition At Kick Returner?
Right now I’d say no, we don’t. Jacoby all day, erry day. Best in the biz. But if Deonte Thompson can repeat his performance from last week, we might have to rethink that. Or at least keep Deonte on the roster moving forward. He came into camp on the roster bubble, and played like somebody who didn’t want a job. Just when we thought he was a surefire cut, he returns a kick-off 108 yards and returns another one 50. If he continues to impress at returner, he may be too valuable to let walk away. Jones doesn’t have the a track record of great health, so we’d be wise to keep him around.
And that’s it. Battle of the Beltways at M&T. Have a day Baltimore