Baltimore Ravens: Outside the Preseason Stats

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Aug 23, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver

Steve Smith

(89) gains yardage after his catch against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

4. Flacco & Smith Connections

Frankly, if you want to put some names together that sound like a law firm, why stop at two with the same name? It seems to me that “Flacco, Smith, Smith, and Associates” sounds even better.

And it is better to have two Smiths catching the ball. All of the concerns about a new system and a new star receiver seem somewhat silly right now. Six receptions for 80 yards against the Redskins, along with a sweet soft-handed pass and catch between Joe Flacco and Steve Smith, demonstrated that these two guys understand one another on a football field. This is going to be just fine.

And beyond Steve Smith’s role on the field is his intangible leadership in the locker room and around the interpersonal relationships that are an integral part of a successful NFL team. He is a hand-in-glove fit into the Ravens’ way of doing things.

And beyond Smith on the field are others on the field as well. When Dennis Pitta returned at the end of last season, the offensive engine ran just a bit smoother. And all of the talk about finding more targets for Flacco has resulted in an impressive stable of horses who can catch footballs and run with them—short situations, long routes, whatever.

5. Defensive Line and Mosely

Brandon Williams was the third-round draft selection in 2013 at pick #94 overall, taken out of the D-2 program Missouri Southern State.

Williams played last year in a total of seven games, seeing 93 snaps, while making five tackles and a sack. The 6-1, 330-pounder was a bit lost in the defensive line depth in 2013, but that is no longer true at all.

A few months ago Harbaugh said that Williams should at least get a good long look, “He proved that he can play. We had a lot of depth there this year. He had a little maturing to do, and he should be in the mix.”

A year ago, Williams was also set back with a foot injury at the end of the preseason that kept him out of the first three games. But with Arthur Jones going to the Colts in free agency, the starting nose tackle looks to be his job to lose at this point. He has been a wall at the center of the Ravens defense this preseason, and the whole defensive front has played well.

Just behind them is rookie C.J. Mosely. If you are a first-round draft pick in the NFL, you are supposed to be good. Even so, it remains difficult to step in and be an immediate impact player.

But Mosely might just so that. He leads the Ravens in this preseason with 12 tackles – eight solo. His lateral speed to stretch plays to the sidelines has been especially impressive.

After all of the talk about the need for additional help on the offensive line, the choice away from that direction to take a linebacker in the first round has the look of being a wizardly pick! You know what I mean!

Summary

There is much to be encouraged about as the final preseason game turns over into the season opener. There are concerns about depth at some positions, particularly with the cornerbacks. As well, the need continues for the running game to truly be established.

Yet at the same time, if you would like to read an interesting article out of Pittsburgh on the diminishing role of the running game in the NFL – especially in light of the much commented-upon rule modifications – check out this link.

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